Christmas in Copenhagen: where to visit, shop and eat

Christmas in Copenhagen is special. The Christmas lights twinkle, the smell of roasted almonds spreads throughout the city, and shop windows are decorated with Scandi Christmas displays. Plan a trip to Copenhagen before Christmas and experience the festive atmosphere that takes over.

Copenhagen at Christmas: Things to do

There’s no shortage of cosy things to do in Copenhagen. Slip into comfortable, warm winter boots and get ready to stroll through a winter wonderland.

Christmas in Tivoli

A night-time view of a bright and spinning swing carousel.

Christmas at Tivoli takes place from 15 November 2024 to 5 January 2025.

If there’s one Christmas activity you must check off your list during a winter trip to Copenhagen, it’s a visit to Tivoli. The world’s second-oldest amusement park is magical year-round, but during Christmas, there’s an extra fairytale-like atmosphere.

Admire Tivoli lit by thousands of Christmas lights, taste various delicacies at the Christmas stalls, meet Santa in his Christmas room, and join Tivoli’s traditional Christmas tree lighting and Lucia procession.

Copenhagen Christmas Markets

A child with her mother, in awe of the bright lights of the Christmas market.

There is no shortage of Christmas Markets in Copenhagen. Across the city’s open squares, you’ll be greeted by the sweet scent of roasted almonds and the sound of Christmas music. Starting on 8 November, the first Christmas market opens at Thorvaldsens Plads (previously located at Kongens Nytorv), with more big and small markets following throughout the season.

Taste delicious Christmas treats and buy beautiful ornaments for the tree at the traditional markets in Copenhagen, or visit some of the more unique ones, where you might find special handcrafted Christmas gifts at the many exciting stalls.

Ice skating in Copenhagen at Christmas

Three people wearing winter clothes having fun in the Christmas market.

Few things are more delightful than a skating trip through Christmas-decorated Copenhagen. The best-located rink is at the end of the Inner Harbour Bridge on the Greenlandic Trading Square. Here, skaters have views over the harbour, and if you get hungry, the food stalls at Broens Street Food are just around the corner.

Another rink worth visiting is the charming Frederiksberg Runddel, located at the entrance to Frederiksberg Gardens.

Christmas at Copenhagen Zoo

Why not visit the zoo during the festive season to wish the animals a Merry Christmas? Each December, the zoo turns into a winter wonderland for kids with Santa’s House, Christmas crafts, reindeer, and gift workshops.

The Christmas train circles the park, which is decorated with 900 Christmas trees, and children can make straw animals and feed the farm animals in the Children’s Zoo. Around the zoo, you’ll find stalls selling Christmas ornaments, handicrafts, and treats like roasted almonds and hot cocoa.

Christmas shopping in Copenhagen

Still need to pick up the last few gifts? You’ve come to the right place. It’s almost impossible to leave Copenhagen empty-handed, with its wide array of exciting shops for all tastes.

Iconic Strøget offers a broad selection of international and Danish stores, where you’ll find everything from fashion to electronics. For a more exclusive shopping experience, head down Købmagergade and to the department store Illum, where you’ll find high-end fashion and design.

If you’re looking for something more unique and personal, Jægersborggade in Nørrebro is a must. Here, you’ll find small, creative boutiques and local designers selling handmade jewellery, crafts, and one-of-a-kind gifts.

While you’re out doing your Christmas shopping, remember to admire the beautiful window displays. And don’t forget to look up and soak in the magical festive atmosphere when the streets are lit with the most beautiful Christmas lights— a tradition since 1948.

Second-hand shopping in Copenhagen

A display of hanged colourful plaid shirts.

Love vintage and secondhand shopping? Copenhagen offers plenty of opportunities to find the perfect treasure, from packed treasure troves to curated vintage boutiques. Notable mentions include Veras Vintage, Reseller, and Carmen Copenhagen, which every thrift lover should know about.

Make your own Christmas gifts

Close-up of sparkling ceramic cups and saucers on a wooden rack.

If you’re more on the creative side, various creative cafés give you the chance to make your own giftts. Try your hand at painting your own coffee mug at Creative Space, bring your knitting to Woolstock, or create your own jewellery in the surroundings of Smykbar.

Where (and what) to eat when visiting Copenhagen at Christmas

Nothing says Christmas like classic Danish Christmas food. And during the festive season, your taste buds deserve to be indulged.

Christmas cake

A woman fills up the shelves with baked loaves of bread.

Nothing beats mom’s home baking. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t treat yourself at Copenhagen’s many bakeries.

Make your way past the incomparable Juno The Bakery, which during the Christmas season creates sweet Christmas treats such as candied orange and French nougat. Don’t forget to get a bag of their famous baked goods to takeaway.

Or, for the ultimate Christmas experience, visit Denmark’s oldest patisserie, La Glace, where you can enjoy sweet delights served with a pot of real hot chocolate.

Christmas lunch

A circle of male and females friends hugs upon arriving at the restaurant.

Upgrade this year’s Christmas lunch with a visit to one of Copenhagen’s many traditional restaurants. At Christianshavn’s Færgecafé you can enjoy the food with homemade schnapps, all served in warm, welcoming surroundings.

If you are looking for a big Christmas table lunch, head to Restaurant Møntergade, where the kitchen serves modern Christmas dishes.

If you prefer a simple Christmas lunch, satisfy your hunger with mulled wine and smørrebrød (a traditional open-faced sandwich) at Hviids Vinstue, which has been located on Kongens Nytorv for almost 300 years.

Christmas beer in Copenhagen

A young lady fills a glass on a beer tap.

Christmas beer is one of the most loved drinks during the winter in Copenhagen. In fact, more than 220 Danish breweries produce over 350 different Christmas brews, which can only be enjoyed at this time of year. You will be able to find a traditional Christmas beer on the drinks menu at every bar and restaurant in Copenhagen.

But if you really want to pamper your taste buds, explore Copenhagen’s large selection of speciality beer bars. The Copenhagen beer market has a bunch of exciting local and innovative microbreweries.

Visit Nørrebro Bryghus, which has helped reshape Danes’ perception of craft beer since 2003. Or drop by Dia’legd in Vesterbro, where you can sample beer from Funen.

Alternative Christmas Food in Copenhagen

Chinese dumplings served with sesame seeds soy sauce and chopsticks.

Looking for new flavours during the festive season? I love Danish Christmas food, but for something different, I suggest trying Copenhagen’s many Asian restaurants.

Step into the colourful dining room of Hanzo, a gastro-bastion where you can sink your teeth into duck and other delicacies prepared the Asian way.

Or visit Hidden Dimsum, where Nordic flavours inspire irresistible dim sum, guaranteed to impress even the biggest dim sum enthusiast.

Relax in Copenhagen this Christmas

Christmas is a time for love, but it’s also one of the busiest times of the year. Why not give yourself the chance to unwind during your Christmas trip to Copenhagen?

Spas in Copenhagen

A person dips its toe into a swimming pool.

There’s nothing better than stepping into a warm bath after a day out in chilly December Copenhagen. Why not combine your Christmas trip with a spa stay at one of the city’s many spa hotels? For example, check into the 5-star Manon Les Suites Guldsmeden, which feels like a tropical retreat in the heart of Copenhagen. Don’t forget your swimsuit and enjoy a dip in the hotel’s picturesque pool.

Winter swimming in Copenhagen

A harbour with anchored boats and distant views of a cityscape's silhouette during sunset.

If you prefer an icy dip over a day at the spa, you’re in luck, as there are plenty of opportunities to cross winter swimming off your list during your Christmas trip to Copenhagen.

Copenhagen is home to about 25 winter swimming clubs, many of which have their own bathing facilities. Why not start the day with a cold plunge at Islands Brygge, followed by a warming stroll through Copenhagen’s Christmas markets?

For more winter vacation inspiration check out the 8 best Christmas markets in Europe or see what Sweden in winter has to offer.

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