Dreamers’ Circus: A celebration of Nordic folk music

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Jesper Van

Copenhagen’s VEGA is set for a musical takeover this January, when Danish-Swedish trio Dreamers’ Circus return with Folkets Festival. The two-day celebration transforms the venue into a buzzing hub of Nordic folk, where old traditions meet new sounds, and audiences can expect everything from intimate acoustic sets to bold, genre-bending performances.

The idea behind Folkets Festival is simple: to create a space where people can discover just how alive and inspiring folk music can be. Taking place on 16-17 January 2026, the festival brings together an extraordinary mix of artists – from established names to emerging voices from across the Nordic region.

Dreamers' Circus: A celebration of Nordic folk music

“We hope it will be a gathering place where both newcomers to the genre and longtime folk lovers alike can feel the energy of Nordic folk music. It’s about tradition meeting innovation under one roof,” says Ale Carr, one-third of Dreamers’ Circus, who are the masterminds behind the festival.

Dreamers’ Circus’ roots lie deep in traditional Nordic music, but their sound has evolved through encounters with classical, jazz, pop and the wider world. Their music lives in the space between structure and spontaneity, imagination and craft. Guided by a spirit of connection and collaboration, the trio has become known for constantly pushing the boundaries of Nordic folk. “We’ve always seen our music as a balance between the dreamers and the circus,” says Carr.

Dreamers' Circus: A celebration of Nordic folk music

Building connections and collaborations

Folkets Festival, now in its second edition, was born out of a desire to spotlight the richness and diversity of new Nordic folk. The lineup has been curated by Dreamers’ Circus, and the festival brings together some of the most exciting voices from across the region: Finnish kantele sensation Maija Kauhanen, Faroese artist Teitur, and Sámi artist Ánnámáret. The festival will also feature a special edition of The Nordic Alehouse Sessions with the show Microbrew, where musicians and dancers from Sweden, Norway and the UK will explore the links between baroque music and folk traditions.

Dreamers’ Circus are particularly excited about Tuvas Blodklubb – a boundary-pushing Norwegian club concept that’s become a cult hit among young audiences. Mixing live folk music, dance and nightlife energy, it has reimagined how traditional sounds can thrive in a modern setting. “They’re bringing their wild, joyful take on folk music outside Norway for the first time,” says Carr. “It’s going to be incredible to see how they turn tradition into a full-on dance floor experience.”

As hosts, Dreamers’ Circus will open the festival with a performance that captures the spirit of the weekend. “Our opening concert will be full of surprises: musical encounters across generations and traditions,” says Carr. The band will be joined by a number of guest artists.

Photo: Søren Lynggaard

For Dreamers’ Circus, Folkets Festival is a statement. “It’s recognition that folk music belongs on the same stages as rock, pop or electronic music,” says Carr. “By bringing it to VEGA, we’re showing that Nordic folk has the same artistic depth and contemporary relevance. It’s about giving the genre the platform it deserves.”

Their genuine passion for the genre shines through in their work, and the band is constantly exploring new musical partnerships. “These collaborations keep our creativity alive,” Carr explains.

This winter, the band will be collaborating with actor Charlotte Munck for a special Christmas concert, and they are also embarking on a new Beethoven-inspired project with the Finnish violinist and conductor Pekka Kuusisto. Throughout the years, the band has collaborated with a range of international artists, such as Irish folk musicians The Chieftains and Sharon Shannon, as well as Denmark’s and Sweden’s symphony orchestras, and Japanese video game composer Yasunori Mitsuda. “Each collaboration opens new doors and challenges us to reimagine what Nordic folk music can be,” Carr says.

The hope is that the Folkets Festival will spark a new era for Nordic music. “Our dream is for VEGA to come alive with the sounds of the North. It’ll be a joyful, warm celebration of curiosity, spontaneity and togetherness,” the band says.

For Dreamers’ Circus, the festival is both a meeting place and a celebration, and a testament to craft, connection and imagination – and proof that Nordic folk is more vibrant and relevant than ever.

Dreamers' Circus: A celebration of Nordic folk music