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If you're thinking about a Christmas city break to Copenhagen, I couldn't recommend it more. It's the season of "hygge" (Danes describe it as a feeling of cosiness), where you spend time relaxing in coffee shops, wandering through markets and warming up in saunas.
In this guide, I’ll cover the best Christmas markets, festive activities, where to stay and the top spots to soak up the christmas spirit during a winter break in Copenhagen.
When to Visit Copenhagen at Christmas
Copenhagen’s Christmas season starts in mid-November and runs until early January, with most markets and decorations fully set up by the last week of November.
We visited between the 11th-14th of November and the Christmas decorations and markets were popping up everywhere, but some Christmas activities and events had not started yet.
If you want the most festive atmosphere, the end of November and first couple weeks of December are the best times to visit, before the busiest holiday travel days begin.
Late November/early December offers the perfect balance of Christmas vibes and slightly fewer crowds, while mid-December is when everything feels at its most magical (just expect higher prices and busier markets).
Best Christmas Markets & Events in Copenhagen
Copenhagen has plenty of different Christmas markets and events to choose from, so you can spend your time hopping around the city and checking out all the different ones it has to offer. Here are a few of our favourites:
Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market
Tivoli is the highlight of Copenhagen’s festive season, with the entire amusement park transforming into a Christmas village with lights, themed decorations, stalls, food stands and winter rides.
They go all out with lightshows and decorations, so it's absolutely worth a visit here. Unfortunately, the park only opened for Christmas on the 14th of November (our last day), so we couldn't see any of the lights, but we would highly recommend visiting!
Tivoli Gardens is open for Christmas from the 14th November to the 4th of January 2026.
Nyhavn Christmas Market
Set along the famous colourful harbourfront, this small market is perfect for a relaxed festive walk. You’ll find small stalls selling gifts, decorations and gløgg, all backed by one of the most photographed spots in the city. It’s especially pretty at dusk when the lights reflect on the water!
We saw some really beautiful wool socks, scarfs and knitwear, and delicious waffles. There's no official opening times for the markets, but they were open during our visit (11th-14th November), usually until late December.
Nytorv Christmas Market
Located on one of Copenhagen’s historic central squares, the Christmas market at Nytorv is a cosy, traditional spot that’s easy to combine with exploring the old town.
The square fills with wooden stalls selling handmade gifts, winter treats, Danish decorations and plenty of warm drinks - perfect for a quick gløgg stop between sightseeing. The market is open from the 7th of November to the 21st of December 2025.
Højbro Plads Christmas Market
Right in the heart of the old town, this market is ideal for picking up handmade gifts and Scandinavian-themed decorations. It’s small and easy to browse, and you’ll naturally pass by it if you’re exploring Strøget or nearby streets.
The Højbro Plads market is open from the 4th of November to the 21st of December 2025.
Copenhagen Winter Wonderland (Kongens Nytorv)
One of Copenhagen's most beautiful squares, Kongens Nytorv, transforms into Copenhagen Winter Wonderland during Christmas, centered around its long-awaited ice rink. After several years without it, the iconic rink has finally returned, so you can ice skate in the heart of the city.
Surrounded by festive decorations and small stalls selling warm drinks and seasonal treats, it’s a great stop for anyone wanting a classic winter experience beyond the traditional markets.
We saw this area being set up, but unfortunately left before it opened! It looks magical and well worth a visit. It's open from the 14th November to the 4th of January 2026.
Where to see Christmas Lights & Decorations in Copenhagen
Copenhagen’s Christmas lights are simple, cosy and less over-the-top than some other European cities, but really beautiful. Most displays are around the old town and popular streets, so it’s easy to explore them on foot.
Nyhavn
Already one of Copenhagen’s most photogenic spots, Nyhavn becomes even prettier in December. The colourful harbourfront is decorated with warm string lights and small Christmas displays, creating perfect reflections on the water.
We highly recommend visiting in the evening when all of the lights are on and reflecting in the water - it looks stunning!
Strøget
The city’s main shopping street is lined with classic Scandinavian-style lights and festive garlands. You’ll naturally pass through it while exploring the centre and it looks especially nice in the evening.
Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli is one of Copenhagen's most iconic attractions, especially at Christmas when they cover the park in twinkly lights, markets and incredible light installations.
It's best to wait until after dark to see all of the magical light displays, most of which take place everyday at 4:30pm!
Even if you don’t go inside, the exterior of Tivoli is lit up beautifully in winter, with the entrance area and surrounding streets glowing with festive decorations.
Magasin du Nord
The department store beside Kongens Nytorv is covered in thousands of sparkling lights each Christmas and it looks magical. It's definitely a great photo spot to check out.
Santa Lucia Parade on Kayaks
One of Copenhagen’s most unique Christmas traditions is the annual Santa Lucia Parade on Kayaks, where hundreds of kayakers decorate their boats with fairy lights before paddling through the city’s canals in the evening.
It happens on the 13th of December each year, so if your visit falls during this date definitely check it out!
Best Winter Activities in Copenhagen
Copenhagen isn’t just about markets and lights, there are plenty of seasonal activities to keep you busy throughout the Christmas season.
Tivoli Gardens
Beyond the markets and lights, Tivoli offers plenty of amusement rides, carnival games, shows and a magical atmosphere that’s especially enchanting in winter. There's also shops, cafes and restaurants, so you could easily spend all afternoon here!
Ice Skating
Ice skating is one of the best festive activities to do in Copenhagen in winter and the city has a couple of great outdoor rinks to choose from.
The Winter Wonderland rink at Kongens Nytorv is the most iconic, set right in the heart of the city, while Broens Skøjtebane is set on the waterfront with food stalls and a cosy winter vibe.
Museums
Winter is the perfect time to explore Copenhagen's museums and escape the cold while learning about Danish culture, art and history. Our favourite was the National Museum of Denmark, but some other really great ones include the Design Museum and Danish Architecture Center.
If you're after a fun and interactive museum or indoor experience, spots like the Museum of Illusions, The Tube and The Happiness Museum are perfect.
Saunas & Outdoor Hot Tubs
If you want to embrace the cold weather like a true Scandinavian, head to one of the city's outdoor spas. You’ll find everything from floating saunas to harbour-side hot tubs where you can warm up while enjoying views over the water.
Spots like Copenhot and Hottub Copenhagen offer packages including sauna's, hot tubs and ice baths - it’s a fun and very Nordic way to embrace the season.
Rory Watson
Where to Stay in Copenhagen at Christmas
Copenhagen is quite a compact city and is easy to get around, but basing yourself near Nyhavn, Kongens Nytorv or the City Centre (Indre By) means you’ll be within walking distance of Christmas markets, festive lights and most major attractions.
For a cosy winter stay, look for hotels with warm Scandinavian interiors, warm lounges, or even on-site saunas (a big plus in December!).
Copenhagen accommodation can book up early for the festive season, so it’s worth booking as soon as you know your dates.
We stayed at Go Hotel City which was in Amager East, it was a convenient location - only a 7 minute journey to the city centre and 6 minute journey to the airport on the metro!
Here are some great hotel options 👇
- Villa Copenhagen (Luxury) - A stunning 5-star hotel in the city centre featuring a heated rooftop pool and a christmas-themed bar menu.
- Bryggen Guldsmeden (Mid-range) - Beautiful hotel with gorgeous interiors and a sauna, steam room and outdoor fireplace.
- Go Hotel City (Budget) - Clean, modern and budget-friendly with good transport links, perfect if you’re looking for an affordable base.
Chloe Butcher
When do Christmas markets and events start in Copenhagen?
Most markets and events open in mid-November and run until late December or early January. Tivoli Gardens and Winter Wonderland open for Christmas on the 14th of November, and most Christmas markets are open by then.
Is Copenhagen expensive during December?
Copenhagen is generally a pricier city all-year, but accommodation can be more expensive around the Christmas season. Booking hotels and flights early can help keep costs down. Food, transport and activities are fairly consistent year-round!
How many days do you need for a Christmas city break in Copenhagen?
A 3-4 day trip is ideal and would give you enough time to explore markets, visit Tivoli Gardens, wander Nyhavn, try local food and enjoy winter activities like ice skating or saunas. We did a 3 day trip and found it to be the perfect amount of time.
What’s the weather like in Copenhagen at Christmas?
December in Copenhagen is quite cold and crisp, and often windy. Temperatures typically sit between 0-5°C, with short daylight hours and the occasional chance of snow or frost.
It’s a good idea to pack coats, warm layers, waterproof boots and winter accessories to stay warm while exploring the city. During our visit in mid-November, it was 10°C but the wind chill made it feel much colder!
👋 We hope that you found this guide helpful! Before you go - don't forget to read our other Copenhagen travel guides for more tips, suggestions & advice.
