EXPAT RECEPTION 2026

Happy 15th Birthday to Expat Reception!

Expat Reception is a beloved annual tradition with close to 1,000 attendees, where internationals, locals, friends, and families gather to connect, relax, and celebrate the vibrant global community at the beautiful courtyard of Aarhus Cathedral School.

As we mark 15 years of Expat Reception, we are especially proud and grateful to celebrate alongside our amazing Partners, Sponsors, and Friends, whose support helps make this event possible year after year.

This special anniversary edition will be kicked off by our own Poul Dalsgaard, CEO of Erhverv Aarhus, followed by live music, salsa dancing, networking, community art painting with local Iranian artist Elnaz Khosravi and plenty of festive energy throughout the afternoon.

There will also be fun and engaging activities for both children and parents, making it a celebration for the whole family - and best of all, it’s completely free to attend!

PROGRAM:
15:00 The doors to the reception open, The Good Days perform.

15:15 Welcome Speech

15:30 Live music and entertainment with Maraboto Trio, Essencia, La Luna Latina, Jathusza, AIS Students & more

18:00 Event ends

We’ll kick off the afternoon with some good old country music from the unique Danish duo The Good Days, followed by the talented Maraboto Trio who will the stage with their always fantastic performance. The celebration continues with the vibrant Essencia Mexican Folkor, and to keep the energy high, our friends from La Luna Latina will bring their incredible salsa moves to the dance floor!

We will also be immersed in the beautiful world of Jathusa with a Bharatanatyam dance, and of course we will have lots of fun with the Aarhus International School students punjabi dance.

Visit our friends from Foreningen Samværd in the children’s zone for a taste of our monthly “Little Friends” event, stop by for face painting, or explore the Company Alley to meet our generous sponsors and partners. And of course, Premier Is will be there to cool you down with delicious ice cream.

No birthday celebration is complete without cake! We’ll be serving cake together with tasty coffee from Eventyrlig Kaffe - so make sure to collect your vouchers at the entrance.

Birthday Bingo is your opportunity to win fab prizes! Make sure to fill up your bingo card and drop it off at the giant cake at the info table. We have great prizes from some of our awesome Expat Friends.

Receive a complimentary drink and a cake voucher at the door. IMPORTANT: There will be 600 cake and drink vouchers available on the day of the reception. The vouchers are given on first come, first-serve basis.

Thanks to everyone who is contributing towards this year's Expat Reception 2026.

PARTNERS

Arla, Vestas, Grundfos, Aarhus Kommune & Aarhus University

PRODUCT/SERVICE SPONSORS

A2B, Basecamp by XIOR, Lidl, Premier Is, Tir Na Nog, Aarhus International School, Djurslands Bank, Sixt, Aarhus Gymnasium, Hello Aarhus, First Friend in Denmark and Nykredit.

EXPAT FRIENDS

Mindset Aarhus, Expat Solutions Legal Consult, Teater Katapult, Eventyrlig Kaffe, Foreningen Samværd, La Luna Latina, Bora Bora, Elnaz Khosravi, Aarhus Jazz Orchestra & Musikhuset, Camillo Henriquez Psychologist, Roberta’s Society, Aarhus Katedralskole, Barro by ANL, Belle Guldsmeden Hotel, Essencia Mexikansk Folkedans, Hotel GUESTapart, JEF, Radisson Red & Radisson Blue Hotel, Scandic City the Mayor, The Good Days, Jathusza, First Friend in Denmark, Lilith Floral Design Studio, AGF and Balloonmand.dk 

See what Expat Reception is all about, view a short video here.