Nytårsaften is the Danish name for New Year's Eve, literally meaning “New Year's Eve.”
Danish celebrations commonly include a festive dinner, the monarch's New Year's address, and the midnight singing of “Vær velkommen, Herrens år.” Many people also watch the clock countdown and raise champagne at midnight. The word is formed from “nytår,” meaning new year, and “aften,” meaning evening.
Danish New Year's customs are sometimes mixed up with traditions from neighboring countries. Jumping from a chair at midnight is a well-known Danish superstition intended to leap into the new year, while smashing old plates against doors is a separate custom often associated with Denmark but not the meaning of the word itself. Nytårsaften names the date and evening, not one particular party or ritual.