Denmark has 10 nationwide public holidays in 2026, including Easter, Ascension Day, Pentecost and Christmas. The Danish holiday calendar includes Christian religious holidays and New Year's Day, but some widely observed dates are not official public holidays. Constitution Day, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve can affect working hours and business operations without being general statutory holidays. This guide covers confirmed holiday dates, bank closures, long weekends and the practical rules for employees and visitors in Denmark.
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Next Public Holiday in Denmark
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Confirmed |
Public Holidays in Denmark 2026
| Date | Day | Holiday | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Day | Confirmed |
| April 2, 2026 | Thursday | Maundy Thursday | Confirmed |
| April 3, 2026 | Friday | Good Friday | Confirmed |
| April 5, 2026 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | Confirmed |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter Monday | Confirmed |
| May 14, 2026 | Thursday | Ascension Day | Confirmed |
| May 24, 2026 | Sunday | Whit Sunday | Confirmed |
| May 25, 2026 | Monday | Whit Monday | Confirmed |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas Day | Confirmed |
| December 26, 2026 | Saturday | Second Day of Christmas (Boxing Day) | Confirmed |
Denmark's 2026 calendar contains 10 recognized nationwide public-holiday dates. These include Easter Sunday and Whit Sunday, even though both fall on a regular Sunday. All 10 dates are established calendar holidays rather than tentative announcements.
The schedule applies to Denmark proper. Greenland and the Faroe Islands have separate holiday arrangements and should not be assumed to follow the same calendar.
National and Religious Holidays in Denmark
Most public holidays in Denmark come from the Christian calendar. Several follow Easter, meaning their Gregorian dates change from year to year. Others, including New Year's Day and Christmas Day, have fixed dates.
Easter Holidays in Denmark
Easter is one of Denmark's most important holiday periods. The recognized holidays include Maundy Thursday (Skærtorsdag), Good Friday (Langfredag), Easter Sunday (Påskedag) and Easter Monday (Anden påskedag).
These holidays commemorate events surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They also create an extended spring break for many Danish employees, students and families.
Easter dates change annually because Easter Sunday is determined using the ecclesiastical calendar. The associated Thursday, Friday and Monday holidays move with it.
Ascension Day and Pentecost
Ascension Day (Kristi himmelfartsdag) takes place 39 days after Easter Sunday and commemorates the ascension of Jesus Christ. It always falls on a Thursday and is a nationwide public holiday in Denmark.
Pentecost, known as Pinse in Danish, is another important Christian holiday period. Whit Sunday (Pinsedag) and Whit Monday (Anden pinsedag) are both recognized nationwide public holidays.
Whit Monday provides a day off for many employees following the Pentecost weekend, while the precise holiday entitlements of workers depend on their employment arrangements.
Christmas Holidays in Denmark
Denmark officially recognizes Christmas Day (Juledag) and the Second Day of Christmas (Anden juledag) as public holidays.
Christmas Eve (Juleaften) is also central to Danish Christmas traditions. Families commonly celebrate on the evening of December 24, and many businesses close or operate reduced hours. However, Christmas Eve is not a general statutory public holiday.
Constitution Day and Other Observances in Denmark
Not every nationally significant observance in Denmark is a public holiday. Some dates are widely recognized by businesses, government institutions or employees without belonging to the official nationwide holiday schedule.
Constitution Day – June 5
Constitution Day (Grundlovsdag) is observed on June 5 each year. It commemorates Denmark's constitutional history and is an important national occasion.
Although Constitution Day is not a general statutory public holiday, many public institutions and private employers provide a full or partial day off. Banks are also closed on this date.
Employees should check their collective agreements, employment contracts or workplace policies before assuming that Constitution Day is a paid day off.
Labour Day – May 1
Labour Day, or Arbejdernes internationale kampdag, takes place on May 1. It is associated with the labour movement and workers' rights.
May 1 is not a nationwide statutory public holiday in Denmark. Certain workplaces and sectors nevertheless allow employees time off under their agreements or established practices.
Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
Christmas Eve on December 24 and New Year's Eve on December 31 are not general statutory public holidays.
Both dates may involve shortened working hours, workplace closures or special arrangements. Danmarks Nationalbank lists both as bank closure days in 2026.
Why Is Great Prayer Day No Longer a Public Holiday?
Great Prayer Day (Store Bededag) was abolished as a public holiday in Denmark with effect from January 1, 2024.
The change was established by Act No. 214 of March 6, 2023, which provides that Great Prayer Day is treated as an ordinary working day under the applicable employment rules.
The law also addresses the employment and compensation consequences of removing the holiday. Great Prayer Day therefore does not appear among Denmark's official nationwide public holidays in 2026.
Bank Holidays in Denmark 2026
Bank holidays and nationwide public holidays are not identical in Denmark. Banks generally close on applicable public holidays, but additional bank closure dates can occur during otherwise ordinary working days.
According to Danmarks Nationalbank's official 2026 bank holiday calendar, additional banking closures include:
- May 15, 2026: Bank closure day following Ascension Day.
- June 5, 2026: Constitution Day.
- December 24, 2026: Christmas Eve.
- December 31, 2026: New Year's Eve.
These additional bank closure dates are not classified as nationwide public holidays in the VisaBoards holiday database.
Customers planning transfers, business payments or other banking services should check processing deadlines in advance. Digital banking services may remain accessible even when normal bank processing is unavailable.
Long Weekends in Denmark in 2026
Several Danish public holidays create opportunities for extended breaks, especially around Easter, Ascension Day and Pentecost. The following examples assume a normal Monday-to-Friday working schedule with weekends off.
Easter Weekend – April 2 to April 6
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Monday create a five-day break from Thursday, April 2, through Monday, April 6, for employees who do not normally work during weekends or public holidays.
Ascension Day – May 14
Ascension Day falls on Thursday, May 14. Employees who arrange annual leave for Friday, May 15, can potentially enjoy four consecutive days away from work.
May 15 is an additional bank closure day, but it is not a general nationwide public holiday. Employees should not assume that Friday is automatically a day off.
Pentecost Weekend – May 23 to May 25
Whit Monday falls on May 25, creating a three-day weekend from Saturday, May 23, through Monday, May 25, for employees following a typical five-day working week.
Christmas Weekend – December 25 to December 27
Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25, and the Second Day of Christmas falls on Saturday, December 26. Employees with a normal Saturday-Sunday weekend can have a three-day break through Sunday, December 27.
These examples are planning opportunities rather than additional government-declared holidays. Individual work schedules and employment agreements determine actual time off.
Are Public Holidays Paid in Denmark?
Pay and time off during Danish public holidays depend on the employee's employment arrangements, including any applicable collective agreement, individual contract and workplace rules.
Monthly salaried employees may continue receiving their normal salary during public holidays, while hourly paid workers can have different arrangements. Additional payment or compensatory time for working on a public holiday also depends on the applicable employment terms.
Denmark separately provides statutory annual-leave rights. According to Borger.dk's official employee holiday guidance, employees generally accrue 2.08 annual-leave days per month, equivalent to 25 days over a full year.
Annual leave and public holidays should not be treated as interchangeable. Employees should consult their contracts or collective agreements to understand their specific entitlements.
Are Shops, Banks and Government Offices Open on Public Holidays?
Public holidays can affect opening hours across Denmark, but closures vary depending on the type of institution or business.
Shops and Supermarkets
Many retail shops close on public holidays under Denmark's trading regulations. However, exemptions and special arrangements mean that some supermarkets, convenience stores and other retailers may continue operating.
Christmas Eve and Constitution Day can also affect shop opening hours even though they are not general statutory public holidays.
Banks and Financial Institutions
Banks generally follow the official banking closure calendar, which includes public holidays and several additional bank-only closure dates.
For payment planning, the calendar published by Danmarks Nationalbank is more appropriate than assuming that all bank closures match the nationwide public-holiday schedule.
Government Offices and Public Services
Government offices and administrative services generally observe nationwide public holidays. Some institutions also have additional closure days, including the day after Ascension Day or dates around Christmas.
Emergency and essential services may continue operating. Visitors should confirm opening hours for the specific office or service they need.
Do Public Holidays Falling on Weekends Get Replaced in Denmark?
Denmark does not have a general rule automatically moving every weekend public holiday to the following Monday.
For example, Easter Sunday and Whit Sunday remain recognized holidays on their actual Sunday dates. Whit Monday and Easter Monday are separately established public holidays, not replacement days created because Sunday was a holiday.
When Christmas Day or the Second Day of Christmas falls on a weekend, employees should not assume that an additional weekday is automatically granted. Any extra time off depends on applicable employment arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the next public holiday in Denmark?
The next public holiday depends on the current date. The Next Public Holiday in Denmark section near the top of this page displays the upcoming holiday using the VisaBoards public holiday database.
How many public holidays are there in Denmark in 2026?
Denmark has 10 recognized nationwide public-holiday dates in 2026. This count includes Easter Sunday and Whit Sunday but excludes Constitution Day, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, Great Prayer Day and bank-only closure dates.
What is Denmark's country code?
Denmark's ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country code is DK.
Is Constitution Day a public holiday in Denmark?
No. Constitution Day, observed on June 5, is not a general statutory public holiday. However, many employers provide a full or partial day off, and banks close on this date.
Is Great Prayer Day a public holiday in Denmark in 2026?
No. Great Prayer Day (Store Bededag) was abolished as a public holiday effective January 1, 2024, under Act No. 214 of 2023. It is therefore excluded from Denmark's 2026 public holiday calendar.
Are Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve public holidays in Denmark?
No. December 24 and December 31 are not general statutory public holidays. Nevertheless, many workplaces have special arrangements, and both dates are listed as banking closure days in 2026.
Are public holidays paid days off in Denmark?
Public-holiday pay and time off depend on employment contracts, collective agreements and applicable workplace rules. Employees should check their individual arrangements rather than assume that identical payment rules apply to every job.
Are banks closed on public holidays in Denmark?
Yes, banks generally close on nationwide public holidays. Danmarks Nationalbank also publishes additional closure days, including May 15, June 5, December 24 and December 31 in 2026.
Does Denmark provide a substitute holiday when Christmas falls on a weekend?
Denmark has no general automatic substitution rule for every public holiday falling on a weekend. Additional days off, where available, depend on individual or collective employment arrangements.
Are public holidays the same in Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands?
No. Greenland and the Faroe Islands have their own holiday arrangements. The holiday dates and classifications on this page apply to Denmark proper and should not be used as a complete calendar for either territory.
Official Sources for Public Holidays in Denmark
The following Danish authorities and official resources provide information about public holidays, employment rules and bank closures:
- Danish Digital Government Agency – Public Holidays and Closure Days: Provides the 2026 dates used by the agency for public holidays and institutional closures.
- Danish Legal Information – Act No. 214 of 2023: Documents the abolition of Great Prayer Day and identifies the recognized holiday categories in related legislative provisions.
- Danmarks Nationalbank – Bank Holidays: Publishes official 2026 banking closure dates and additional non-public-holiday closures.
- Borger.dk – Employee Holidays and Leave: Explains statutory annual-leave accrual, holiday allowance and related employment rules.
- Workindenmark – Holiday Allowance: Provides English-language guidance about holiday entitlement and holiday pay for employees working in Denmark.
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