THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME
Christmas in
Copenhagen.
From mid-November the city glows — a million lights in Tivoli, gløgg and roasted almonds at the markets, kayaks singing carols through the canals. Here's everything worth catching, from a local's point of view.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS & LIGHTS
Where the city
lights up.
Tivoli Gardens
13 NOVEMBER – 3 JANUARYThe most magical of them all. Tivoli transforms into a wonderland of a million lights, festive stalls, mulled gløgg and roasted almonds — genuinely one of the most beautiful things you'll see in the city all year.
Bakken
WEEKENDS, 21 NOVEMBER – 20 DECEMBER 2026The world's oldest amusement park goes full Christmas at weekends — twinkling lights, a proper Christmas market and an outdoor ice-skating rink out in the deer forest north of the city.
Rådhuspladsen & Gammel Torv
ADVENT THROUGH DECEMBERTwo classic central markets: the big one on City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen) and the charming old-town stalls on Gammel Torv, right in the middle of the shopping streets.
Nyhavn
ADVENT THROUGH DECEMBERThe postcard harbour draped in lights, with wooden stalls lining the quay in front of the coloured houses. Peak Copenhagen hygge — grab a gløgg and soak it in.
Christiania
AROUND 6 – 20 DECEMBERThe cosiest, most alternative market in town — handmade goods, warming food and live music inside the Grey Hall and around the freetown. Well worth the trip over to Christianshavn.
WHERE TO SEE THE DECORATIONS
Dressed up for
the season.
Hotel d'Angleterre
KONGENS NYTORVThe grand hotel's façade becomes the city's most photographed Christmas display — an enormous illuminated installation over the entrance that changes theme each year.
Magasin du Nord
KONGENS NYTORVThe historic department store dresses its windows and halls to the nines — a real old-world Christmas-shopping atmosphere.
Nyhavn
THE HARBOUR FRONTLights strung the length of the canal and garlands on the old houses make the harbour glow after dark.
The big Christmas tree
CITY HALL SQUAREA towering, brightly lit Christmas tree stands on Rådhuspladsen all season — the classic meeting point in the heart of town.
TRADITIONS & EVENTS
The traditions worth
planning around.
J-Day (J-dag)
20:59, THE FIRST FRIDAY OF NOVEMBERThe event that kick-starts the whole Danish Christmas. At 20:59 on the first Friday of November, Tuborg (part of Carlsberg) releases its limited-edition Christmas beer, Julebryg. Blue-clad delivery trucks and 'Julebryg' hats pour into bars across the city — a raucous, only-in-Denmark start to the season.
Christmas Procession
LAST SATURDAY OF NOVEMBER · AMAGERBROGADEA huge parade on foot and on wheels rolls down Amagerbrogade with over 1,000 participants and hundreds of unique vehicles — one of the city's biggest festive gatherings.
Royal Copenhagen Christmas Tables
18 NOVEMBER – 31 DECEMBER · AMAGERTORVA must-see tradition running every year since 1963 at the Royal Copenhagen flagship store on Amagertorv. Each beautifully set table follows a different theme, celebrating unique Danish Christmas traditions. Head up to the store's 2nd floor.
Santa Lucia Parade
13 DECEMBEROn Lucia Day, candle-lit processions take place at Tivoli, while 'Lucia i Kajak' sees kayakers — decorated with lights and garlands — glide through the canals singing Christmas carols in Nyhavn, Christianshavn and by Højbro Plads.
STREETS LIT UP FOR CHRISTMAS
Follow the lights
through the old town.
Half the fun is simply wandering. These inner-city streets — most of them pedestrian — are strung with lights all season. Start on Strøget and let one lead you to the next.
BOOK A TOUR
Tivoli at Christmas — pure magic.
Half a million lights, mulled wine and rides under the fir trees. Skip the ticket queue and walk straight in.