A local’s guide to Christmas in Copenhagen
If there is a single time to visit Copenhagen I would always recommend seeing it at Christmas. From markets packed with delicious food and drinks, to wintery walks and special yuletide events, the Danish capital is a treasure trove of ‘hygge’ at this time of year!
I’ve put together my own guide of what you could check out during Christmas time in Copenhagen.
Højbro Plads Christmas Market
One of the first ports of call for tourists and locals alike at Christmas should be the ‘Julemarked’ (Christmas Market) at Højbro Plads - located just by the Christiansborg Palace.
Twinkling lights, ‘snow’ covered firs and streetlights and live music greet visitors throughout the Christmas season.
The rows of cozy wooden log cabins host stalls selling knitwear, viking wares, jewellery and much more.
If you need refreshment, Højbro Plads welcomes you with German barbecues, alongside bars selling beers, ciders and, of course, warm gløgg (mulled wine).
Log cabins, Danish delicacies and snug bars in the heart of Copenhagen at Højbro Plads Christmas Market.
Image credit: Julemarked Højbro Plads
Kongens Nytorv’s Christmas Market
If you are in the mood for even more Christmas cheer in the form of hyggelig markets, stop by at the nearby Kongens Nytorv julemarket too. Kongens Nytorv’s market offers a chance to browse a range of holiday gift opportunities, with the possibility of a photo with Santa Claus. Try the hot chocolate, taste the æbleskiver, drink and be merry!
Christmas in Tivoli Gardens
When it comes to Christmas in Copenhagen, Tivoli takes it to the next level. From around the first weekend of November every year, they adorn the world’s second-oldest theme park from the top of their rollercoasters to the ship on their lake with fabulous, twinkling Christmas lights.
Take a peek inside to get a taste for some traditional Danish Christmas treats, like caramelized almonds, æbleskiver, and pebernødder, and watch one of the many parades and shows on display to Tivoli guests throughout the Christmas season.
Want to learn a bit more about the story behind Denmark’s most famous theme park? And my tips for visiting?
Check out my guide to Tivoli Gardens.
Go skating at Frederiksberg Runddel
Every winter, Frederiksberg Runddel, by the entrance to Frederiksberg Garden, is transformed into a wonderful ice rink that allows you to have fun on the ice throughout the winter season. What’s more, admission to the ice rink at Frederiksberg Runddel is free and there is a great cafe to the side where you can warm up afterwards!
Kayaks adorned with Christmas lights taking part in the Santa Lucia procession.
Image credit: Secret Kobenhavn
Watch the Santa Lucia procession
Santa Lucia’s Day (13th December) processions are a pretty big tradition across Scandinavia. Usually, children dressed in white will take party in candle-lit processions whilst singing. But every year Copenhagen takes it to another level with hundreds of kayaks bedecked with Christmas lights taking to the the canals for their annual Saint Lucy’s parade.
The procession starts at the Kajakhotellet, before visiting Nyhavn, then Christianshavn and Højbro Plads before finished at the Kayak Bar - so wrap up warm and join the procession from the canalsides.
Visit some Danish castles
Not restricting to Christmas of course, but during the winter season many of the Danish castles have a certain extra Christmas charm.
Take Kronborg Castle in Helsingør, which hosts a huge Christmas market inside its halls and courtyards, Or the home of the Danish parliament at Christiansborg Palace, which shows plays throughout the winter period, or Rosenborg Castle which serves warm gløgg and æbleskiver to locals and toursits ambulating through the King’s Garden.
Celebrating Christmas Day in Copenhagen
As with much of Europe, Denmark celebrates late into the night on Christmas Eve. If you’re lucky enough to know a local family, you’ll dance around the tree with Christmas carols and open presents that arrive with Santa in the company of naughty elves, aka ‘julenisser’. Christmas day feasts in Denmark typically include roast pork with boiled cabbage and gravy, followed by rice pudding (with a single whole almond for the lucky winner).
If you are travelling during this time, you’ll find that public transport runs and essentials remain open, although a lot of the country will be closed down from the 24th to the 26th. If you are a visitor to Copenhagen at this time, get out there with a camera and stroll the beautiful illuminated streets without the usual crowds.
There you have it. Many locals in Copenhagen would agree with me that the yuletide season is the best time to visit the Danish capital. From delicious Danish delicasies, hyggelig gift shopping in julemarkeds and as much mulled wine as you can drink, why not get some seasonal cheer in Copenhagen this year?
Planning a trip to Scandinavia?
Why not check out my guides to Aarhus and Gilleleje in Denmark, or explore the rest of the Scandi Culture Experiences to find out what’s on offer.
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