Christmas in Denmark

Christmas in Denmark is called jul, and for many Danish families the most important celebration takes place on December 24 — Christmas Eve. Families gather for a large dinner, sing and dance around the Christmas tree, open presents and spend the evening together. VisitDenmark describes December 24 as the main Danish Christmas celebration, with dinner followed by gifts and the traditional dance around the tree.

Danish Christmas combines Christian traditions, old Scandinavian folklore, family customs and something Danes are especially famous for: hygge. Candles, warm lights, Christmas decorations, sweets, food and long evenings indoors all help make December one of the coziest times of the Danish year.

When do Danes celebrate Christmas?

Christmas Day is December 25, but in Denmark the main family celebration is normally on the evening of December 24.

A typical Christmas Eve begins with dinner. After the meal, many families move into the living room, light the Christmas tree, hold hands and walk or dance around it while singing traditional Christmas songs. Only after that are the presents opened.

For visitors from countries where presents arrive during the night and are opened on Christmas morning, this can feel very different.

In Denmark, by the time many American or British children are going to sleep waiting for Santa, Danish children may already be surrounded by wrapping paper.

What is Santa Claus called in Denmark?

Santa Claus is usually called Julemanden, literally “the Christmas Man.”

Modern Julemanden looks much like the international Santa Claus: red clothes, white beard, presents and a connection with Christmas Eve.

According to VisitDenmark, Julemanden traditionally arrives on December 24 and may even appear personally at the family celebration — sometimes with a conveniently absent father, uncle or grandfather behind the beard.

He is often associated with small Christmas creatures called nisser.

What is a Danish nisse?

A nisse is one of the most recognizable characters of Danish Christmas.

The traditional nisse comes from Scandinavian folklore and is often imagined as a small human-like figure wearing a red cap. Modern Christmas nisser can be cute, helpful and mischievous.

Danish homes, shops and Christmas decorations are filled with them in December.

VisitDenmark describes nisser as naughty elf-like figures closely connected with Danish Christmas.

Traditionally, people may leave rice porridge for the nisse — because keeping your household nisse happy is considerably easier than dealing with an offended one.

🎅 Santa Says

I have an excellent working relationship with the Danish nisser.

There have been disagreements.

The Great Rice-Porridge Incident of 1987 is still classified by the North Pole.

What do Danes eat for Christmas?

A traditional Danish Christmas Eve dinner often includes roast duck or roast pork, potatoes, gravy and red cabbage. Different families have their own preferences and regional traditions.

But one of the most entertaining parts of the meal comes at dessert.

What is risalamande?

Risalamande is a cold rice dessert traditionally served with warm cherry sauce.

Hidden somewhere in the serving bowl is one whole almond.

Everyone eats while trying to discover who has the almond. The winner receives an almond present — mandelgaven. VisitDenmark notes that the prize has traditionally sometimes been a marzipan pig.

Experienced Danish families understand the strategic implications.

If someone finds the almond immediately, they may keep completely quiet and continue eating while everybody else desperately takes second and third portions.

Why do Danes dance around the Christmas tree?

This is one of the Danish traditions most surprising to visitors.

Families hold hands around the tree and walk or dance in a circle while singing Christmas songs.

VisitDenmark identifies dancing around the tree before opening presents as a well-established Danish Christmas tradition.

Popular songs vary by family, and children often have favorites they insist must be included.

The result can resemble a combination of Christmas concert, family reunion and light cardiovascular exercise.

Do Danish Christmas trees use real candles?

Some Danish families still use real candles on their Christmas trees, although electric lights are also widespread.

VisitDenmark specifically highlights real tree candles as one of Denmark’s distinctive Christmas customs.

Naturally, candles on a dry tree require extreme care and supervision.

Candles are also important throughout Danish December. Advent candles, window lights and table candles contribute heavily to the feeling of Christmas hygge.

Advent in Denmark

Christmas does not suddenly begin on December 24.

December is filled with Advent calendars, Christmas lunches, decorations, baking, Christmas markets, school celebrations and gatherings with friends and colleagues.

Many Danish children follow julekalender television programs with one episode every day from December 1 to December 24.

For Danish children, this can become almost as much a part of December as the decorations themselves.

How do you say Merry Christmas in Danish?

Glædelig jul!

That means:

Merry Christmas!

If you are visiting Denmark in December, you will see and hear it everywhere.

What makes Danish Christmas different?

Perhaps the most distinctive thing about Christmas in Denmark is not one particular decoration or food.

It is the combination:

December 24 celebrations, Julemanden, nisser, candlelight, risalamande, the hidden almond, traditional food, songs, dancing around the tree and the Danish idea of hygge.

Together they create a Christmas that feels very recognizably Scandinavian — and very Danish.

Quick answer

When is Christmas celebrated in Denmark?
The main family celebration is normally December 24.

What is Santa called in Denmark?
Julemanden.

What do Danes eat at Christmas?
Common Christmas Eve foods include roast duck or pork, potatoes, gravy and red cabbage.

What is the famous Danish Christmas dessert?
Risalamande with cherry sauce.

Why is there an almond in the dessert?
Whoever finds the whole almond receives a small prize.

Do Danes dance around the Christmas tree?
Yes. Many families hold hands, circle the tree and sing before opening presents.

How do you say Merry Christmas?
Glædelig jul.