The Roskilde Festival outside of Roskilde, Denmark is the biggest rock festival in northern Europe. It's four days of unbridled fun. Held early in July, the Roskilde Festival offers music for anyone's taste. Rock, punk, funk, hip hop, metal and some stuff you've never even heard of before. It's a touch festival to tackle, but here are a few tips to get you through it all.
Buy your festival ticket only from authorized dealers.
Get on the official mailing list for updates on ticket sales, band listings and the latest information.
Camp for the duration of the festival, it's the best way to experience the whole of the event. It's free with the price of the ticket. Music starts early, ends late and often spills out into the camping areas via the attendees. Having a tent to crash in will allow you to make the most of the festival.
Take the train from Copenhagen Central Station to the Roskilde Station and then catch either a shuttle bus or another train to the festival area.
Look through the list of bands in advance, listen to the Roskilde music on Web radio to learn about the many bands you haven't heard of and then make a rough plan of who you would like to see live. There are several different stages and they can be at opposite ends of the compound, having a plan of where you want to be will ensure you don't miss any of your favorites.
Be prepared for the weather. It's an outdoor festival and you're camping. Could be rainy. Could be sunny.
Need a break from the throngs of sweaty music lovers? The community of Roskilde (population approximately 80,000) is a short train ride away. If you don't want to wait in line for the festival train going back and forth, it's an easy walk--only a few kilometers away. Ask directions before heading out.
Bring local currency. There are a lot of food and drink vendors. While cold showers are free, one can have a warm one for a small fee.
Leave your valuables at home. Keep what you need on your person.
