The Danish name for New Year’s Eve is Nytårsaften.
Nytårsaften is celebrated in Denmark on December 31. A prominent national tradition is watching the Danish monarch’s New Year speech, which is broadcast on the evening of December 31. At midnight, many people listen to the clock at Copenhagen City Hall, raise champagne glasses, and exchange greetings for the new year.
Danish celebrations also include a custom of jumping from a chair or sofa at midnight. The jump is said to symbolize entering the new year, although the practice is relatively modern compared with older European New Year customs. Fireworks are common, and families often serve festive food before or after midnight.
The word “nytår” means “new year,” while “aften” means “evening.” The term should be distinguished from New Year’s Day, called nytårsdag, which is January 1. Denmark’s monarch’s speech is a national broadcast tradition, but the name of the evening itself is Nytårsaften rather than the title of the speech or a specific television program.