Shrovetide on Ærø - especially for adults

While the children may go masked during the day and sing for a penny in the rattle box, the adults go masked at night on Shrove Monday - and as a guest you can join in the fun.

Open House and Masquerade Ball

Visit local restaurants and shops for Open House or Masquerade Ball, where masque disguised islanders pop in with squeaky voices and tall tales about the island's current themes.

See this year's events at the bottom of the page.

In Marstal, the masks must fall before the guests leave the house, while the masquerade ball ends with the big mask drop at midnight, where everyone's identity is revealed to great surprise.

The tradition of wearing masks on Ærø

The tradition of "rendemasker", as the locals call it, was reportedly brought to the island around 150 years ago by a tailor from Bregninge, who brought the idea from Als.  The tradition also takes place on Vestærø in connection with Epiphany in January.

The story goes that when old Maren in Leby owed the tailor money, he disguised himself and nearly scared her to death, as she thought the tailor was the devil himself! And from there, events took off!

Plan your trip to Ærø for Shrovetide