Denmark observes eleven holidays built around the Lutheran calendar. Great Prayer Day was abolished as a public holiday from 2024, so anything published before then is out of date.

How people take the days

Ascension Thursday is bridged almost universally, and Constitution Day on 5 June is a half day in most sectors rather than a full holiday. Summer leave clusters in weeks 28 to 31.

If you're visiting

Supermarkets often open on holidays; specialist shops and banks close. Copenhagen transport runs a Sunday service with good frequency.

If you live here

Holiday pay works on the Danish feriepenge system and is earned concurrently rather than in a prior year since 2020. Confirm with your employer whether 5 June and 24 December are paid.

What these days actually mean

Observance, business closures and transport impact for the next few dates.

Christmas Eve

24 Dec 2026

Bank

Observance: Juleaften is the main event — the roast, the tree, the dancing around it and the almond in the rice pudding. Christmas Day is the quiet recovery.
Business: Offices close at lunchtime or earlier; supermarkets shut early afternoon.
Transport: Services wind down sharply from mid-afternoon.

Written for this country

Christmas Day

25 Dec 2026

Public

Observance: The central Christian winter feast; in most countries the household gathering matters more than the church service.
Business: Near-total closure of retail, offices and banks. Expect the preceding afternoon to shut early too.
Transport: Skeleton or suspended services in many countries. Book intercity travel well ahead.

St. Stephen's Day

26 Dec 2026

Public

Observance: Officially recognised as a public holiday, so most people have the day off work.
Business: Expect offices, banks and the majority of shops to be closed.
Transport: Public transport usually runs a Sunday or holiday timetable.

General guidance based on this day's official classification, not country-specific reporting.

New Year's Eve

31 Dec 2026

Bank

Observance: Classified as a bank holiday rather than a general public holiday.
Business: Banks and financial settlement are closed; many shops and offices trade as normal.
Transport: Services generally run as on a normal working day.

General guidance based on this day's official classification, not country-specific reporting.

DKDenmark · 2026

Bridge days worth booking

How the holiday year works in Denmark

The calendar