Riverboat Jazz Festival

Since its start in 1966, Denmark's oldest jazz festival has been highly sought-after with a distinctive atmosphere. It all began with three modest boats (100-120 passengers) setting sail from Havnen in Silkeborg and taking a leisurely 2-hour journey down Gudenåen and the lakes, accompanied by live traditional jazz music. With only three hardworking board members and limited funds but plenty of devoted volunteers, however, it managed to make it through 1986 unscathed yet more popular than ever before - signaling the advent of a new era for this special event!

Since the Riverboat Jazz Festival was initially sponsored by Tuborg, who generously contributed a substantial amount of money, and Midtjylland Avis, who provided marketing assistance and press coverage for advertisements, the festival has seen exponential growth annually since 1986 and established itself as an international event. For two decades, the festival exclusively presented Danish orchestras; however, it now shines as an international event with renowned symphonies and soloists. Initially hosting around 30 artists in 1986, the lineup has grown to include 70-80 acts each year to entertain 40 - 50 thousand guests over five days of festivities!

The Riverboat Jazz Festival is the largest Scandinavian festival that features classic jazz, specifically New Orleans Dixieland and swing. This celebration of music has been held in early August or during the first weekend of school summer vacation, which is usually in the third or fourth weekend in June since 1986. Nowadays, it takes place around when schools end for the summer holidays—always a joyous occasion!