Question 1

When do Danes celebrate Christmas?

Accepted Answer

Danes celebrate on Christmas Eve, 24 December, in the evening, rather than on Christmas Day.

Dinner is usually served around 6 pm, followed by the traditional Danish Christmas dessert risalamande, then dancing around the Christmas tree, and finally opening presents.

Question 2

What do Danes eat on Christmas Eve?

Accepted Answer

The main course is usually flæskesteg, roast pork with crackling, or duck, served with caramelized potatoes, boiled potatoes, gravy, and sweet-and-sour red cabbage. Dessert is risalamande, a cold rice pudding with cherry sauce and a whole almond hidden in it.

Question 3

What is the Danish almond game at Christmas?

Accepted Answer

One whole almond is hidden in the bowl of risalamande before serving. Whoever finds it wins the mandelgave, usually a marzipan pig.

In many families, the person who finds the almond keeps quiet about his/her finding, so everybody else continues eating the risalamande with the hopes of finding the hidden almond.

Question 4

What is a Danish "julefrokost"?

Accepted Answer

A julefrokost is a Danish Christmas lunch, held all through December with colleagues, friends, and sometimes family.

Question 5

What is a "nisse" in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

A nisse is the Danish Christmas figure with the red pointed cap. Originally, he was a farm spirit who lived in the barn, did chores, and brought good luck, but turned destructive if he was not left a bowl of buttered porridge.

In modern-day Denmark, the nisse is still a traditional Christmas figure, but way more friendly and less harmful.

Question 6

What is Julebryg in Denmark?

Accepted Answer

Tuborg's Julebryg is the traditional Danish Christmas beer, released each year on the first Friday of November at exactly 20:59.

Question 7

Do Danes put real candles on the Christmas tree?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some Danish families still keep the Danish Christmas tradition of putting real wax candles on their Christmas tree. The candles are clipped directly onto the branches and lit before the family dances around the tree.

However, many families have switched to electric lights on the Christmas tree. According to a YouGov survey from Bolius, in 2024, 43% of Danes had gone for fully electric lights on their Christmas tree.

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