New Year's Day is a public holiday in Denmark, known as Nytårsdag in Danish, and it marks the beginning of the calendar year. It is celebrated on January 1, following the global adoption of Gregorian Calendar. Activities of this day are primarily focused on welcoming the new year with enthusiasm, optimism, and joy as it is an important festival that is observed with great fervour across the country.
Traditional Danish New Year's Day celebrations include a range of activities. The Danes celebrate with great feasts and the most common dish is boiled cod. Fireworks have a special space in the Danish New Year festivities, where people assemble at common places or institutions to enjoy a grand fireworks display at the stroke of midnight. Cities are lit up with an amazing view of sparkling fireworks that decorate the skyline brilliantly.
Television plays an important role in the Danish New Year celebrations, with the Queen's New Year address being a much-anticipated event. Many Danish people visit friends and families and raise a toast to the New Year, wishing one another good health, prosperity, and happiness. People also participate in singing the traditional New Year song, ‘Vær Velkommen Herrens Aar’, essentially welcoming the new year. The Danes show keen interest in making New Year resolutions and discussing them as a part of their tradition.