https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Denmark in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed During the month of June, Danish towns are overtaken by jubilant young adults wearing assorted styles of graduation caps (studenterhuer). The Local brings you a guide to what the caps mean, their history and significance. https://www.thelocal.dk/20160629/studenterhuen-denmark-whats-all-the-noise-about Wed, 29 Jun 2016 09:31:46 +0200 studenterhuen-denmark-whats-all-the-noise-about Sankthans is one of the most enjoyable events in the Danish calendar, with happy crowds welcoming in the summer next to roaring bonfires. Here's our list of the best places to take part in the traditional midsummer celebration. https://www.thelocal.dk/20190623/the-best-places-to-celebrate-sankt-hans-aften-in-denmark Sun, 23 Jun 2019 09:01:18 +0200 the-best-places-to-celebrate-sankt-hans-aften-in-denmark Denmark's rescue services have warned that the fire risk in several areas of Denmark is rated as "high" or even "very high", as Sankthans bonfires are set to be lit across the country on Tuesday night. https://www.thelocal.dk/20260622/danish-rescue-services-warn-of-very-high-fire-risk-on-sankthans Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:50:07 +0200 danish-rescue-services-warn-of-very-high-fire-risk-on-sankthans Wondering what that yoghurt and biscuit dessert is, or where everyone went? You're probably a newcomer to the Danish summer. https://www.thelocal.dk/20250717/four-unusual-danish-summer-habits-that-confuse-newcomers Thu, 17 Jul 2025 15:13:43 +0200 four-unusual-danish-summer-habits-that-confuse-newcomers Many Danish schools, workplaces and other institutions are closed on Constitution Day, but not everyone has the day off. https://www.thelocal.dk/20250605/why-are-so-many-people-given-the-day-off-on-denmarks-constitution-day Thu, 05 Jun 2025 16:22:59 +0200 why-are-so-many-people-given-the-day-off-on-denmarks-constitution-day Denmark marks its Constitution Day on June 5th and the day is the closest the country has to a national day. But how big a deal is the day in Denmark? https://www.thelocal.dk/20230602/how-is-constitution-day-celebrated-in-denmark Fri, 02 Jun 2023 14:36:49 +0200 how-is-constitution-day-celebrated-in-denmark People in Denmark have the day off on Whit Monday, but people in Sweden still have to work. Why is this? https://www.thelocal.dk/20240520/why-is-whit-monday-a-public-holiday-in-denmark-and-norway-but-not-in-sweden Mon, 20 May 2024 09:45:14 +0200 why-is-whit-monday-a-public-holiday-in-denmark-and-norway-but-not-in-sweden Whit (or Pentecost) Monday, is known as 'anden pinsedag' in Denmark and is a national holiday, meaning most workers get to enjoy a long weekend. Here's what you need to know about what's open and closed. https://www.thelocal.dk/20240517/whats-open-and-whats-closed-on-pentecost-monday-in-denmark Fri, 17 May 2024 11:05:50 +0200 whats-open-and-whats-closed-on-pentecost-monday-in-denmark It's confirmation season in Denmark, which means you'll see a lot of teenagers around dressed in suits and white dresses. Here's a guide to what it's all about. https://www.thelocal.dk/20160425/the-complete-guide-to-confirmation-in-denmark Mon, 25 Apr 2016 08:23:59 +0200 the-complete-guide-to-confirmation-in-denmark Everybody knows about Christmas, Easter, and Constitution Day on June 5th. But what are some Danish annual holidays you won’t find on any calendar? https://www.thelocal.dk/20260422/nine-danish-holidays-you-wont-find-on-official-calendars Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:38:20 +0200 nine-danish-holidays-you-wont-find-on-official-calendars If you ever drive past a Danish house with the national flag flying high and scores of small paper versions decorating the front garden, you are more likely to have stumbled upon a child’s birthday than a nationalist convention. https://www.thelocal.dk/20230420/why-do-danes-use-their-national-flag-as-a-birthday-banner Thu, 20 Apr 2023 17:52:12 +0200 why-do-danes-use-their-national-flag-as-a-birthday-banner People in Denmark and Norway have the day off on Maundy Thursday, but people in Sweden still have to work. Why is this? https://www.thelocal.dk/20240328/why-is-maundy-thursday-a-holiday-in-denmark-and-norway-but-not-sweden Thu, 28 Mar 2024 07:40:01 +0100 why-is-maundy-thursday-a-holiday-in-denmark-and-norway-but-not-sweden For many people in Denmark, the påskefrokost or Easter lunch means getting together with family or friends to relax during a period of extended down time from work. But what are the essential elements of this annual tradition? https://www.thelocal.dk/20220413/paskefrokost-what-are-the-essentials-of-a-danish-easter-lunch Wed, 13 Apr 2022 13:48:03 +0200 paskefrokost-what-are-the-essentials-of-a-danish-easter-lunch Egg hunts, an all-day lunch, gækkebrev, five-day weekend and snaps. Here's your complete guide to a Danish Easter. https://www.thelocal.dk/20190418/the-complete-guide-to-easter-in-denmark Thu, 18 Apr 2019 14:31:12 +0200 the-complete-guide-to-easter-in-denmark During the cold and dark early months of the year, one of the bright spots in Denmark is the national favourite ‘fastelavnsbolle’, a traditional pre-Lent treat that reminds you spring isn’t too far away. https://www.thelocal.dk/20250121/fastelavnsbolle-why-is-the-classic-danish-cake-a-january-and-february-favourite Tue, 21 Jan 2025 17:46:56 +0100 fastelavnsbolle-why-is-the-classic-danish-cake-a-january-and-february-favourite Danish postal operator PostNord has donated over a thousand iconic red post boxes to be sold off for charity. https://www.thelocal.dk/20260115/how-you-can-buy-one-of-denmarks-decommissioned-red-post-boxes Thu, 15 Jan 2026 18:42:30 +0100 how-you-can-buy-one-of-denmarks-decommissioned-red-post-boxes Christmas is celebrated on December 24th in Denmark, with present exchanging happening late in the day. Here's all you need to know about a Danish Christmas. https://www.thelocal.dk/20221219/how-do-danes-celebrate-on-christmas-eve Mon, 19 Dec 2022 15:51:02 +0100 how-do-danes-celebrate-on-christmas-eve Every year in Denmark, on December 13th, you may see a procession of girls dressed in white, holding candles. This is the tradition of Saint Lucia Day, which is celebrated in kindergartens, schools and churches across Denmark. https://www.thelocal.dk/20221209/explained-how-denmark-celebrates-saint-lucia-day Fri, 09 Dec 2022 15:52:34 +0100 explained-how-denmark-celebrates-saint-lucia-day The tradition of lighting candles during Advent in the Nordics has a rich history that stretches back centuries. https://www.thelocal.dk/20231201/why-do-the-nordic-countries-have-the-tradition-of-lighting-candles-on-each-sunday-of-advent Fri, 01 Dec 2023 11:29:22 +0100 why-do-the-nordic-countries-have-the-tradition-of-lighting-candles-on-each-sunday-of-advent Fastelavn is traditionally the biggest fancy-dress day on Denmark’s calendar, but recent years have seen it challenged by American custom Halloween. https://www.thelocal.dk/20191031/how-halloween-scared-off-fastelavn-to-become-denmarks-favourite-fancy-dress-day Thu, 31 Oct 2019 15:59:33 +0100 how-halloween-scared-off-fastelavn-to-become-denmarks-favourite-fancy-dress-day