UPDATED: Considering Scandinavia’s size, especially in terms of population, it’s rather amazing how many festivals the region offers throughout the year. It’s in fact so amazing that we’ve decided not to try and keep up with them as they announce new artists. Instead we have compiled this list of the main Scandinavian festivals – and one Swiss focusing entirely on Scandinavian music – and will then leave it up to you to keep track.

So: BOOKMARK THIS – and share it with your friends. Thus we leave you to plan your festival year in Scandinavia. See you out there!

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DENMARK:

SPOT Festival – May 20-22
Three days with 100+ Scandinavian bands and a few international acts in the second city of Denmark. A place for international guests to discover the next big things. No camping.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: Jonathan Johansson, FM Belfast, John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen, Fallulah etc
Capacity: Varies from venue to venue
Ticket price: 495 DKK
WWW: spotfestival.dk

Copenhagen Live – June 2
A new one-day festival in Denmark’s capital Copenhagen dedicated to the harder incarnations of rock.
International acts: Rammstein, Slash, Bullet For My Valentine, Skunk Anansie
Scandinavian acts: Volbeat
Capacity: 20.000
Ticket price: 695 DKK
WWW: copenhagenlive.dk

Skive Festival – June 2-5
Four-day festival in the western part of Jutland, aiming at younger crowds and with increasingly ambitious scheduling. Formerly known as Skive Beach Party.
International acts: Green Day, Rammstein, White Lies etc
Scandinavian acts: Nephew, Mew, The Raveonettes, Dúné, Turboweekend etc
Capacity: 25.000
Ticket price: 1345 DKK (camping incl.)
WWW: beachparty.dk

Start! Festival – June 10-12
Formerly Vesterbro Festival this is three days with 100+ Danish upcoming bands and DJ’s at the very heart of Copenhagen. No camping, so you’ll need to sort out accommodation. A place to discover the next big things.
International acts: None
Danish acts: TBA
Capacity: 30.000
Ticket price: 300 DKK (2009 price)
WWW: vesterbrofestival.dk

Copenhell – June 11-12
As the name kinda implies this brand new festival in the Danish capital Copenhagen offers two days of metal mayhem.
International acts: Danko Jones, Megadeth, Deftones etc
Scandinavian acts: Supercharger, The Psyke Project, Dead By April, Mnemic etc
Capacity: N/A
Ticket price: 595 DKK
WWW: copenhell.com

Roskilde Festival – July 1-4
The Danish festival flagship and along with Provinssirock in Finland the biggest of its sort in Northern Europe, each year sporting an impressive range of acts and supporting different humanitarian organizations.
International acts: Them Crooked Vultures, Jack Johnson, Muse, Gorillaz etc
Scandinavian acts: Sólstafir, The Rumour Said Fire, Lindstrøm & Christabelle, Casiokids etc
Capacity: 75.000
Ticket price: 1675 DKK
WWW: roskilde-festival.dk

Copenhagen Jazz Festival – July 2-11
As the name implies a week of jazz in the Danish capital. One of the best weeks to lay your vacation in Copenhagen as the city is buzzing with music everywhere, from traditional jazz to electronica. Many free concerts.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: Varies from venue to venue
Ticket price: Varies from concert to concert
WWW: jazzfestival.dk

Skanderborg Festival – August 4-8
Also named Denmark’s Most Beautiful Festival as it’s situated in a, well, beautiful forest just outside the city of Skanderborg in Jutland. Audience average age is a little higher than, say, on Roskilde Festival and the musical focus is on well-known and popular national and international acts.
International acts: Walter Trout, LaBrassBanda etc
Scandinavian acts: Kent, Volbeat, Alphabeat, Dúné, Mnemic etc
Capacity: 30.000
Ticket price: 1800 DKK
WWW: smukfest.dk

Beatday10 – August, dates TBA
The people behind the two day festival Beatday in Copenhagen are currently considering what to do with everything this year. All they’ve revealed so far is, that the 2010 edition most likely won’t be as big as the previous three years. Fortunately less can often be more.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: TBA
Ticket price: 900 DKK (2009 price)
WWW: beatday.dk

Gutter Island Festival – August 20-21
Small festival dedicated to garage, punk and other such incarnations of rock situated at Masnedø Fort in the city of Vordingborg. This year celebrating their 10 anniversary with among other things a one-off concert with Gutter All Stars.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: The Vanjas, The Goo Men, The Defectors etc
Capacity: 600
Ticket price: 495 DKK
WWW: myspace.com/gutterisland

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NORWAY:

by:Larm – February 18-20
The Norwegian equivalent to SPOT, SxSW etc, by:Larm offer three days of music, seminars and more in downtown Oslo. Last year around 500 concerts went down during the festival. No camping.
International acts: None
Scandinavian acts: Seabear, Efterklang, Joensuu 1685, Katzenjammer, Casiokids etc
Capacity: Varies from venue to venue
Ticket price: 895 NOK
WWW: bylarm.no

Norwegian Wood – June 10-13
Named after The Beatles song this small festival in Oslo has booked a few heavy international acts while also having part of the program dedicated to new Norwegian rock.
International acts: Mastodon, Mark Knopfler, Van Morrison, Amy MacDonald etc
Scandinavian acts: Raga Rockers, Dumdum Boys, Howl, Grande etc
Capacity: 8000/day
Ticket price: 1800 NOK
WWW: norwegianwood.no

Popfest – June 11-12
A brand new festival in Kristiansand founded by a group of independent promoters, labels, student radios and others and dedicated to pop in all shapes and sizes.
International acts: Memoryhouse, Daily Bread, Le Man Avec Les Lunettes etc
Scandinavian acts: Moddi, Team Me, Youth Pictures of Florence Henderson etc
Capacity: N/A
Ticket price: 400 NOK
WWW: popfest.no

Hove Festival – June 29-July 2
Norway’s biggest rock festival and one of the many Scandinavian festivals sporting an environmentally friendly profile. Declared bankrupt in December 2008 but saved by British festival-promotions company Festival Republic a month later.
International acts: Muse, Then Crooked Vultures, Dizzee Rascal etc
Scandinavian acts: JJ, Serena Maneesh etc
Capacity: 70.000
Ticket price: 2050 NOK (+ camping pass: 400 NOK)
WWW: hovefestival.com

Quart Festival – June 29-July 3
Another festival on the verge of bankruptcy in 2008 due to the international crisis, Quart too was saved by the bell and are again ready to welcome you to Kristiansand for five days of good music and clean fun.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: 25.000
Ticket price: 2250 NOK (2009 price)
WWW: quart.no

Slottsfjell Festival – July 15-17
Located in downtown Tønsberg this year Slottsfjell Festival celebrates eight years of live music in Norway’s most spectacular festival arena.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: 40.000
Ticket price: 1290 NOK
WWW: slottsfjellfestival.no

Storåsfestivalen – July 30-31
Named Rock Festival of the Year in 2007 Storåsfestivalen offer great music in beautiful surroundings 450 kilometers from Oslo.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: N/A
Ticket price: 1250 NOK (+ camping pass: 300 NOK) (2009 price)
WWW: storaasfestivalen.no

Øya Festival – August 10-14
Small and really nice four stage festival in downtown Oslo, kicking off with a massive club night August 10 with concerts on 30 venues within walking distance of each other.
International acts: The xx, Tony Allen, Pavement, Iggy & The Stooges etc
Scandinavian acts: Serena Maneesh, John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen, Kråkesølv, Lindstrøm & Christabelle etc
Capacity: 10.000
Ticket price: 1940 NOK
WWW: oyafestivalen.com

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SWEDEN:

Stockholm Rock Out – April 30-May 1
A brand new indoor festival in the capital of Sweden focusing on the glam/sleaze/poodle rock and hard rock.
International acts: Great White, Dizzy Reed, Steelheart etc
Scandinavian acts: Nasty Idols, Chris Laney, Badmouth etc
Capacity: N/A
Ticket price: 1195 SEK
WWW: sthlmrockout.com

Popadelica – May 1
A one day festival with three indoor stages in Folkets Park in Huskvarna in the south of Sweden, this year taking place for the fifth time.
International acts: A Place To Bury Strangers (more TBA)
Scandinavian acts: The Kissaway Trail, The Sounds, First Aid Kit, Dansdepartementet etc
Capacity: 2000
Ticket price: 395 SEK
WWW: popadelica.se

Siesta! Festival – May 27-29
The fastest growing festival in Sweden, going from 1000 to around 10.000 visitors in the past three years, located in Hässleholm just outside of Malmö. And it’s dirt cheap, too.
International acts: Dinosaur Jr., Dead Prez, Danko Jones etc
Scandinavian acts: Andreas Tilliander, The Bear Quartet, First Aid Kit, Mew etc
Capacity: 10.000
Ticket price: 745 SEK
WWW: siestafestivalen.se

Sweden Rock Festival – June 9-12
The biggest hard rock celebration in Sweden with an impressive line-up of new and classic acts. Located in Sölvesborg on the southeast coast of Sweden.
International acts: Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Billy Idol, Mastodon etc
Scandinavian acts: Opeth, D-A-D, Stratovarius, Jorn etc
Capacity: 32.000
Ticket price: 2090 SEK
WWW: swedenrock.com

Metaltown – June 18-19
Two days of metal mayhem downtown of Sweden’s metal capital Gothenburg, last year celebrating their five year anniversary with a new attendance record.
International acts: Rammstein, Bullet For My Valentine, Cynic, Kreator etc
Scandinavian acts: In Flames, Finntroll, Dark Tranquility, Sabaton etc
Capacity: 22.000
Ticket price: 1450 SEK
WWW: metaltown.se

Peace & Love Festival – June 28-July 3
Three days of seminars, debates and workshops and three days of music on a festival with a social vision, celebrating Diversity, Solidarity and Understanding to a great soundtrack.
International acts: Jay-Z, Them Crooked Vultures, Wolfmother, Mika, Mastodon etc
Scandinavian acts: Mew, Miike Snow, Donkeyboy, Moto Boy, Shout Out Louds etc
Capacity: 25.000
Ticket price: 1495 SEK (+ camping pass: 150 SEK)
WWW: peaceandlove.nu

Arvika Festivalen – July 15-17
Originally a festival with its main focus on electronic music, Arvika has over the years grown in to a “regular” three day festival with all genres represented.
International acts: Babyshambles, Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, The Twelves, Regina Spector etc
Scandinavian acts: Kent, Familjen, Takida, Leæther Strip, Donkeyboy etc
Capacity: 20.000
Ticket price: 995 SEK
WWW: arvikafestivalen.se

Hultsfred – July 7-9
One of the bigger, established Swedish festivals. Last year they expanded, offering four days of music and partying, but for whatever reason they’ve gone back to three again this year.
International acts: Wolfmother, Everlast, Two Door Cinema Club, Yuksek etc
Scandinavian acts: Veronica Maggio, Kent, Familjen, Royal Republic etc
Capacity: 25.000
Ticket price: 1290 SEK
WWW: rockparty.se

Norberg Festival – July 29-31
Situated in an abandoned mining area about two hours drive northwest of Stockholm, Norberg Festival celebrated their 10 anniversary last year. The musical focus is on electronica in pretty much all shapes and forms.
International acts: Dave Skywalker, end.user, Rotator, Hecate, Traversable Wormhole etc
Scandinavian acts: Biosphere, Midaircondo, Skudge, Liminals etc
Capacity: 1000
Ticket price: 1000 SEK
WWW: norbergfestival.com

Way Out West – August 12-14
Another festival located in Gothenburg, but this one with a more classic festival music profile, presenting all genres.
International acts: The xx, Pavement, Girls, Real Estate etc
Scandinavian acts: The Radio Dept., Samling etc
Capacity: 25.000
Ticket price: 1345 SEK
WWW: wayoutwest.se

Malmö Festival – August 20-27
One of the biggest and longest running city festivals in Sweden, celebrating their 25 anniversary last year and presenting a load of free concerts all week. And don’t forget to try the moose-kebab.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: N/A
Ticket price: Free
WWW: malmofestivalen.se

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FINLAND:

Sauna Open Air Metal Festival – June 11-13
As the name implies this festival in Tampere is dedicated to metal and hard rock.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: N/A
Ticket price: 100 EUR
WWW: sauna-open-air.fi

Provinssirock – June 18-20
The largest international rock festival in Finland being held in Törnävä Festival Park in the city Seinäjoki.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: 75.000
Ticket price: 110 EUR
WWW: provinssirock.net

Nummirock – June 17-19 (TBC)
Another festival with a main focus on hard and harder rock. Nummirock also has a stage dedicated to new, unsigned rock talent.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: N/A
Ticket price: 85 EUR (2009 price)
WWW: nummirock.fi

Lakeside Blues Festival – June 23-27 (TBC)
A five day city festival in Järvenpää, 40 km outside Helsinki, culminating with a main concert on the Saturday. One of Europe’s biggest blues events attracting 120.000 visitors to the city last year.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: Varies
Ticket price: Varies (many free concerts)
WWW: puistoblues.fi

Tuska Open Air Metal Festival – July 2-4
Three days of metal mayhem in Kaisaniemi Park, Helsinki, last year with 32 acts on the festival’s three stages. No camping.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: 36.000
Ticket price: 85 EUR (2009 price)
WWW: tuska-festival.fi

Ruisrock – July 9-11
The second oldest rock festival in Europe, founded in 1970 and held annually ever since on the island Ruissalo in Turku. This year celebrating their 40 anniversary.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: 70.000
Ticket price: 105 EUR (2009 price)
WWW: ruisrock.fi

Pori Jazz Festival – July 17-25
Set on the banks of the Kokemäki River this week long jazz festival presents an impressive number of concerts, this year for the 45 time.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: Varies
Ticket price: Varies
WWW: porijazz.fi

Ilosaarirock – July 16-18 (TBC)
One of the longest running uninterrupted open-air festivals in Europe, each year presenting around 90 bands playing everything from metal to hip hop and jazz.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: 21.000
Ticket price: 70 EUR (2009 price)
WWW: ilosaarirock.fi

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ICELAND:

Aldrei Festival – April 9-10 (TBC)
Started by Mugison this two-day festival takes place in Ísafjordur in the most western part of Iceland. Information is scarce, but “free” is a good start…
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: N/A
Ticket price: Free
WWW: aldrei.is

Eistnaflug – July 8-10
Some 70 km from Egilsstaðir on the east coast of Iceland this festival salutes the harder incarnations of rock music.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: Celestine, Mordingjarnir, Severed Crotch etc
Capacity: N/A
Ticket price: 4500 ISK (2009 price)
WWW: eistnaflug.is

Iceland Airwaves – October 13-17 (TBC)
The popular – and rightfully so – festival flagship of Iceland were in dire financial straits last year, but fortunately everything came together and the festival went down as planned. We assume it will again this year.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: TBA
Capacity: N/A
Ticket price: 50 EUR (2009 price)
WWW: icelandairwaves.com

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FAROE ISLANDS:

G! Festival – July 15-17
The premier musical event on the Faroe Islands located on Göta Beach on the edge of the village Göta.
International acts: TBA
Scandinavian acts: Moto Boy, Lucy Love, Tyr, Lyon etc
Capacity: 6000
Ticket price: N/A
WWW: gfestival.com

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SWITZERLAND:

Nordklang – February 19-21
As you probably have figured out this isn’t a Scandinavian festival as such, as it’s situated in St. Gallen, Switzerland, but since Nordklang is all about Scandi music we’ve decided it qualifies.
International acts: None
Scandinavian acts: Under Byen, Tilde, Moddi, Magenta Skycode, 200, Dísa etc
Capacity: 1000 (approx.)
Ticket price: 20 EUR
WWW: nordklang.ch