🕰️🥂🎂 New Year's speech, jumping off chairs and kransekage: what makes this Danish night so special

✨ How midnight arrives in Copenhagen

The last day of December in the capital is warm not in terms of temperature, but in terms of rituals. In the morning, the streets are quiet and bakeries smell of almonds. In the afternoon, people take leisurely walks along the water. Towards evening, lights come on in the windows, tables are set in living rooms, and at 6 p.m., the monarch gives a speech: a few quiet minutes when the country seems to take a deep breath in unison. Afterwards, there are dinners, meetings with friends, kransekage and sparkling wine, and at midnight, Denmark literally jumps into the New Year — yes, for real: at midnight, many people stand on chairs and ‘fly’ into the New Year with a smile. The city lights up with fireworks, reflections slumber in the canals, and the main thing is not to rush, but to plan the evening so that it is cosy and without fuss.

🕯️ The Royal New Year's Speech: what it is and how to ‘fit’ it into your plans

• When: traditionally at 6 p.m. on 31 December. The speech can be heard in living rooms, bars, hotels — some people listen in the kitchen, others in the hall with a glass in their hand.
• How to incorporate it: it is more convenient to watch the speech and then go out for dinner — an early slot at 6:30-7:00 p.m. or a quiet dinner at home (to-go).
• Why tourists should know this: you will understand the rhythm of the city. After the speech, the streets come alive for a short time — the perfect time to walk to a restaurant without crowds.

🪑 ‘Jumping off the chair’ at midnight: a children's ritual for adults

Danes love simple symbols. At exactly 00:00, many jump off their chairs — the ‘New Year's jump’. This is not a challenge to gravity or a riot, but a smile and a game that is easy to pick up: count to twelve, take a light ‘jump’, hugs and the first sip of sparkling wine. The secret is to prepare a free space in advance and not stand on the edge (if you are at a bar/by the water), and to include your child in the ritual — they will have something to talk about.

🎂 Kransekage: midnight almond tower

• What it is: a ring-shaped almond pastry made from marzipan, assembled into a tower; the slices are sweet, dense, and go well with sparkling wine.
• Where to get it without overpaying:
• — Bakeries ‘on the second line’ (not near the main squares) — delicious and cheaper; — Supermarkets (mini towers and rings) — convenient for hotels/apartments;
• — Pastry shops — beautiful and more expensive, it is better to book in advance.
• How much to budget:
• — Mini ring/portion: ~45–85 DKK; — Small tower for 2–4 people: ~150–300 DKK;
• — Medium tower for a group: ~300–600+ DKK.
• When to buy: during the day on 31 December (or the day before) to avoid the crowds in the evening.

🍽️ Dinner on 31 December: set menu at a restaurant or ‘home-cooked’ to-go

• Restaurant set menu (3–5 courses): atmosphere, service, rhythm of the evening. Usually requires a deposit/prepayment, fixed seating time and sometimes a restriction on re-entry. Price range: 650–1,200+ DKK/person without wine pairings; with pairings — significantly more expensive.
• To-go set: picked up during the day, reheated and served in an apartment/hotel — ideal for families/groups and those who don't want to depend on traffic jams/queues. Price range: 350–700 DKK/person.
• Sparkling wine:
• — a glass at a bar — 75–140 DKK,
• — a bottle in a shop — 250–500+ DKK (higher in restaurants).

🎇 Where to meet midnight: types of locations (and who they suit)

• Open embankment/harbour — panorama and reflections. The wind is stronger, so arrive early and keep warm nearby.
• Sheltered canals — quieter and warmer, people stand closer together, but it's nice to watch ‘up close’.
• Square/bridge — impressive, but crowded and draughty; take your place 60–75 minutes in advance, keep your escape route clear.
• Balcony/roof (private) — the most comfortable option, if you have access: view + warmth + your own cup in your hand.

🧥 Clothing, safety and logistics

• Layers: thermal underwear → warm layer → windproof/waterproof jacket; hat, gloves/liners, tube scarf.
• Footwear: grippy tread (wet paving/metal decking — slippery).
• Fireworks: stay away from ‘hot spots’, do not stand near fireworks being set off, stay downwind, and protect children's ears.
• Return: on foot + metro — more reliable than a taxi during rush hour; plan your route of retreat in advance.
• Food for later: leave some warm soup or a ‘night-time’ snack at home/in your room — it will help you keep your strength up.

🧩 ‘New Year's Eve: personal plan and budget’

🏨 Where to stay until 31 December (briefly)

• Indre By/Nørhavn — ‘step outside and you're already by the water,’ but ask for the quiet side, 4+ floors.
• Christianshavn — close to sheltered canals, bridges within walking distance.
• Islands Brygge / Amagerbro / Nordhavn — quieter, 5–10 minutes to the metro, quick return ‘to the warmth’.

💶 Quick guide to evening bills (per person)

• Dinner set: 650–1,200+ DKK (without wine pairings).
• To-go set: 350–700 DKK.
• Kransekage: 45–85 DKK (serving) / 150–300 DKK (mini tower).
• Sparkling wine: 75–140 DKK per glass at the bar / 250–500+ DKK per bottle in the shop.

📌 Summary

• 6 p.m. — the monarch's speech: a quiet ‘gathering point’ for the evening.
• Midnight — ‘jumping off the chairs’, hugs, kransekage + sparkling wine.
• Best scenario — dinner after the speech, then a walk to the water/embankment and a warm break.
• Comfort is provided by layers, the leeward side and a pre-planned exit.
• Budget is kept in three baskets: dinner/set, dessert + sparkling wine, transport.
• Accommodation — within walking distance of the water or 5–10 minutes by metro: this saves energy and time on the coldest night of the year.