Volunteering at Roskilde Festival lets you experience one of Europe’s biggest music festivals from the inside. It is also a chance to join a global community, contribute to a non-profit festival and be part of something bigger than the concerts alone. Around 2,000 of the festival’s 27,000 volunteers come from outside Denmark, and more people from across the world join every year.
Two of them are Sam Malmsten, 22, and Milla Klose, 23, who travel from Sweden to volunteer. For them, coming from another country has only added to the experience. Volunteering means being part of the festival rather than just visiting it. When asked why they keep coming back, their answer is simple: it’s fun.
Sam volunteered for the first time in 2022. What started as a one-week commitment slowly grew into a larger role, and today he is active as a year-round volunteer, spending time throughout the year helping prepare the festival. He has also encouraged others from his home country to join. One of them is Milla, who volunteered for the first time in 2024 and is already planning to return.
They are both part of Kulturmejeriets Bar, an area known for its strong volunteer community and many returning volunteers. While you are welcome to sign up with friends, it is far from necessary.
As a volunteer, you quickly become part of a team, no matter where you are from or whether you have attended Roskilde Festival before. People are open, helpful and welcoming, and you naturally meet new people during shifts, at campsites and in volunteer-only areas. Even if you arrive alone, chances are you will leave with new friendships. That has been both Sam and Milla’s experience.
Volunteers have access to Volunteers Village, a dedicated area close to the iconic Orange Stage. Here you can take breaks in green surroundings, join activities and relax with other volunteers. Free coffee, tea and lemonade are available throughout the day, and the volunteer bar is a natural meeting point.
When it is time to rest, volunteers can stay at Volunteer Camping, a quieter camping area with nearby hot showers. Camping spots can be reserved from 1 May, making it easy to plan your stay in advance.
You can still enjoy the concerts
A common concern for first-time volunteers is missing out on concerts and festival life. According to Milla, that worry quickly disappears.
She was surprised by how easy it was to combine shifts with concerts, socialising and downtime. There was still plenty of time to see shows, enjoy good food, relax in volunteer areas and experience the festival like any other guest. In most cases, you can also request shifts so you can volunteer with friends and avoid clashes with your favourite artists.
You can volunteer at Roskilde Festival if you have permission to stay in Denmark. Because the festival is non-profit and all proceeds support young people’s well-being through art and culture, unpaid volunteer work does not require a work permit for international volunteers.
There is a wide range of volunteer roles, making it easy to find something that matches your interests and skills. Once you apply and are accepted, you will be assigned a team leader who knows the festival well and can help with practical questions about both volunteering and festival life.
Thinking about it? Take their advice
“Do it. It’s so fun. It can be hard to imagine before you’ve tried it, but it’s absolutely worth it. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done,” says Milla Klose. Your next festival adventure could start here.
See you at Roskilde Festival 2026!
