A Festive Guide to the Best Christmas Markets in Copenhagen, Denmark 2023

When Christmas arrives in Copenhagen, the city becomes a winter wonderland bursting with Nordic traditions and many Christmas markets.

It’s an accessible city to walk around, and you can combine visiting the Copenhagen Christmas markets with exploring some of Copenhagen’s best landmarks.

I had already visited several top Christmas markets in Germany and Belgium. Still, I had not been to one in Scandinavia, so I looked forward to wandering around the traditional Danish Christmas markets.

Hygge, the Scandinavian feeling of being comfy and cosy, is something I was familiar with, and I knew I would find it here by the bucket load at the Copenhagen Christmas markets.

And I couldn’t wait to stock up on unique Scandi Christmas presents for family and friends that weren’t from IKEA!

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Helpful Information About Copenhagen Christmas Markets in December

All Copenhagen Christmas market dates have been updated for 2023

How to Get Around Copenhagen

Our flight to Denmark was under two hours from the UK with Easyjet, making it a perfect destination for a short break at Christmas.

We bought a single-use train ticket at Copenhagen Airport that took us straight to Copenhagen Central Station.

Purchasing a ticket was slightly confusing; however, plenty of attendants helped us navigate the system.

Welcome Pickups is a reliable company if you prefer a pre-organised private airport transfer.

Where to Stay in Copenhagen

There are several districts in Copenhagen, and they all offer a different experience for the traveller.

We stayed in the Vesterbro area, also known as the meatpacking district, within walking distance of Copenhagen’s Central Station.

The transformation from empty warehouses to the arrival of hip and trendy restaurants and bars has given this area a new lease of life.

Hotels have also moved in, offering cosy “hygge” stays in contemporary settings.

Vesterbro – is the best place to stay for a trendy vibe.

Availability and Rates for Accommodation in Vesterbro

Norrebro – is the best place to stay for tourists.

Availability and Rates for Accommodation in Norrebro

Nyhavn – the best place to stay for families.

Availability and Rates for Accommodation in Nyhavn

Indre By – the best area to stay in Copenhagen for great nightlife.

Latin Quarter – the best area to stay in Copenhagen on a budget.

Our Hotel in Copenhagen

We stayed at the Scandic Kodbyn, which is in the meatpacking district.

Our room had an urban-industrial style with exposed concrete brickwork and minimal accessories. The hotel has a steak restaurant on site, a nod to the area’s history.

Experience the floating Santa Lucia parade in Copenhagen’s canals.

If you are in Copenhagen on 13 December 2023, you can experience an alternative take on the traditional Danish Santa Lucia parade.

Kayaks sail along the Nyhavn canal dressed in lights and Christmas decorations. It is quite a sight to see and will get you in the festive spirit.

Saint Lucia, or Lucy, was a 3rd-century Christian martyr from Italy whose name means light. She is often represented wearing a wreath of lit candles on her head.

Danish Weather and What to Wear at the Christmas Markets

Weather in Europe at this time of year is unpredictable.

We arrived in mid-December, and snow fell heavily on our last day in Copenhagen. I must say it certainly set the scene for a white Christmas.

Dress in layers as temperatures are cold in the day and dip even lower while walking around at night (let’s say I needed a lot of glogg to warm up!).

Find Out What to Pack for a City Break in Europe

What to Expect at a Copenhagen Christmas Market

Our two-hour afternoon flight from the UK meant we arrived just before the city started to go dark, which is when the magic of Christmas comes alive in Copenhagen.

We started our weekend in Copenhagen with a glass of Glogg in a cute Copenhagen cafe.

It’s a hot alcoholic drink from red wine mixed with various spices and fruit and is something Christmassy to try in Copenhagen.

Then, equipped with our numerous layers of warm clothing, we set off into the evening to explore how the Danish ‘do’ Christmas!

Exploring the Tivoli Gardens and Christmas Markets

The Tivoli Gardens are the jewel in Copenhagen’s crown and one of the city’s favourite attractions since 1843.

They are transformed into the most magical setting you could imagine at Christmas.

Over 70,000 fairy lights illuminate the wooden chalets, Christmas trees and fairground rides, and we were excited to experience its charm for ourselves.

As soon as we walked through the gates, we felt like children again. Traditional wooden cabins had been transformed into brightly coloured shops filled with sweets and decorations.

Twinkling lights led us down winding paths past Christmas trees, and amusement rides and music floated through the night air.

A trip to Tivoli at Christmas was everything I had imagined and more, and a break to Copenhagen wouldn’t be complete without a visit there.

How to See Tivoli Gardens at Christmas

Christmas at Tivoli 2023 runs from 17th November to 31st December.

It opens from 11 am to 11 pm Sunday – Thursday and 11 am – Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Copenhagen has short days, with nightfall descending around 4 p.m. I would recommend a visit once it goes dark to experience Tivoli at its best.

Buy your Tivoli Garden skip-the-line tickets online before your visit to save time queuing to enter.

Tivoli Garden Tickets

Nyhavn Christmas Market

2023 Dates – November 3rd to December 21st

The Nyhavn Christmas Market, situated by the picturesque Nyhavn harbour, is the perfect place to absorb the Christmas atmosphere.

Lights and festive garlands decorate the chalets and restaurants, and the scent of Christmas cooking guides you to the food stalls.

Just remember that eating in Nyhavn is one of the most expensive places in Copenhagen.

Scandinavian gifts of hats, scarves, mittens, tree decorations and candles can be bought for presents or just because you love them yourself.

From Nyhavn, you can catch a boat that will take you to cruise on the waterways for an hour. We didn’t fancy doing this ourselves as it was so cold, but you can book a Nyhavn cruise if you feel braver than us.

Julemarked H.C Andersen

Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market

2023 Dates – 17th November to 23rd December

Named after the Danish author and storyteller, this is where Father Christmas wanders around, taking selfies with adoring visitors.

The stalls are named after Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales and are decorated with hundreds of Christmas lights.

Selling much the same gifts as the other markets, it was probably the smallest Christmas Market in Copenhagen that we visited.

Julemarked Hojbro Plads

High Bridge Square Christmas Market

2023 Dates – November 3rd – December 21st

Højbro Plads Christmas market is located right in the centre of Copenhagen’s Christmas area and is one of the best Christmas markets in Copenhagen.

Shop to your heart’s content at the market and along Stroget, the main pedestrian shopping street and one of the longest streets in Europe.

The shops are dressed for the season, and it is hard not to buy all the gifts and decorations on show.

I couldn’t resist buying a large ceramic Father Christmas, which proved challenging to get home in my hand luggage without breaking, but with determination, I succeeded.

When the urge to sit down and indulge in cake and coffee hits you, head to Cafe Norden.

This well-loved cafe, located in cosy historical surroundings on the corner of Stroget, is expensive but a real experience.

Serving up some of the most decadent cakes I have seen in the city, Cafe Norden is the best place to warm up while you satisfy your cravings.

If you are looking for lunch or dinner, there are many cool restaurants to choose from, including several vegan-friendly restaurants in Copenhagen.

And, of course, you can’t miss the delicious Copenhagen bakeries for traditional Danish pastries to eat as you wander around the Christmas markets.

Julemarked Kongens Nytorv

Kings New Square Christmas Market

2023 Dates – 3rd November – 21st December

The Kongens Nytorv market, lined with charming stalls, is in front of the famous Hotel D’Angleterre.

Established in 1753, the hotel’s facade is festively decorated with gigantic baubles, tinsel and lifesize Nordic toy soldiers.

Head inside the hotel for a coffee or hot chocolate as a respite from the cold. The hotel’s interior is just as impressive as the outside facade.

Freetown Christiania Christmas Market

Awaiting 2023 Dates

Freetown Christiania is in Christianshavn and is accessible by train from central Copenhagen.

It is a free state within the city where squatters took control of an abandoned military base in the 1970s.

The open sale of cannabis on its streets is subject to continual police raids, but its community continues to grow.

This unconventional Christmas market is held in Grey Hall, the focal point of Christiania’s community.

Visitors can buy original hand-crafted items like jewellery, candles, tree decorations, hats, mirrors and cards.

Christiania is worth visiting for its Christmas market, vibrant and eclectic street art, and resident characters.

Wander through its maze of busy stalls, see the crafts being made and grab a bite to eat.

Christiania was my favourite market as its gifts were unique, and I enjoyed talking to the stallholders about their crafts.

A word of caution, wander around Christiania because it is an interesting place, but be careful where and what you take photographs of, especially along “Pusher Street”, or you will be told, in no uncertain terms, to put your camera away.

My Honest Opinion of Copenhagen at Christmas

What month did I travel?

December

How was the weather?

It was freezing and rained and snowed at times.

Would I recommend the Scandic Kodbyn?

Yes. Scandic Kodbyn is an excellent hotel to use as a base to explore the city. It is a close walk to the central train station, suitable for arriving and departing. The decor is funky, and the staff are friendly.

If you want more hotel recommendations, check out this Copenhagen accommodation guide written by a Danish local.

Would I recommend three nights in Copenhagen?

Denmark’s capital is one of the most magical places to celebrate Christmas, and the markets are lovely.

There are many things to do in Copenhagen in December, apart from the markets, that are a delight to discover.

Buying a Copenhagen City Card is a good option, allowing unlimited travel and entry into Copenhagen’s main tourist attractions.

The festive set-up of the Tivoli Gardens was the highlight of my trip to Copenhagen at Christmas. Even without going on any rides, it’s one of the best places in Copenhagen to visit.

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