Jazz playground takes over Aarhus: Children build, play and participate in this year's jazz festival

26/6/2025 | Forfatter: Rikke Engsig Nielsen | Fotograf: Poul Nyholm

When this year's Aarhus Jazz Festival fills the city with music from July 11 to 20, the children are more than just the audience - they are co-creators.

Led by the artist duo En Hemmelig Klub, the festival is opening a large, mobile jazz playground where children build gigantic cardboard constructions side by side with live music.

“Jazz is so much for children and childlike souls. Playfulness is actually the common feature of all the music we present at Aarhus Jazz Festival. That’s why we provide space for both children and adults to let their imaginations run wild and experience music in new ways,” says Marie Norman Nyeng, administrative manager of Aarhus Jazz Festival.

Playground in four districts – from cinema to library

• The jazz playground will appear in four different locations during the festival:
• Sunday 13 July at Øst for Paradis – with film fun and live jazz.
• Monday 14 July at Verdenspladsen at Bazarjazz in Gellerup.
• Thursday 17 July at Dokk1 – the city’s large library.
  Saturday, July 19 at the Institute for X – here combined with a children's jazz concert with the Moussa Diallo Trio (Cirkeline and Coco travel to Africa).

Children at the forefront of the opening
On the opening day, Friday, July 11, the children are also at the forefront: First with a concert for the little ones in the Music Hall, then children can build large parade figures in the En Hemmelig Klub workshop – and finally they walk at the forefront of the festival's festive street parade through the city center.

Children's jazz every day

With free concerts, improvising musicians, a playground and the opportunity to experience jazz on children's terms, Aarhus Jazz Festival 2025 is ready to give children and families an unforgettable summer week.