Midsummer Sankthans
Midsummer’s Eve bonfires and celebrations 2026
Sankthans – a Danish Midsummer tradition
Sankthans, or Midsummer’s Eve, is celebrated across Denmark on 23 June, marking the summer solstice. Rooted in both ancient pagan customs and Christian tradition, it honours the light of summer and community togetherness.
The evening features large bonfires, often by water, symbolising the burning away of evil spirits. There is also communal singing, especially the Danish classic “Midsommervisen”, and speeches reflecting on the season or society.
Many celebrations include food stalls, live music, and activities for families, creating a festive, relaxed atmosphere that continues into the evening.
Whether in cities or countryside, Sankt Hans brings people together to enjoy one of Denmark’s most cherished traditions.
Midsummer celebrations and bonfires in Copenhagen
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Tivoli celebrates Midsummer’s Eve
At 9:00 PM, as the summer dusk gently settles over Copenhagen, Midsummer’s Eve is celebrated by the Tivoli Lake. Together with the Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir and the Tivoli Guards’ lur players, you can welcome the summer season with, among other things, Holger Drachmann’s Midsummer Song, written over a century ago.
In addition to Midsommervisen, the Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir will perform a few more songs as the bonfire burns on the lake, marking midsummer in a shared moment of music and tradition.
The evening's festivities begin already at 8:15 PM, when the Tivoli Orchestra sets the mood with warm midsummer melodies at the Orangeriet stage.
Midsummer Celebration at Ofelia Plads
Come and join Midsummer’s Eve celebrations at Ofelia Plads, where Midsummer is marked by the waterfront under Copenhagen’s open skies – and where a special 10th anniversary is also being celebrated.
This Midsummer's Eve falls almost exactly ten years after the Ofelia Plads we know today first opened. To mark the occasion, the venue is adding something extra throughout the season, and the traditional Midsummer celebration is no exception. This year, the bonfire has been moved onto the pier itself, where it all began. With a large bonfire at the very tip of the pier, there will also be even more space to enjoy the evening.
So bring your friends and family and spend the evening by one of the city’s most beautiful backdrops, as Midsummer is celebrated with a bonfire, live music, a bonfire speech and communal singing – all at Ofelia Plads in the heart of Copenhagen.
The stage programme begins at dusk, but from late afternoon onwards you will find food trucks and bars serving delicious food and refreshing drinks. You can also take a seat at Luftkastellet and enjoy the festivities from beneath the parasols.
Programme
8:00 pm – Concert
9:00 pm – Bonfire speech
9:15 pm – The bonfire is lit, followed by a communal singing of the Midsummer Song
For more information about the Midsummer celebration at Ofelia Plads, please visit the event page.
Sankthans celebration in Frederiksberg Gardens
As tradition dictates, Midsummer’s Eve and Midsummer are celebrated in Frederiksberg Gardens with community singing, a concert and a bonfire speech before the large bonfire is lit. There is a separate programme for children, featuring entertainment and a special children’s bonfire in the afternoon.
Programme
At the Playground
16:00 Welcome to the Children’s Midsummer’s Eve Celebration
16:05 Entertainment on stage
17:30 Children’s bonfire speech by Mayor Michael Vindfeldt – Midsummer Song
18:00 Thank you for this year
At the Palace Lawn
19:30 Lounge music
20:30 Compère Morten Hemmingsen presents the evening’s programme
20:35 Welcome address by Mayor Michael Vindfeldt
20:40 Three community songs
21:00 Concert by Lucky Lo
21:30 Bonfire speech by Niels Krause-Kjær
21:40 Bonfire lighting and The Midsummer Song
21:45 Lounge music
22:30 Thank you and good night
Find more information about the arrangement in Frederiksberg Garden by clicking this link
Midsummer Celebration at Volden
Join Beboerhuset’s annual Midsummer's Eve celebration at Christianshavn Ramparts, Elefanten’s Bastion, on 23 June from 4.00 pm to 11.00 pm.
Beboerhuset will once again be hosting an afternoon and evening of live music, bonfires, stalls, stick bread, speeches and plenty of good atmosphere.
The programme features live bands and a DJ, while Helene Franch - who recently made her literary debut with the novel Drude, published by Gutkind - will deliver the bonfire speech. There will also be delicious food from the grill prepared by Beboerhuset’s chef. Children can make traditional stick bread, enjoy the children’s bonfires throughout the day, or have their faces painted.
FREE ADMISSION
Programme
16:00 Grounds open, face painting and stalls
17:00 Children’s bonfire and performances by bands from the Musikloftet youth club
19:45 Bonfire speech by author Helene Franch
20:15 Concert: Gorgeous
21:15 DJ Magadudu
The bonfire will be lit at approximately 20:00, followed by a communal singing of The Midsummer Song. The bonfire will be decorated with the beautiful theme The Sun Chariot, created by the volunteer activist group Den Røde Tråd.
Sankthans bonfire and festivities at Bryggen
Celebrate Midsummer’s Eve on 23 June with live music, family entertainment, community singing and a crackling bonfire by the waterfront.
This year’s Midsummer's celebrations get off to a flying start with the contemporary circus performance Grand Danois by DYNAMO. Some of Denmark’s finest circus artists will present a whirlwind of breathtaking acts guaranteed to make the whole family gasp and laugh. Grand Danois is presented in collaboration with GLiMT AMAGER.
As the sun begins to set, the rising Danish band Downtown July takes to the open-air stage. Rooted in the Danish song tradition and shaped by a modern soundscape, the band combines poetic lyrics, strong melodies and energetic grooves in a style that is both intimate and grand.
Christopher Røhl, Mayor for Culture, Leisure and Citizen Services, will deliver this year’s Midsummer's Eve speech. Afterwards, everyone is invited to join in a midsummer singalong led by the wonderful drag queen Adriana LaCreme, who will don her finest midsummer attire and lead the audience in singing The Midsummer Song.
Once the bonfire has been lit, Danish-Irish band Sonic Saliva will take the stage with their melodic soul-rock, inspired by blues, americana and roots music.
Come along for a cosy evening with friends, family and neighbours!
´Midsummer's Eve on Bryggen is organised by Kulturhuset Islands Brygge.
Admission: Free entry. Food and drinks available for purchase from Bryggens Spisehus.
When: Monday 23 June, 5.00 pm – 11.00 pm
Where: The gravel area next to Kulturhuset Islands Brygge, Islands Brygge 18, 2300 Copenhagen S
Getting there: Take the Metro to Islands Brygge Station.
Programme for Midsummer's Eve on Bryggen 2026
18:00 Contemporary circus: Grand Danois by DYNAMO in collaboration with GLiMT AMAGER
19:15 Concert: Downtown July
20:30 Bonfire speech by Christopher Røhl, Mayor for Culture, Leisure and Citizen Services
20:40 The Midsummer Song and community singing led by Adriana LaCreme
21:00 Bonfire lighting
21:15 Concert: Sonic Saliva
Sankthans at Blågårds Plads
Welcome to this year's Midsummer Celebration at Blågårds Plads
Everyone is warmly invited to join the annual sankthans (Midsummer) celebration at Blågårds Plads, featuring music, communal singing, a bonfire, and a traditional midsummer speech.
Programme
17:00 DJ, giant soap bubbles and activities for all ages
19:00 Community singing as we come together to create Nørrebro’s largest choir
20:00 Bonfire speech by Klara Sørensen
20:15 Bonfire lighting followed by a communal singing of The Midsummer Song
20:30–22:00 DJ, draught beer and a relaxed summer atmosphere
The Midsummer's Eve celebration at Blågårds Square is organised by Støberiet
Midsummer Celebration in Sydhavnen
Karens Minde Axis once again provides the setting for a major community celebration in Sydhavn this year.
Bring a blanket, put on your dancing shoes and join the Midsummer's Eve festivities in Sydhavn. Food stalls will be serving delicious dishes alongside a selection of cold drinks throughout the evening.
At 18:00, the band Total Hip Replacement takes to the stage. This Danish-Ghanaian group is renowned for its energetic and distinctive live performances, playfully blending reggae, soul and Ghanaian highlife – the perfect soundtrack for an evening of dancing.
Following the evening’s speeches, everyone is invited to join in singing The Midsummer Song as the bonfire burns.
Programme
17:00 Food and drink stalls open
18:00 Concert: Total Hip Replacement
19:15 Speech by Brian Lentz of SydhavnsCompagniet, followed by the evening’s bonfire speaker (to be announced)
19:30 Bonfire lighting and communal singing of The Midsummer Song
Organisers: SydhavnsCompagniet & Karens Minde Kulturhus
Family-friendly Midsummer celebration in Lindevangsparken
You are warmly invited to a family-friendly Midsummer's Eve celebration in Lindevangsparken, featuring community singing, a bouncy castle, a circus performance and plenty of fun for all ages.
Programme
16:00 Welcome address
16:15 Community singing
16:45 Speech by Mathilde Vinther
17:00 Circus Panik performance
18:00 Bonfire lighting and community singing
19:00 Stick bread around the fire
21:30 Event closes
The event is free of charge and open to everyone.
More information about the Sankthans celebration in Lindevangsparken is available here
Sankthans celebrations in Reffen
On 23 June, celebrate the longest day and shortest night of the year with a Midsummer's Eve celebration on the beach at Reffen.
Look forward to the harbour’s most beautiful bonfire, a communal long-table dinner, The Midsummer Song, live music and DJs setting the atmosphere throughout the evening, as well as a live choral performance by UngKlang.
Reffen’s food stalls and bars will be serving cold drinks and delicious street food for both children and adults throughout the day and evening.
Expect a magical evening of fire, music and sunset views across the water. Bring your friends and family, arrive early and find a spot close to the bonfire.
Programme
15:00–17:00 Children’s bonfire with free s’mores
16:00–18:00 Free flower workshop
17:00–18:30 Live music in the Beer Garden
17:30 Communal long-table dinner – purchase your ticket here
18:30–23:00 DJ duo HEJ LEIF
20:45–21:45 Choral concert by UngKlang – read more here
21:45 Lighting of the main Midsummer's Eve bonfire
Click here for more information about Midsummer's Eve in Reffen
Sankthans celebrations and bonfires in Greater Copenhagen
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Celebrate Midsummer in the heart of Hillerød
Spend Midsummer’s Eve in beautiful surroundings at Midsummer's Eve in Hillerød. This annual celebration brings together tradition, community spirit and a wonderful atmosphere by Castle Lake, with Frederiksborg Castle providing a spectacular backdrop.
Join the festivities at Posen, the lakeside area by Castle Lake in the centre of Hillerød. With the magnificent Frederiksborg Castle in the background and the glow of the bonfire reflected on the water, the setting is perfect for a magical midsummer evening.
Programme – Tuesday 23 June 2026
Throughout the evening, The Little Ferry will be operating on the lake.
From 17:00 Food stalls at Posen
17:00 Hillerød Mini Zoo
17:00 Hillerød Events bouncy castle
18:30 Welcome address by Erik Helmer Pedersen, Hillerød ByForum and C4 Knowledge Centre
19:00 Live music by the Dyrby/Højer Duo
19:50 Bonfire speech by Mayor Christoffer Lorenzen
20:00 Bonfire lighting on Castle Lake
20:00 The Midsummer Song – community singing led by Mastodonterne
20:30 Live music by the Dyrby/Højer Duo
22:00 Thank you and good night
The full programme will be published on hillerod.nu, where you can also find practical information and updates about the event.e published at hillerod.nu, where updates about the event will also be shared.
Sankthans in Lejre Land of Legends
Come and experience the atmospheric Midsummer’s Eve celebration at Sagnlandet Lejre, where the boundaries between different eras disappear and competitors battle to master the challenging art of lighting the bonfire.
Enjoy an evening of ancient traditions, live historical drama and activities for all ages.
More information about Sagnlandet Lejre can be found on the attraction’s official website.
Sankthans at Bakken – Tradition and entertainment for the whole family
Experience a traditional Midsummer’s Eve celebration at Bakken, the world’s oldest amusement park. The evening offers a warm atmosphere, live music, bonfire speeches and a spectacular finale.
Programme
21:15 Parade through Bakken with the Zirkus Orchestra
21:30 Welcome by the Lake
21:35 Musical entertainment by the Zirkus Orchestra
22:15 Bonfire speech by Bakken’s Managing Director
22:20 Bonfire speech by this year’s guest speaker (to be announced)
22:35 Pjerrot lights the grand Midsummer's Eve bonfire
23:00 Closing laser show over the lake
There will be activities and entertainment for children earlier in the day, making it a celebration for visitors of all ages.
More Than 400 Years of Tradition
Midsummer’s Eve holds a special place in Bakken’s history and is regarded as the amusement park’s birthday, celebrated in grand style every year.