FAQ on the opening

OFFICIAL OPENING OF EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE AARHUS 2017
Saturday, 21st January at 19:00 CET

What's going to happen?
On Saturday, January 21, European Capital of Culture Aarhus 2017 invites you to the official opening of the Capital of Culture year with a grand opening ceremony in the streets of Aarhus. In an illuminated procession, thousands of participants carry thousands of lighted ships and lanterns through Aarhus city centre. Along with a thousand performing choristers and musicians they will mark the fact that our year as European Capital of Culture 2017 has begun. The parade will leave The Concert Hall at 19.00 and finish at the Port of Aarhus at the Harbour close to Dokk1. The whole event/show will last about 2 hours.

What am I going to experience?
As a spectator, you will be able to experience the parade at close hand. With its six illuminated ships, 10-12 metres long, and thousands of smaller boats, the parade moves from Aarhus Concert Hall through the streets to finish at DLG's silos down at the harbour. Spectators will be offered the experience of a lifetime at this magnificent, breathtaking event with its live images, fireworks, choral singing and all kinds of entertainment. 

Where can I find a map of the route? 
The map of the route can be found here: http://www.aarhus2017.dk/en/official-opening/route/ 

How do I join in?
It's free. No ticket required. The parade can be followed from the pavement along the entire route and spectators can stand anywhere. In addition, we encourage spectators to position themselves around the following spectator points. At each of these places there will be live activities, which will interact with the procession as it passes. Aarhus 2017 information booths will also be found near these areas.

The spectator points: 
City Hall Park near Aarhus City Hall (Big screen)
Aarhus Train Station, Banegaardsgade
Aarhus Bus Station near Fredensgade 45 (Big screen)
Port of Aarhus near Dokk1 and Mindet (Big screen)

Access for people with walking disabilities and wheelchair users?
Read more about accessibility here: http://www.aarhus2017.dk/en/official-opening/accessibility/

Can I take photos and videos along the way?
Yes, we want to share this event with the world. 
We encourage everyone to take their own photos and videos. Use #aarhus2017 and #official opening to share them with us. We will continually post images on our social media throughout the event. 

The Danish Broadcasting Corporation, DR1, will transmit live during the whole parade. 

Where can I find more information?
You will find all necessary information on our website http://www.aarhus2017.dk/en/official-opening/ 

The website will be updated regularly up to the opening.

Social Media 
During the event you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat

See the overview of our social media 

Can I buy food and drink?
In collaboration with BKI, coffee stalls will be set up in the start and finishing areas. Payment can only be made by credit card or MobilePay. It will not possible to pay with cash.
Bars, restaurants and cafes will be open as usual.

Are public toilets available?
Toilet facilities, including disabled toilets, will be located by the City Hall Park and at the harbour. Also, the public toilets in Aarhus Centre will be available. Please see map here.

Will the event take place in case of bad weather?
Since it is an outdoor event, we encourage everyone to check the weather forecast and wear/ bring plenty of suitable, warm clothes plus suitable shoes. Dress informally and for your own comfort.

In case of bad weather, we invite you to check our website or our social media before leaving home. 

In case of cancellation, this will also appear on the website and our social media. 

TO AND FROM
Where can I park to get to and from the event?
For practical, safety and security reasons, parts of the Centre will be closed to all traffic during the event. Due to the road closure it will not be possible to park in the car parks or to park your car on the streets in the Centre of Aarhus.

If you need to use your car between 16:00 and 23:00, we recommend you park your car in advance outside the cordoned-off area, for example, in Bruuns Gallery, Godsbanen, Ceres town, Navitas, Magazine or the parking lot at Film City. In addition, we refer you to the map indicating parking spaces outside the designated centre zone. We expect somewhere between 50,000 and 60,000 people, so we encourage spectators to be patient and watch out for each other and themselves as they access and leave the event. 

More on Traffic and Parking on 21st January

Can I use public transportation? 
At the official opening of European Capital of Culture on Saturday 21. January, Aarhus Municipality and the Aarhus 2017 Foundation offer everyone to use the yellow buses in Aarhus for free between 14.00 to midnight.

Read more here: Free bus service at the opening

We recommend that you use public transport to and from Aarhus City Centre. The city buses in the Centre will be rescheduled from 4pm to 11pm, so please check the tables.

City buses: For the city bus times and stops, see www.rejseplanen.dk
Train: For trains to and from Aarhus Station, look up www.dsb.dk and www.arriva.dk
Regional Bus: For regional buses, see www.midttrafik.dk
Driving your own car: leave home in good time and use the parking spaces outside the designated city centre.

Taxi
In connection with the car-free zone from 16:00 to 23:00, please refer to the taxistands at Bispetorvet and the temporary taxistand in Sydhavnsgade.

Where can I book a hotel?
We recommend you book your stay at the following partner hotels:

Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Aarhus
Scandic Hotel Aarhus
Marselis Hotel - Aarhus

For other hotel booking and general info on accommodations, go to http://www.visitaarhus.com/ln-int/denmark/accommodation/where-to-sleep-in-aarhus

Contact information
In connection to our opening on 21st January you can call +45 2017 0094 for information on practical matters – including Traffic and Parking and Lost and Founds.