The Carnival season in Denmark is really NOT as big a thing as at our neighboursâ further south, however, Danes with children do celebrate it as the âbashing of the cat in the barrelâ is a recurring family event.
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By Bente D. Knudsen
In 2025, Fastelavn is officially celebrated on Sunday 2 March.
It used to be a tradition for adults and is linked to all the catholic traditions of lent (the 40-day period before Easter where you only eat fish).
The name actually comes from the old German name Vastelavent, which means the night before lent starts. In modern Germany, Vastelavet has become Fasching and here it is still a big thing, with the schoolsâ mid-term winter breaks placed in the same week and a lot of wild partying and drinking taking place.
Further south it is the carnival season, with the more famous ones taking place in Italy â amongst other in Venice.
In Denmark it is mainly a family affair, with children looking forward to dressing up and getting their share of the buns â fastelavnsbolle â and candy inside the barrel.
It is called âslÃ¥ katten af tøndenâ â bashing the cat in the barrel until it falls apart. Rest assured these days there is no cat inside.
If you do not know where to celebrate it â the DANISH CHURCHES are a good place to start. The events are free and sponsored by the local church or sponsors.
Celebrating it on a Sunday means that the traditional Sunday service has been updated to include also the cat-bashing, the eating of buns â yes some even have nice Danish hot-dogs and coffee for the parents.
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At Christiansborg Slotskirke the amazing girlsâ choir from Sankt Annæ Pigekor as well as 2 other choirs will participate adding to the atmosphere in this beautiful inner-city church. A popular event â be early and patient.
Sunday 2 March at 11:00 with the cat bashing at 12:45. The cat bashing takes place at Helligåndshuset on Valkendorfsgade a short walk from Christiansborg Slotskirke and everyone will leave the church and walk in procession together to Helligåndshuset.
The service at 11:00 is filled with music. Everyone who feels like it can come in disguise. Afterwards the barrel bashing will be done in front of Helligåndshuset and og fastelavnsboller, soft drinks, coffee and tea are served. There will be great prizes for the best costumes as well.
On Ãsterbro, at Sankt Jakobs Kirke on Ãsterbrogade 59, the Fastelavn Service is held on SATURDAY 1 March at 15:00. The service is with liveband, performance and singing at afterwards there will be the catbashing contest, costume contest and of course, hot chocolate and fastelavns buns for all.
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You can find a calendar for all of the churches in the Copenhagen area in our link below
Fastelavnsbørnegudstjeneste = Fastelavnâs church service for children â meaning the whole event is based on the children â only a short service and they will go very quickly to the bashing of the barrel all the children are waiting for.
Or for Copenhagen here.
For other parts of Denmark â check with your local church â they are bound to have events as well, your local newspaper will have them listed, you can also try to find a church near you with a Fastelavnsevent here. Â
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