What is the traditional New Year's Eve festival in Denmark known as?

The traditional Danish name for New Year's Eve is Nytårsaften.

In Danish, nytår means “new year” and aften means “evening,” so Nytårsaften literally means “New Year’s Eve.” Danish celebrations commonly include a festive meal, the monarch’s New Year’s speech on December 31, and a midnight toast. Many people also eat kransekage, a ring-shaped almond cake associated with celebrations.

A particularly recognizable Danish custom is jumping from a chair or sofa at midnight. Participants symbolically “jump into” the new year, often while fireworks and cheering take place outside. Another custom, especially associated with older traditions, is throwing or breaking plates at friends’ or neighbors’ doors; the broken crockery was intended as a sign of friendship and good luck, though it is less universal today.

Nytårsaften should not be confused with Juleaften, which means Christmas Eve. Danish New Year’s Day is Nytårsdag. Spelling and pronunciation can be challenging for learners because Danish uses letters such as å, but the term is the standard name for the evening of December 31.