Julemanden is the traditional Danish name for Santa Claus, the Christmas gift-bringer.
The Danish word literally means “the Christmas man.” Julemanden is generally depicted as an elderly, bearded man in red clothing who delivers presents around Christmas Eve. Like Santa Claus elsewhere, he is often shown traveling with reindeer and living in a distant northern location.
Danish Christmas traditions also include the nisse, a small folkloric household spirit. The nisse is sometimes confused with Julemanden because both appear in Danish Christmas imagery, but they are not identical. The nisse is an older supernatural household figure, while Julemanden is the modern gift-bringer.
Danish customs vary by family and region. Some children receive gifts after dinner on December 24, reflecting the widespread Scandinavian practice of celebrating Christmas Eve rather than waiting until Christmas morning.