Copenhagen Distortion Festival 2025
4-8th June
Distortion is five days of unforgettable fun as this dance festival takes over Copenhagen neighbourhoods and attracts over 100,000 visitors - the craziest parties of the year! Welcome to Distortion 2025! Taking place from 4-8th June, Distortion is a unique dance music festival that brings together local communities and international visitors through music and dance, with street parties, club nights, and stage events, the city is transformed to be a dance music community! Expect top line DJs, plenty of bass, and some organised chaos!
Lineup highlights this year include performances by Peggy Gou, Kobosil, Isolée (Live), and Milo Makua - don’t miss out on tickets. The free street parties (voluntary donation) in Nørrebro and Vesterbro neighbourhoods have become particularly iconic and are more than music - they are a cultural experience and a signature of summer partying in Copenhagen.
Distortion is an independent festival and not-for-profit, run with the help of volunteers and within Copenhagen neighbourhoods. It is a celebration of dance and rave culture over more than 25 years that has now become iconic as a dance party in Copenhagen that is also embedded in the city's music and party culture. As traffic is blocked off, main streets through neighbourhoods transform into street parties, rotating through different areas on different days, and with the night time moving to clubs for Distortion club nights. The essence of Distortion is bringing people together to celebrate and unite.
Header image - Photo credit cphDistortion.dk @ Photographer Simon Lau 
Photo credit cphDistortion.dk @ Photographer Danil Ojha
Celebrating over 25 years of Street Culture and Dance Music: The Story of Distortion
Distortion wasn't always as big as it is today. What started as an underground experiment in 1998 has grown into one of Europe's wildest and most beloved street parties, right here in Copenhagen. Distortion began with a simple idea—bring people together through dance music, living for the moment, and the energy of Copenhagen city life. The idea was that it was a neighbourhood party that brought music and people together socially in their normal surroundings of their neighbourhood. By the year 2000, that idea had evolved into a five-day festival that wasn't set in once place, moving through different neighborhoods of Copenhagen, turning each one into a temporary stage for music, dance, and community.
In its early days, Distortion was a small affair—friends gatherings by barbecues, impromptu DJ sets, and even a party bus cruising through the city. But everything changed in 2011, when the Copenhagen City Council offered its support. That year, over 100,000 people poured into the streets of Vesterbro for what would become a massive block party like no other. The festival had officially entered a new era.
Photo credit cphDistortion.dk @ Photographer Alvaro GM
Today, Distortion continues to transform Copenhagen into a living, breathing celebration of electronic music, street culture, and creative freedom. Attracting both local and international partygoers, the festival has become an annual ritual—where the city itself becomes the dance floor. It also still sticks to its roots of being a little bit chaotic, in an organized way! True to its roots, Distortion remains a not-for-profit organization. The festival reinvests its proceeds into public arts and social initiatives, helping to support cultural projects that bring people together in shared urban spaces.
How it Works
The neighbourhood street parties are open to everyone and don’t require tickets - they are free to go to and there is a voluntary donation - beware they get very crowded. For Distortion Ø and Distortion X you need to buy tickets, this can be for the weekend or a one day ticket or a festival pass. It is 18+ with some of the clubs set at 21+. For the club nights tickets can be limited so don’t leave it to the last minute! Many of the tickets sell out fast, especially for the headliner acts. There are also events that take place in different neighbourhoods, from basketball to dance competitions. Some of them require tickets or bookings in advance, such as the Long Table Dinner on Nørrebrogade which is listed as an event on Facebook. The festival is over 5 days from 4-8th June, with different events on different days taking place. 
Photo credit cphDistortion.dk @ Photographer Danil Ojha
Street Party Vibes
Get ready for one of Distortion’s most legendary street takeovers! On 5 June, the vibrant streets of Nørrebro neighbourhood will come alive with an explosion of music, art, culture, and community vibes. This isn’t just a party—it’s a celebration of Copenhagen’s creative spirit, hosted right in the heart of one of its most diverse and dynamic neighborhoods. Expect spontaneous performances, pop-up experiences, and plenty of surprises along the way. Come early, stay late, and dance in the streets! The street parties are our favourite and back to the roots of why Distortion started - they are the essence of Distortion.
Events taking place in Nørrebro
Curated by star choreographer Toniah Pedersen and local dance icon Anastasija Olescuka, Alors On Danse is back in Nørrebro—and it’s here to make sure you don’t stop moving all night long. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just in it for the fun, this celebration of movement brings you a full evening of dance classes, live performances, and friendly competition.
Long Table Dinner – A 500-Meter Feast on Nørrebrogade
June 5th, 4pm-10pm
Join the 4th year of Distortion’s Long Table Dinner—a 500-meter communal dining experience in the heart of Copenhagen's Nørrebro neighbourhood. Set in front of the big yellow wall of Assistens Kirkegård, this vibrant evening brings together local cafes and eateries, global chefs, and food lovers for a night of culinary celebration and cultural connection. Think of it as a big dinner with a lot of people you don't know.
Tickets are limited—secure your seat at the table now!
Photo credit cphDistortion.dk @ Photographer Andreas Holm
Distortion Ø: The Grand Finale of Copenhagen’s Wildest Week
The biggest single event of the festival is Distortion Ø - the ultimate two-day open-air rave at the end of the festival on 6–7 June 2025 at Refshaleøen in Copenhagen. This is where the city’s week-long celebration of street life and dance music culminates—with a full weekend of mind-blowing music, rave vibes, and unforgettable late night sessions. The Saturday session goes until 6am so prepare yourself to last until sunrise.
Last year sold out—don’t wait to grab your ticket.
- Friday, 6 June: 6PM – 4AM
- Saturday, 7 June: 6PM – 6AM
Yes, it's outdoors. Yes, it's rain or shine. Dress like you're ready for anything.
You’ll be dancing late into the night, surrounded by trees, lights, and thousands of music lovers with full on techno to house. There are some massive names in electronic music (and up and coming) with 53 artists across 6 unique stages.
Photo credit cphDistortion.dk @ Photographer Andreas Holm
Stages & Vibes
Each of the 6 stages aims to offer a different sound "universe"
Forest * Rave * Sunrise * Oasis * Shadow * Aura
There are also chill-out zones for late-night vibes and food and drink options.
Friday
Line up includes - Clara Cuvé * Funk Tribu * Innellea * Kobosil * Marlon Hoffstadt * Axel Boman * Denis Horvat * Bashkka * Isolée (Live) * Franziska Berns * Aja Gulris * Kardinal Bertram * Gina Sabatini * djGEM * Gavnlig * Matriark...and many more
Saturday
Line up includes - Peggy Gou * Adam Ten B2B Mita Gami * Alignment * KI/KI * Bad Boombox * Aisha * Monkey Safari * Nandu * Sally C * SALOME * Ata * Caleesi & Sarah Kreis * Goasis * Jeena * Carlo & Selma * Uro Gai * Mari To The Future...and more.
Distortion Ø is the final chapter of Distortion Festival—and the most unforgettable. This is where the serious ravers come to dance the night away, and any newcomers are also welcome! Come and dance until the sun comes up.
Photo credit cphDistortion.dk @ Photographer Francois Dubois
Party With Us at Copenhagen Downtown Hostel
We love to party! Distortion is another time of the year when we just can't help ourselves and get involved here at Copenhagen Downtown. We love to throw DJ and live music parties, so Distortion is the perfect excuse for us to keep the party going. When you have had enough of dancing in the streets, then get yourself to the after party with us here at Copenhagen Downtown. Our live music and stage at Copenhagen Downunder is open until late, and we are famous for our happy hour as well as an international crowd, DJs, live music, and great parties. For Distortion weekend you will not regret staying with us!
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.