Denmark

December runs on the julekalender, a calendar that counts from 1 to 24 December. DR started a television julekalender in 1962 with one episode a day up to Christmas Eve, and the habit has stuck. Through the month workplaces and groups of friends hold their julefrokost (Christmas lunch), usually with plenty of food and plenty to drink. Gløgg (mulled wine) and æbleskiver (round pancake puffs) turn up everywhere, and Denmark marks St Lucia's Day on 13 December.

Juleaften (Christmas Eve) is the main event. Many people go to church in the afternoon, and a visitor who joins should treat the service as worship first. Dinner is roast pork, duck or sometimes goose with potatoes, red cabbage and gravy. Dessert is risalamande, a cold rice pudding with cherry sauce and one whole almond hidden in the bowl, and whoever finds it wins a small present, traditionally a marzipan pig. After dinner the family dances round the tree singing carols before the presents come out.

By law most shops close on Christmas Eve, and 25 and 26 December are public holidays, so Copenhagen goes quiet for three days while families hold more Christmas lunches at home. Most of the city's square markets have closed by then. Nytorv and Gammeltorv shut on 21 December and Højbro Plads on the 20th, so Tivoli carries the season on to 3 January.