10 Places to Enjoy Christmas in Copenhagen

Around the holidays Tivoli Gardens is transformed into a true Christmas adventure with opulent decorations, beautiful Christmas trees shimmering with color, and twinkling illuminations lighting up the winter darkness. There’s music everywhere, elves and deer stroll down the streets, and Santa Claus himself welcomes you into his charming home.

The whirlwind rides offer tummy-tickling fun even at Christmas and you and your nearest and dearest are invited to enjoy the shows in the Glass Hall Theatre and Tivoli Concert Hall. Don’t miss the spectacular water and light shows performed several times a day. The cozy vendor stalls are bursting with Christmas decorations and any snack, sweet, or hot drink your heart could desire.

If you’re looking for a traditional Christmas market in the most photographed spot in Copenhagen, Nyhavn is the place to be. With colorful houses around you, fairy lights hanging from the masts of the boats in the canal, and a cup of glogg in your hand, you’re guaranteed to capture the Christmas magic in your selfies. You can also sample traditional Danish delicacies and shop for handmade Scandi gifts.

On Santa Lucia Day, December 13th, you’re invited to join the celebrations to bring light into the midst of December’s darkness. Copenhagen adds a unique twist to the traditional procession of children singing and carrying candles: Hundreds of kayaks decorated with Christmas lights lead the parade through the canals of Nyhavn.

A traditional way to start the Christmas season in Copenhagen is to make your way to Rådhuspladsen and see Santa Claus light a huge Christmas tree. Santa will greet the crowd and no doubt make a few last-minute notes about who’s acting naughty and nice. At the gong of the clock atop the City Hall, he’ll turn on the tree lights in such a spectacular way that you’ll need to hold on to your Christmas hat.

This annual tradition is typically held on the first Sunday of December. If you miss the ceremony, don’t worry. The magnificent tree lit up in all its glory is a stunning sight on any winter night and a perfect backdrop for your holiday photos.

Take a festive day trip from Copenhagen to Kronborg Castle, also known as Hamlet’s castle, to discover a marvelous Christmas market and enchanting tours around the castle. The market stalls inside are laden with delicious Christmas treats and the unique gifts and designer items are ready to be wrapped up for that special someone. The gorgeous Christmas tree is the centerpiece of the huge ballroom, awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus.

Located about an hour north of Copenhagen in Helsingor, this magnificent renaissance castle with its majestic spires and towers is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can even book a “Hamlet's castle” themed tour to see the secret passages and hidden rooms, normally closed to the public.

Around the holidays, the Copenhagen Zoo turns into a true gateway to a wonderful, old-fashioned Christmas where an ordinary zoo visit turns into a magical experience for your entire family. You’ll meet Santa Claus and his reindeer at Santa’s House and then take the special Christmas train to the children’s zoo to feed the farm animals.

The zoo is lit up with thousands of twinkling lights, and you’ll find hundreds of Christmas trees spread throughout the area. The wonderful market stands will serve you hot chocolate, sweet waffles, and gift ideas. Around Christmas, the zoo stays open later on select weekend nights, so bundle up and celebrate this joyous season with the elephants, puffins, lions, pandas, and polar bears.

When you walk in past the iconic nutcrackers at the main entrance of Hotel d’Angleterre, you’ll enter the magical realm of Christmas fairytales. This luxury hotel pulls out all the stops when it comes to extravagant holiday decorations from Advent calendars to tributes to the beauty of the Scandinavian winter, complete with northern lights. The Snow Queen’s white glogg will be served on a cozy, heated terrace and you’ll enjoy marzipan snowballs by a roaring fireplace.

If an overnight stay at Hotel d’Angleterre doesn’t fit your travel budget, the Christmas decorations on the hotel façade are as breathtaking as the interior. Hotel d’Angleterre is in the center of Kongens Nytorv right across from the Christmas market.

Fancy showing off your pirouettes on the popular ice rink at the fabulous Frederiksberg Gardens, but didn’t pack your skates? No problem, your can rent a pair for a small fee and you’re all set to wow your audience. It’s free to skate, and what would be a more perfect excuse to bundle up and enjoy the fresh winter air. You can find the ice rink by the entrance to Frederiksberg Gardens. The ice rink is typically open from the last Saturday in November until the last Sunday in February.

If skating doesn’t interest you, take a stroll around the beautiful gardens. On your tour you will see the Frederiksberg Palace, lovely little bridges, and the Chinese Pavilion from 1799.

To escape the elements on a chilly winter’s day, open the doors to Torvehallerne and you’ll be met with wonderful scents of baked Christmas goodies and hot glogg. This indoor food market sells fresh produce, fish, meat, cheese, and lots of ready-to-eat options from coffee and pastries to sandwiches and pizza. It’s a perfect place to go for a meal, groceries, or just a browse around; you’re sure to find something tasty and exciting in the over 80 shops.

Around the holidays, the vendors welcome you to taste Danish delicacies from ableskiver (pancake balls), roast pork, and honninghjerter (honey hearts) to rice pudding and caramelized almonds. Torvehallerne is located between the busy Norreport Station and Dronning Louises Bridge.

If you forgot to pack warm scarves and mittens, head to Kongens Nytorv in the heart of Copenhagen to find the best Christmas market for Danish handicrafts. Here you’ll find charming stalls selling knitted hats and gloves to keep you warm. You can also warm yourself up with a hot chocolate or a glass of a spicy Christmas apple punch. To make your Christmas decorations at home perfect, check out the vast selection of handmade glass ornaments and candles.

Santa Claus will make frequent visits to the market, so make sure you whisper your Christmas wishes into his ear and have a photo taken with him. The cobblestones streets around the square are surrounded by astonishing architecture and statues.

To find the perfect Christmas presents for your loved ones, make your way to Strøget, Copenhagen's largest car-free shopping area in the heart of the city. Around the holidays, the streets and shops look fabulous, adorned with twinkling lights and sparkling garlands. You’ll hear street performers singing Christmas carols, all dressed up for the special time of the year, and at every corner, there’s a glogg stand offering you a hot pick-me-up.

This 1.1-kilometer-long street features budget chain stores, designer brands, souvenir shops, fine-dining restaurants, and fast-food stands. Don’t forget to explore the atmospheric side streets for more. Strøget is also a perfect spot to take a few holidays snaps with gorgeous historic buildings and fountains in the background.