One of the best things to do in Copenhagen in December is to spend an evening wandering around the Copenhagen Christmas markets. You can sample traditional Danish food and snacks, shop for handmade Scandi gifts and enjoy the historic sights of Copenhagen while you’re under the Christmas lights.
Not only can you experience the Christmas markets in Copenhagen during November, December and January but it’s also a wonderful time to experience Danish hygge.
This is a traditional Danish experience and way of life where locals (and visitors) live in the moment with their friends and family in a cosy setting.
The Christmas markets are a perfect time for hygge as you can appreciate the little things that make you happy while being a part of the Danish Christmas experience.
Copenhagen Christmas Market 2022
Copenhagen Christmas Market dates: 18th November to 31st December 2022.
Note that the markets and stores in Copenhagen are generally closed from the 24th to the 26th December.
Opening times: 11am to 10pm and until midnight on the weekends.
Location: There are many Christmas markets in Copenhagen including at Højbro Square, Tivoli Gardens and Nyhavn Christmas market on the waterfront.
Reason to visit: The beautiful white Christmas setting and unique Danish Christmas themes.
Specialties: Cinnamon infused mulled wine, called gløgg in Danish.
Travel tip: Cross the bridge to Malmo to add a Swedish Christmas experience to your itinerary.
Recommended tour: Copenhagen Christmas Spirit
Winter events: Ice skating, Christmas light events and see Santa’s sleigh.
Copenhagen weather in winter: Temperatures average 5°C / 1°C (high / low) in December.
Hotels Near Copenhagen Christmas Market
Copenhagen has many beautiful design hotels and great places to stay in the city centre and inner suburbs.
CitizenM is the hotel I recommend as it’s centrally located and sustainable due to its use of renewable energy and measures to limit food waste.
Read my guide to hotels near Copenhagen Christmas market for a full list of options for where to stay.
Copenhagen Christmas Market Specialities
Each of the Copenhagen Xmas markets has something different to offer. While you can always get a cup of hot gløgg or Danish sweets, there are unique Christmas food and specialties wherever you go.
- Højbro Square – This market in Copenhagen’s historic city centre is free and the perfect way to end a day of sightseeing or shopping in Strøget.
- Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market – For a true Nordic Christmas experience, there is nowhere better than the Tivoli Gardens Christmas market. Wooden Christmas stalls are decorated with lights and pine branches leading to a cosy atmosphere amongst Tivoli’s regular amusement park rides. You do have to pay the Tivoli entrance fee to visit the Christmas market but it’s a great experience once you’re inside.
- Christmas Carols and Kayaking – The Danish Santa Lucia parade takes place on the decorated canals of Copenhagen. Watch and listen to the kayakers as they sing Christmas carols as they paddle by.
- Kongens Nytorv – A classic Danish Christmas market in the historic heart of Copenhagen. Stop by to see the beautiful Christmas lights and decorations on Hotel d’Angleterre and the Magasin department store.
- Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market – A unique market located on Nytorv Square where the stalls are named after the fairytales of the famous Danish author. This is a fun Christmas market for children where they can enjoy meeting Santa, making Christmas ornaments and taking a ride on a traditional carousel.
- FLIDS Christmas Market – A hub for Scandinavian and Danish art and design. This is the place to go to see local exhibitions by talented local artists and the latest in Danish design. Located in Nørrebrohallen, Flids is a sustainable market that turns into a Christmas market for two days at the beginning of December. There is a small fee to enter.
- Grønnessegaard Christmas Market – Located on Grønnessegaard Estate near Hundested, this exclusive market is held for two days over the weekend of the 26th and 27th November. Note there is a fee for entering.
- Ice Skating in Copenhagen – As one of the few cities with multiple ice rinks in winter, you can effectively skate your way around Copenhagen at the ice rinks at Tivoli Gardens, Frederiksberg Gardens and also one at Toftegards Square in Valby.
- Kronprinsengade – Look up to see the ceiling of lights on Copenhagen’s busiest shopping street. The Christmas lights cover the street creating a magical experience.
- Sustainable shopping in Copenhagen – The city of Copenhagen is showing a strong movement towards sustainability. There are many ways to minimise your impact which include reducing consumption. When you do need to buy something, Copenhagen has many shops that sell sustainable products. You can find many of these boutique stores in the Nørrebro or Østerbro districts. Take the time to walk around these shopping areas or hire a bike if the weather is good.
For more information on events and things to do in Copenhagen in winter and more details on Copenhagen Xmas markets, check out the Visit Copenhagen official tourism website.
Map of Copenhagen, Denmark
Sustainable Travel Tips
The choices we make have an environmental and social impact on the places we visit. When visiting the Christmas markets, it’s important to keep sustainability in mind.
Implement some or all of these simple measures to create a positive impact.
- Shop mindfully. Only purchase what you really need.
- Walk, cycle and use public transport to get around.
- Stay in a sustainable hotel powered by renewable energy.
- Stay in hotels. Short-stay apartment accommodation can lead to a lack of affordable housing for locals.
- Avoid using plastic or buying items made or packaged with plastic.
- Try to eat locally sourced organic food where possible.
- Limit your consumption of meat and dairy.
- Be open to diverse cultures and experiences.
- Explore more than just the main tourist areas.
- Support the arts and attend local events.
- Visit fewer places but stay longer at each destination.
FAQ
18th November 2022.
31st December 2022.
Go to an art exhibition, try a new restaurant, have cocktails in Vesterbro, visit the 6 musuems in the museum district and get festive at the Christmas markets.
Copenhagen is a fun Christmas destination where you’ll find many events, beautiful decorations, Christmas lights and the wonderful atmosphere of Christmas markets.
Most of the Christmas markets in Copenhagen are free to visit. The Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market has a fee but it provides access to more than just the Christmas market. Having said that, Copenhagen is considered to be an expensive city in general so keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Copenhagen, Denmark.
If you have visited Copenhagen in December or Xmas in Denmark and would like to share your experience, leave a comment or tips for other travellers below.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Copenhagen, Denmark. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.
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