Denmark Public Holidays 2027

About Denmark Public Holidays

Denmark observes 12 official public holidays (helligdage) in 2027, governed by the Danish Shops Closing Act (Helligdagsloven). Most of these holidays are rooted in the Lutheran Christian calendar, reflecting Denmark's historical ties to the Church of Denmark. The core cluster of holidays surrounds Easter, which in 2027 falls on March 28, creating a four-day public holiday period from Maundy Thursday through Easter Monday. Ascension Day and the Whit Sunday–Monday pair similarly extend from the Easter calculation. Fixed holidays include New Year's Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and 2nd Christmas Day — all observed nationwide regardless of day of the week.

A significant change in recent years is the abolition of General Prayer Day (Store Bededag) as a public holiday, effective from 2024. Store Bededag, which had been observed on the fourth Friday after Easter since 1686, was removed by the Danish Parliament (Folketing) in March 2023. The move was controversial, as the day had been a paid holiday for Danish workers for over 300 years. In 2027, the date that would have been Store Bededag falls around late April but is no longer a statutory public holiday. Workers and employers in Denmark should also be aware that Constitution Day (Grundlovsdag, June 5) is widely observed as a half-day or full-day holiday by many companies and public institutions, but it is not a statutory public holiday under the Helligdagsloven.