Best Christmas Markets in Copenhagen and Christmas Things to Do

Wander through the best Christmas markets in Copenhagen sampling mulled wine and roasted almonds, marvel Tivoli in its Christmas gown and houses wrapped in crazy, golden lights. Freetown Christiania’s Christmas markets bring alternative vibes to your winter visit to Copenhagen. One promise: Danish Christmas beers lighten up even the most cynical Christmas tourists. Browse our top twelfe things to do in Copenhagen to catch the spirit of Yule!

1. Visit Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market and Wander in the Gardens After Dark

You just cannot miss Christmas festivities in Tivoli! To create a true Nordic Christmas atmosphere, Tivoli Gardens are filled with small, colorful wooden houses, snowy trees, and sleighs scattered around the gardens. Say hi to Father Christmas, who waits for kids in his Christmas bazaar, and just wander around awestruck. The colorful lights leave you breathless, and chilly air might chase you to some of the idyllic, warmed terraces. Kids and adults alike love the Christmas rides of Tivoli!

Nowadays, Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market is without the doubt the most popular Christmas market in Copenhagen – and the favorite of tourists and many locals alike. The best thing: walking inside Tivoli Gardens is free.

Usually, Tivoli Gardens stay open also between Christmas and the New Year. Be sure to check out Tivoli’s New Year’s fireworks if you’re in Copenhagen on New Year’s Eve!

2. Find Souvenirs and Traditional Decorations From the Nyhavn Christmas Market

Nyhavn Christmas market is considered the most iconic Christmas market in Copenhagen. Probably because the picturesque old harbor is a perfect setting for soaking in the Christmas atmosphere. Although restaurants and terraces are overly touristic, it’s hard to beat the views – and picture opportunities. Walking by the Nyhavn waterfront is a Christmas time must for locals, as well.

3. Sample Christmas Delicacies at Højbro Plads’ Christmas Market

If you still haven’t tasted Danish gløgg (mulled wine) and æbleskiver (Danish doughnuts), Højbro Plads’ Christmas Market is the place. Stalls have delicacies from mustard to Spanish prosciutto and bratwurst.

Højbro Plads’ Christmas market has overall old-fashioned Christmas market feel with reindeers, Santa’s sleigh, and Alpine-style log cabins. Shop woolen socks and mittens, Christmas decorations, and of course, unique gifts.

Højbro Plads (translates into High Bridge square) is right in the center of Copenhagen, so you don’t need to make a detour for quick Christmas market visit. It’s a perfect spot to escape the nearby Christmas shopping madness of Strøget.

Check out their website for full details and opening hours.

4. H.C. Andersen Christmas Market

If you still have the energy, there’s one more treat nearby: H.C. Andersen Christmas Market at Kultorvet Square. In addition to traditional Christmas food, ornaments and gifts, here you can take a photo with H.C. Andersen and Santa Claus!

Yet another central option is crowded Kongens Nytorv Christmas Market, which has a beautiful setting between the overflowing Christmas decorations of  D’Angleterre Hotel and Magazin department store. By the way, D’Angleterre serves the fanciest glogg (mulled wine) in Copenhagen, if you’re in the mood!

By now, you probably agree with us: Copenhagen has some of the best Christmas markets in Europe!

5. Soak in the Bohemian Atmosphere of Christiania’s Christmas Market in the Grey Hall

Everyone comes here for the traditional, bazaar-like Den Grå Hal (The Grey Hall) Christmas market, also known as (Christiania Julemarked (Freetown Christiania Christmas market). Stalls are located inside a former dressage hall, which is convenient if the weather is awful. The stalls have an alternative feel, carrying also other treats than Christmas handicrafts and decorations.

But the Grey Hall Christmas Market isn’t the whole story in here. Delight in the idyllic surroundings of Christiania, secretly photobomb the wooden hippie houses with Chrismas decorations and enjoy warm drinks in cozy Månefiskeren or some of the nearby cafés.

6. Christiania’s Other Christmassy Things To Do: Elf Theater & Gallopperiet

Christiania’s Gallopperiet aka Stadens Museum for Kunst (Christiania Art Museum) is usually transformed into smaller scale julemarked (Christmas market) in December. Browse characteristic handicrafts along with bohemian art while enjoying warm drinks and live music in a relaxed atmosphere.

Christiania Børneteater offers hilarious, old-fashioned elf performances every weekend during December. Productions are suitable for kids and adults, and latter may enjoy Christmas beer or mulled wine on the side.

7. Combine Sightseeing at Kronborg Castle’s Christmas Market

If you’re in Copenhagen during the first two weekends in December, tick off Kronborg Castle from your bucket list and get your Yule spirits rising in the traditional Christmas market, which spreads inside the courtyard and ballrooms.

8. Sample Mulled Beer at Carlsberg’s Christmas Market

You read it right: this is Copenhagen’s gift to all beer lovers! If your visit to Copenhagen coincides with the first three weekends of December, make your way to Visit Carlsberg, the factory and adult playground of the world-famous Danish beer. Brewer’s courtyard hosts stalls selling Danish Christmas delicacies (roasted almonds, æbleskiver, and snacks), gift ideas, and naturally: special mulled beer!

There’s even a free shuttle service from Copenhagen Central Station: read more on Carlsberg’s site.

9. Pop In and Out the Christmas Shopping Fever of Strøget (for LEGO Christmas!)

The pedestrian street Strøget offers some serious present shopping opportunities. We don’t quite understand the Christmas shopping frenzy but enjoyed popping in the LEGO Store (Vimmelskaftet 37) to see a different take on Santa’s village and his sleigh. The side streets of Strøget have some alternative shops that fit our taste better.

10. Get Christmas Decoration Overload in Centralhjørnet

After visiting the best Christmas markets in Copenhagen, you still have one Christmas time must-see. Copenhagen’s oldest gay bar Centralhjørnet (Kattesundet 18) is famous for its overwhelming Christmas decorations.

If you haven’t yet tasted Tuborg Christmas Brew, do it here. Bizarre fact: Tuborg’s Christmas brew is sold only for ten weeks but comes up as the fourth best-selling beer in Denmark.

11. Taste Danish Christmas Brews in Mikkeller & Friends

An adorable Danish microbrewery Mikkeller has two brewery bars in Copenhagen. A larger one, Mikkeller & Friends, is located in an upcoming hipster neighborhood of Nørrebro (Stefansgade 35). They have 40 daily changing beers on tap, and 200 more in the adjoining bottle shop. We sipped some interesting Christmas brews, both from Denmark and abroad.

Tasting the latest brews at Mikkeller is always among our favorite things to do in Copenhagen. If you’re extremely short on time, now you can do it also at the Copenhagen airport. The best news: Mikkeller’s airport bar & bottle shop is always open!

12. Shop Delicacies at Irma Supermarket

This is the easiest tick, as Irma’s are found everywhere around the city. We were stunned by the wide organic selection and stocked on snacks, raw chocolate bars, and handcrafted beers. Irma Supermarket is the place to buy edible souvenirs from Danish gouda to pastries and sweets. We happily stumbled on a Christmas beer sampling session, too.

What are your favorite Christmas Markets or other things to do in Copenhagen during Christmas time? Where have you spent the most memorable moments: in the alternative Christmas venues of Christiania, atmospheric Tivoli Gardens, or at Copenhagen’s traditional Christmas markets?