More than 1,500 young people are gathering in Denmark this weekend for music, comedy, activities and a full festival experience, with one thing deliberately absent: alcohol and other drugs. FDF Seniorfestival opened on Friday in Nørre Snede and runs throughout the weekend.

The programme looks much like other youth festivals. Danish artists including KESI and Mumle are on the bill alongside stand-up comedy, karaoke, competitions, climbing and more than 100 different activities. Young participants can move around the festival and choose what they want to take part in rather than following a fixed programme.

What makes the model interesting from a prevention perspective is that the festival does not need to make alcohol prevention its main attraction. FDF simply states that Seniorfestival is alcohol- and drug-free, as are its other events. Music, friendships, independence and the festival atmosphere remain at the centre.

After Norway’s Spirefest last weekend, Seniorfestival offers another Nordic example of something worth paying attention to. Attractive alcohol-free environments for young people do not necessarily have to be built around warnings about alcohol. They can begin by offering experiences young people actually want to be part of, while making the absence of alcohol completely normal.

Find more from Seniorfestival 2026 (Denmark, September 2026)