Easter Sunday in Denmark

Meaning and date

In the Christian tradition observed by the Church of Denmark, Easter Sunday celebrates Jesus’ resurrection and the belief that life overcomes death. The Danish word påske comes from pesach, the Jewish Passover, which commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt. Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox, so its calendar date changes each year.[2]

Denmark lists Påskedag among its public holidays. Easter Monday, or Anden påskedag, is a separate public holiday the following day; Easter Sunday itself falls on a Sunday.[1][2]

Church services

The Church of Denmark says churches across the country invite people to festive Easter Sunday services. Services feature the Easter Gospel reading about the empty tomb; churches are often decorated with daffodils, and the music is especially celebratory. Some congregations give visitors daffodils to take home.[2]

Customs and Easter lunch

A Danish Easter custom associated with the weeks before the holiday is the gækkebrev: a cut-paper letter with a short poem, signed with dots that hint at the sender’s name. The recipient tries to guess who sent it; under the playful tradition described by VisitDenmark, a correct guess earns the recipient an Easter egg, while a wrong guess means the recipient owes one.[3]

Families and friends may gather for påskefrokost, an Easter lunch traditionally held on Easter Sunday. VisitDenmark describes a long meal centered on rye bread and open sandwiches, with items such as eggs, fish, herring, cheese and sliced meats; lamb, beer and snaps may also feature. These are customs rather than requirements, so celebrations vary between households.[3]

Work, shops and services

Whether an employee has the day off or receives holiday pay depends on the applicable employment terms. Danish government guidance says an employment contract must include information about the employee’s holiday rights and notes that working conditions may be regulated by a collective agreement.[4]

The Danish shop-closing law generally bars retail sales on public holidays. It provides exceptions, including pharmacies, certain small grocery shops, bakeries, and shops at transport locations, as well as other specified categories; some shops may also receive special permission. Therefore, many ordinary shops close, but it is not accurate to say that every supermarket or retail outlet must shut.[5]

Danmarks Nationalbank’s bank-holiday information distinguishes weekend and public-holiday closures from additional bank-closure days. As Easter Sunday is a Sunday, bank counters are generally closed; check a specific bank for service availability. Check your transport operator’s schedule before travelling.[6]