Denmark holiday calendar
Public holidays in Denmark 2026
Calendar compilation last reviewed
Plan the year with every Denmark public holiday, regional date and major cultural observance in our calendar. Each entry links to a detailed guide covering its history, status, traditions and sources.
- Public holidays
- 10
- Regional dates
- 0
- Observances
- 8
- Substitute dates
- 0
How public holidays work in Denmark
The calendar separates public holidays from regional dates and cultural observances. Public holidays are the broadest category in our Denmark calendar. Regional holidays may apply only in a particular state, province, territory or community, while an observance does not automatically mean that workplaces, schools or public services close.
No separate substitute dates are currently listed for 2026. Weekend and time-off rules can still vary by employer, region and holiday, so consult the linked guide and primary source before making arrangements. May is the busiest month, with 6 listed dates.
Denmark holiday dates in 2026
The table lists 18 calendar entries. Follow a holiday name for its full background, observance details and traditions.
| Date | Holiday | Type | Observed day |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s DayDenmark’s January 1 holiday follows a New Year’s Eve of the monarch’s address, midnight fireworks, kransekage and shared toasts. | Public holiday | — | |
| ShrovetideDenmark’s Fastelavn season brings costumes, cream-filled buns and the child-friendly barrel game on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Maundy ThursdayMaundy Thursday is a Danish holiday recalling the Last Supper and beginning the country’s long Easter break. | Public holiday | — | |
| Good FridayGood Friday, Langfredag, is Denmark’s solemn holiday commemorating the crucifixion before Easter Sunday. | Public holiday | — | |
| Easter SundayEaster Sunday is Denmark’s central Christian Easter holiday, celebrated with worship, family lunches, spring decorations and eggs. | Public holiday | — | |
| Easter MondayEaster Monday, Anden påskedag, closes Denmark’s long Easter weekend with visits, lunches and the return journey home. | Public holiday | — | |
| Great Prayer DayThe former Danish holiday survives as a church and food tradition on the fourth Friday after Easter, but is an ordinary working day from 2024. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Workers’ DayMay 1 is Denmark’s historic labour-movement day, combining rallies and music with contractual leave that varies across workplaces. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Liberation EveningDenmark remembers the May 4, 1945 liberation announcement by placing candles in windows and reflecting on occupation and resistance. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Ascension DayAscension Day is Denmark’s Thursday holiday 39 days after Easter, combining church observance with a popular late-spring bridge weekend. | Public holiday | — | |
| Whit SundayWhit Sunday, Pinsedag, is Denmark’s Pentecost holiday seven weeks after Easter, linking church worship with early-summer gatherings. | Public holiday | — | |
| Whit MondayWhit Monday, Anden pinsedag, extends Denmark’s Pentecost weekend with church services, family time and early-summer excursions. | Public holiday | — | |
| Constitution DayDenmark’s June 5 democracy observance marks the Constitutions of 1849, 1915 and 1953, with bank and retail closure but variable employment leave. | Cultural observance | — | |
| St John’s EveDenmark celebrates Sankt Hans Aften on June 23 with bonfires, Midsommervisen and community gatherings near the summer solstice. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Christmas EveChristmas Eve is Denmark’s principal family Christmas celebration and a bank and retail closing day, though not a church public holiday. | Cultural observance | — | |
| Christmas DayChristmas Day, Juledag, is Denmark’s formal Nativity holiday and a quieter continuation of the family celebration begun on Christmas Eve. | Public holiday | — | |
| Second Christmas DaySecond Christmas Day, Anden juledag, extends Denmark’s holiday with family visits, church services and winter outings. | Public holiday | — | |
| New Year’s EveDenmark’s December 31 celebration features the monarch’s address, formal dinners, kransekage and fireworks; it is a bank-closing, not public-holiday, day. | Cultural observance | — |
Sources for Denmark holidays
Calendar dates and classifications are checked against the primary calendar sources below. Historical and cultural claims have additional citations on each individual holiday guide.
- denmark.dkPrimary calendar source
- folkekirken.dkPrimary calendar source
- folkekirken.dkPrimary calendar source
- folkekirken.dkPrimary calendar source
- retsinformation.dkPrimary calendar source
- arbejdermuseet.dkPrimary calendar source
- natmus.dkPrimary calendar source
- folkekirken.dkPrimary calendar source
- ft.dkPrimary calendar source
- folkekirken.dkPrimary calendar source
- natmus.dkPrimary calendar source
- folkekirken.dkPrimary calendar source