Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, and the name of the municipality (Danish, kommune) in which it resides. Copenhagen is home to the national parliament, government, and monarchy, which are all situated in the heart of the city.
The Copenhagen Jazz Festival is a popular annual event that is the result of a significant jazz scene having existed for many years. It developed significantly when a number of American jazz musicians such as Ben Webster, Thad Jones, Richard Boone, Ernie Wilkins, Kenny Drew, Ed Thigpen, Bob Rockwell and others such as rock guitarist Link Wray came to Copenhagen beginning in the 1960s.
Copenhagen is a popular destination for homosexual travellers. It has an active gay community and a wide selection of nightlife options for those such as gay clubs for example the popular Pan Club Copenhagen. The more widely known homosexuality festival is the annual Copenhagen Pride (formerly the Mermaid Pride Parade), a big Mardi Gras-like bash that occurs on a Saturday in early August. As well as also Gay And Lesbian Film Festival Copenhagen held annually in late October. Danes are known to have a high degree of tolerance for "alternative" lifestyles of all sorts, and homosexuals receive equal rights to express themselves and are protected by anti-discrimination laws.
Copenhagen is also home to a number of Denmark's 40-odd cricket clubs. Although Denmark has been an associate member of the International Cricket Council since 1966, the sport is not taught much in schools, and Danish cricket competes unfavourably with the much more widely-followed sport of football for players, facilities, media attention and spectators.
Copenhagen offers a great variety of fine restaurants and modest eateries with open sandwiches as the most known dish. Also, Copenhagen is known for the hotdog stands found throughout the city. Lately, immigration from the Middle East and North Africa has made dishes like kebab and falafel as popular as more traditional Scandinavian fast food.
Amalienborg Palace (Danish: Amalienborg Slot) is the winter home of the Danish royal family, and is located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It consists of four similar rococo palaces around an octagonal square (Amalienborg Slotsplads); in the center of the square is a monumental, equestrian statue of Amalienborg's founder, King Frederik V.
ARKEN Museum of Modern Art (Danish: ARKEN Museum for Moderne Kunst) is a private self owning, but state authorised, new art museum near the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen. The museum is conceived and created by Copenhagen County.
The Copenhagen Opera House (in Danish Operaen), is the national Opera house of Denmark, and among the most modern opera houses in the world. It is located on the island of Holmen.
Dyrehavsbakken (English, "The Animal Garden Hill"), referred to informally as Bakken ("The Hill"), is the world's oldest, intact, still-surviving amusement park. Although deer are considered the most 'famous', the direct translation of "dyre" means animal. It is located in Klampenborg (Gentofte municipality), Denmark.