10 Best Things to Do This Winter in Aarhus

Lace up your skates and get ready for a fun time. Musikhusparken is located in front of Musikhuset in the City of Smiles, and here, you can find the cosiest and most attractive outdoor activities in Aarhus. The ice rink offers dancing on ice, and for many people, this has become a winter and Christmas tradition.

You can either bring your own skates or rent a pair for a small fee. If your own skates need to be sharpened, you can also have that done here, so you can be a little faster and overtake the other skaters. The ice rink is free to use, and it has the most beautiful view of both Musikhuset and ARoS Aarhus Art Museum (ARoS Aarhus Kunstmuseum).

Racehall in Aarhus offers speed and excitement at one of Europe’s largest indoor racing tracks. The hall, which was originally a 110,000-square-foot indoor soccer stadium, is located in Viby outside the center. Today, both young and old can enjoy the wind in their hair on the world’s most professional indoor go-kart track, practice skiing at the Racehall’s Skiarena and record songs in Voicehall. If you can't get enough of the speed, you can try RacingRoom’s authentic Formula 1 simulator, which is also part of Racehall.

When you eventually get hungry, The Diner offers meals with a view of the go-kart track. The menu is inspired by American classics, such as burgers, BBQ hotwings and refreshing milkshakes.

Salling ROOFTOP is located at the top of the department store Salling in Aarhus. The large two-floor roof terrace was constructed in 2017, and it has since hosted open-air concerts, exhibitions, events and green gardens. Salling ROOFTOP is the place to drink a glass of wine or a cup of coffee while enjoying a 360-degree view of Aarhus. It is the perfect winter activity since Salling ROOFTOP is full of Christmas spirit and offers Danish doughnut holes, glögg, Christmas decorations and beautiful lights.

If you dare, you can challenge your fear of heights and walk out on the Salling SKYWALK, which is a transparent glass sheet, 90 feet above Strøget in Aarhus.

At the Harbor Bath (Havnebadet) in Aarhus Ø, you can enjoy one of the best and most popular winter activities for real Vikings – winter bathing. The Harbor Bath (Havnebadet) was designed by the internationally-renowned Danish architect Bjarke Ingels, and it exists thanks to a donation of DKK 40 million from Købmand Herman Sallings Fond. While bathing suits or trunks may not be required for winter bathing at The Permanent (Den Permanente), they are required at the Harbor Bath, so remember to bring them along.

After a cold shock, you can hop in the sauna and get warm, while enjoying the beautiful view of the Port of Aarhus through large floor to ceiling windows.

Find your inner competitor and set aside the day for a visit at Golfskoven Adventure Golf, which is the world’s largest indoor ‘adventure’ golf forest. Here, you can swing the putter at an adventure-filled golf course. Apart from playing ‘adventure’ golf, which is similar to mini golf, just on a much bigger and longer course, you can try your hand at petanque and pool.

Most games end with one winner – and up to several rumbling tummies. Luckily, Golfskoven’s café offers sandwiches for hungry players. In total, Golfskoven spans 37,700 square feet, with activities and entertainment under the same roof.

Even though you can't do backwards summersaults, you can still have hours of fun at Rush Trampoline Park (Trampolinpark). The indoor trampoline park is for everyone who is a big kid at heart. Here, you can play dodgeball, practice your ninja skills on the Ninja Course or test your trampoline skills in WhipeOut, which you may have seen on TV. The rules are simple: You have to stay upright longer than the other participants by either jumping high or ducking when the beams come in your direction.

When you want to take a break from jumping around, the café offers a wide selection of food and drink, including warm sausage rolls, slush ice and coffee.

The Spain Public Baths (Badeanstalten Spanien), with their historic setting in the center of Aarhus, offer many wonderful facilities, including an 83-foot pool, a kids’ pool heated to 28 °C, a baby and hot-water pool heated to 34 °C and a spa bath.

On the second floor, you'll find the spa bath called Grossererbadet. This is a great place if you need a little extra wellbeing and pampering. You will find a common section for kids, adults, men and women, with steam baths, sauna, a cold water bath and sensory baths with light functions. There is also an outdoor section where you can get some fresh air after your trip to the sauna. The bathing facility dates back to 1930 and is located in a listed building.

Travel the world right in the center of Aarhus, and let yourself be fascinated by the exciting plants and colorful butterflies at The Greenhouses at the Botanical Garden (Botanisk Have). It’s worth a visit if you want to get all the way up close to nature and avoid the winter cold for a while. The Greenhouses were established between 1968-71, when the snail-shaped construction was designed by architect C.F. Møllers Tegnestue.

In 2014, the Greenhouses were expanded with the Tropical House (Tropehuset). Here, you can experience nearly 2,000 plants from all over the world in natural surroundings. All plants are categorized geographically, and you can read more about their origin on the numerous signs that are placed around the greenhouses. The visit is also suitable for the very young, who can follow the clues left by Ib the Sprout (Spire Ib) to find elephant tracks and pleasantly-smelling herbs.

The Christmas Concert at Aarhus Cathedral (Aarhus Domkirke) in the city centre is an annual Christmas tradition for many families. And no wonder. The magical Christmas music emanates through the church, and the special acoustics leave you with a sense of peace. At the church’s Christmas concerts, you'll experience known hymns, classical music and Christmas carols, which are sure to spread the wonderful Christmas atmosphere.

At 307 feet, Aarhus Cathedral is also Denmark’s longest church, and from the very beginning, it was dedicated to Saint Clemens, the patron saint of sailors. The Christmas concerts are popular, so it’s a good idea to buy the ticket in advance.

For more than 20 years, the outdoor art and Christmas market has been held at Ridehuset every year. Ridehuset, which was originally built for practicing riding (hence the name), is now used for different events, such as this wonderful Christmas tradition. At this Christmas market, you'll feel the Christmas spirit, explore the stalls, which are full of art, design and lots of Christmas decorations, and of course, sink your teeth into lots of delicious seasonal bakery items. You can warm up with a nice warm glögg and classic Christmas Danish doughnut holes.

At more than 80 stalls and stands, you can meet art craftsmen selling unique handmade goods. The art craftsmen work with current trends and old crafts as well as recycling and sustainability. Entrance to the Christmas market is free.