It’s cold, it’s hygge, it’s efterårsferie. What does this mean? That week 42 is the annual autumn break for Danes, where kids are off school, young adults are off university, and many more are off to their summerhouse. In an effort to keep people around, Dining Week has also become a tradition in week 42 – a gastronomical offer that takes place all around the country, where many restaurants offer three or five course meals for a set price of 250 or 350 DKK. It’s a unique opportunity to try fancy restaurants that you might not be able to afford otherwise.
With Halloween and other spooky tales around the corner, the holiday week comes at what might just be one of the coziest times of year. Although the cold has definitely arrived, anyone who’s been in Denmark long enough knows this is actually a peak time to be outdoors. Forests are turning a beautiful orange, the air is as crisp as ever, and for nature lovers, it is pumpkin-picking and mushroom-foraging season. If you decide to go on an exciting mushroom hunting escapade, please have someone knowledgeable in your group, as an innocent harvest can turn into a call-the-poison-Control-hotline very quickly.
If you’re in the mood for something safe and hygge, it’s the perfect time for a visit to your local amusement park. For those in Copenhagen, Tivoli has already inaugurated its autumn themed season, with the largest pumpkins in the country being exhibited for competition yet again (some are actually more than 1000kg!). Cafes all around are offering their seasonal pumpkin lattes and other autumn drinks, and apple pastries and spiced buns are at their peak.
If all of this doesn’t sound terribly fantastic, then rest assured it will soon be Christmas. Less than a month from now, streets will be filled with Christmas markets, Danish gløgg, and more. Even now, supermarkets and shops have already started exhibiting their advent calendars and holiday decor. Before you know it, we will be wishing you a Happy New Year!
