From late May to early June 2026, contemporary art will once again take over the entire city of Copenhagen. The 14th edition of the Art Matter Festival transforms the capital into a vibrant, living exhibition space where art spills out of galleries and institutions and into streets, courtyards, and unexpected corners of the city.
With a packed program of exhibitions, performances, talks, screenings, guided tours, parties, and participatory events, the festival unfolds across more than 60 venues in Copenhagen, Greater Copenhagen, and even extends into Skåne. From major museums to independent art spaces and experimental platforms, Art Matter Festival brings together the full spectrum of the city’s contemporary art scene.
The largest gathering of Copenhagen’s art scene
As the largest gathering of Copenhagen’s contemporary art community, the festival marks the official beginning of the city’s art spring season—welcoming both local audiences and international visitors. It is a moment when the city’s creative energy is at its peak, offering new perspectives on what contemporary art can be and where it can be experienced.
Copenhagen is a city where art is not confined to institutions—it lives in public space, in communities, and in everyday encounters. During the festival, this becomes especially visible. The city blossoms with art, life, and culture, shining a little brighter as artists, curators, and audiences come together.
What makes Art Matter Festival special is that we bring art and people very close together.
Programme director Jan Falk Borup
“What makes Art Matter Festival special is that we bring art and people very close together. We deliberately work to create situations where the audience doesn’t just look at art – but experiences it. This happens through everything from art tours and talks to dinners and parties,” says programme director Jan Falk Borup.
A City filled with art all year round
And while the festival is a seasonal highlight, Copenhagen remains a dynamic art destination all year round. Museums, galleries, and independent art spaces continuously shape a thriving cultural landscape that invites exploration far beyond the festival days.
Art Matter Festival welcomes you into this vibrant ecosystem—an open invitation to experience a city filled with art, now and always.
Stay tuned for the full programme
The program will continue to grow in the coming months. Our website will be updated regularly with new events, exciting announcements, and curated tips to help you navigate the festival. Stay tuned.
About Art Matter Festival
Art Matter Festival is Denmark’s largest festival for contemporary art, bringing together up to 200 exhibitions and events each year across Copenhagen, Malmö, and parts of Zealand and Skåne. A broad cross-section of the art world takes part in the festival, from major institutions such as Louisiana and Kunsthal Charlottenborg to smaller actors, galleries, and project spaces. The festival is part of the Art Matter platform, which also includes an online art guide and a journal featuring engaging articles.