A Complete Guide to the Irresistible Fastelavn Carnival Culinary Tradition

Last Updated on February 24, 2025 by Amitylux

Fastelavn is Denmark’s wildest, sweetest, and most playful festival—but unless you’ve spent time in Scandinavia, you might never have heard of it. Imagine a mix of Carnival, Halloween, and Shrovetide traditions rolled into one. Kids in costumes swing bats at candy-filled wooden barrels, adults indulge in flaky, cream-filled pastries, and families decorate colorful birch branches to welcome spring. Sounds fun, right?

Historically, Fastelavn was a pre-Lenten feast—a chance to celebrate before the fasting season. Today, it’s less about religion and more about costumes, community, and consuming as many Fastelavnsboller as possible. Bakeries compete to create the most indulgent version of this beloved pastry, while children go door-to-door singing for treats. And yes, there was a time when those wooden barrels actually held live cats (don’t worry, that part of the tradition has long since changed).

So, what makes Fastelavn special? The traditions. The food. The atmosphere. Whether you’re in Denmark during the festival or just curious about this Nordic celebration, this guide will break down everything you need to know. Let’s dive in.

The History of Fastelavn

Fastelavn dates back to medieval Denmark, when it was a pre-Lenten feast marking the last days of indulgence before the fasting season. Influenced by Catholic Shrovetide traditions, it originally involved parades, feasts, and masquerade balls.

One of the festival’s most famous traditions, “Slå katten af tønden” (Hit the Cat out of the Barrel), has its origins in old European superstitions. In the past, black cats were seen as omens of evil, and the game was meant to ward off bad luck. While the tradition once involved placing a real cat inside a wooden barrel, today’s version is much more humane—the barrel is now filled with candy and decorated with a painted black cat, and the child who breaks the last piece of wood is crowned “King” or “Queen of the Cats.”

Traditional Fastelavn Activities and Games

Fastelavn is celebrated across Denmark with a mix of community events, family gatherings, and school celebrations. Some of the most beloved traditions include:

Slå Katten Af Tønden (Hit the Cat out of the Barrel)

• Children take turns hitting a suspended wooden barrel with a bat until it breaks.

• The person who lands the final strike and knocks down the last piece of the barrel is crowned “Fastelavn King or Queen.”

• The barrel is now filled with candy and treats instead of a cat.

Fastelavn Costumes and Trick-or-Treating

• Children dress up in costumes, similar to Halloween, and go door to door singing traditional Fastelavn songs in exchange for sweets.

• Popular costume choices include royalty, animals, fairytale characters, and superheroes.

• The most commonly sung song is:

“Boller op, boller ned, boller i min mave, hvis jeg ingen boller får, så laver jeg ballade!”

(“Buns up, buns down, buns in my stomach, if I don’t get any buns, I’ll make trouble!”)

Fastelavnsris – The Feathered Birch Branch

• Children decorate birch branches with colorful feathers, ribbons, and paper flowers.

• In older traditions, children would use these branches to “playfully wake up” their parents by tapping them on the bed.

• Today, Fastelavnsris are mostly decorative and can be found in homes, bakeries, and stores across Denmark.

Fastelavnsboller

Fastelavnsboller, known as Fastelavn buns in English, are delightful pastries that reign supreme during Fastelavn.

These soft, fluffy buns are often filled with a generous swirl of whipped cream or custard and topped with a dusting of powdered sugar.

In Denmark, Fastelavnsboller is readily available in numerous bakeries, pastry shops, and supermarkets. However, for an ultimate experience make sure to visit the renowned Andersen Bakery, Juno the Bakery, and Hart Bageri.

Berliner

Another beloved treat associated with Fastelavn is the Berliner.

Similar to a doughnut, this deep-fried pastry is round and often filled with a rich custard or jam, such as strawberry or raspberry. Its golden exterior is traditionally covered in powdered sugar, making it an irresistible treat during the Fastelavn season.

Just like Fastelavnsboller, Berliners are readily available in several bakeries, pastry shops, and supermarkets. For the finest Berliner treats, we recommend visiting famous bakeries in Copenhagen such as Lille Bakery, Bageriet Brod, and Juno the Bakery.

Mazarin

For almond enthusiasts, Mazarin presents the ideal treat during Festelavn.

These irresistible pastries consist of a rich almond filling encased in a buttery pastry shell. Decorated with a delicate icing drizzle and a single cherry on top, Mazarin offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures.

Mazarin can be found in several cafes across Copenhagen. However, Conditori La Glace stands out as the best destination to taste this almond delight.

Katten af Tønden Cake

As the grand finale of our culinary journey, we cannot forget the Katten af Tønden Cake.

This decadent cake is shaped like a barrel and is often filled with layers of sponge cake, cream, and fruit.

The exterior is usually covered in marzipan, decorated with festive motifs. It’s topped with a small candy figurine representing the traditional Fastelavn cat.

While you can find this cake in supermarkets and local bakeries during Fastelavn, we highly recommend tasting it at a sophisticated and innovative bakery such as Hahnemanns Køkken. 

Fastelavn offers a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in Denmark’s flavorful culinary heritage. Gather your loved ones, wear your best costumes, and join us on a delectable journey through Fastelavn treats! Skål!

How Fastelavn is Celebrated Today

Although Fastelavn’s origins are deeply rooted in history, the festival has evolved into a playful event for families and communities across Denmark.

• Public Fastelavn Festivals: Town squares and community centers host barrel-smashing contests, costume parades, and singing competitions for children.

• Fastelavn in Schools: Many Danish schools organize themed parties, where children compete in costume contests, play games, and eat traditional treats.

• Fastelavn for Adults: While primarily a children’s holiday, some cities host Fastelavn masquerade parties and themed bar crawls.

Fastelavn is no longer a strictly religious event—instead, it’s a fun, family-friendly celebration that blends history with modern festivities.

Where to Experience Fastelavn in Denmark

If you’re visiting Denmark during Fastelavn, here are some of the best places to experience the celebrations.

• Tivoli Gardens (Copenhagen) – One of the best places to see Fastelavn decorations, carnival games, and special food offerings.

• Open-Air Museums (e.g., Den Gamle By in Aarhus) – Step back in time and witness traditional Fastelavn customs in a historic setting.

• Copenhagen’s Public Squares – Many neighborhoods organize family-friendly Fastelavn activities, including barrel-smashing contests.

• Local Bakeries & Cafés – Visit a Danish bakery to try freshly baked Fastelavnsboller in all their delicious variations.

Conclusion

Fastelavn is lively, delicious, and deeply rooted in history. From barrel-smashing contests to costume parades, from feather-adorned birch twigs to cream-filled pastries, it’s a festival that brings joy to every generation. What started as a pre-Lenten tradition has evolved into a fun-filled celebration that blends old customs with modern festivities.

But at its core, Fastelavn is about community and tradition. It’s about seeing children dressed as superheroes and princesses, hearing laughter echo through town squares, and, most importantly, enjoying a perfectly made Fastelavnsbolle with a cup of coffee.

So, if you ever find yourself in Denmark in February, don’t miss it. Grab a bat, smash a barrel, indulge in a pastry (or three), and experience Fastelavn the Danish way!

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