Copenhagen Christmas Markets 2023

Copenhagen Christmas Markets, Nyhavn: by the canal & in Tivoli.

Christmas in Denmark is a magical time. The city is transformed into a Winter wonderland full of holiday cheer with more than 6 different markets dotted across the city.

Where to stay for Christmas in Copenhagen?

The city fills-up during the festive season, especially at weekends, so book your hotel in advance. Stay close to the Tivoli Gardens for the best location, close to all the markets and shops.

• Check out the citizenM Copenhagen Radhuspladsen where you can enjoy breakfast with a view on the 7th floor. (3 mins walk to the markets)
• Alternatively consider the Andersen Boutique Hotel, located just steps from Central Station and right in the heart of the city’s bustling heart. (5 mins walk to the markets)

Christmas in Tivoli Gardens

• 17th November – 31st December, 2023  – Opens from 11am to 10pm, longer on weekends. (closed on 24th Dec)
• Christmas in Tivoli Gardens is a dear Christmas tradition amongst Copenhageners as well as visitors to the city. True to tradition, the whole of Tivoli is decorated for the season with 1,000 spruce Christmas trees completely covered in a myriad of lights and 70,000 Christmas baubles.
• Enjoy Tivoli’s other cultural Christmas traditions, from the Pixie Band playing at various points around the Gardens, the big Lucia procession with a hundred-strong choir, and the daily Tivoli illuminations.

Tivoli Illuminations

• Tivoli Illuminations over the Lake, feature three separate light shows lasting for about five minutes each throughout the evening, with Christmas music permeating the park to create a unique Tivoli Christmas atmosphere. This year, a new addition includes a spectacular projection show on the concert hall’s iconic facade.
• The fireworks festival runs from 25 to 27 December and again on 31 December.

Other Activities in the Gardens

• Tivoli’s plethora of rides and games will be open as always, while restaurants and eating spots are ready with all those Christmas delicacies. The permanent points of sale are supplemented by around 60 stalls of varying sizes, selling food, sweets, hot drinks, Christmas decorations, knitted products, leather products, crafts, deli items and more. In other words, you can also get part of your Christmas shopping done at Tivoli.
• Tivoli gardens hosts a special New New Year fireworks display. Many of the restaurants located inside the gardens host lavish dinners and New Year theme parties.
• Enjoy the “suite-life” in Copenhagen during your Christmas Escape. Stay at the Erik Vokel Boutique apartments, rated “Superb” by guests, close to all the markets and offering high-end amenities and perfect location.

Christmas at Bakken

• Awaiting Dates – Visit the world’s oldest amusement park during Christmas in Copenhagen. Bakken, will opens every weekend Friday-Sunday, its crooked streets transformed into a market packed with delicious home made food and candies.
• The market is also home to some of the best faces and restaurants serving a classic Danish Christmas Lunch.
• And of course, you can enjoy the many park rides, including an eight-decade old wooden rollercoaster,  while taking in the Christmas lights from every angle, even upside down!
• The market is 30 minutes drive north of Copenhagen and entrance is free.

Other  Copenhagen Christmas Markets

Most of the following markets open from the middle of November, however some may open early, particularly the Christiania markets.

• King’s New Square Christmas Market (Julemarked Kongens Nytorv) Christmas
  Relive old traditions in this charming market, the perfect place for authentic decorations at the end of Strøget pedestrian street.
• High Bridge Square Christmas Market (Julemarked Højbro Plads)
  In the heart of Copenhagen’s ancient medieval city. The best homemade glühwein
• H.C. Andersen Christmas Market (HC Andersen Julemarked)
  Cozy Christmas market, lots of hand made quality items centrally located in Copenhagen on Nytorv, right by “Strøget”.
• Freetown Christiania Christmas Market
  A bohemian hippie market in a former military base with a unique atmosphere and delicious local cuisine.

Nyhavn: Christmas by the canal.

Nyhavn was originally a busy commercial port, but today the beautiful old houses have been renovated, and Nyhavn is filled with people enjoying the relaxed atmosphere by the canal, jazz music, and great food.

• Awaiting Dates –  The historic cobbled streets of Nyhavn have always charmed visitors and Copenhageners. Especially during Christmas, when sugar roasted almonds fill the air, Nyhavn sets the scene for an idyllic way of experiencing Danish “hygge” and Christmas traditions.
• Throughout the month of December, decorated stalls along the quay sell seasonal gifts, souvenirs, and treats. With the coloured 15th century houses as a backdrop, you will find yourself travelling back in time. If not back to when Hans Christian Andersen resided down in no. 20, then back to your childhood Christmas holidays.
• The restaurants serve traditional Danish Christmas treats like “æbleskiver” and “gløgg” – a traditional Danish hot drink similar to the German Glühwein, and Christmas spirits in the iconic Nyhavn are high.

Christmas market in the Zoo

Copenhagen ZOO opens its doors to a lovely, old-fashioned Christmas.

• Awaiting Dates – With more than 400,000 sparkling Christmas lights and cosy market stands, a regular ZOO visit is turned into a magical experience. The Christmas atmosphere is complete in the ZOO with 900 Christmas trees spread throughout, as well as reindeer and horses on walking through the park.
• Of course, there are also gift boxes with crafts, Christmas decorations and small Christmas presents available at the cosy Christmas market, and the opportunity to satisfy the sweet tooth with Danish Christmas treats, glögg, roasted almonds, waffles, cocoa and lots of other Christmas crunch.

Other Copenhagen Christmas Landmarks

• Within a couple of minutes’ walk from Nyhavn you will find the traditional Christmas decorations illuminating the beautiful historic building of Copenhagen’s famous Hotel D’Angleterre, which each year in December displays magnificent illuminated Christmas decorations.
• Located almost right next door, Copenhagen’s historic departments store, Magasin Du Nord also puts its Christmas decor on display helping create the Christmas spirit at Kongens Nytorv.
• See the ceiling of Christmas lights in Kronprinsengade. As per tradition, one of Copenhagen’s best streets for shopping (Christmas presents included), turn on a mesmerizing ceiling of Christmas lights.

TIP: Copenhagen cards. For a small fee, the cards get you free admission to over 60 museums, all public transport, the canal tour, and even the world famous Tivoli Gardens. Get yours in advance and save time queuing.

Gay Copenhagen

• Copenhagen’s nightlife scene is as open-minded as everything else in the city. But if you feel like partying with the community, you’ll find that the area around Studiestrædet is filled with LGBTQI+ bars and nightclubs, such as the oldest gay bar in the world Centralhjørnet. Cosy Bar and Kiss Kiss are also popular, especially during weekends.
• Studiestrædet is part of Copenhagen’s Latin Quarter and is home to many small shops, galleries and cafés, in the central historic part of Copenhagen .

Recommended hotels in Copenhagen

The following hotels are located close to the bars, clubs and Christmas markets.

The Square,   Hotel Danmark,  Hotel Alexandra,   Scandic Palace,