Every year, AFOLs from around the world converge in a (very) small town in the southwestern part of Denmark at the end of September. Why is that, you may ask? Because of the legendary event called Skærbæk Fan Weekend (SFW)! But what is it and how do you “do Skærbæk“ properly?

Well, let’s dive into it so you can make the most of the experience.

What Is Skærbæk Fan Weekend?

Let’s start with a short description (which is a complete rip-off from the SFW homepage—I figured the people in charge would be best equipped to explain it):

“In 2005, the LEGO Company started a small get-together with some AFOLs. That event was called the LEGO Fan Weekend. Through the years it developed and grew into a fantastic event. Somehow the LEGO Company decided ten years later not to continue the LEGO Fan Weekend. Seriously bad news for the fans and so three AFOLs decided to take over the organisation: in 2015 the Skærbæk Fan Weekend was born!

Fans from all over the world are coming together in Skærbæk and sharing their passion for the brick. No hand luggage bag is too small that even the AFOLs from overseas are bringing some of their brilliant creations to Denmark. But not only AFOLs are joining us because through the weekend the event is open for public visitors.“

So there you have it, now you probably know everything you need to know about Skærbæk Fan Weekend, right? But just to be sure, I figured it might be helpful to add a bit more information that might be useful if you ever decide to join in on the fun.

Signing Up

The first thing to keep track of is of course the initial sign-up date. Registration opens up on April 1st. (I know, poor choice of date…) All you really need to do is go to the SFW homepage and click on “Register”. As the event has grown in popularity you may want to be on your toes when the date rolls around, the amount of spots is limited (1,150 for 2023) so waiting a few days may result in missing out on the fun altogether. Don’t worry, it doesn’t cost anything to register.

Some swag from last year’s Skærbæk Fan Weekend.

Though sign-ups have passed for this year, people cancel all the time so reach out to the organizers to see if there is any extra room. There tend to be cancellations about a month ahead of the event from people who registered hoping for the best but life didn’t find a way.

Communications

After you sign up you can join the member center and check the Skærbæk Forum where a lot of great information is collected. It’s good to check in there every now and then in the months between signing up and the actual event as it’s a great source for updates and general information.

Another great place to join, especially to make sure you get updates quickly, is the Facebook page for SFW. I highly recommend it, as information tends to spread a lot quicker over there compared to on a forum (something I’m sure most LUG members can relate to…).

The Cabins

Going to Skærbæk is not exactly like going to a large international city where hotels might be in abundance… it’s more like the polar opposite of that actually. The event is held in a large convention hall and right next to it are a bunch of cabins. Each cabin has room for seven people with two 2-bed rooms, as well as a loft that can fit up to three people. The number of cabins is of course limited and, given the rise in popularity of the event, the chances of landing a cabin are getting slimmer and slimmer each year.

There is a lottery to assign cabins that you can sign up for at the end of the previous event. After you throw your hat in the ring there are a couple of months of waiting before you get that long-awaited e-mail saying “Nope, no luck this year.” Fortunately, there are usually a few of your LUG members that did get a positive response so in all honesty the best way to assure yourself a spot is to basically know as many AFOLs as possible and be quick to ask if they have a spot left over. Seems a bit harsh, but that is how I’ve done it every time I’ve been there so it does seem to work.

There are of course a few hotels, etc. in Skærbæk so even if you miss out on a cabin it’s not completely over. Just make sure you’re quick to book a room. And if all else fails you can always sleep in your car—you’ll be hanging out in other people’s cabins most of the time anyway. :)

Travel

As the event draws people from all around the world there are plenty of ways people travel to Skærbæk. I’ve gone by car each time (it takes about 10-12 hours from Stockholm) and making the trip with a few LUG members is usually a real treat.

Billund (the LEGO capital and birthplace of everyone’s favourite plastic brick) is about an hour north of Skærbæk and it does have an airport so that’s a pretty smooth way for more international participants to get there.

The Deadlines

Workshops

There are usually quite a few workshops that take place during the event. Information about signing up usually pops up on the SFW forum and the FB page well in advance. There is a specific time that the slots for these workshops get released and I kid you not when I say that you need to be ON TOP OF THINGS when that time rolls around.

There are a limited amount of spots available and I can guarantee that the most popular ones are gone within 30 seconds. I’ve been to a few different ones over the years and even though you might not get your first pick, all of them have been entertaining so don’t sweat it.

LEGO House/Factory Tour/Campus Tour

Skærbæk Fan Weekend should rather be called an entire fan week because of the other activities and tours that happen around the same time. The Thursday before the event is the LEGO House AFOL Day, when they get overrun with adult fans—we’re the only ones allowed in actually! There are a few presentations and sometimes special offerings like the 3D-printed duck from last year.

After the weekend is over, the fun continues into Monday when there are several tours and site visits available. There is a separate sign-up for this as well, so make sure to check the forum and FB page for updates.

Tours have varied in the past including the LEGO Idea House, factory floor tour, behind-the-scenes LEGOLAND tour, a new campus tour and more. Many of these tours are similar to ones you can book through the LEGO House ahead of time or if you’ve ever had the pleasure of going on the LEGO Inside Tour.

Employee P-shop

The legendary P-shop is something a lot of my LUG friends look forward to all year. It’s a chance to buy LEGO sets at a serious discount, so it should be no surprise there is a limit on the slots here as well. There is also usually a limit regarding how much you can buy, and also a limit on the number of each set you can buy. So make sure you plan your purchases before you go.

Because of Covid-19, there have been a lot of logistics to keep this going which has led to it being a bit less chaotic (still quite chaotic though in my opinion… haha!). Just like the registration for workshops, sign-ups for the P-shop visit are done separately so make sure to keep track on the FB page and the forum. I wouldn’t say it’s quite as stressful as the workshop registration, but it’s not far from it. In recent years there have been different time slots available and the most popular ones (usually the ones quite early in the morning) are gone within minutes at the most. If you miss out on a slot there are usually a few more released later on so don’t give up hope entirely.

Usually, no phones are allowed so do your pricing research ahead of time. This visit tends to benefit those within driving distance the most, though if you are flying you may want to bring an extra suitcase or two for the employee shop or for any Billund exclusives you may purchase (the latter aren’t generally available at the P-shop, but are offered exclusively at the brand store at LEGO House).

MOC Registration

Registering your MOCs (if you plan to bring some) is usually quite straightforward and is done in the Member Center in the forum. There might be a bit of waiting before you get confirmation so make sure you have some patience and don’t flood the organizers with questions… they are usually quite busy making sure the event is awesome.

Setting Up Your Builds

On Friday, it’s time to set up your MOCs. There are two large exhibition halls where most of the builds are on display. Setting up is basically no different from most other AFOL events—you find the set-up sheet and just find your spot.

Set up your builds as soon as possible and then just walk around and watch everyone else stress to get their stuff in order (or be one of the ones that run around frantically making sure you finish everything in time if you find that more entertaining). People are often very helpful and friendly so getting set up is usually pretty smooth.

And I can almost guarantee you’re going to find quite a few builds that have been featured on all your favourite blogs which is always a treat.

No Trophies

Seeing as how I still haven’t been “across the pond” for a LEGO event, I’m not sure exactly how trophies are awarded outside of our articles on them. But from what I’ve seen in pictures and heard from people that have been to those events, there seem to be a lot more trophies and stuff over there. Skærbæk has basically none of that. No categories or prizes for “Best-this-and-that“.

There are, however, usually a few people that bring their own little trophies or figs that they place on builds they like which is always fun, including these rare “Nerd of Note” awards from BrickNerd given to community builders, exceptional MOCs, or honoring extreme nerdiness.

Designers and LEGO Celebrities

LEGO Group CEO Niels B. Christiansen visiting the displays. Photo via Lluís Gibe rt.

There is a more-than-good chance that you’ll spot an official LEGO designer or two roaming the halls of the convention center during this event. The LEGO world isn’t all that huge and since quite a few designers nowadays used to be AFOLs, it seems that conventions still tickle their fancy. Sever prominent builders and influencers may be there as well.

Remember to be courteous with their time and that they are visiting the con just like you. You may also spot someone from the Kristiansen family making the rounds (more often than not followed by a large group of AFOLs keen on getting one of their coveted minifigs…) but again, please be courteous and patient. They are there to have fun and see cool LEGO builds and people too.

Vendors

Inside the convention hall, quite a few vendors sell their wares at Skærbæk Fan Weekend. Usually the prices are along the lines of what you would find on BrickLink, but every now and then there are bargains to be found. So make sure you check that out. Finding some old dino sets or Galidor pieces is not uncommon, as well as other weird and unusual stuff. More often than not, a few people are there that offer engraved bricks created at the convention (just don’t wait until the last hour of the last day…).

Food

There is a supermarket nearby (two min walking didtsnce) where you can buy pretty much everything, including beer and other alcoholic beverages if that is something you might be interested in. The convention hall has a cafeteria with nice burgers and other common foods. So there is no need to go hungry.

I would suggest bringing some treats to share from wherever you are coming from, as many of the cabins turn into a taste around the world with snacks, BBQ, whiskey tastings and more depending on where you get invited to.

Swag For Trade

I highly recommend bringing some swag to give away or to trade. It’s usually very much appreciated and is a great way to meet new people. I mean, who doesn’t like a tiny little custom build designed by a fellow AFOL?

Some trade swag from Skærbæk, photo via Huw Millington

Many builders, websites, or LUGs will also have some minifigures for trade too, though that may be lessened this coming year since LEGO’s request for less printing on minifigures from recognized communities.

Saturday Dinner

On Saturday, there is a big dinner where a lot of the attendees get together to feast. Buying a dinner ticket can be done at the Skærbæk center and is probably something you want to get done as soon as you (or the LUG buddy whose cabin you get the privilege of staying in) checks into the cabin. It’s usually a great time to hang out with all the people there and buy pitchers of beer that you can share with your new and old friends.

The tent is packed with LEGO fans from all over speaking tons of languages but all unified over their love of the brick… and the love of good food and drink, too!

The Auction

A little while after the dinner ends, the famous Skærbæk auction begins. This is a truly weird and interesting experience. If you are looking to find some bargains on cool stuff, you might want to move along because this thing is going to get crazy. Proceeds from the auction help keep the Skærbæk Fan Weekend going, so people get unusually generous here (perhaps that’s why there is great supply of beer and wine at dinner…).

All kinds of different stuff is offered at the auction (usually donated from attending AFOLs), from LEGO Masters swag to old retired sets to weird memorabilia. The prices have a tendency to get more and more insane as the night progresses and it’s quite a spectacle to behold—but hey, it is all for a good cause. The show also accepts donations to the charity to raise funds as well.

Cabin Hopping

One of the greatest parts of this whole weekend is meeting AFOLs from all over the world. Since most attendees stay in the cabins, walking around that area you are almost guaranteed to find one party or another. And hospitality is usually in abundance.

Some people will cook national delicacies, others will have games and parties. If possible, try to bring a flag of your country or LUG to show people where you are from. It’s also a great way to find your cabin late at night…

To Sum Things Up…

I hope this article gives you some insights into what Skærbæk Fan Weekend is all about. And I hope that you’ve gotten some tips on how to get the most out of it and not be anxious at all about attending. If you want some more information, the SFW homepage is packed with great information so anything I might have missed can probably be found there.

Hope to see you at Skærbæk, either this year or in the future!

Best of BrickNerd — Article originally published on May 10, 2023.

Have you been to Skærbæk Fan Weekend and do you have any more tips to share? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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