Public holidays in Denmark

Danmarks flag Dannebrog
Photographer
Søren Sigfusson

The Danish flag, Dannebrog

 

Here you can find information about public holidays in Denmark, closing days under the Closing Days Act, days off under collective agreements, and other Danish days of celebration.

Public holidays are almost the same throughout the Nordic countries, but you should be aware that Maundy Thursday, Easter Sunday and Whit Monday are public holidays in Denmark, unlike in some other countries. In addition, Denmark, the Faroe Islands and Greenland have the special ‘Great Day of Prayer’ holiday. Constitution Day is not a public holiday, but it is a ‘flag day’; most shops are closed, and many people have the day off.

Public holidays in Denmark

Most employees have the day off on public holidays: 

  • 1 January: New Year’s Day
  • March-April: Easter: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Whit Monday. Easter Sunday falls no earlier than 22 March and no later than 25 April
  • April-May: Great Day of Prayer: Always falls on the Friday before the fourth Sunday after Easter – no earlier than 17 April, and no later than 21 May. Abolished as a public holiday from 2024 onwards.
  • April-June: Ascension Day: Falls 40 days after Easter Sunday, always on a Thursday; no earlier than 30 April and no later than 3 June
  • May-June: Pentecost: Whit Sunday and Whit Monday. Whit Sunday is the seventh Sunday after Easter: no earlier than 10 May and no later than 13 June 
  • 25 December: Christmas Day
  • 26 December: Boxing Day

Closing days under the Danish Closing Act 

With the exception of small grocery stores, retail outlets may not open on public holidays or on the following days:

  • 5 June: Constitution Day
  • 24 December: Christmas Eve
  • 31 December: New Year's Eve (after 3:00 pm)

Days off under collective agreements in Denmark 

You may be entitled to time off on some days that are not public holidays – it depends on what is stated in your contract, the staff handbook or your collective agreement. Days that can often be days off from work include:

  • 1 May: International Workers’ Day
  • 5 June: Constitution Day
  • 24 December: Christmas Eve
  • 31 December: New Year’s Eve

Other celebrations and special days in Denmark 

  • February-March: Shrovetide falls on the seventh Sunday before Easter Sunday; no earlier than 1 February and no later than 7 March
  • 2 February: Candlemass
  • 23 March: Nordic Day
  • 16 April: Birthday of H.M. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
  • 5 May: Liberation Day
  • Second Sunday in May: Mother’s Day in Denmark, Finland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Iceland. In Norway, Mother's Day is the second Sunday in February – in Sweden it is the last Sunday in May.
  • 9 May: Europe Day
  • 5 June: Father's Day – unlike in Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, where Father's Day falls on the second Sunday in November.
  • 15 June: Valdemar’s Day
  • 15 June: Reunification Day
  • 23 June: Midsummer Eve
  • 21 June: Greenland's National Day. The flag of Greenland, Erfalasorput, is flown
  • 29 July: National Day of the Faroe Islands, Ólavsøka. The Faroese flag, Merkið, is flown
  • 5 September: Flag day for Danish military personnel posted abroad 
  • 10 November: Martinmas Eve

Further information

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