Some families even have a tradition of screaming when the cake's head is cut off!
My favorite Danish cake is called a drømmekage, or "dream cake," which is a vanilla cake topped with caramelized brown sugar and coconut. This is a popular Danish cake that can be enjoyed at celebrations year round.
This year, I'm excited to take part in another Danish birthday tradition. In Denmark, it's common for the birthday person to bring cake or treats to share with their classmates or coworkers. Since I'll be living in Aarhus on my next birthday, I plan to bring a cake to work to share with my colleagues.
The Danish flag is one of Denmark's most recognizable national symbols. In the United States, we're most likely to see American flags during national holidays, sporting events and patriotic celebrations. In Denmark, flags are also used to celebrate any joyful occasion or personal accomplishment.
The Danish flag is also flown to celebrate royal birthdays. Denmark has a royal family, and during certain royal birthdays, Danish flags are flown on government buildings. When I studied abroad in Copenhagen in 2025, I saw flags flying at Christiansborg Palace to celebrate former Queen Margrethe II's 85th birthday.
Danish birthday traditions are more closely connected to the country's culture and history than to its natural environment. However, Denmark's weather can influence how people celebrate. My birthday is in the spring, so I was lucky to spend my birthday celebrating outdoors with friends in a park.
