How Are the Winter Holidays Celebrated in Denmark?

The winter holidays are an important part of the Danish culture and you’ll see everyone celebrating Christmas and partying on New Year’s Eve like there’s no tomorrow.

To put it short, celebrating the winter holidays in Denmark is like stepping into a snow globe, but with better food and a lot more wine.

But before you book your flight, let me give you the insider’s scoop on how the winter holidays are celebrated here.

From candlelit Advent traditions to singing around the Christmas tree and literally jumping into the new year, there’s so much to love (and learn) about Danish holiday culture and not just being here for dating Danish women.

How is Christmas celebrated in Denmark?

In Denmark, Christmas isn’t confined to a single day – it’s an entire season that kicks off on December 1st with Advent.

The countdown isn’t just about chocolate-filled calendars and we can all agree it’s great that they’ve taken over the world!

Danes take Advent to a whole new level though with their Julekalender (Christmas calendar) and Gavekalender (gift calendar), where tiny presents or treats are exchanged daily or on each Advent Sunday.

It’s usually parents or grandparents who present these gifts to kids, but there’s no stopping the adults from sharing. It’s becoming more and more common between partners and even at work.

The Advent season is also marked by countdowns to the big day (Christmas, of course!) with candle calendars. Many families light a special Advent candle every day leading up to Christmas. There’s something so charming about gathering around a flickering flame, counting down the days with a warmth that feels both literal and symbolic.

To emphasize how important this Danish tradition is, most TV stations have their own Julekalendar series. It is a 24-episode Christmas special from day one to day 24 in December. If you want to impress your Danish friends, make sure to read my article on how to say Merry Christmas in Danish.

Christmas Eve: A Feast Like No Other

By the time December 24th rolls around – Juleaften, as the Danes call it – families are ready to celebrate in style. The evening starts with a church service (if that’s your thing) and quickly transitions into a sumptuous dinner shared by the family.

Get ready for a gastronomic treat of roasted meat, whether pork, goose, or duck. This is served with the traditional sweet potato sides or boiled potato plus some cabbage and rich brown gravy.

After the main meal comes the risalamande, a traditional Danish dessert. Dig into the chilled rice pudding served with a warm cherry sauce reduction.

And here’s the twist – there’s a whole almond hidden in the bowl, and whoever finds it wins a small gift. (My advice? Chew carefully but confidently.)

You can read more about mouth-watering, traditional Danish foods in my previous article.

The celebrations go well into the night with the singing of traditional Danish Christmas carols around the tree.

Expect a tall glass of gløgg, which is a traditional mulled wine, spiced to perfection and served with almonds and raisins that you need to fish out with a spoon as you chug along.

You might also find homemade ebelskivers, powdered sugar, and jam to go along with it on the side.

The Danish also have Santa Claus or Julemanden, so expect the little ones to hit the hay by midnight. Christmas morning means gathering around the Christmas tree to open gifts.

Expect to join a Julefrokost, a Christmas Lunch hosted by friends or local communities. If you’re lucky, you might get invited to a family lunch or familiejulefrokost.

Danish Christmas tables are laden with warm and cold meats, lots of seafood dishes, and plenty of cheeses, fruit, and risamalande. It’s truly spectacular, as you can probably tell from the photos and my details.

New Year’s Eve in Denmark: Champagne, Cakes, and Chair-Jumping

Celebrating New Year in Denmark is also an exciting event. Yes, there are fireworks at the stroke of midnight, like everywhere else, but there’s much more to this celebration.

At the stroke of midnight, Danes have a peculiar tradition: they climb onto chairs (or whatever elevated surface is nearby, with the bravest climbing up on tables) and jump into the new year.

It’s symbolic, of course – leaping forward into good luck and prosperity. Just be careful if you’ve had one too many glasses of champagne or gløgg; a wobbly landing could send you straight into next year’s blooper reel.

Expect the same sumptuous food to be prepared for New Year’s meals but the Kransekage is the icing on the cake here – literally.

This is the iconic Danish New Year’s Eve dessert which is a towering ring cake made of almond paste, sugar, and egg whites, stacked into a cone and drizzled with white icing and is served after midnight with champagne.

Then finally, we need to raise our glasses whenever we hear “Skål” and toast to good health and cheer during the holidays.

Pro tip: You’re expected to make eye contact while clinking glasses—it’s considered polite and builds a sense of connection.

And this is how you enter the new year, which will hopefully be much better than the one before. At least this is my wish for you!

Modern Twists on Danish Holiday Traditions

While many traditions remain unchanged and they remain so for all the right reasons, some modern twists have made their way into Danish holiday celebrations and I want to quickly mention them below.

• Sustainability: Many families now use eco-friendly decorations and buy locally sourced gifts.
• Digital Julekalenders: Some people have swapped physical Advent calendars for online versions, complete with interactive games and surprises.
• Fusion Foods: Traditional dishes are sometimes updated with global flavors, like spiced duck tacos or vegan risalamande.

Quick tips if you visit Denmark during the winter holidays

If you’re visiting Denmark during the winter holidays, here are a few tips to make the most of your experience:

1. Visit Christmas Markets: Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens and Aarhus’ Old Town Christmas Market are must-sees. These are also great cities to meet Danish women (or find the perfect, Viking-like Danish man of your dream)
2. Dress Warm: The Danish winter is no joke. Layer up, and don’t forget a good pair of boots.
3. Try Everything: From gløgg to kransekage, the holiday season is a foodie’s paradise. You will find some unique foods here, some only prepared during the cold season!
4. Learn a Few Phrases: A heartfelt “Glædelig jul!” (Merry Christmas) or “Godt nytår!” (Happy New Year) goes a long way.

In love with Denmark already? Check out my articles sharing Traditional Danish Girl Names or Danish Boy Names and Their Meaning, learn about the Dark Side of Danish Girls, and prepare for living there by reading about salaries in Denmark, as well as the cost of living here.

Wrapping up

Danish winter holidays are a beautiful blend of tradition, warmth, and a touch of whimsy. Whether it’s finding the almond in your risalamande, singing around the tree, or leaping into the new year, there’s something uniquely magical about celebrating the season in Denmark.

What’s your favorite holiday tradition? If there’s something I missed, drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your thoughts. Until then, Glædelig jul og godt nytår!