When is Culture Night?
Culture Night Date | Friday 13 October 2023 |
Culture Night (Kulturnatten) in Copenhagen began in 1993, when the city’s museums banded together to showcase the best in cultural offerings. Since then, the night has become an institution, with hundreds upon hundreds of events taking place in a single night. The events run from the simple, such as self-led exploration of cultural spaces and museums like Un City and the National Museum, to the less conventional, such as a guided walk through the Bispebjerg Cemetery crematorium. Whatever you’re interested in, there’s something for you.
By buying a single ticket, the Culture Pass, you get access to a massive array of events.
“Kulturnatten aims to offer something for everyone, no matter how old your are, what your gender is, who you are with and where you are from—you should be able to find something that suits your taste,” Culture Night Program Manager Marie Myschetzky says.
Culture Night itself is an organization that provides money for cultural organizations, so all the money from the Culture Pass supports the city’s institutions throughout the year.
Culture Night Posters 2019 – 1993
“We donate approximately 2.5 million kroner every year to museums and other cultural institutions that participate in the evening. So all our profits go directly back into the arts and culture scene here in Denmark,” explains Marie.
She continues, “[Culture Night] is an opportunity to see Copenhagen in a completely different light and experience all of its hidden spots and secret little alleyways! You get to nose around the places you might not have access to normally. Plus it’s affordable and is a great chance to discover the city you’re in.”
Have more questions? Take a look at our FAQs about Culture Night to make sure you get the most out of Copenhagen’s big evening in October:
When is Culture Night?
Culture Night in Copenhagen takes place in October, typically the second Friday in October. It starts at 6 pm and lasts until midnight.
What is there to do at Culture Night?
Culture Night includes tours of cultural institutions, workshops, activities for children, musical performances, and a host of very fun, quirky events. There are also spaces open to the public that are usually closed, so it’s really a great time to see the city as you’ve never seen it before!
Are there English language events at Culture Night?
Yes! Many of the events at Culture Night are in English. Many others are exhibition spaces or music performances that don’t require Danish language comprehension. If you don’t speak Danish, don’t worry; you can still enjoy Culture Night!
Is Culture Night Free?
No. In order to attend Culture Night, you need to purchase the Culture Pass. This costs 95 DKK and gives access to almost all Culture Night events (some events have an additional cost).
Children under 12 can get their Culture Pass for free, but children’s passes are not necessary – kids can simply participate in any Culture Night event without a pass.
The Culture Pass not only gives you entrance to Culture Night events, but also free access to public transport (metro, s-tog, train, and bus) in the capital area (zone 1-99) from 4 pm to 4 am on Culture Night.
Vintage historic buses that originally operated in Copenhagen and Aarhus from 1961 to 1994 will form a new ring route through the city for the evening. The buses, provided by Sporvejsmuseet, depart from Copenhagen’s Town Hall Square every 7-8 minutes.
The route goes via Copenhagen Central Station, the Royal Library, Kongens Nytorv, Østerport and Nørreport. Stops are made at all Movia stops. The bus ride is free when you have a Cultural Night Pass.
Where can I buy the Culture Pass?
The Culture Pass can be purchased at all 7-11 locations, museums, and libraries in Copenhagen. You can also buy a Culture Pass online and have it sent to to your home (passes can only be sent to locations in Denmark).
How can I plan my Culture Night?
Plan your Culture Night using their online program. Culture Night recommends that in order to attend as many events as possible in the night, you stay in the same neighborhood. Use their neighborhood guide to break up the events by location.
Photo Credit: Miriam Bak McKenna