Police urge parents to monitor underage drinking before Aarhus concerts

Police in eastern Jutland are calling on parents to take greater responsibility for their children’s alcohol consumption after reports of young concertgoers arriving heavily intoxicated at Tivoli Friheden’s Fed Fredag events.

Officers have observed a “worryingly high” level of underage drinking, with some children as young as 12 found visibly drunk in Aarhus city centre before concerts, according to police commissioner Rasmus Houmann. “We unfortunately see cases where we have to call parents because these young people cannot take care of themselves,” he said.

The appeal follows repeated incidents of public vomiting, discarded bottles, and broken glass near the amusement park on concert nights. Police have partnered with local nightlife patrols (Natteravnene), municipal prevention teams, and Tivoli Friheden to improve safety, but Houmann stressed that parental oversight is critical—especially in the hours between school and concert start times.

Tivoli Friheden’s managing director, Henrik Ragborg Olesen, echoed the call for parental involvement but ruled out raising the venue’s current 14-year age limit for unaccompanied attendees. “We can’t control what people consume before entering,” he said, noting that mid-season rule changes would be unfair to season-pass holders.

A local resident, Jørgen Mikkelsen, described finding vodka bottles in his garden after concerts. “It’s sad to see such young people losing control,” he said. “Some parents clearly don’t know what their kids are up to.”

Police advised parents to discuss alcohol risks openly, set clear agreements before nights out, and consider accompanying younger teens to events.