Fastelavn is one of Denmark’s most festive and quirky traditions! Every year, seven weeks before Easter, children dress up in costumes, go door-to-door singing for treats, and take turns smashing a candy-filled barrel. It looks like a mix between Halloween and a piñata – but with a historical twist.
A Look Back: The History of Fastelavn
Fastelavn’s roots go deep into medieval Europe, with ties to pre-Christian pagan fertility festivals and the Catholic tradition of Carnival. The word “Fastelavn” comes from the German “fastelabend,” meaning “fast evening.” It was a time to feast before the 40 days of Lenten fasting when people indulged themselves in medieval Denmark with food, drink, and merrymaking.
During the Reformation, Denmark became a Protestant nation, and people no longer had to obey the Catholic fasting rules, but the lively traditions of Fastelavn remained. Over the centuries, some elements have changed, but the focus on fun, food, and festivity has remained.
Key Traditions
One of the most known customs is the barrel game (Fastelavnstønden), where you “slå katten af tønden” (“hit the cat out of the barrel”). Initially, this game involved a live cat placed inside a wooden barrel and beating it until it broke open. That symbolized the warding off evil spirits. Thankfully, modern Fastelavn uses candy instead of cats! The child who lands the final blow becomes “Cat King” or “Cat Queen.”
Fastelavnsris is a bundle of twigs decorated with colorful feathers and candy. Historically, people would playfully “whip” each other with them to bring fertility and good fortune. Nowadays, it is a decorative tradition, and many children receive beautiful Fastelavnsris from their parents.
Much like trick-or-treating, children dress in costumes and go door-to-door singing “Boller op, boller ned” (“Buns up, buns down”) in hopes of receiving sweets or coins.
The greatest stars of Fastelavn are Fastelavnsboller. These sweet buns, filled with cream, jam, or custard, have been crucial for centuries. Initially, they were simple wheat rolls, but today, bakeries have gone wild with extravagant versions featuring flavors like matcha, passionfruit, and salted caramel.
Local Traditions in Denmark
In Amager, you can enjoy horseback parades, during which riders visit farms and shops—and get something to warm them up!
Vanløse hosts a big Fastelavn parade on the weekend leading up to Fastelavn Monday.
Bornholm combines barrel-smashing with ring-riding – why not make it even more fun?
In the past, boat parades were a unique part of the festivities in harbor towns—a floating celebration!
But there is perhaps a new tradition coming—a half-marathon with a delicious twist. This February, Copenhagen hosted the world’s first-ever Fastelavns Bun Run. Along the route, runners stopped at ten of the city’s best bakeries, which offered a complimentary Fastelavnsbolle. The run, inspired by France’s wine marathons, celebrates Denmark’s most excellent pastry and embraces the social and fun aspects of running.
Fastelavnsboller – A Science of Its Own
The classic Fastelavnsbolle has a vanilla custard or jam filling, but modern versions have taken this treat to new levels. Here are some popular flavors:
Vanilla Cream – A timeless classic.
Nougat & Blueberry – A sweet and nutty favorite.
Mocha & Salted Caramel – Because coffee and caramel never disappoint.
Experimental Flavors – Matcha, passionfruit, or even rose cream.
Some worry that Halloween is becoming more popular than Fastelavn, but Danes still cherish their beloved barrel-smashing, pastry-eating, and dressing-up traditions. And honestly – who wouldn’t love that? Especially when you can have both 🙂
