Christmas Eve Day in Denmark in 2024

Christmas Eve Day in Denmark in 2024
Traditionally it is the Christmas Elf who brings presents on Christmas Eve in Denmark.
  How long until Christmas Eve Day?
Christmas Eve Day
  Dates of Christmas Eve Day in Denmark
2025 Denmark Wed, Dec 24 Public Holiday
2024 Denmark Tue, Dec 24 Public Holiday
2023 Denmark Sun, Dec 24 Public Holiday
2022 Denmark Sat, Dec 24 Public Holiday
2021 Denmark Fri, Dec 24 Public Holiday
  Summary

Danes celebrate three days of Christmas, starting early on December 24th in the evening.

  Local name
Juleaftensdag
  Christmas Eve Day in other countries
Christmas Eve Day internationally
Related holidays

Christmas Eve Day in Denmark

Christmas Eve is not an official National Holiday in Denmark, but it is so widely observed that is considered a 'de facto' holiday. Banks are closed all day, and all shops close at noon.

When is Christmas Eve?

Christmas Eve is celebrated on December 24th. If Christmas Day falls on a weekend, then this holiday may be observed on a different day.

Countries and regions which officially have Christmas Eve as a public holiday are shown on the right.

Even if it is not a public holiday, be aware that many businesses in Europe will give employees the afternoon or the whole day as a holiday. For instance in Portugal, while Christmas Eve is not a national holiday, most companies give their employees the day or afternoon off to prepare and to be with their families, and many businesses will close earlier than normal.

As Christmas is traditionally a time to spend with families, a lot of people may leave work early to travel home or visit relatives, so this is definitely not a good day to arrange business meetings.

History of Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve marks the culmination of the Advent period before Christmas that started on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Eve. Many churches will mark the end of Advent with midnight church services.

In Latin America, Christmas Eve marks the end of a nine-day period before Christmas, called 'Las Posandas' which represents the none months of labour for the Virgin Mary before she gave birth to Jesus.

Christmas Eve Traditions

Gifts

On the night of Christmas Eve, children around the world will leave food and drink for whoever will come to their house and bring them presents. Who this is, depends on what part of the world you live. It might be Santa Claus or Father Christmas; but in Switzerland, it will be the Christchild who delivers the presents. In Denmark, it's the Christmas elf; in Sweden, it'll be a small man and in Finland, it'll be the Christmas goat!

In Latvia, the custom is that you can open the presents under the Christmas Tree after the Christmas Eve dinner, with a slight twist - before you take your gift, you'll have to recite a small poem.

Candles

A unique tradition of Christmas decoration in Ireland is a large white candle which is placed at the entrance of the house or in a window.  This candle is lit by the youngest child on Christmas Eve. This is a symbol to welcome the Holy Family and the candle can only be extinguished by a girl or a woman named Mary.

More Christmas Traditions

    Christmas Eve Traditions in Denmark

    In the afternoon, the Christmas dinner is prepared and some families may go to church to hear the Christmas Gospel. In the evening, Christmas dinner is served with duck, turkey or goose being popular meats.

    After the meal is finished, the Christmas tree is lit. It is a tradition for families to walk around the tree singing Christmas carols. Finally, it's time to unwrap the presents, before coffee and sweets then bedtime.


    Did you know?

    Three facts about Christmas Eve Day

    The Christmas Eve meal is not served in Hungary until a twinkling star is seen in the sky.

    In Icelandic folklore, the Yule Cat (Jólakötturinn) will eat anyone who does not receive new clothes by Christmas Eve

    The first-ever singing commercial was aired on Christmas Eve, 1929, for Wheaties Cereal.

    More facts about Christmas Eve Day

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