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When is the shortest day of the year in Denmark?

The winter solstice and how much light you get.

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Short answer

The shortest day of the year in Denmark is the winter solstice, which in 2026 falls on 21 December and in 2027 on 22 December. On that day Copenhagen has about 7 hours 1 minute between sunrise and sunset. In Aalborg the day is only about 6 hours 42 minutes, while Rødby in the south gets about 7 hours 14 minutes. From the solstice the days slowly get longer again.

Weather and seasons

Why

  1. The further north you are in Denmark, the shorter the winter day.
  2. The night before the shortest day is the longest night of the year.
  3. The solstice is on 21 or 22 December, depending on the year.

Details

In Copenhagen the sun rises about 8.37 and sets about 15.39 on the shortest day.

Tip

In late December plan outdoor sights between about 9.00 and 15.00, while it is light.

What may differ

Sunrise and sunset times shift by a minute or so from year to year and by place.

Common misconception

Many think the shortest day also has the earliest sunset and the latest sunrise.

What actually happens

The earliest sunset comes about a week before the solstice, and the latest sunrise about a week after it.

People also ask

  • When is the longest day in Denmark?
  • How many hours of daylight does Denmark get in winter?
  • What time does the sun rise and set in Copenhagen in December?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Weather varies a lot from year to year, so check the DMI forecast before you travel.

Weather and seasons
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