Julebord

The festive spread

Traditional dishes form the centrepiece of the meal. Tables feature savoury meats such as roasted pork rib, lamb or mutton, spicy sausages and lutefisk, which is preserved whitefish. These main dishes are accompanied by red cabbage, boiled brussels sprouts and sweet lingonberry jam. Rice pudding is commonly prepared as a dessert. To accompany the feast, hosts serve seasonal drinks. Aquavit, a distilled spirit, is often poured as an aperitif before the meal, while warmed mulled wine and specially brewed Christmas beers are enjoyed alongside the dishes throughout the dining experience.

Workplace and community gatherings

While the tradition was once limited to Christmas Day and the subsequent holidays, modern practice focuses heavily on corporate and group events. Employers and civic organisations arrange banquets for their staff and members as an annual year-end celebration. These events provide an informal setting for coworkers to socialise outside the workplace. The festivities are known for lively partying, featuring abundant food and alcoholic beverages. Because so many groups celebrate simultaneously, the holiday period creates a peak season for hospitality businesses, passenger ferry operators and taxi services.

Regional forms in Scandinavia

The banquet is shared across the Scandinavian countries, though language and serving styles vary by region. In Norway and Sweden, the event is called julebord or julbord, which translates literally to Christmas table. In Denmark, the gathering is known as julefrokost, meaning Christmas lunch. While all variations centre on generous seasonal fare, the Swedish julbord is distinctive. In Sweden, it is presented in the format of a traditional smörgåsbord buffet and stands as the principal festive meal eaten during the Christmas celebration.

How Julebord is kept

Guests gather for an evening or afternoon meal organised by employers, clubs or family groups. The feast begins with drinks such as spiced wine, beer or aquavit as an aperitif. Diners then help themselves to an array of hot and cold meats, sausages, seafood and sides. Lively conversation, toasts and celebration continue throughout the meal, often extending late into the night.

When and where

The celebration takes place during the Christmas period. In earlier times, gatherings took place starting on Christmas Day and continuing through the holidays. In contemporary practice, companies and groups arrange their banquets in the weeks running up to Christmas.

The custom is practiced across Scandinavia, notably in Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Diners gather in workplaces, private homes, dining halls, restaurants and on passenger ferries.

What Julebord means

The meal serves as an important social occasion for colleagues and friends to connect outside daily routines. Sharing generous amounts of festive food and alcoholic drinks marks the holiday season, fostering camaraderie and seasonal cheer through communal dining and relaxed celebration.

On the table

• Rice pudding
• Pork rib
• Lamb or mutton
• Spicy sausage
• Lutefisk
• Sour cabbage
• Mulled wine
• Aquavit

Days Julebord is marked

Questions people ask about Julebord

See also

RisalamandeA chilled Danish Christmas rice dessert with cream, chopped almonds and cherry sauceSaffron bunA golden, spiced yeast roll flavoured with saffron, baked for festive and holy daysSt John's EveBonfires, feasting and worship on the short night before John the Baptist's feastSaint Lucy's DayA December festival of light and song held across Scandinavia and Italy to honour a Christian martyr.

Good reading and sources

• Julebord on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.