Danish fastelavn traditions on Denmark’s well known holiday islands

A hyggelig Nordic carnival tradition

Fastelavn is one of Denmark’s most beloved winter traditions. It’s a festive time filled with dressing up, local togetherness and activities for both children and adults. If you’re not familiar with fastelavn, think of it as a cosy Nordic take on carnival: playful, colourful and full of small rituals that are still very much alive in local communities.

Fastelavn on the Danish islands

On the Danish islands of Læsø, Langeland, Samsø and Ærø, fastelavn becomes something truly special. Here, the traditions unfold close to everyday life in village halls, on the streets, in private homes and within small local communities where you, as a visitor, are more than welcome to take part.

Costumes and slå katten af tønden

One of the most iconic parts of fastelavn is the costumes. Around the islands, you’ll see children dressed up for the classic Danish fastelavn game slå katten af tønden (knock the cat off the barrel). The tradition is similar to a piñata: participants take turns hitting a suspended barrel until it breaks apart, and the king and queen are crowned - in Denmark they are called kattekonge and kattedronning (cat king and cat queen).

From superstition to children’s tradition

Cats became part of the Danish fastelavn because, during the Reformation, cats were believed to be associated with evil and misfortune. By symbolically “chasing the cat away”, people believed they were protecting their village from disease, evil spirits, and misfortune. Fortunately, this practice stopped hundreds of years ago, and today it has become a harmless children's game where no cats are harmed. Instead, the barrel is filled with sweets, which the children rush to grab when the barrel is knocked over.

Cocoa, hygge and fastelavnsboller

In many places, the celebration ends with hot cocoa, plenty of hygge and the seasonal favourite: fastelavnsboller. They appear in bakeries from January onwards and range from simple sweet buns with icing to indulgent versions made from flaky pastry and filled with rich creams.

An adult mask tradition on Ærø

On Ærø, you can also experience fastelavn in a distinctive adult version. The island is known for its mask tradition, where adults dress up, wear masks, and visit places such as restaurants and shops hosting Open House events. As a guest, you’re welcome to join in and enjoy the imaginative and often humorous costumes up close.

Join the celebration

Whether you’re travelling with family, friends or on your own, fastelavn on the Danish islands is a wonderful way to experience a living cultural tradition at close hand and perhaps even feel inspired to put on a costume yourself and join the fun.