On October 11th, Copenhagen’s largest annual one-day event, the Culture Night, will take place, featuring over 200 museums, theaters, libraries, churches, ministries, and special events throughout the city. In Copenhagen Cultural District, you can meet historical figures at the National Museum of Denmark, learn to dance at BLOX, experience DAC’s new exhibition Water is Coming, and much more!
The Culture Pass gives you access to all events in the program, and you can bring two children under 12 for free. Additionally, the pass includes unlimited transport on buses, trains, and the Metro within the Greater Copenhagen area (zones 1-99) for the passholder and two children under 12, from 4:00 PM to 4:00 AM.
Purchase your Culture Pass here!
Skjold Rambow & Cæcilie Trier, Arthur van der Zaag, exhibitions and tour in Nikolaj Tower
Photo: Nicolai Hegelund
📍 Nikolaj Kunsthal, Nikolaj Plads 10, 1067 København K
During Culture Night 2024 at Nikolaj Kunsthal, you can look forward to experiencing a brand-new light installation by artist Arthur van der Zaag, which will highlight the architecture of Nikolaj Kunsthal and the building’s distinctive church tower. Additionally, there will be a duo performance by the versatile and experimental musician CTM (Cæcilie Trier) and dancer/performer Skjold Rambow at 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM.
As always, there will be free access to the current exhibitions: “I’m Sorry, This Space Is Reserved” (group exhibition), “En sky er en pige er en dreng er en kat” (Kathrine Ærtebjerg), and “Forgetting, Realising, Forgetting” (Emilie Imán x Anouska Kobus). As usual, you can also join a guided tour of Nikolaj Tower, with tours starting every half hour from 7:00 PM.
A World of Water at DAC
Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj
📍 Dansk Arkitektur Center, Bryghusgade 10, 1473 København
For Culture Night, Danish Architecture Center will dive into the world of water! Explore the newly opened exhibition “Water” and build fish hotels for harbor fish or test your skills in designing a floating house. Together with Havhøst, you can taste the secrets of the sea and learn more about the underwater world. Try your hand at dissecting a mussel and create water solutions using LEGO for when the tides come in!
Focus on the local shops of the city – From Wongs take-away to RC Drycleaners
Photo: Maria Sattrup
📍 Københavns Museum, Stormgade 18, 1555 København V
We celebrate the city’s small shops with a focus on the critically acclaimed exhibition “The Local Business – From Wongs Take-Away to RC Drycleaners”. Join photographer Ulf Svane in conversation with Charlotte from Mais Gardiner and historian Trine Halle, known from “Historiequizzen”. Jokum Rohde and Søren Ulrik Thomsen will discuss the disappearing Copenhagen, and you can dance along as Per Rock takes the stage at the museum. Don’t miss the cozy basement bistro and a light installation by Jenz Koudahl that transforms the building’s facade.
Life in the Backyards of Copenhagen
Photo: Copenhagen City Archives
📍 Copenhagen City Archives, Rådhuspladsen 1, 1599 København
Join us as Copenhagen City Archives opens its doors to showcase photos, films, and documents that illuminate life in the backyards of the early 20th century. We’ll delve into the backyard interiors, which served as an extension of many Copenhageners’ outdoor lives. These spaces had to accommodate everything that didn’t fit into the often overcrowded apartments. Here you would find outdoor toilets, kitchen cellars, and trash bins, but also laundry, workshops, and sleeping children in prams. The backyard was where children played and fought, where you could encounter street performers and entertainers, and where you might come across both a rat and true love.
Dance workshop: Bachata and West Coast Swing
Photo: Rasmus Hjortshøj
📍 BLOX, Bryghusgade 10, 1473 København
Do you enjoy dancing? Then come and get introduced to the partner dances Bachata and West Coast Swing during Culture Night. Dancing is a fantastic way to bring people together for celebrations and is a popular activity for all age groups. Bring a friend you’d like to dance with, or come alone, and we’ll find a partner for you.
Bachata is a delightful Dominican partner dance with a sensual energy and rhythm that’s perfect for dance enthusiasts. You’ll be taught by instructors from Dancemania. West Coast Swing is a modern, elegant swing dance that emphasizes improvisation and musicality, with instruction provided by West Coast Swing Copenhagen.
We’ll also have a visit from balloon artist Kristoffer, and there will be beautiful face painting!
The National Museum of Denmark: Tales of fate, hidden rooms, and historical secrets
Photo: The National Museum of Denmark
📍 The National Museum of Denmark, Frederiksholms Kanal 12, 1220 København K
The National Museum welcomes guests in a new and unique way during Cultural Night. In collaboration with the Copenhagen Film and Theatre School, actors will guide visitors on a historical tour, meeting both researchers and various characters during exclusive small group tours. Along the way, guests will gain insights into the lives of historical figures and different eras, while navigating through historical scenarios and fate-driven stories. Discover whether the Egtved Girl was a belly dancer and explore parts of the museum usually off-limits to the public. Tickets for these tours are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
There will be children’s activities in the Children’s Museum. The evening concludes with the transformation of the foyer into a theater performance space, where food and drinks will be available for purchase.
After the Sun : The sustainable community of the future
Photo: Joakim Züger
📍 Gammel Strand, Gammel Strand 48, 1202 København V
Experience video artworks and luminous projections in the courtyard, engage in a creative workshop, and join a tour at After the Sun.
In the Gammel Strand banquet hall, an open, creative workshop invites both adults and children to participate in creative activities inspired by the exhibition. Drawing on a range of works that explore mythological themes—ranging from Sami and Greenlandic culture to Nordic nature religions—participants are encouraged to create their own landscapes. The workshop, facilitated by professional artists, uses local natural materials as well as found and recycled materials.
The workshop is open from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
Christiansborg Palace – The Royal Stables
Photo: Christiansborg Slot
📍 Christiansborg Ridebane 12, 1218 København K
Visit the Royal Stables at Christiansborg Palace during Culture Night! You’ll have the unique opportunity to see the King’s majestic white horses up close and explore the historic carriages that are still in use today.
The stables will be beautifully lit for the evening, with the sound of baroque music creating a magical atmosphere.
Christiansborg Palace – The Chapel
Photo: Thorkild Jensen
📍 Christiansborg Slotsplads 1, 1218 København K
Experience the gigantic artwork MADE OF STARDUST by the Danish artist Cecilie Waagner Falkenstrøm. MADE OF STARDUST examines the microscopic world around us, connecting us to outer space. On a massive screen you see live images based on your interaction with the artwork and open source data from research archives, such as NASA’s IPAC archive and the James Webb and Hubble telescopes.The art work can only be experienced in the Chapel, on this one evening.
Christiansborg Palace – The Royal Kitchen
Photo: Thorkild Jensen
📍 Christiansborg Ridebane 27, 1218 København K
Discover the largest collection of copperwares in all of Northern Europe, as well as recipes from King Christian X’s anniversary dinner in 1937. Throughout the evening, our people stand ready to show you the kitchen and explain the traditions associated with cooking for the royal parties and the power of spices. In addition, there will fun hands-on activities for kids and adults alike all evening.
Danish War Museum
Photo: Danish War Museum
📍 Tøjhusgade 3, 1220 København K
We get a visit from German mercenaries, from the association Freie Rostocker Fähnlein. Watch and hear when Denmark’s largest reconstruction of a medieval cannon is fired. There will also be a demonstration of musket shooting. After the show, guests can get really close to the cannon and talk to the soldiers. Thay tells more about their work and life in the Middle Ages.
The guests themselves will have the opportunity to here and hold different weapons. From a medieval sword to a Stengun and MP40 submachine gun from World War II to an AK47 and an M10, which is the rifle Danish soldiers use today.
The Black Diamond – The Royal Library
Photo: The Black Diamond – The Royal Library
📍 Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1, 1221 København K
Bring the whole family to a sparkling Culture Night at The Royal Library’s spectacular buildings as we open the doors to a fascinating journey through cultural heritage. Look forward to plenty of exciting activities for both children and adults.
Meet some of the people who work daily to preserve and share our vast collections of books, music, scores, games, manuscripts, and much more. Visit our three exhibitions, play board games, or try your hand at historical computer games.
As something truly special, you can visit our historic reading room, worthy of a Harry Potter film, or simply enjoy the Diamond after dark – this evening it will be filled with music and light from an enormous mirror ball.
Christian IV’s brewery
Photo: Therese Lærke
📍 Frederiksholms Kanal 29, 1220 København K
Join us on an exciting light and sound tour in Christian IV’s Brewery where the materiality of the royal sculptures is extended into the historic spaces through a sensory bombardment that activates both eyes and ears.
The brewery contains sculptures and casts from more than two centuries, when the kings of Denmark acted as protectors and entrepreneurs of culture. This story unfolds in a narrative and mood-creating light and sound setup, which brings the old statues to life. Experience, among other things the statues of Frederik IV’s Faroese and Norwegian subjects and Christian V’s original equestrian statue from Kongens Nytorv in a completely new light.
The Danish Jewish Museum
Photo: Danish Jewish Museum
📍 Proviantpassagen 6, 1218 København K
Calling all families! Join us for a spine-tingling adventure this evening as our Golem figures, built by children at Family Culture Night, has come to life and escaped into the museum! Help us track down these mischievous creatures as they hide in our exhibits and nooks. In addition to the hunt, we will also be Screening the classic film “Der Golem” At the beginning of the evening we will also be hosting a short lectur on the history of Golems from silent films to Marvel.
Thorvaldsens Museum
Photo: Thorvaldsens Museum
📍 Bertel Thorvaldsens Plads 2, 1213 København K
Stop by Thorvaldsens Museum on Culture Night 2024 as we focus on the body. Experience a completely new perspective on art with a performance by GLAD Teater, moving through the museum’s corridors and into the impressive main hall. Throughout the rest of the museum, you can experience Thorvaldsen’s sculptures beautifully illuminated in colors. Bring a friend and enjoy a magical evening at Denmark’s first museum.
The Danish Parliament
Photo: David Kahr
📍 Christiansborg Slot, 1240 København K
Join us and explore the Danish Parliament from the inside when we open the doors and invite you in for an exciting evening at Christiansborg.
On Culture Night, you can explore the building on your own. The parties and staff of the Danish Parliament are excited to welcome you and show you around the Danish Parliament.
// kulturnatten.dk/en/program/