| Day | Date | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Jan 01,2023 | New Year's Day | National holiday |
| Tuesday | Feb 14,2023 | Valentine's Day | Observance |
| Sunday | Feb 19,2023 | Carnival | Observance |
| Sunday | Mar 26,2023 | Daylight Saving Time starts | Clock change/Daylight Saving Time |
| Sunday | Apr 02,2023 | Palm Sunday | Observance |
| Thursday | Apr 06,2023 | Maundy Thursday | National holiday |
| Friday | Apr 07,2023 | Good Friday | National holiday |
| Sunday | Apr 09,2023 | Easter Sunday | National holiday |
| Monday | Apr 10,2023 | Easter Monday | National holiday |
| Monday | May 01,2023 | Labor Day / May Day | Private Sector Holiday |
| Friday | May 05,2023 | Great Prayer Day | National holiday |
| Friday | May 05,2023 | Liberation Day | Observance |
| Sunday | May 14,2023 | Mother’s Day | Observance |
| Thursday | May 18,2023 | Ascension Day | National holiday |
| Sunday | May 28,2023 | Whit Sunday | National holiday |
| Monday | May 29,2023 | Whit Monday | National holiday |
| Monday | Jun 05,2023 | Father’s Day | Observance |
| Monday | Jun 05,2023 | Constitution Day | Private Sector Holiday |
| Sunday | Oct 29,2023 | Daylight Saving Time ends | Clock change/Daylight Saving Time |
| Tuesday | Oct 31,2023 | Halloween | Observance |
| Sunday | Dec 24,2023 | Christmas Eve | Observance |
| Sunday | Dec 24,2023 | Christmas Eve | Restricted Trading Day |
| Monday | Dec 25,2023 | Christmas Day | National holiday |
| Tuesday | Dec 26,2023 | 2nd Christmas Day | National holiday |
| Sunday | Dec 31,2023 | New Year's Eve | Restricted Trading Day |
| Sunday | Dec 31,2023 | New Year's Eve | Observance |
New Year's Day, known as "Nytårsdag" in Denmark, marks the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm, with parties, fireworks, and gatherings with family and friends. Danes exchange warm wishes and make resolutions for the year ahead. It holds cultural importance as a time for reflection, hope, and unity, bringing people together to start the year on a positive note.
Valentine's Day, or "Valentinsdag," is a day dedicated to expressing love and affection towards one's partner. Danes exchange cards, flowers, and gifts with loved ones. While it has gained popularity in Denmark due to its international influence, it's primarily a day to celebrate love and strengthen personal relationships, emphasizing the cultural value of love and romance.
Carnival, known as "Fastelavn" in Denmark, is a festive pre-Lenten celebration. It involves dressing up in costumes, parades, and the iconic tradition of "slå katten af tønden" (beating the barrel). Children and adults alike participate in these festivities, which have historical and cultural significance in Denmark. Carnival marks the transition from winter to spring and the anticipation of Easter, blending fun and tradition.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins in Denmark, shifting the clocks forward by one hour. This practice, known as "Sommertid," is observed to make better use of daylight during the longer days of spring and summer. It promotes energy conservation and outdoor activities, enhancing the cultural appreciation for nature and the changing seasons.
Palm Sunday, called "Palmesøndag," falls on the Sunday before Easter and commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Danes attend church services, and it's a time when palm leaves or branches are blessed. While not as extensively celebrated as some other holidays, Palm Sunday holds cultural and religious significance in Denmark as part of the lead-up to Easter.
Maundy Thursday, or "Skærtorsdag," is observed on the Thursday before Easter. It commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples. Danes often gather for a special meal with family or friends, and churches hold services. It's a day for reflection on the religious aspects of Easter and is culturally relevant in Denmark for its role in the Easter season.
Good Friday, known as "Langfredag," is a Christian holiday that remembers the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is a solemn day of reflection, with many Danes attending church services. It's also a day when some businesses and schools are closed to allow people to observe the religious aspects of the holiday. Good Friday is culturally significant for its role in the Easter story and its impact on Danish society.
Easter Sunday, or "Påskedag," is the culmination of the Easter celebrations in Denmark. It marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is celebrated with church services, festive meals, and the exchange of chocolate eggs and "gækkebreve" (Easter letters). Families come together, and children participate in egg hunts. Easter Sunday combines Christian traditions with fun activities, highlighting the cultural blend of faith and joy in Denmark.
Easter Monday, known as "Anden påskedag," is a continuation of Easter festivities in Denmark. It's a public holiday, allowing people to extend their time with loved ones or engage in leisure activities. Many Danes use this day to go for walks or enjoy nature, emphasizing the cultural appreciation for the outdoors and relaxation.
Labor Day, or "Arbejdernes Kampdag," is observed on May 1st and celebrates workers' rights and achievements. It involves parades, speeches, and demonstrations organized by labor unions and activists. Labor Day is culturally significant in Denmark for promoting social justice, workers' solidarity, and labor-related issues, reflecting the country's values of equality and workers' well-being.
Great Prayer Day, known as "Store Bededag," is a unique Danish holiday that combines religious observance with a day off work. It falls on the fourth Friday after Easter and involves church services and moments of reflection. It's also a day for enjoying "hveder" (sweet wheat buns). Great Prayer Day reflects Denmark's historical ties to the Lutheran Church and its cultural appreciation for spiritual contemplation and simple pleasures.
Liberation Day, or "Befrielsen," is celebrated on May 5th and marks the end of the German occupation of Denmark during World War II in 1945. Danes commemorate this day with events, flags, and gatherings to honor those who fought for freedom. Liberation Day holds cultural importance as a symbol of resilience, unity, and national pride, reminding people of Denmark's history and the value of liberty.
Mother's Day, known as "Mors Dag," is a day dedicated to showing appreciation for mothers and mother figures. It involves giving cards, flowers, and gifts to honor mothers' love and care. While it follows the international tradition, Mother's Day is culturally important in Denmark for celebrating family bonds and maternal contributions to society.
Ascension Day, known as "Kristi Himmelfartsdag," is a Christian holiday celebrated 40 days after Easter. It commemorates Jesus' ascension into heaven. Danes attend church services and enjoy a day off work, often spending time with family or participating in outdoor activities. Ascension Day reinforces the cultural and religious ties that unite the Christian community in Denmark, emphasizing faith and togetherness.
Whit Sunday, or "Pinsedag," is another Christian holiday in Denmark, observed 50 days after Easter. It marks the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. Danes attend church services and engage in spiritual activities. Whit Sunday is a time to strengthen one's faith and connect with the Christian community, making it a culturally significant religious observance in Denmark.
Whit Monday, known as "Anden pinsedag," follows Whit Sunday and is a continuation of the Christian celebrations. It's a public holiday that provides an opportunity for Danes to spend time with family and friends, attend church-related events, or engage in leisure activities. Whit Monday is culturally significant for fostering faith and enjoying quality time with loved ones during the Pentecost festivities in Denmark.
Father's Day, or "Fars Dag," is a day dedicated to honoring fathers and father figures. Similar to Mother's Day, it involves giving cards, gifts, and spending quality time with dads. Father's Day highlights the cultural importance of family and paternal roles in Danish society.
Constitution Day, or "Grundlovsdag," is celebrated on June 5th and commemorates the signing of Denmark's constitution in 1849. While it holds historical and political significance, it's also a day for picnics, speeches, and gatherings. Danes celebrate their democratic values and the principles of the constitution, emphasizing cultural importance as a day of reflection on freedom and democracy.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) ends in Denmark, shifting the clocks back by one hour. This practice, known as "Vintertid," returns standard time and shorter daylight hours. It influences daily routines and outdoor activities, underlining the cultural appreciation for seasonal changes and adaptability to varying amounts of daylight.
Halloween, though not a traditional Danish holiday, has gained popularity in recent years. It's celebrated on October 31st with costume parties, decorations, and trick-or-treating. While not deeply rooted in Danish culture, Halloween allows people to embrace fun and creativity, showcasing the adaptability of Danish culture to global festivities.
Christmas Eve, known as "Juleaften," is a cherished Danish holiday celebrated on December 24th. Families come together for a festive dinner, exchange gifts, and attend church services. It's a time for tradition, hygge (coziness), and togetherness. Christmas Eve is culturally significant for its role in the Christmas season and the emphasis on family bonds and the spirit of giving in Danish culture.
Christmas Day, or "Første juledag," continues the Christmas celebrations in Denmark. It's a day for extended family gatherings, more festive meals, and relaxation. Churches hold special services, and the holiday emphasizes the cultural importance of faith, family, and the joy of the holiday season.
New Year's Eve, known as "Nytårsaften," is celebrated on December 31st with parties, fireworks, and gatherings. It's a time to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one with excitement. Danes enjoy festive foods and drinks, with the iconic tradition of watching the Queen's New Year's speech. New Year's Eve holds cultural significance as a night of reflection, hope, and unity, embracing the promise of a fresh start in Denmark.
