It’s almost happening! You’re probably looking forward to pitching your tent, enjoying the music and spending several days in good company. But being at the festival can also feel a bit overwhelming – whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned guest whose last visit is starting to fade from memory.
Either way, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered with answers to all your burning questions – so you’ll be ready when it all kicks off.
Let’s start with a quick intro. Roskilde Festival is a non-profit festival that gathers 130,000 people every year – about 30,000 of whom are volunteers helping bring the whole thing to life.
The festival site is divided into two main areas: the campsite and the inner festival grounds. When camping opens on Saturday 28 June at 16:00, we enter what we call the First Days. And with a full festival ticket, you’ll get to soak up the sun and the vibe before the main music programme starts on Wednesday.
You can spend the days checking out emerging artists on the Eos and Gaia stages, listening to activist talks at Flokkr, or dancing your way through countless camp parties.
The heart of the festival grounds opens on Wednesday 2 July. From there, you can experience some of the world’s biggest artists, explore our culinary lab known as the Food Court, browse the Bazar area – and much more.
Thousands of people will be arriving when we open the gates on Saturday 28 June at 16:00. So it's a good idea to plan your trip in advance.
In our entrance map, you can check where your camping area is located. You’ll also find the different Wristband Exchange zones, where you can swap your ticket for a festival wristband.
While it’s easy to buy food and drinks on site, you’re welcome to bring your own to the campsite. You can also bring a trangia stove – just make sure to use it at the designated cooking zones, located throughout the camping area.
Be sure to bring your camping essentials – tent, sleeping mat and sleeping bag. You can also rent these from us if you want to keep things simple. This way, the equipment will be reused, helping support our sustainability goals.
Remember to pack sunscreen and clothing that fits the weather. Danish summer can be unpredictable, so rain gear and something warm for the chilly nights are important.
A power bank is also a smart move. If you don’t have one, you can rent it from Volt.
And don’t forget to check what you may not bring to the festival.
With a full festival ticket (partoutbillet), you can stay in our camping areas. We’ve got a wide range of camping options to suit all tastes.
Get the full overview of camping here
Community Camping is closed for applications, and several Special Camping areas are sold out. But you can still grab a spot in Get A Silent Place, which guarantees you a reserved spot, or Get A Late Spot if you’re arriving later in the week.
You can also go with Rent A Pitched Tent – the name says it all. And of course, you’re always welcome in our regular camping areas in West, where you choose your own spot and pitch your tent when you arrive at the festival.
The sun rises early in the summer, and your neighbours might not keep the party to themselves. Sleep masks and earplugs can be your best friends when it comes to getting a solid night’s sleep.
Good camping gear can also make a big difference. Invest in something sturdy that keeps out the rain and helps you sleep comfortably – and that you’ll want to use again next year.
If you don’t feel like carrying tents, pavilions and all the rest, you can rent high-quality gear from us.
And if you’ve been up late, an afternoon nap might be just what you need to reset. Also, you’ll sleep better if you’re not too drunk.
Alignment of expectations is key. Here are some suggestions for questions you can discuss when preparing for the festival:
How do we clean up?
How do we unpack?
When do people leave?
Are we all participating in packing up our camp?
What do we do if we can't find each other?
When do we turn off the music so we can sleep?
By having these things sorted out, you can avoid conflicts and uphold a positive atmosphere in the camp.
Canned tuna, rye bread and corn. Juicy burgers, sushi and gourmet meals. At Roskilde Festival, it’s all on the menu. And if you’ve got a soft spot for food, this is the perfect place to go exploring.
Whether you’re craving a classic festival bite like a roast pork sandwich or feel like trying fried snails, there’s definitely something delicious waiting for you.
When the festival site opens on Wednesday 2 July, all your food options expands even further! Make sure to explore our Food Court located between the Gloria and Arena stages. There, you’ll find everything from comfort food to bold experiments and everything in between.
You'll find flush toilets scattered across the festival grounds, with sinks at all toilet locations. We have various urinals for both seated and standing use on the festival site.
In collaboration with Herbox, we have dispensers at 15 different toilet islands on the grounds, where you can get free tampons and sanitary pads.
You can easily maintain your home bathing routines and feel fresh and clean throughout the festival. We offer both cold and hot showers, as well as communal and gender-separated showers.
Even if you don’t know many people going, you’re rarely alone at Roskilde Festival. The atmosphere here makes it easy to strike up a conversation with someone new. Don’t be afraid to say hi to your neighbours or join in on whatever activities are happening around you.
You can also swing by the Clean Out Loud or Common Ground camping areas, where the residents host loads of social events.
Think ahead about where you want to stand. Are you into high energy and close contact? Or do you prefer some space and a more relaxed vibe? Find your sweet spot before the concert kicks off – there are great places all around with good sound and atmosphere.
Some shows are marked with a High Energy icon, which means the crowd at the front will be extra lively.
Expect close contact! You’ll be shoulder to shoulder with others, especially at the bigger shows. If it gets too intense, move back or to the side. You’ll still have a great time.
Keep an eye out for each other. Watch out for your friends – and for people you don’t know. Make room, lend a hand if someone falls. And if someone doesn’t feel well, help them get to a volunteer in an orange vest.
Listen and follow instructions. The volunteers in orange vests and the big screen messages are there for you. They help keep the energy up and the atmosphere safe.
Plan your concerts ahead of time – and remember that getting from one stage to another often takes longer than expected. You don’t want to miss the beginning of a show, so allow extra time when moving between stages.
And finally: think about whether you want to be in the pit.
Concerts on the festival’s biggest stages can be many things – exciting, grand, but maybe also a little overwhelming. Especially if you’re planning to stand in the pit.
The pit is the area right in front of Orange Stage and Arena. It’s sectioned off for your safety and gives a limited number of people the chance to experience the show right up close. It’s also where the party really kicks off!
If you’re not used to being in the pit, it might be a good idea to stand by the rear barrier. As the crowd naturally moves forward, you’ll have more space at the back of the pit while still being super close to the concert. And if the vibe feels right and there’s room, you can always move forward.
To get into the pit, you’ll need a pit wristband – available a few hours before the concert if you queue up. That way, you can show up for the show knowing you’ve got your spot secured.
You won’t be able to do it all – and that’s totally fine. Choose some highlights you really want to catch, but also stay open to spontaneous moments and discovering unknown acts. Tag along with your friends and go exploring. One of the best parts of Roskilde Festival is all the unexpected things you’ll stumble into.
You can see when your favourite artists are playing in the schedule and build your personal program in Roskilde Festival's official app.
Whether it’s your first or tenth time at Roskilde Festival, we all need to step away now and then. Luckily, there are areas that are more chill than the rest of the site. These are marked with a pause button on the map, so you’ll always know where to go when you need to unwind.
You could visit The Garden between Orange Stage and Avalon – there’s plenty of shade and a calm vibe. Or stop by the Rest & Reset area in Camping M, created by the Church of Denmark and Roskilde Library, where there’s space for reflection and peace.
Looking for a more meditative space with an artistic edge? Check out Rehearsals of Belonging in East City. And if you want to slow down in an alcohol-free setting, Zone Out (between Orange Stage and Arena) offers poetry readings and comfy, sound-dampening lounge furniture for proper relaxation.
And don’t forget, you can always cool off in Badesøen or relax on the grass by Fiskesøen.
Feeling overwhelmed after eight days at a festival is completely normal. If it ever gets too much, it’s okay to take a step back. You can spend an afternoon or even a night somewhere else to recharge.
If you or someone nearby needs help, look for a volunteer in a colourful vest. They can assist you – either directly or by calling for a team leader.
If something crosses your boundaries or you just need to talk to someone in a safe space, visit one of our Soft Spots. You’ll find them in East City, West City, and between Orange Stage and Avalon. They’re open daily from 10:00 to 16:00.
If you get injured, you can find first aid stations on the map. If you need medicine, there’s a pharmacy on site. All kiosks carry essential items, and toilets are stocked with free tampons and pads.
You can always reach our Helpline at +45 78 74 40 07 if you need help during the festival.
When packing for the festival, remember: less is more. The fewer things you bring, the lighter your footprint. And when the festival ends, make sure you take everything home with you – including your camping gear. Don’t want to lug a tent back? Rent one from us instead.
Most camps will get four waste bags for glass, metal, plastic and food/drink cartons, and general waste. Sorting waste is just as easy here as it is at home. Find a good spot for the bags in your camp and help remind each other to use them.
Of course! You’re more than welcome at Roskilde Festival whether you drink alcohol or not.
The festival is about creating amazing experiences – and that doesn’t have to include alcohol. There are tons of fun things to do, great concerts to enjoy and people to meet, no matter what’s in your cup.
Here are a few tips if you want to drink less:
- Swap alcoholic drinks for non-alcoholic options. Many stalls offer non-alcoholic beers and mocktails.
- Drink low-percentage beverages. That way, you’re more in tune with your limits and can stop before it gets too much.
