Christmas in Copenhagen, unmissable experiences and shopping

Copenhagen is one of the Christmas capitals. A city that, in December, as well as the rest of Denmark, shows its most magical and engaging profile, encouraging not only visits to its places and museums, but also to scour its characterful shops, historic venues, cafes, and restaurants with the typical holiday menu. Copenhagen reveals itself as an enchanting destination during the Christmas period, with its blend of tradition, design, and hygge atmosphere. From the sparkling lights of Tivoli Gardens to the markets filling the city center, this Danish capital offers a truly magical and unforgettable Christmas experience. With its sparkling markets, fairy-tale views, and lights shining late into the evening, the Danish capital offers a magical and unforgettable atmosphere for those who want to fully experience the Christmas spirit.

12 delicious things to do in Copenhagen during the Christmas season

1. Discover the magic of Tivoli Gardens

If there is one attraction not to be missed during the Christmas season in Copenhagen, it is definitely Tivoli Gardens. This amusement park, the second oldest in the world, dresses up for the holidays with thousands of sparkling lights, elaborate decorations, and stalls selling delicious Christmas treats. Whether you are looking for thrills and adrenaline or a sweet sugar rush, Tivoli Gardens has something for everyone. The advice is to stay until the end of the day, when you can enjoy the park almost all to yourself.

2. Stroll through Copenhagen’s Christmas Markets

Besides the markets inside Tivoli Gardens, the city is dotted with other charming Julemarked, the Christmas markets of Copenhagen. Although they are not the best for shopping, with many stalls repeating, these markets are perfect for immersing yourself in the Christmas atmosphere and sipping a warm glass of Gløgg. Here are some of the most famous:

The Christmas Market at Kongens Nytorv

Located in the majestic King’s Square, this market offers a pleasant combination of decorations and wooden stalls selling a variety of gifts and delicious treats, including the irresistible Danish hot dogs.

The Christmas Market at Højbro Plads

Also known as the Christmas Market at High Bridge Square, this market has a cozy and typically Christmas atmosphere, with wooden huts selling typical products and covered corners for sipping a hot drink.

The Christmas Market at Nytorv

Located near the famous shopping street Strøget, this market dedicated to the famous Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen offers a fairytale experience, with festive Christmas trees and activities for children.

The Christmas Market at Copenhagen Zoo

The city zoo also hosts a truly spectacular Christmas market, with 900 Christmas trees, 400,000 lights, and even the possibility of a carriage ride. An unmissable experience for big and small.

3. Do Christmas shopping at design markets

Besides the main markets, Copenhagen also offers several smaller and design-oriented initiatives, perfect for those looking for unique and original gifts. Among the most famous are the Vesterbro RAW Julemarked, the Designmuseum Julemarked, and the Finders Keepers Christmas Market.

4. Stroll through Nyhavn

The picturesque Nyhavn harbor, with its colorful 17th-century houses, is one of the most recognizable symbols of Copenhagen. During the Christmas season, this area becomes even more magical, with market stalls overlooking the water offering delicious delicacies to enjoy while admiring the view.

5. Immerse yourself in the Hygge atmosphere

The Danish concept of “hygge“, which celebrates comfort, warmth, and conviviality, is omnipresent in Copenhagen, especially during the holidays. Numerous restaurants, bars, and cafés emit an aura of welcome and intimacy, perfect for relaxing and enjoying a glass of wine in company.

6. Taste Danish Christmas delights

Eating and drinking are essential activities to fully experience the Christmas spirit in Copenhagen. Among the must-tries are Gløgg (the Danish mulled wine), Æbleskiver (delicious round pancakes), and Risalamande (a sweet rice pudding).

7. Be enchanted by Torvehallerne

This beautiful covered market in the heart of Copenhagen is the perfect place to satisfy both your appetite and your desire for hygge. Here you can savor Danish specialties such as Smørrebrød (the typical open sandwiches) and even participate in the Danish Gløgg Championship.

8. Ice skate

During the Christmas season, several ice skating rinks pop up throughout the city, such as the one at Frederiksberg Runddel and the one at Broen’s, where you can refresh yourself with delicious delicacies.

9. Admire the Christmas shop windows

Throughout central Copenhagen, the festive atmosphere is felt everywhere, but some shops stand out for their particularly sparkling and catchy windows, such as Magasin du Nord, the 19th-century department store, and Royal Copenhagen, famous for its special display of Christmas tableware.

10. Relax in a Hot Tub or Sauna

To complete your Christmas experience in Copenhagen in a truly Nordic way, why not treat yourself to a session in a hot tub or sauna with breathtaking views of the city? Facilities like Copenhot offer this possibility, complete with a bartender serving you drinks while you relax.

11. Discover the Castles Decorated for Christmas

If you have enough time, a day trip to Kronborg Castle, famous for being the castle of Hamlet, will give you the opportunity to visit one of Denmark’s most beloved Christmas markets. Or you can explore Christiansborg Palace or Rosenborg Castle, both enveloped in a magical atmosphere during the holidays.

12. Join the Santa Lucia Parade

If you are lucky enough to be in Copenhagen on December 13th, you cannot miss the famous Santa Lucia parade, where kayakers decorate their boats and navigate the city’s canals singing Christmas songs. A truly unique and unforgettable experience.

Christmas Shopping in Copenhagen

A good starting point is Kongens Nytorv, the New Royal Square, with the Hotel D’Angleterre, a symbol of old Danish splendor. Not far away, there is the Royal Theatre, the stage for the fantastic Christmas choreographies performed by the Danish Royal Ballet. Next to the Hotel, there is also Hviids Vinstue, a charming and intriguing historic tavern that has been serving food and drinks since 1723.

The leaded glass windows, the dark interior beams, the worn tables, and the yellowed photos make it a unique and unmissable place. Heading down Strøget, you explore the most elegant part of this famous pedestrian street, decorated with green garlands, with a red heart in the center.

Strøget is the right place to look for a classy gift at affordable prices, such as the beautiful Danish design objects from Bodum or the imaginative decorations from Illum, four floors of a department store full of everything.

There is also the well-stocked shop of the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, with a café under a transparent roof and a magnificent view of the city. In Amagertorv square, with the Stork Fountain, dominates the Royal Copenhagen complex, a porcelain brand among the most famous worldwide, which this year celebrates the centenary of its unmistakable Christmas plates.

In its Porcelain House, in Renaissance style, a tradition is renewed: the setting up of marvelous themed Christmas tables. On the ground floor of the building, there is a sort of outlet where second-hand merchandise is sold with discounts ranging from 20 to 50%. And in the house’s pastry shop you can taste exquisite traditional sweets: crisp cookies, dark and gingerbread biscuits, to be accompanied by a cup of steaming hot chocolate.

Continuing along Strøget, Illum Bolighus, a center of Danish design, and the Christmas shop inspired by the countryside, full of ornamental baskets, miniature trees made of crystal, straw animals almost life-sized, and precious decorations created by the Danish artist Jette Frölich, deserve a stop.

Unique items in Copenhagen shops

If you are looking for unique items, it is worth leaving Strøget and moving south to Strædet, famous for antique shops, and reaching the National Museum at Ny Vestergade 10. Admission is free, and inside there is a large shop with faithful reproductions of Viking jewelry in silver, gold, bronze, and amber, as well as models of castles, medieval villages, and ships.

From the museum, you can reach Andersen Boulevard and the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, restored and reopened a few years ago, known for collections of modern French and Danish art. Continuing, you arrive at the shop of the Tivoli Museum, packed with toy soldiers, wooden puzzles, and many other objects dear to children. Here you can also find the Christmas stamp, whose tradition dates back to 1904.

Opposite, in the Town Hall Square, a magnificent fir tree covered with white lights and paper hearts fills a suggestive frame, warmed by the songs and melodies of Christmas. At Boghallen bookstore, overlooking the square, you can then buy all the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen, a must for Christmas shopping in Copenhagen.

Christmas Markets in Copenhagen

Following Vesterbrogade to Tivoli Park, you can immerse yourself in its cheerful and bustling market, with stalls full of items and souvenirs. Children can have fun on the rides, on the pony, and on the ice skating rink, which occupies a part of the pond. The atmosphere is just like an outdoor party, with the air smelling of sweets and gløgg, the hot, strong, and spiced wine typical of Scandinavian countries.

At Tivoli there is no shortage of temptations for the palate, from fast food to places with traditional menus (ham in jelly and roast pork, duck with red cabbage, plums, cucumbers and caramelized potatoes, and ris à l’amande, a rice and milk dessert with cream and chopped almonds), to Michelin-starred restaurants such as The Paul, Café Ketchup, NIMB or Ultimo.

The Christmas markets not to miss in Copenhagen

November 14 – December 30
Christmas market and ice skating at Tivoli
November 20 – December 31
Christmas themed tables, Royal Copenhagen Retail, Amagertorv
November 25 – December 15
Jette Frölich – Christmas Lounge at Gammel Holtegaard
November 14 – December 22
Christmas market in the characteristic Nyhavn district