During the upcoming autumn break in Denmark, the University of Copenhagen is offering a wide range of family-friendly events and hands-on experiences across its museums and attractions. Have fun, lear, and discover, for all ages from October 11 to 19.
Science, Nature, and Inspiring Women Take Center Stage
At Statens Naturhistoriske Museum (Natural History Museum of Denmark), visitors can dive into the animal kingdom with a special autumn break program focusing on the remarkable roles of female animals in nature. This year’s theme ties into the 150th anniversary of women’s admission into the University of Copenhagen, highlighting powerful females in both science and the wild.
Children and adults alike can explore the museum’s interactive quiz about queens of the animal world, dominant, colorful, socially powerful females who defend territories and attract mates. Guests can also visit the storytelling corner to hear about pioneering scientists like Jane Goodall, one of the world’s most famous primatologists, who passed away earlier this year in 2025.
Young visitors are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animals for a playful diagnostic check-up by “teddy bear zoologists.” Inside the “Wild and Wonderful World” exhibition, staff will present fascinating specimens and stories of significant scientific women and impressive female animal figures. Meanwhile, the natural history workshop offers families the chance to examine animal skulls and create their own wildlife illustrations.
Outdoor Escapes in the Heart of Copenhagen
Just steps away in the Botanical Garden, guests can enjoy autumn break in Denmark, displaying brilliant red and yellow hues while sipping hot cocoa from the onsite coffee cart. For those craving tropical warmth, the iconic Palm House offers a lush indoor rainforest experience, while the Butterfly House showcases live butterflies in different stages of transformation.
Explore Human Health – From Teeth to the Tiny
The University’s Medicinsk Museion (Medical Museion) invites families to participate in a playful yet educational “dentist school” experience from October 11 to 19. Here, kids can learn how to examine teeth under a microscope, understand the microbial world of the human mouth, and even practice filling cavities in a model plaster tooth. This hands-on activity provides entertainment while also easing common fears associated with dental visits.
Dive Beneath the Waves at the Øresund Aquarium
Up north in Helsingør, the charming Øresund Aquarium welcomes families to get up close with marine life during the autumn break in Denmark. Children can touch live sea creatures like starfish and crabs in the touch tanks and watch as animals are fed throughout the day. The aquarium’s interactive water laboratory offers a closer look at marine ecosystems and the creatures that inhabit the surrounding Øresund waters.
Throughout the break, visitors will learn about local fish species and the habitats critical to their survival, fostering awareness of marine biodiversity and environmental stewardship.
The Library That Lives History
For a quieter but equally engaging experience, the University Library in Fiolstræde offers historic ambiance within its grand reading hall. Visitors can explore exhibits that trace the University’s research milestones, notable scholars, and historic contributions to Danish academia.
Currently on display is the art exhibition RECAST, created in celebration of 150 years of women at the university. The exhibit critically reflects on the absence of women in the University’s historic sculpture collection, more than 100 busts, all of male academics, and presents a modern reinterpretation of this legacy.
Reconnect with Nature During the Autumn Break in Denmark
Families wishing to combine learning with a stroll can enjoy the beauty of fall in one of the University’s gardens: the serene Landbohøjskolens Have in Frederiksberg, the tree-filled Arboretet in Hørsholm, or the centrally located Botanical Garden in Copenhagen.
Special Night Event: Culture Night on October 10
Before the week-long festivities kick off, the University of Copenhagen will take part in the city-wide “Kulturnatten” (Culture Night) on October 10. Visitors can explore the wonders of the human body at the Faculty of Health Sciences, learn how oral health affects overall well-being at the Medical Museion, and discover Copenhagen’s academic heritage in the atmospheric University Library.
With more than 700,000 annual visitors to its various museums and attractions, the University of Copenhagen sets the stage once again for a week of discovery and imagination. For a complete overview of all programs and details, visit the University’s autumn break event pages.
