Copenhagen replaces traditional final school day with alcohol-free festival for 6,000 students

Copenhagen Municipality has organised its first city-wide alcohol-free celebration for around 6,000 ninth-grade students marking their final school day, replacing traditional private gatherings in an effort to reduce disorder, DR reports.

The six-hour Sidste Skoledag Festival in Fælledparken, planned by youth organisation UngFrekvens, features student-selected artists, activities, and food—all without alcohol or nicotine. The event runs from 12:00 to 18:00, with double fencing, security staff, and street outreach workers ensuring safety.

Jakob Næsager (K), Copenhagen’s children and youth mayor, called it a direct response to past incidents, including police shutting down the 2024 Fælledparken celebration due to fights. “Until 18:00, we guarantee a safe, alcohol-free event,” he said. “What happens after is the parents’ responsibility.”

The initiative, inspired by Aarhus’s five-year alcohol-free tradition, follows a 5.6 million kroner allocation for “safe celebrations” in 2026–27. Last year’s pilot in Brønshøj-Husum and Vanløse saw early departures, but Næsager expects broader participation now that all city schools are included.

Attendance is free for students and schools.