Constitution Day of Denmark

Constitution Day of Denmark History

Constitutional Day in Denmark commemorates the signing of the Danish constitution in 1849. This document is the main part of the Denmark’s constitution and it established the country as a constitutional monarchy with a representative parliamentary system.

Today, Constitution Day is a celebration of democracy and tradition in Denmark, with many businesses closing early so that people can gather at political rallies or spend the day with their families. The current Constitution of Denmark was signed on June 5 1953. Constitution Day is celebrated every June 5, which coincides with Father's Day in Denmark.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 Constitution Day of Denmark in the EU

• The Constitution Day of Denmark, known locally as Grundlovsdag, is uniquely observed on the same date as Father’s Day in Denmark, a tradition that began in 1935 and distinguishes the Danish celebration from other Scandinavian countries.
• Unlike many other nations, the Danish Constitution does not have a formal amendment process; instead, the entire document must be completely rewritten and signed anew whenever changes are made, such as the 1953 update that abolished the upper house of parliament.
• A central tradition of the day is the friluftsmøder, which are open-air political rallies where citizens gather in public parks to hear speeches from politicians and community leaders while enjoying a relaxed atmosphere of picnics and pølser.
• The observance commemorates the 1915 revision of the constitution, a landmark moment in Danish Democracy that granted women the right to vote and is immortalized in the monumental fresco The Rigsdag Adopting the Constitutional Act by Oscar Matthiesen.
• Although not an official public holiday, retail regulations require most shops to close by noon, with only small businesses and those with a limited annual turnover permitted to remain open for the full day.
• The practice of Fællessang, or collective group singing of national and traditional songs, serves as a cornerstone of the festivities, often led by local choirs or celebrities to foster a sense of National Unity.
• The Dannebrog, which is the red-and-white national flag of Denmark and the oldest continuously used national flag in the world, is prominently flown from buses, buildings, and private homes throughout the country to mark the occasion.
• Many celebrations are held at the Christiansborg Palace, the seat of the Danish Parliament, which houses significant creative works such as the large-scale landscape paintings titled Skejten by Oluf Rude that overlook the assembly hall.

In the News and Trending in the EU for Constitution Day of Denmark

Constitution Day of Denmark Top Things to Do

• Take the day off! If you’re in Denmark most shops and workplaces close at noon so that political rallies and meetings can be held. The day is also Father’s Day in Denmark, so it is an opportune time to spend with family on this long summer day.
• Meet your local politics representative. Constitution Day marks Denmark’s commitment to parliamentary democracy and is a great time to interact with a range of politicians from local representatives to high profile party leaders.
• Eat some Danish food! Have you tried smorrebrod (open rye-bread sandwiches), frikadeller (meat balls), or Rødgrød med fløde (stewed, thickened red berry compote served with ice cream).
• Watch a Danish TV show! Denmark has produced many popular TV shows and films of the last five years. Our favourites include
  1) Borgen
  2) The Killing
  3) The Bridge
  4) Drive (2011)
  5) Melancholia (2011)
• Read a Danish book! Denmark has many well-known authors to choose from. Our favourites include:
  1) The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen
  2) Either/Or by Søren Kierkegaard
  3) Out of Africa by Karen Blixen