Good to know as volunteer

You must be at least 18 years old to volunteer at NorthSide.

Unfortunately, if you are under the age of 18, you cannot join the team. However, we look forward to seeing you when you’re old enough!

As a thank you for your efforts, you’ll receive:

• New friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
• Access to the Volunteer Lounge, where you can enjoy a chill-out area, a bar with 50% off drinks, and a great atmosphere with your fellow volunteers.
• Free meals during your shift(s).
• A reusable water bottle.
• Valuable event experience for your CV and a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of the festival.
• And, of course, access to the festival during your shifts and throughout all three days of music.

The Volunteer Lounge is the place where volunteers come together at NorthSide.

In addition to great company and the atmosphere created by fellow volunteers, you’ll find:

• A bar where you can purchase drinks at discounted prices.
• Comfortable seating areas.
• Water stations where you can refill the reusable water bottle provided by us.
• Toilets.

We Build NorthSide Together!

As a volunteer at NorthSide, you represent the festival – whether you’re interacting with guests, fellow volunteers, employees, or partners.

That’s why we expect you to:

• Arrive on time with a positive attitude and do your best alongside your fellow volunteers.
• Treat everyone with respect and keep a smile on your face.
• Give it your all – especially when things get busy.
• Help keep NorthSide clean and welcoming in the spirit of sustainability.
• Reach out to your team leader or Volunteer Management if any issues arise – we’re here to help.

In return, we promise to create:

• A safe and inclusive environment.
• An experience you’ll never forget.
• A strong and welcoming community.

Physical Working Environment

At NorthSide, we take care of each other and maintain a safe working environment.

We use personal protective equipment where required and necessary – including helmets, safety shoes, earplugs, etc.

We do not use the festival’s backstage areas when we are not on duty. If it is necessary for us to access backstage areas for work purposes, we remain extra attentive to heavy vehicles. We always walk on the side of the road and use the pavement whenever it is available.

If you experience something that does not align with the above or anything that raises concerns regarding the physical working environment, please contact your nearest team leader or reach out to Volunteer Management directly at volunteer@northside.dk.

If possible, please include documentation. Volunteer Management will then assess the situation and the appropriate solution in collaboration with the Health and Safety Organisation.

Psychological Work Environment

Together, we share a responsibility to create a safe and respectful psychological working environment for volunteers, staff and guests.

We therefore expect everyone to:

• Treat others with respect – both in tone and behaviour.
• Respect other people’s boundaries. Remember that boundaries are personal and may vary from person to person.
• Refrain from any form of harassment, discrimination, bullying or other offensive behaviour – including sexual comments, physical contact without consent, a degrading tone, or gender- or race-discriminatory remarks.
• Speak up or react if they experience or witness unwanted behaviour.
• Respect when others set boundaries.

You are never required to handle an uncomfortable situation on your own. You can always seek help from your nearest team leader, who has a special responsibility to respond to situations where someone feels unsafe.

NorthSide has a strict zero tolerance policy towards offensive behaviour. Violations may result in removal from the festival, a fee and/or blacklisting as a volunteer.
For employees, it may also lead to employment-related consequences.

If you experience or witness unwanted behaviour yourself, you must immediately contact your nearest team leader. You can also contact Volunteer Management directly at volunteer@northside.dk.

All inquiries will be handled confidentially and with respect for everyone involved.

We’ve launched our very own Instagram profile – dedicated exclusively to you amazing NS volunteers!

Here, we share moments from volunteer life, fun behind-the-scenes content, and all the little things that make our community so special.

So whether you’re already part of the team or simply curious about what it’s like to volunteer, head over and give us a follow.

And hey… you might even spot yourself in one of the photos!

Would you like to be part of the community before, during, and after the festival? Then join our volunteer Facebook group!

Here, it’s possible to:

• Connect with other volunteers
• Ask questions and share experiences
• Get useful information about registration, preparation, and volunteer life
• Share your best festival moments and memories from your time as a volunteer

The group is an informal space where we create a positive atmosphere together and help one another. We encourage everyone to contribute with good vibes and respect for fellow members.

The number of volunteer hours depends on when you work and the type of role you choose.

Typical number of hours:

Before/After the festival: 20 – 24 hours
During the festival: 12 – 16 hours

Depending on your team, your shifts may be spread across several days (typically two) or combined into a single day.

For most teams, you can choose your shifts, giving you flexibility in how you plan your time.

Please note: As a general rule, it is not possible to arrive late, leave early, or make changes to your shifts, as the schedules are the same for everyone on the team – and your fellow volunteers are counting on your full participation.

You and your friends can absolutely volunteer together. Simply choose the same shifts in Ruby when signing up.

If you are a big group that wants to work together, please write to us and we will try to help you. You can reach us at volunteer@northside.dk

You can find team descriptions for most volunteer teams here.

If you have specific skills, experience, or interests, you are always welcome to contact us at volunteer@northside.dk. We’d be happy to help you find a team where you can truly shine!

When you register as volunteer in Ruby you are asked to pay a deposit of 300 DKK.

Notice that the 300 DKK is only a deposit, and you will get a full refund if you show up to your shifts and comply with our Terms and Conditions.

Unfortunately, we have experienced that some people do not attend their shifts even though they already have accepted the Terms and Conditions.

When you do not attend your shift, it effects a lot of other people and results in that the other volunteers have to work a lot harder.

If you show up to all your shifts and do the work, you promised and comply with our Terms and Conditions you will get the full deposit back. 

You can expect the deposit to be refunded within 14-21 days after the festival. We want to be as quick as possible, but it takes a couple of days for our system to refund all the deposits. 

Please note: The refund will be returned to the same account used when the deposit was paid. If you have changed banks or closed the account used for payment, you will need to contact your bank to arrange the transfer of your refunded deposit.

You will forfeit your deposit if you:

• Violate our terms and conditions.
• Cancel your registration after the cancellation deadline on 7th of May.
• Fail to show up for your shifts

If you resign before the resign deadline on the 7th of May, your deposit will be refunded.

We are not notified if you resign and we would like to receive an email at volunteer@northside.dk – by doing this we can refund your deposit sooner.

If you do not notify us, you’ll receive your deposit with the rest of our volunteers 14-21 days after festival.

When you sign up as a volunteer through our volunteer system, Ruby, you will automatically be prompted to pay your deposit.

You can pay using a credit/debit card, MobilePay, or Apple Pay.

If you cancel before 7th of May, your deposit will be refunded after the festival. If you would like your deposit refunded sooner, please send an email to volunteer@northside.dk, as we do not automatically receive notification when you cancel your registration.

Cancellation After 7th of May 2026
If you cancel after 7th of May 2026, you will forfeit your deposit regardless of the reason. This also applies if you cancel in order to transfer to a different team.

To cancel after the deadline, send an email to volunteer@northside.dk with the subject line: “NorthSide Cancellation – (Your Name)”.

Illness or Cancellation After Collecting Your Wristband
If you have already collected your festival wristband and become ill – or are otherwise unable to attend your shift – you must send a photo or video of yourself cutting off your wristband no later than one hour before your shift starts. The photo or video must be sent to volunteer@northside.dk with the subject line: “Cut Wristband / Cancellation”.

If the image is unclear or inconclusive, NorthSide reserves the right to request a video instead. For this reason, we recommend submitting a video showing the wristband being cut off.

If you report sick, NorthSide reserves the right to request relevant and valid documentation of your illness. This documentation must be submitted within 7 days of your cancellation.*

If you are unable to provide valid documentation, you may be charged a fee. Alternatively, you may choose one of the following options:

• Shift reassignment: We will help you find a new shift at a later date (subject to availability).
• Find a replacement: You may find another volunteer to take over your shift. (Please note that you must still submit a photo or video of your cut wristband.)

If we do not receive a photo or video of your cut wristband at least one hour before your shift starts, you may be charged a fee of up to DKK 3,700, regardless of the reason for your absence.

*Please note that any costs associated with obtaining documentation are the responsibility of the volunteer.

No-Show After Collecting Your Wristband
If you have collected your wristband and fail to attend your shift without notifying volunteer@northside.dk, you will be registered as a no-show and may be charged a fee of up to DKK 3,700.

It is your responsibility to correctly report cancellations or illness.

Fee for Violating Terms and Conditions
In addition to the cancellation policy above, all volunteers must comply with the festival’s general Terms and Conditions.

Violations of the festival’s Terms and Conditions or Danish law may result in your wristband being cut, being blacklisted from future volunteering opportunities, and receiving a fee of up to DKK 3,700.

Violation of the festival’s Terms and Conditions or Danish law may result in your wristband being cut, being blacklisted from future participation, and receiving a fee of DKK 3,700. This includes, among other things, the requirement to attend your scheduled shifts.

Failure to Attend a Shift
If you fail to attend one or more of your shifts without prior agreement with your team leader or Volunteer Management, you will be charged a fee.

• Failure to attend all of your shifts will result in a fee of DKK 3,700.
• Failure to attend one of several scheduled shifts will result in a fee of at least DKK 2,000.

It is your responsibility to notify us correctly if you are unable to attend a shift and to provide documentation if required. Please see the section titled “Cancellation” for more information.

Cancellation After Collecting Your Wristband
If you have already collected your wristband, you must submit a photo of yourself wearing your cut wristband along with your cancellation. The photo must be sent as documentation to volunteer@northside.dk with the subject line “Cut Wristband”.

If we do not receive a photo of your cut wristband within one hour of your cancellation, you will be charged a fee of DKK 3,700 regardless of the reason for your absence.

NorthSide reserves the right to request relevant documentation in special cases where it is deemed necessary to verify the absence.
*Please note that any costs associated with obtaining documentation are the responsibility of the volunteer.

You can read more in our Terms and Conditions.

Of course!

As a volunteer, you will receive meals in connection with your shift(s). If you work during the festival, you are entitled to two free meals. If you work before or after the festival, you are getting four free meals.

If you have allergies or specific dietary preferences, you are welcome to bring your own food.

We strongly recommend eating before arriving for your shift, regardless of the time of day. There may be a long wait before your first break, and it’s important not to work on an empty stomach.

Please note: Your day wristband grants access to Volunteer Catering. This means you must eat your meals and take your breaks while you are on shift. Meals cannot be saved or used on another day.

Yes, you are welcome to bring snacks with you when you’re on shift. A protein bar, a piece of fruit, or something similar can be a real lifesaver if your energy levels start to drop. We also provide toasters in Volunteer Catering, so you can heat up a packed toastie, panini, or similar snack.

If you haven’t brought any snacks or simply feel like grabbing something extra, you can purchase snacks and soft drinks from our Warehouse (MP on the map).

You’ll find a selection of reasonably priced snacks, including chips, muesli bars, sweets, and fruit, so you can recharge without leaving the festival site. The selection may vary, but there should be something for everyone.

Please note that you can only purchase snacks while you are on shift, as access to backstage areas is restricted when you are off duty.

New for 2026, you are allowed to bring beverages with you when entering through the volunteer entrance – but only on the day(s) you have a scheduled shift.

All beverages must be non-alcoholic and in clearly unopened, sealed packaging, such as cans or bottles with the original seal intact. If security staff are unable to verify that a beverage is unopened, it may be confiscated.

You will receive a reusable water bottle at check-in. This can be refilled at water stations located throughout the festival site, so there is no need to bring your own water.

If you don’t bring beverages with you, you can visit the Volunteer Lounge or the Warehouse (MP3), where soft drinks are available for purchase at discounted prices.

The bars at the festival are managed by different student associations and private actors.
This means that we cannot help you if you want to volunteer at a bar. Instead, you must contact the associations.
Below is a list of all the associations that will be attending the festival:

• Studenterhus Aarhus
• Unikum
• Samfundsfaglige fredagsbar
• Studenterlauget
• Haddoks
• Arkibal
• Ria – rådet for ingeniørstuderende
• Vianysos
• Train
• Beerceps Maximus

If you want to volunteer at a food stand you must reach out to the individual food stand.

The food stands are external partners, and we are therefore not allowed to register you as a volunteer at a food stand.

If you are already part of a food stand, you’ll have to register through their privat Ruby-link.

If you want more information, please contact the food stand.

Your contact person will assign you your shifts.

If you want to know more about your opportunities, it’s a good idea to contact your contact person in the food stand.

You will receive food and beverage from the food stand that you work at.

Besides that, you will have access to the Volunteer Lounge where you can buy beverages at favorable prices.

If you volunteer at a food stand and have questions regarding your tasks, your shifts, working with a friend etc. you have to contact the contact person on your team.

Information on your contact person is possible to find at “ My Teams” in Ruby.

If you experience technical problems with Ruby please contact us at volunteer@northside.dk.

If you have a physical or mental disability, we recommend that you contact us at volunteer@northside.dk before registering as a volunteer. Depending on your disability, there may be some tasks that you’ll find challenging. Through email, we can assist you in finding a task that suits you.

If you require a companion at the festival, please mention it in an email to us.

If you are volunteering through an association, it is important that your association’s contact person informs us.

Are you from an association and interested in a cooperation? Please write your information in our contact form under the volunteering page and we will contact you.

Have you already picked your shifts and do you have questions about things such as your tasks, your shifts, work with a friend, shoes etc. you have to contact your contact person on the team.

You will find information on your contact person under “My teams” in Ruby.

Do you have general questions regarding volunteering at NorthSide, and it is not possible to find an answer in our FAQ. You can contact Volunteer Management at volunteer@northside.dk.

1.1
This privacy policy applies to all personal data that you provide to us and/or that we collect about you in connection with your role as a volunteer at the festival. We act as the data controller for the processing of your personal data.

1.2
In this privacy policy, you can read more about which personal data we collect, how we process it, the purposes for which it is used, how long we retain it, and what rights you have in relation to your data. If you have any questions regarding this policy, you are welcome to contact the festival’s Volunteer Management at volunteer@northside.dk.

1.3
The overall legal framework for the processing of your personal data is the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and relevant Danish data protection legislation.

1.4
All questions concerning this personal data policy and suspicion of non-compliance must initially be addressed to the festival’s Volunteer Management at volunteer@northside.dk.

2.1
Personal data means any information that directly or indirectly identifies you as a natural person. This may include, for example, your name, email address, telephone number, CPR number, etc.

3.1
We collect and process your personal data for the following purposes:

– Administration of your participation as a volunteer, including registration for events and tasks.
– Communication regarding practical information about your volunteer role and shift schedules.
– Distribution of information via third-party service providers acting as data processors on our behalf, including the information platform Barma and the email service provider Braze.
– Administration of deposits, fees, refunds, and similar financial matters.
– Administration of industrial injury insurance for volunteers.

3.2
We will only use your personal data for the purposes described above, unless a new purpose is clearly compatible with the original purposes or you have given your prior consent to such processing.

3.3
To ensure the accuracy of your personal data, you will automatically be asked each year to update your information on the volunteer platform Ruby. However, we rely on you to inform us of any relevant changes, such as a new email address, new telephone number, or similar changes.

4.1
We collect information that you provide to us directly, such as:

– Name, address, postal code, and city.
– Phone number and email address.
– CPR number or passport number, as necessary for access control purposes.
– Profile picture and similar information, if required in connection with your volunteer work.

4.1.2
In connection with your registration as a volunteer at the festival, it may be necessary to request your consent to obtain information from your criminal record certificate. We process such information solely on the basis of your consent. The certificate will be deleted immediately after your participation in the festival. Thereafter, with your consent, we will obtain information from your criminal record certificate once a year, provided that you wish to continue as a volunteer.

4.2
In certain cases, we may request information about your health or any special considerations if it is necessary to ensure that you can carry out your volunteer tasks safely. For example, information about physical or mental conditions that may affect which tasks you are able to perform.

4.3
We only register information that is necessary for the purposes mentioned in section 3. We do not collect sensitive information without your explicit consent.

5.1
We process your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

5.2
The processing of your personal data is primarily based on the following legal grounds:

– Contract (GDPR Art. 6(1)(b)): The processing is necessary in order to enter into and perform the agreement regarding your voluntary engagement, including administration of registration, shift planning, communication, and the execution of your volunteer tasks.

– Legitimate interests (GDPR Art. 6(1)(f)): We process certain personal data on the basis of our legitimate interest in planning, coordinating, and carrying out volunteer work in an efficient and secure manner. Such processing only takes place where our legitimate interests are considered to outweigh your interests or fundamental rights and freedoms.

– Consent (GDPR Art. 6(1)(a)): In cases where the processing of your personal data is not necessary to enter into or perform the agreement regarding your voluntary engagement, and cannot be based on our legitimate interests or a legal obligation, we will obtain your consent.
Consent is used, for example, for the publication of photos, the processing of information that is not necessary for volunteer work, or for other specific purposes that are not a prerequisite for your engagement.
You may withdraw your consent at any time.

– Legal obligation (GDPR Art. 6(1)(c)): In certain cases, we are required to process your personal data in order to comply with applicable legislation, for example accounting laws or requirements related to insurance.

5.3
If we process special categories of personal data (e.g. health information), this will only take place when necessary for the purpose and on the basis of your explicit consent or another lawful basis in accordance with GDPR Art. 9.

5.4
Any consent given may be withdrawn at any time by contacting us. Withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out prior to the withdrawal.

6.1
We only disclose your personal data to third parties where this is necessary to fulfil the purposes described above and only to the extent relevant.

Disclosure may take place to the following categories of recipients:
IT systems and data processors that support the administration of your voluntary engagement, including:

– Stripe, which is used to handle payments and refund of deposits. Stripe processes contact details as well as the payment and account information that you enter yourself.

– Braze, which is used for sending informational emails. Braze processes first name, last name and email address.

– Barma, which is used for communication, e-learning and skills development. Barma processes first name, last name and email address.

– Insurance companies, to the extent necessary to fulfill requirements related to workers’ compensation or liability insurance.

– Public authorities, to the extent that we are legally required to disclose the information.

In connection with the use of certain data processors, your personal data may be transferred to countries outside the EU/EEA, including the United States. Such transfers will only take place where there is a valid legal basis for transfer in accordance with Chapter V of the GDPR, including the European Commission’s Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), and where necessary supplementary measures have been implemented to ensure an adequate level of protection.

We continuously ensure that any such transfers are carried out in compliance with applicable data protection legislation.

6.2
We never sell your personal data, nor do we disclose it to third parties for their marketing purposes.

7.1
We only retain your personal data for as long as necessary for the relevant purposes, including:

– Information related to your volunteer role is generally retained for up to two years after your last activity, unless legislation requires a longer storage period.

– Information used for administrative or legal purposes is retained as required by law.

8.1
You have the following rights:

– Right of access: You can request information about the personal data we process about you.

– Right to rectification: You can request that inaccurate personal data be corrected.

– Right to erasure: You can request that your personal data be deleted if there is no lawful basis for continued processing.

– Right to restriction: You can request that the processing of your personal data be restricted.

– Right to withdraw consent: If you have given consent, you can withdraw it at any time.

8.2
Please contact the festival’s Volunteer Management at volunteer@northside.dk, if you are unsure whether you have given consent to the processing of your personal data, or if you wish to withdraw your consent.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Danish Data Protection Agency (Datatilsynet) if you believe that the processing of your personal data violates the law.

8.3
Possible consequences of not providing personal data

8.3.1
If you do not wish to provide consent to the processing of your personal data within the framework described above, you will not be able to act as a volunteer at the festival.

9.1
We protect your personal data by implementing technical and organisational measures to ensure that your personal data remains confidential and is protected against unauthorised access, alteration, or deletion.

10.1
We reserve the right to update this privacy policy on an ongoing basis. The most recent version will always be available at northside.dk.

This policy was last updated on 09.02.2026