Check out the ten coolest harbour festivals in Denmark.
We have found the largest, the funniest, the oldest and the newest ones, those with herring on the table and those with mackerel as the main prize.
Every harbour city in Denmark holds its own harbour festival. Some focus on local products and their virtues, while others have concerts with some of Denmark's biggest pop and rock bands. One thing is certainly common in them, they gather people from near to far to explore and have fun.
We have made an overview of the 10 funniest "harbour parties" across the country. So if you are going on a holiday in Denmark, we can definitely recommend taking part in one of the local harbour festivals that the Danish coastal towns have to offer.
Sildefestival in Hvide Sande
Every year in April, a great festival is organised in Hvide Sande. The event is linked to Denmark's largest angler competition - the unofficial World Cup of herring fishing.
When the herring are moving from the sea into the fjord to spawn, many of them can be caught while they are passing through the sluice of Hvide Sande. The fishermen gather at the harbour and compete to find out who catches most of the herring in a short period of time, who has the best herring recipe, and which of the local fishermen will be named as the year's Mr. Sylt.
Cozy atmosphere in the harbour of Skagen. Photo: Campaya.dk
Skagen Festival
In the festival of Skagen, music lovers can visit several concerts and listen to fantastic Danish and foreign bands playing all genres of music. The festival offers both indoor and outdoor scenes. During the festival the whole town is all about music, food and fun.
Sæby harbour festival
As the name suggests, the Sæby harbour festival is held at the harbour of Sæby. In 2017 the event was themed "Food, Music and Holiday".
The houses of fishermen and the busy restaurants give a cozy and intimate atmosphere to the event. Tourists and local people together can experience what the town has to offer - on water and land.
Østerby havnefest
In Østerby the annual harbour festival offers a warm and easeful experience for visitors. The main attraction of the harbour festival is the big fish auction, but you may also play banko and enjoy the buffet in the barbecue evening. The event offers programs and different activities for children as well.
Juelsminde harbour festival
The largest harbour party of the East Coast takes place in Juelsminde. Every year, some of Denmark's most popular pop and rock bands play in "The Great Music Count" at the festival site.There is free access to the area, where you may find a playground, the barber market and small musical tents. You can also play banko in some of the tents.
Hornbæk harbour fest. Photo: Campaya.dk
Hornbæk harbour festival
Since 1881 in Hornbæk, the last weekend of July has been dedicated to music and fun activities to attract families to the area. When the Hornbæk harbour festival opens, lots of visitors come to enjoy the local gastronomy, and the music played by great Danish artists. The festival certainly has something interesting to show to both children and adults.
Hirtshals Fishing Festival
Once you visit the Hirtshals Fishing Festival, you will find lots of fun, families fish and more fish. The event holds a great fish auction, there is a possibility to join harbour tours, exciting activities keep children entertained and the traditional fishing table serves local products to the hungry visitors. On the last day the festival ends with live music in a tent called "The Ship".
Mackerel Festival
The Mackerel Festival is a great harbour party for everyone. People gather to celebrate the mackerel on the hook and later on the tables. At the Odden harbour in Zealand Odde, new angling stories are born year by year. During the last week, the champion is awarded with a mackerel fishery. The competition is open to all.
Kongelig Classic. Photo: Campaya.dk
Kongelig Classic/ Royal Classic festival
Every year during the last weekend of August, beautiful preservative ships and classical yachts land in the ports of Sønderborg, Aabenraa and Flensborg. The ships put out to sail along the border-line between Germany and Denmark.
Aside of all the activities on water and at the harbours, there are also plenty programs for both the young and the adults on land. Today, the three cities form the major port festival for residents and tourists.
Kulturhavn
Copenhagen's annual harbour festival, the Kulturhavn reveals hundreds of free cultural experiences in the festival area and around the harbour.
This festival is the largest and one of the most popular harbour parties in Denmark. You can - among other activities - go on guided tours in unexplored areas, lure your inner child in various water activities or go dancing in a swing room or in any of the dance events.
Kulturhavn in Copenhagen Photo: Kulturhavn.