Copenhagen is one of the most popular holiday destinations for guests keen to explore the best Christmas markets in Europe. They look forward to getting into the holiday spirit with festive gift buying and visiting the magic and excitement of Tivoli Gardens during the winter season, where snowfall is common and twinkling lights adorn the city.
For many, the best time to travel is in early December, when the cool winter temperatures feel perfectly festive, but before the traditional Christmas break, when the crowds, queues and limited availability for flights and accommodation options can make the experience a little hectic.
Today, we’ve shared an insider’s guide to a Copenhagen Christmas holiday just before the peak of the season, with advice on festive fun, attractions, and activities to try as you explore this wonderful place.
Why Early Winter Travel Is Ideal for a Relaxed Visit to the Copenhagen Christmas Markets
Guests commonly have constraints around when they can travel, with specific dates dictated by school holidays and workplace closure periods. This inevitably means that over the two weeks covering Christmas, there is a steep demand for flights, and an influx of visitors heading to Copenhagen for Christmas.
While a festive getaway at this time of year is an amazing experience at the height of the holiday season, it can be busier than some would like, especially if your idea of a perfect break is more relaxed and laid-back.
The start of December perfectly hits that balance, as all of the Christmas markets, large and small, run from around the end of November onwards. The build-up to Christmas will be well underway, with carol singing, Christmas decorations, and traditional delicacies on every corner of the city.
Copenhagen is one of the most festive and friendly cities in the world with the chance to try ice skating round Broens Skøjtebane, cold water swimming at Havnebadet Islands Brygge or La Banchina.
There are also plenty of more leisurely activities such as browsing the thousands of goods at the Christmas markets, trying mulled wine at the many pop-up food stalls, visiting Santa Claus and his reindeer, or heading to one of the luxury thermal spas to enjoy Nordic treatments and therapies.
The Best Things to See and Do on a Copenhagen Holiday Close to the Christmas Season
No trip to Copenhagen in December would be complete without a visit to the world-famous Christmas markets, with charming wooden stalls that sell a huge diversity of gifts and decorations and sell delicious treats, hot drinks and street food.
Some of the most visited include:
- Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market, found within the Tivoli Gardens complex with endless amusements, rides, stalls, performances and activities to enjoy.
- Nyhavn Christmas Market, located along the iconic waterfront, which is laid out as a festive village with a fun, celebratory atmosphere.
- Højbro Plads Christmas Market, next to Gammel Strand Metro Station in central Copenhagen, within Højbro Square and close to all the boutiques and shops of Strøget.
- Den Grå Hal (or The Grey Hall) Christmas Market – one of the oldest markets to explore in Copenhagen. It is situated indoors at Christiana and is ideal for wetter weather.
There is so much to experience at each market, with live music and photo opportunities alongside Christmas gifts ranging from Danish handicrafts, wooden toys and art to hand-dipped candles, jewellery, baked goods, paper flowers and everything in between.
Visiting Tivoli Gardens Winter Wonderland on a Copenhagen Short Break
We mentioned the Tivoli Christmas Market, but if you haven’t planned a visit, it is a must-see for every guest. In December, the park transforms with stunning decorations adorning the gardens and rides.
The rides have festive themes, with options to ride the Trainsbury—designed to mimic the Polar Express—or the Santa Train that travels across the park. The light shows and water displays run throughout the day and combine vivid colours that capture the Christmas spirit.
Visitors can stroll through the parades of Christmas trees, enjoy the artificial snow that ‘falls’ when the wintery Danish weather is dry, watch the dance and theatre performances, grab a roast pork sandwich or gingerbread biscuit from the festive stalls, and visit Father Christmas who has a grotto in the park along with his reindeer.
Experiencing Copenhagen’s Cultural and Historic Sites During December
As the Danish capital city, Copenhagen is packed with incredible architecture, including the renowned Nyhavn district, the waterfront area lined with colourful, charming houses, home to The Little Mermaid statue, and with options to join boat tours or hire kayaks to see the city from the water.
We’d also recommend you take the opportunity to visit Rosenborg Slot, Frederik’s Church, and Amalienborg Palace, all sites with fascinating histories that are well worth a visit.
- Rosenborg Slot is a Renaissance castle in the middle of the city, close to Strøget, and enclosed by the beautifully maintained King’s Garden. Built in the 1600s, it houses the Danish crown jewels with lavish interiors that include the Knight’s Hall, decorated with life-size silver lions, narwhal tusks, and tapestries.
- The Marble Church, or Frederik’s Church, is equally remarkable. It is an elegant structure that is open during the day and free for visitors to explore. Its famous green copper-domed roof offers incredible views over the city.
- Amalienborg Palace is the home of the Danish Royal Family. Guests can watch the changing of the guard every day at noon, tour the interiors of the Amalienborg Museum, and stroll through the garden room.
Finally, if you’d like to embrace Danish culture during your December trip and have finished exploring the Christmas markets, we suggest you book tickets for the Royal Danish Opera. The opera provides a full schedule of performances, from ballets and concerts to operas throughout the winter. Guided tours are also available to enable visitors to learn about the architecture and history of the building.
If you’d like more information about early December trips to Copenhagen, any of the activities and attractions we’ve mentioned, or help organising your perfect Christmas market adventure, please get in touch with the Baltic Travel Company anytime.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 at 11:22 am; on the subject of Christmas.