Observed on

Between February 1st - March 7th (Seven Weeks Before Easter)

 

Observed by

Northern European and Historically Lutheran Nations

Country of Origin 

Denmark

Celebrations/Customs

Carnivals, Parades, Costumes, Trick-or-Treating, Singing, Feasting, Hit the Cat out of the Barrel

Similar/Related to:

Halloween

Key Points / Halloween Connection

- Carnival tradition in Northern Europe that is very similar to Halloween and includes traditions like "Hit the Cat out of the Barrel"

Brief Bio

Fastelavn is a Carnival tradition in the Northern European, and historically Lutheran, nations of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Latvia, Estonia, Iceland, Faroe Islands, as well as Greenland.

The traditions of Fastelavn vary somewhat by country and by local region, as some traditions have changed over time. A common theme of Fastelavn in all the countries currently involves children dressing up in costumes, walking door to door while they sing and gathering treats for the Fastelavn feast, a form of trick-or-treating. Today, the festivities of Fastelavn are generally considered to be a time for children’s fun and family games.

Fastelavn is celebrated seven weeks before Easter Sunday and therefore always falls on a Sunday between February 1 and March 7.

A Traditional Fastelavn Song:

Shrovetide is my name,

buns I want.

If I get no buns,

then I make trouble.

Buns up, buns down

buns in my tummy.

If I get no buns,

then I make trouble.