Denmark's New Year's Eve and Day Openings and Closures: A Guide
Celebrating New Year's Eve in Denmark: What's Open and What's Closed
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While Denmark unfurls a lively celebratory landscape for New Year's Eve, certain businesses and services adjust their hours or implement restrictions as the countdown to midnight rolls in. Yet, there's an abundance of establishments keeping their doors open for the two-day spectacle.
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The Spicy New Year's Eve Spree
Supermarkets and Stores
Most supermarkets and convenience stores across Denmark continue to operate during New Year's Eve, though, it's essential to note that that it's not a public holiday, so some may have reduced hours. The "Closing Law" or "Lukkeloven" dictates that most shops must close at 3 pm[1]. To ensure accurate opening hours, you can look up the store's specified hours using the store locator feature on their respective websites. Netto, Føtex, Lidl, and Rema 1000's opening hours, for instance, can be found this way. However, Bilka's superstores tend to close at 3 pm on December 31st[1].
Restaurants and Bars
Numerous restaurants and bars in the country celebrate New Year's Eve, and booking a table at your desired venue in advance is highly recommended, as popular spots fill up swiftly[1]. Be sure to check the specific opening hours for your venue, as quite a few eateries and watering holes adjust their hours on December 31st[1].
Fireworks Sellers
Fireworks are an integral part of Danish New Year's Eve celebrations, with sales permitted from as early as December 15th under Danish law[1]. Pop-up marquees on city outskirts and stores like DIY stores and the Bilka hypermarket offer an array of firecrackers and rockets for purchase.
Please be mindful that the new rules effective this year restrict firework usage to only the December 31st and January 1st[1].
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REAL TALK: Check out the skinny on the New Year fireworks rules in Denmark
Public Transport
Public transport services in Denmark face reduced schedules during New Year's Eve, oftentimes operating on the same timetable used on a Sunday[1]. To plan your journey effectively, you can utilize a multitude of online platforms, such as the Rejseplanen app, DOT (in Copenhagen), Midttrafik (Aarhus), or DSB's website and app[1].
New Year's Day
Supermarkets and Stores
Denmark imposes regulations on which businesses can remain open or must close during public holidays, resulting in supermarkets usually operating with limited hours or complete closure on New Year's Day[2]. All major supermarkets are mandated to stay shut by law, with only smaller shops, like those from the Dagli'Brugsen and Brugsen chains, and branches of COOP's discount chain 365discount allowed to remain open[2].
Restaurants and Cafes
Restaurants and cafes in Denmark largely shut down on January 1st due to it being a public holiday, particularly during daylight hours[2]. Takeaway restaurants and fast food outlets, however, are typically open[2].
Public Transport
Public transportation services tend to operate on a Sunday or public holiday schedule on New Year's Day[1]. For detailed information regarding your specific journey, please consult the Rejseplanen app, local operators, or DSB's website and app[1].
In Copenhagen, the S-tog urban rail network's lines A, B, and C run every 20 minutes on New Year's Day, whereas Line F maintains a 10-minute frequency. S-trains cease operation at night on New Year's Day[1].
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Bonus Factoids
- Supermarkets tend to close on major public holidays like Easter Sunday, similar to New Year's Day[2].
- Reduced business activity is commonly observed on the days leading up to, and surrounding, New Year's Day[2].
[1] Danish Tourism Board[2] IamExpat[3] The Local Denmark
- Many supermarkets and stores across Denmark, such as Netto, Føtex, Lidl, and Rema 1000, operate during New Year's Eve, but some may have reduced hours due to "Lukkeloven" that restricts most shops to close at 3 pm.
- Booking a table at restaurants and bars in advance for New Year's Eve is highly recommended as popular spots tend to fill up quickly.
- Fireworks are essential for Danish New Year's Eve celebrations, with pop-up marquees and stores like DIY stores and Bilka hypermarket offering an array of firecrackers and rockets for purchase.
- Public transport services in Denmark operate on reduced schedules during New Year's Eve, often following the Sunday or public holiday schedule.
- Most supermarkets in Denmark are mandated to stay closed on New Year's Day, with only smaller shops like Dagli'Brugsen and Brugsen chains and branches of COOP's discount chain 365discount allowed to remain open.
- In Copenhagen, the S-tog urban rail network's lines A, B, and C run every 20 minutes on New Year's Day, while Line F maintains a 10-minute frequency. S-trains cease operation at night on New Year's Day.
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