Among the largest cultural events in Scandinavia
Aarhus Festival is among the largest cultural events in Scandinavia and showcases both local, national and international artists. Aarhus Festival is highly esteemed and recognized both in Denmark and abroad.

The patron of Aarhus Festival is HM Queen Margrethe II and the Mayor of Aarhus is Chairman of the Festival Board. The festival is held in late August and early September.

Aarhus Festival was first held in September 1965 and has developed into both an international festival and a major local cultural event.

For 10 days every year in August - September the streets and alleys, clubs, stages, galleries and museums of Aarhus are teeming with entertainment and events.

Themes
Aarhus Festival is a thematic event and the theme of the year determines the artistic programme. This year's theme is neighbours. The programme encompasses various forms of art such as dance, theatre, exhibitions, opera, sport, children's entertainment and a varied programme of music.

Programme and Events
In 2005 Aarhus Festival focused on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Hans Christian Andersen with the theme 'The Fairy Tale of My Life' and in 2006 women took centre stage with the theme WOMANIA. The 2007 theme was IN MOTION, and the theme for 2008 was: Open City.

Previous artists
The different themes have created a framework for many special and popular events throughout the years, including innumerable groups and artists from all corners of the world, among them Latin American rainmakers, Japanese drummers and African choirs, besides the main features, well-known performing companies and musicians.

In the field of performing arts:
Ballett Frankfurt/ William Forsythe, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Ballet, Volksbühne Berlin, Peter Schaufuss Ballet, The Wooster Group, Cirque O, Dumb Type, Bill T. Jones / Arnie Zane Dance Company, Comediants, Carles Santos, Stomp, Joseph Nadj Theatre Gel, Wim Vandekeybus Dance Company, Zingaro, Maguy Marin/ Lyon Opera Ballet, Odin Teatret, Hotel Pro Forma, Les Ballets C. de la B., Saburo Teshigawara, Robert Lepage, Luk Perceval, Batsheva Dance Company, Xarxa Teatre - and more recently, La Fura dels Baus, La La La Human Steps, Cie. Jean Pierre Perreault, Chen Shi-Zheng, The Tiger Lillies, Jan Fabre, NoFitState Circus, Louise Lecavalier, Klaus Obermaier, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, Enrique Vargas, The New Riga Theatre, Gob Squad, Sara Baras, Guangdong Modern Dance Company, Constanza Macras / Dorky Park, Jérôme Bel, Pan Pan Theatre, Ranters Theatre and Socìetas Raffaello Sanzio / Romeo Castellucci.

In the field of music:
Birgit Nilsson, Isaac Stern, The Rolling Stones, Ravi Shankar, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra / Simon Rattle, Chick Corea, Concert Gebouw/ Ricardo Chailly, London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philip Glass, the Balanescu Quartet, Goran Bregovic, Michael Nyman Band, the Brodsky Quartet, Nigel Kennedy, The Rustavi Choir, Soeur Marie Keyrouz, Fanfarre Ciocarlia, Misia, MV Bill, Björk, Rage against the Machine, Green Day, Suede, Antony & the Johnsons, Kurt Wagner, José González, Isobel Campbell, Sarah Blasko, Howe Gelb, Laura Marling, Ebony Bones!, The xx, Josh Rouse and Joe Henry.

Dates
Aarhus Festival 2010: From Friday the 27 August to Sunday the 5 September.

Aarhus Festival 2011: From Friday the 26 August to Sunday the 4 September.

Aarhus Festival 2012: From Friday the 31 August to Sunday the 9 September.