Fastelavn in Denmark 2025: What, When, Where, and How is it Celebrated?

Wondering why Danish bakeries are suddenly filled with colourful cream-filled buns? Or why are kids dressed as princesses and pirates running around with wooden bats?

That’s Fastelavn—the Danish version of Carnival, packed with fun, sweets, and a quirky tradition of “beating the cat out of the barrel.”

As someone living in Denmark, I’ve experienced the excitement firsthand—from the delicious Fastelavnsboller to the lively parades.

If you’re visiting Denmark in February or March, this is a celebration you won’t want to miss.

So, what exactly is Fastelavn? Why do Danes celebrate it, and how can you join the fun?

Let’s dive into everything you need to know about this unique Danish tradition!

What is Festalavn?

Fastelavn (pronounced Fahs-tuh-lown) is a beloved Danish tradition celebrated every year in Denmark.

While it’s sometimes compared to Halloween because kids dress up in costumes and go around asking for treats, well, it’s quite different. Fastelavn has its own unique customs and is deeply rooted in Danish culture.

Festalavn is not considered a religious festival. This Nordic celebration is often called carnival or Shrovetide, and variations of it exist in other northern European countries.

Keep reading more to see what it is all about and how the festival is celebrated in Denmark.

When is Festalavn Celebrated in Denmark?

Fastelavn is always celebrated on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, which means the date changes every year—exactly seven weeks before Easter Sunday.

It usually falls between February 1st and March 7th.

This year 2025, Fastelavn will be celebrated on March 2nd. So, if you’re in Denmark around this time, expect to see kids in costumes, Danish bakeries selling delicious Fastelavnsboller, and plenty of festive fun!

Festalavn Tradition of “Slå Katten Af Tønden”

One of the most exciting Fastelavn traditions is slå katten af tønden, which means “knock the cat off the barrel.” Let me explain.

A wooden barrel, decorated with black cats, is filled with candy and hung from a rope. Kids queue up and take turns hitting it with a wooden stick, one by one, until it finally breaks open.

As soon as the candy spills out, the game isn’t over yet. The children keep smashing the barrel until it’s completely destroyed. Then, the little ones grab treats as much as they can, stuffing them into their hands and pockets.

For smaller kids, a cardboard version is used, while older children get the real wooden barrel, making it a test of strength and patience. Think of it like a Mexican piñata, but without the blindfolds!

Why the Black Cat?

It dates back to when people believed black cats brought bad luck. Hitting the black cat-decorated barrel was a way to “beat away” evil spirits and misfortune, protecting the town from bad luck or even the plague.

Believe it or not, in the 1500s, there was actually a real cat inside the barrel! The idea was to chase the cat away, symbolizing the removal of evil. Thankfully, that practice ended in the 1880s, and today, we just stick to candy.

Fastelavn may have changed over the centuries, but slå katten af tønden remains a beloved part of the celebration.

Festalavn King and Queen

Winning slå katten af tønden isn’t just about breaking open the barrel—it also comes with a fun title!

The child who knocks down the bottom of the barrel, making all the candy spill out, is crowned Kattedronning—”The queen of cats.” The one who lands the final hit, knocking off the last piece of wood, becomes Kattekonge—”The king of cats.”

In the past, being crowned came with a pretty sweet perk—a whole year without paying taxes! Today, the king and the queen usually get a bag of candy or a small gift, with the king often receiving the bigger prize.

Some places also give rewards for the best costume, while in very few small towns, the crowned cat king gets to choose his cat queen.

The community of G/F Sundby Vænge and the neighbours come together and party “Slå Katten Af Tønden” in the common area near Fælledfold on March 9th between 14:00 and 17:00.

For children who do not live in the association has to pay 30 KR to participate and needs to reservse their spots. (text: 61693626)

Fastelavnsris – The Carnival Whip Tradition

If you walk into a Danish store in February, you’ll notice shelves packed with kids’ costumes and bundles of twigs decorated with black cats, feathers, and even candies. These are called Fastelavnsris.

On Fastelavn Monday morning, children would wake up their sleepy parents by playfully “whipping” them with these decorated twigs. According to old folk superstition, this was meant to bring fertility—an ancient relic from pagan times.

Parents get out of their bed and give Fastelavnsboller (delicious cream-filled buns) to the kids.

Back then, even farm animals like cows and cattle got a few gentle taps to ensure good health, fertility, and prosperity.

While this practice has faded over time, a few families in Denmark still keep this Danish tradition alive today.

Festalavn Song

Festalavn isn’t complete without some fun songs! One of the most popular is Fastelavn er mit navn (Fastelavn is my name). The song goes by,

Fastelavn er mit navn, boller vil jeg have. (Festalavn is my name, I want buns)

His jeg ingen boller fär, sả laver jeg ballade. (If I don’t get any buns, I’ll make trouble)

Boller op, boller ned boller i min mave. (Buns up, buns down, buns in my stomach)

His jeg ingen boller fär, sả laver jeg ballade. (If I don’t get any buns, I’ll make trouble)

Another song is Kan du gætte, Hvem jeg er? (Who I am?), which makes you think about the costume that the child is wearing.

Kan du gætte, hvem jeg er? (Can you guess, who I am?)

kan du gætte, hvem jeg er? (Can you guess, who I am?)

For jeg har fået maske på (Because I have a mask on)

misk, mask, maske på (mask, mask on)

Kan du gætte, hvem jeg er? (Can you guess, who I am?)

And the song verse goes on for nose and jacket again, in place of the mask!

Kids often sing this song while going door to door, hoping for treats (Festalavns Rasle – see below). These songs bring extra joy to the celebration, making it more special for kids (and nostalgic for adults!).

Rastle til Fastelavns

Rastle til Fastelavn or Fastelavn Rasle is Denmark’s version of trick-or-treating.

Kids dress up in costumes and go door to door, singing one of the traditional Fastelavn songs in hopes of getting treats. This tradition is called rasle, which comes from the word “rattle” or “shake”—kind of like shaking a piggy bank for coins!

Kids would mostly receive money, candy, fruit, or even a Fastelavnsbolle (a Danish cream-filled bun). However, they seem happy no matter what you give them.

Nowadays, many children prefer to celebrate at school rather than go door to door, and in some areas, parents don’t encourage it.

Rastle til Fastelavn largely depends on the neighbourhood you live in. Just a few streets over, the practice might not be common, and it certainly isn’t followed everywhere in Denmark!

Fastelavnsboller

No Danish tradition is complete without baked goods, and Fastelavnsboller is the star of the season!

Festalavnsboller are cream-filled buns, also known as carnival buns. They pop up in Danish bakeries and supermarkets all over Denmark throughout February.

Fastelavnsboller comes in many varieties—from simple pastry buns filled with custard or whipped cream to more decorated ones topped with almond paste, pistachio, chocolate, or raspberry icing.

Some traditional versions even have raisins and orange peel inside.

Both kids and adults look forward to these sweet treats every year. And honestly, I do too! 

Fastelavnsboller from Juno is hands down my favourite Danish pastry ever—so soft, creamy, and absolutely delicious. Yum yum!

Have you tried the Gammeldags Fastelavnsboller (the old days Fastelavn buns)?

Fastelavnsoptog (Festalhavns Processions) at Amager Island 

This age-old custom of Fastelavnsoptog dates back to the Dutch settlers who were invited to Amager by the Danish king, and it has been celebrated ever since.

Every year, the streets of Amager come alive with beautifully decorated horses and riders in traditional attire, wearing white shirt and decorated black coat.

The Fastelavn Ryttere (Fastelavn Horse Riders) parade through different places on the island.

At noon, the procession begins with the riders singing traditional Fastelavn songs. They take breaks along the way, where more hot rum is served for the procession and everyone sings together special toasts in honour of the hosts. You can follow the riders and horses all around.

The festivities continue before reaching the final stop—where the real action happens!

At the final stop, wooden barrels filled with candy are hung up on poles. The riders take turns hitting the barrels while still on horseback—a sight that’s unique to experience alongside the locals.

Once the barrel is completely broken, the crowning of the Fastelavn King and Queen takes place, followed by everyone singing the Fastelavn song together to celebrate the end of the event.

At Store Magleby, the horse riders are only men, while in other places, both men and women participate.

If you are wondering where is Fastelavn parade celebrated in the most traditional way, Dragør and Store Magleby in the Amager Islands is the best place!

The event is so popular that even members of the Danish royal family have attended in recent years at Store Magleby!

• Saturday (March 1) – Sundby, last procession was held in 2022
• Sunday (March 2) – UngDragør Elisenborg, Dragør at 16:00
• Monday (March 3) – Amagermuseet, Store Magleby at 16:00
• Wednesday (March 5) – Fægårdsvej, Ullerup at 16:00

The event lasts only 20-30 minutes, so be sure to arrive before 16:00!

Other Fastelavn Parades in Denmark

Bornholm, Veksø, and Ærø have their own unique celebrations, making Fastelavn a diverse and exciting festival across Denmark.

While Amager is famous for its horse processions, in Lolland – Instead of horses, people walk in a lively parade with music, dancing children, and even dressed-up adults. The procession starts at Axeltorv and moves through the pedestrian streets, ending near Kvickly, where barrels are smashed.

Festalavn Bun Run: Festalavn Events in Denmark

Imagine running a half marathon while stopping at 10 of the best bakeries in Denmark to taste their delicious Fastelavnsboller—sounds cool, right?

Thousands of people sign up for this one-of-a-kind race, but only 100 lucky runners get to participate. Over the course of two hours, they jog between pastry shops, eating Fastelavnsboller along the way.

It’s a fun Festalavn event combining two things Danes love—running and pastries. Who knew Fastelavn could be this deliciously exhausting?

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Festalavans in Denmark

Fastelavn is more than just costumes and cream buns—it’s a beloved Danish tradition that brings people together in the cold winter months.

If you’re in Denmark in February or March during Fastelavn, don’t miss the Amager horse procession—it’s one of Denmark’s oldest traditions that is worth experiencing!

If you are looking for more things to do in the winter months, check out things to do in Copenhagen during winter.