Christmas in Denmark is not one day. It is a whole season of candles, gløgg, cookies and long dinners with the people you love. As a Dane living in Copenhagen, it is my favourite time of the year, and every year I get questions from friends abroad about what we actually do. So here is my local guide to Danish Christmas traditions, from the first Christmas beer in November to the last piece of risalamande on Christmas Eve.
J-dag: When Christmas Officially Begins
For many Danes, the Christmas season starts on J-dag, the first Friday of November, when Tuborg releases its Christmas beer and the famous blue Christmas trucks drive through the cities. In 2026, J-dag falls on Friday November 6. Expect busy bars, Santa hats and a lot of people singing the jingle.
Julefrokost: The Danish Christmas Lunch
The julefrokost is probably the most Danish Christmas tradition of all. It is a long lunch or dinner with colleagues, friends or family, with pickled herring, rye bread, warm liver pâté, meatballs, roast pork and plenty of beer and snaps. It often starts early and ends very late. If you are invited to one, say yes.
Advent, Calendar Candles and Christmas Calendars
On each of the four Sundays before Christmas, Danes light a new candle in the advent wreath. Many homes also burn a kalenderlys, a tall candle marked with the numbers 1 to 24, just a little every day. Children open a julekalender with small gifts, and almost every family watches the TV Christmas calendar together in December.
Nisser: The Danish Christmas Elves
In Denmark we do not only have Santa. We have nisser, small mischievous elves with red hats who live in the attic or the barn. Tradition says you should leave a bowl of rice porridge out for them on Christmas Eve, otherwise they might start playing tricks on you.
Lucia Day on December 13
On December 13, schools, churches and kindergartens hold Lucia processions. Children in white gowns walk in a line with candles while singing the Lucia song, led by a girl with a crown of lights. It is one of the most beautiful moments of the Danish December, especially in a dark old church.
Christmas Eve: The Big Night
In Denmark the main celebration is on Christmas Eve, December 24, not on Christmas Day. Many families go to church in the afternoon, and then the evening is all about the Christmas dinner. The classic menu is roast duck or roast pork with crispy crackling, caramelised potatoes, boiled potatoes, red cabbage and lots of gravy.
Risalamande and the Almond Gift
Dessert is risalamande, a cold rice pudding with whipped cream, vanilla and chopped almonds, served with warm cherry sauce. One whole almond is hidden in the bowl, and whoever finds it wins the mandelgave, the almond gift. The real fun is that the winner often hides the almond in their mouth for as long as possible, so everyone has to keep eating.
Dancing Around the Christmas Tree
After dinner comes the moment children wait for all year. The family holds hands and dances around the Christmas tree, often decorated with real candles, while singing Danish Christmas carols. Only after the dancing are the presents opened, one by one.
Danish Christmas Food and Treats
Throughout December, Danes bake and eat pebernødder, vaniljekranse, brunkager and klejner, and æbleskiver with gløgg are a must at every Christmas gathering. I have collected my favourites, and the best bakeries to find them, in 10 Danish Christmas Treats You Must Try.
How to Experience a Danish Christmas in Copenhagen
If you visit Copenhagen in December, you can experience many of these traditions yourself. Here is where I would start:
- Stroll the best Christmas markets in Copenhagen, with Tivoli as the highlight.
- Warm up with the best gløgg in Copenhagen.
- Find the cosiest hygge spots in the city.
- Book a traditional julefrokost lunch at a classic Danish restaurant.
- Looking for a gift? See my Christmas gift ideas with unique experiences in Denmark.
Danish Christmas is all about hygge, slowing down and being together. Light a candle, pour a cup of gløgg and enjoy it. Glædelig jul!
