Sørøverfest 2026 in Kalundborg

For three full days, Kalundborg is transformed into a lively pirate town. From Thursday, May 14, to Saturday, May 16, 2026, the Sørøverfest will dock throughout the city center—from the harbor and the library to Klostertorvet and the museum. Three days of Treasure Hunts, boat trips on the fjord, street performances, music, and plenty of fun for both young captains and seasoned landlubbers.

The Sørøverfest is one of Kalundborg’s major community events this spring. Admission to the entire city is free, and most of the program requires neither a ticket nor registration—just show up, find your crew, and dive into the adventure. A few activities, such as the craft workshops and the Treasure Hunt, have limited space and require registration.

What’s happening and when?

Thursday, May 14, kicks off the festivities with a fun pirate day at the swimming pool—crocodile-style relay races, underwater missions, and wet and wild fun for the whole family. It’s the kickoff to three days of adventure.

Friday, May 15, is the big day, when all of Kalundborg buzzes with activity from morning until midnight. Pirate Stories at the library, boat trips on the historic coaster Caroline S, Onkel Reje & Erna docking at Klostertorvet with their crazy show, rum and port wine tastings at the city’s wine shops, stores open in the evening, and Kings of Rock wrapping up the night with rock on the deck.

Saturday, May 16, is Family Day, with the big treasure hunt as the highlight of the day—five stations manned by pirates, a story about a stolen flag, and a flag-raising ceremony at Solskinspladsen at approximately 1:45 p.m. Also featuring Pirate Princess Klara with balloon animals, a pirate bouncy castle on Kordilgade, a drawing workshop, the Caroline S-koret singing sea shanties from the deck, and the museum handing out pirate certificates to the bravest members of the crew.

Caroline S — the historic coaster

All day Friday and Saturday, the beautiful coaster Caroline S will be docked at Havneparken. The ship is a living maritime historical treasure and one of the visual highlights of spring at Kalundborg Havn. Come aboard, talk to the crew, and experience the atmosphere on a genuine working coastal vessel like those that for generations transported goods between Denmark’s ports.

Caroline S will make a total of eight trips over the two days—five on Friday, including an atmospheric 2-hour sunset cruise, and three on Saturday. Each trip accommodates a maximum of 12 passengers, so book well in advance:

• Reservations: Text 28 92 45 75 or email nielsstrand@gmail.com
• Price: 1-hour trip 125 DKK (children 75 DKK when accompanied by an adult) · Sunset Cruise 250 DKK (children 75 DKK)
• Payment: MobilePay upon boarding
• Note: No outside beverages allowed—draft beer, wine, and water are sold on board

Pirates on the prowl in the city streets

Keep an eye out in the streets of Kalundborg on Friday and Saturday—several quirky pirate characters are on the prowl and creating a lively atmosphere wherever they go:

• Maximus — the fire-breathing jester pirate, full of mischief and fun antics (Friday and Saturday)
• Solaima and her cousin Sørøver Swärd — sweet, cuddly bears with big smiles and warm hugs. Solaima has invited her cousin, and they’ll be walking through the streets several times throughout the day (Friday and Saturday)
• Old Pirate Peter — walks around ensuring peace and order in the city (Saturday)
• Pirate Bouncy Castle on Kordilgade — hop on board and burn off some of that energy pirates are known for (Saturday)
• Drawing Workshop — put together your own coloring book with drawings from the day’s events, and take it home as a fun souvenir (Friday and Saturday)
• Det Maritime Værksted — authentic maritime atmosphere in a tent with props and great stories from life at sea (Friday)
• Walk the Plank at Solskinspladsen — Are you afraid of heights? Can you keep your balance on a plank atop a skyscraper, and do you dare to jump the 80 meters down to the ground? Walk the plank virtually with Novonesis — it’s fun and safe. For all ages, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

Food, drinks, and fun

Restaurant Kork serves tapas, wine, water, and beer from an open-air tent in Havneparken both days, and Café Costa Kalundborg offers coffee and treats under the open sky. The city’s restaurants are ready with “pirate temptations” for dinner—grab your crew and enjoy a good dinner in the pedestrian street.

On Friday evening, Kalundborg Vinhus offers tastings of rum and port—perfect for warming up the thirsty pirate—while SKØL on Skibbrogade opens its doors for well-poured tastings. The shops in the city center are open until 8 p.m., so there’s plenty of opportunity to find a little treasure to take home.

Practical Information — for captains and galley masters

• Admission: Free to all parts of the festival—except for Caroline S boat tours and select workshops
• Registration required for: Pirate craft workshops (both days), the Treasure Hunt on Saturday, and Caroline S boat tours (reservation)
• Family-friendly: The entire festival is geared toward families, but there’s plenty for adults too—concerts, food tastings, and shops open in the evening
• Parking: Use the city’s regular parking spaces; the harbor and downtown are within walking distance
• Accessibility: Most locations are accessible; however, boarding the Caroline S requires climbing a step

Organizers

The Sørøverfest is organized by Vores Kalundborg as the main organizer, together with co-organizers Swärds Guldsmedie, Kalundborg Bibliotek, Kalundborg Swimming Pool, and Museum Vestsjælland. A big thank you to all the volunteers who make the festival possible year after year.

Welcome to three days where Kalundborg weighs anchor and sails into a weekend filled with pirate spirit. See you at the harbor!