What's Happening in Copenhagen this June 2025
Welcome to one of Europe’s most exciting destinations this summer - it's festival time this June in Copenhagen! The city jumps to its feet this months with street parties, festivals and music. Don't miss out on the start of summer with us!
More than just ice cream and great vibes, June is the month where we are totally going to feel the warmth of the sun, visit one of the local beaches, swim in the harbour baths even, enjoy ice cream (very popular in Denmark!) and up the tempo for some serious music festival action this June. Distortion Festival is coming to town at the beginning of June, Copenhell - Denmark's biggest rock festival head bangs into the city June 18th, there is the Copenhagen Photo Festival, the Royal Run and the Copenhagen Sprint for bike fanatics. It's all going on! That is on top of all the wonderful concerts, art exhibitions, Tivoli entertainment, and summer walks you can enjoy around the city. Want to know where to go?? Grab you swimming costume and dive in!!
Header image © Photography by Matthew James 
June is Beach Time!
Copenhagen has beaches!! And harbour baths in the city centre. It may be a capital city but very close on both sides of the coast you can find our lush sand beaches. June is the perfect time to explore where locals and travelers alike soak up the summer vibes. Amager Strandpark is a favorite, with long stretches of sand, beach and lagoon, swimming and picnic zones, and space for beach sports like volleyball and kayaking. It is easily reached on the train or bus and has plenty of space and things to do. Bellevue Beach is iconic and offers a classic Danish beach scene with clean sands and blue-striped designer lifeguard towers.
For a more chilled beach vibe try Tisvildeleje Beach has character with colorful beach huts and shallow waters, ideal for a sunny day! If you're craving solitude and nature, Gudmindrup Beach offers wide, dune-backed sands perfect for sunbathing and relaxing. And if you want something exciting in the city centre, the Harbour Bath at Islands Brygge is right there and great for a quick swim or just to relax with cityscape views.
Harbour Baths at Islands Brygge
Urban swimming? We love it! Swimming at Islands Brygge is a must-do summer activity in Copenhagen if you want to experience the city like a local! If you’re in Copenhagen during the summer, then you can cool off right here in the city in our clean lovely harbour - just dive in!! You don’t need to leave the city to take a swim – just do what the locals do and jump straight into the harbour. There is a whole network of clean, swimmable zones along Copenhagen’s harbourfront right in the city centre - with the city maintaining the water quality daily. Worth checking out our Nordhavn and Kalvebod Bølge, but the most popular and probably the most chilled spot is Islands Brygge.
Here there are 5 pools where you can dive or even do laps in lanes. There is also a shallow kid's are and wooden sun decks for picnics and sunbathing. For dare-devils there are also diving platforms, with the highest being 5 meters! Experience beach vibes, right here in the city! Our urban swim spots mean you can also enjoy the city skyline, see the architecture.
In June it’s very popular with locals, so get here early to get a good spot, and you should experience a great atmosphere. The area around is also particularly nice with green parks, street food, and plenty of places to grab a beer or an ice cream. Get into the summer spirit right here in the city. Just bring a towel and get ready to dive in!!
Image courtesty of Distortion Press Archive and photographer Andreas Holm
Distortion Festival 2025 – Copenhagen’s Wildest Week of Street Parties & Dance Music!
June 4–8
Looking for an unforgettable experience in Copenhagen? Look no further than Distortion – Copenhagen’s legendary five-day dance music festival that literally turns the whole city into a dance floor. From open-air street parties to underground club nights, this is where music, chaos, and culture collide in the best possible way.
Distortion is more than just a festival – it’s a full-on celebration of electronic music, street culture, and creative freedom. It started as a grassroots party over 25 years ago and has grown into an international ritual for over 100,000 music lovers. Despite its size, it stays true to its roots: not-for-profit, independent, and powered by volunteers. Proceeds go straight back into supporting arts and community projects in Copenhagen.
Photo credit cphDistortion.dk @ Photographer Alvaro GM
Free Street Parties: Head to Nørrebro and Vesterbro for the iconic open-air raves. No tickets needed – just show up, donate if you can, and be ready to dance in the streets. Be warned: it gets very crowded, but that’s half the fun.
Distortion Ø & Distortion X: These are the main ticketed events – think full-scale productions, huge stages, and international headliners. Tickets can be bought as day passes or full festival passes (18+ and some venues are 21+).
Club Nights: After dark, the party moves indoors to clubs across the city. These events often sell out, so grab your tickets early.
Extra Events: From basketball tournaments to dance battles and even a Long Table Dinner on Nørrebrogade, there’s something happening in every corner of the city. Some need booking in advance – check the Facebook events page!
2025’s lineup includes big names like: Peggy Gou, Kobosil, Isolée (Live), Milo Makua
Photo credit cphDistortion.dk @ Photographer Danil Ojha
Copenhagen Photo Festival
June 12–22
If you need a break from the madness, Copenhagen Photo Festival offers a more chilled, creative vibe. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Copenhagen Photo Festival is the biggest photography event in the Nordics – and a must for anyone into art, visuals, or just soaking up creative vibes. Spanning Copenhagen and even parts of southern Sweden, the festival brings together emerging and world-renowned photographers through exhibitions, workshops, talks, portfolio reviews, and social events. This year's theme is ‘Entanglement’, exploring how we’re all connected through visual storytelling.
For 11 days in June, the city comes alive with exhibitions, talks, parties, and pop-up events – especially at the festival hub on Refshaleøen. As the biggest photo fest in the Nordics, it features stunning work from both local and international photographers, with exhibitions popping up in galleries, museums, and open spaces all over the city. Running since 2010, this non-profit festival is all about celebrating photography and lens-based art and building a creative community around it.
Expect cool gallery shows, outdoor exhibits, and plenty of chances to get involved – whether you’re snapping pics or just enjoying the view. With around 50,000 visitors expected, it’s a buzzing place to meet creatives and see the city through a different lens. It’s a great way to see a different, artsy side of Copenhagen and connect with other creatives and travelers. Perfect for a slower day of exploring – and it’s a great way to see Copenhagen’s artistic side for free or cheap!
Martin Parr: Tell Tale Mirrors at Copenhagen Photo Festival
June 12–18 at The Royal Theatre & citywide
One of the biggest highlights of this year’s Copenhagen Photo Festival is a major exhibition by legendary British photographer Martin Parr. Hosted in the stunning Royal Theatre, the show explores themes of tourism, leisure, and public behaviour through Parr’s witty and thought-provoking lens.
Expect iconic series like Life’s a Beach and Small World, plus rare early works in a uniquely immersive setting, including a photo book lounge and rooms with views over Kongens Nytorv. You’ll also spot his work displayed outdoors around the city – perfect for photo-lovers on the move!
Parr will be attending the opening weekend, so don’t miss your chance to experience this playful and critical take on how we present ourselves to the world.
Open daily June 12–18, 11am–8pm
© Photography by Camilla Hylleberg Photography
Royal Run
You don't have to run to take part, but the everyone is welcome! The Royal Run is a nationwide Danish running event held annually on the second day of Pentecost, inviting people of all ages and fitness levels to participate alongside the Danish royal family, including King Frederik and Queen Mary. First launched in 2018 to celebrate the then-Crown Prince's 50th birthday, it has become a beloved tradition that promotes health, unity, and active living across Denmark. In 2025, the event takes place on June 9 in five cities, including Copenhagen, with distances of 1.6 km, 5 km, and 10 km, welcoming everyone from seasoned runners to families and those with disabilities. Known for its inclusive and festive spirit, the Royal Run transforms city streets into community celebrations, supported by accessible public transport options and often sells out quickly due to its popularity.
Copenhagen Sprint
This summer, Copenhagen is hosting a brand-new World Tour cycling event – the Copenhagen Sprint – bringing the world’s top male and female cyclists back to the city. The race will start in Roskilde and finish with a thrilling loop through central Copenhagen.
More than just a race, Copenhagen Sprint is a full celebration of cycling culture. Expect public rides on the closed-off race circuit, a bike festival, and fun activities for all ages. There's even a global cycling summit happening alongside the event to promote everyday cycling worldwide.
Whether you're a hardcore cycling fan or just want to soak up the festival vibes, this event is a great way to experience Copenhagen's love of bikes in action.
Copenhell – Copenhagen Rocks Out!!
June 18–21
Ready to unleash your inner metalhead? Copenhell is Denmark’s biggest rock and metal festival, shaking up Copenhagen for four epic days. This isn’t your average music fest – it’s a full-on headbanger’s paradise, bringing some of the biggest names in the scene.
This year’s lineup includes Slipknot, The Prodigy, Billy Idol, Alien Ant Farm, Bullet for My Valentine, Poppy, and Skunk Anansie – so whether you’re into old-school legends or modern metal, you’re sorted. Expect heavy riffs, mosh pits, and a loud, unforgettable atmosphere.
Whether you’re into deep house, techno, or just vibing in the streets with a beer in hand, there’s something here for you.
Coming up this summer at Copenhagen Downtown...
Summer Pride Party
16th August 6pm -2am
Get ready for another one of our HOT summer bashes as we get ready for PRIDE! The Downtown Summer Pride Party is back as part of Copenhagen Pride Week - one of the best in Europe to celebrate the LGTBQI+ community in Denmark. After last year's HUGE celebration, we're bringing the same fabulous vibes to Downtown Bar, but this time, it's going to be a little smaller — but still BIG on the fun!
We’re turning up the heat with outdoor bars, foam madness, and non-stop music that'll keep the dance floor packed all night. It's going to be an absolute blast, with that same unforgettable Pride energy you know and love!
So grab your friends, your best dancing shoes, and get ready to shine! Let’s make this Pride an epic and HOT summer party!
Book your bed with us at Copenhagen Downtown Hostel for the best party time guaranteed - we will make it a weekend to remember!! Find out about our events here.