December is such a merry time, and Copenhagen is the perfect place to soak it all in! The city mixes old traditions with a cool modern vibe, all wrapped up in that cosy feeling we call ‘hygge’. If you want to really dive into the holiday spirit, checking out the Christmas markets is a must. You’ll get to munch on delicious Danish treats and international goodies, and don’t miss out on trying Glogg – that’s warm, mulled wine spiced up with cinnamon, cloves, oranges, and a bunch of other tasty flavours!

The best Copenhagen Christmas Markets I’ve visited and would highly recommend are:

• Thorvaldsen’s Plads Christmas Market
• Højbro Plads Christmas Market
• H.C. Andersen Christmas Market
• Christmas in Tivoli

Thorvaldsen’s Plads Christmas Market

Located amongst a beautiful backdrop of Thorvaldsen Museum, this Christmas market is a small but adorable one. It includes some of the most stunning Christmas lights displayed within the city centre, and it is the only market I found that offered Polish food, such as ‘Pierogi’ (Dumplings) and ‘Bigos’ (Sauerkraut) amongst one of its stalls.

Højbro Plads Christmas Market

Located just a short stroll from Thorvaldsens Plads, Højbro Plads Christmas Market has a lot of amazing stuff for you to check out, from glass and paper decorations to traditional Danish handmade jewellery and cosy woollen wear. It’s all surrounded by beautifully decorated Christmas trees, making it a perfect place to wander around and soak up that holiday vibe.

H.C. Andersen Christmas Market

This market at Nytorv Square is named after well-known Danish storyteller – Hans Christian Andersen. You might recognise some of his work as some of his most famous fairy tales include ‘The Little Mermaid’, ‘The Ugly Duckling’, and ‘Thumbelina’. It’s small in size but offers a charming atmosphere and the usual Christmas market cheer. You can snap a photo with people dressed as Santa or Andersen himself, and all the stalls are named after the famous writer.

Christmas at Tivoli

If you happen to be in Copenhagen over the winter season, visiting Tivoli is a must. Visiting this amusement park is an incredible experience on its own, regardless of the season and if you’re interested, you can read more about it here. However, during Christmas time, Tivoli transforms into a festive wonderland, filled with thousands of lights. In order to visit, you do need to purchase an entry ticket to the gardens, the price of which changes based on the day of your visit. For most up-to-date information, please visit Tivoli’s website.

Tivoli Gardens is filled with stalls offering the best of Danish holiday treats as well as unique Christmas gift ideas. There are stage performances as well as other events, such as animations, elf hunts and ice skating, that make the visit even more magical. Even in this colder season, rides remain operational for the brave.

What date are Copenhagen Christmas markets?

All of the above markets opened in the beginning/mid-November and will remain open till the 21st of December, bar Tivoli which will take place till the 5th of January.

Do I need tickets for the Copenhagen Christmas Markets?

Christmas Market at Tivoli is the only one that requires a purchase of an entry ticket to get onto the park’s ground. It costs approximately 25-30 euros, depending on the day. The three remaining markets are free to enter.

Other Winter activities in Copenhagen

When walking around the city in December, make sure to take a walk through Nyhavn, the most iconic spot in Copenhagen, illuminated beautifully in the winter gloom. There is also an ice skating ring at the end of it, Winter Wonderland that’s worth visiting for those interested.