There is little like a magical Christmas market to celebrate the festive season, with the scents of traditional food, twinkling lights and soaring Christmas trees, accompanied by a dusting of snow in the crisp December air.
Copenhagen Christmas markets are often considered the best in Europe, with multiple markets to choose between, from the famous celebrations in Tivoli Gardens to the Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market, where little ones can visit Santa Claus to make the day even more memorable.
In this article, the team at the Baltic Travel Company has compiled a guide to the perfect gifts, Christmas decorations and sweet treats to buy at any of the Christmas markets dotted throughout the Danish capital city with some tips and advice for first-time visitors to ensure you make the most of your winter holidays.
Choosing Which Christmas Markets in Copenhagen to Visit
As we’ve indicated, there are many Christmas markets within the city, set against the backdrop of Copenhagen’s canals, cosy atmosphere and the architecture that is synonymous with Danish design.
While the best Christmas market in Copenhagen might be subjective, here are a few of our very favourites to visit during Christmas time:
- Nytorv Square Christmas Market is held in the largest square in the city next to the Royal Theatre, Charlottenborg Palace and the Magasin Department Store. The market extends down to Nyhavn, with myriad charming stalls to visit while kayaks sail around the harbour.
- Højbro Square Christmas Market in the city centre is a stunning market, bracketed by wooden stalls illuminated by 180,000 sparkling lights, with a range of heritage artisans to watch spin their crafts, such as blown glass and handmade wool.
- The HC Andersen Christmas Market is smaller and based on the culture and history of Denmark, with a Christmas carousel that is a gorgeous photo opportunity.
- Tivoli Gardens, the renowned theme park and visitor attraction, has a world of festive fantasy with rides, shows, performances and fireworks to offset the stalls and cafes.
Most of the Copenhagen Christmas markets are open for late-night shopping on Thursday and open between November and mid-December, with hotel recommendations available within walking distance from our experienced travel advisers.
Sampling the Delights of Traditional Danish Treats
The food typically served within a Copenhagen Christmas market is itself worth a visit, with an endless array of powdered sugar cookies, warming red wine, sweet apple slices, and other delicious snacks to try in between shopping, ice skating, or watching the floating Santa Lucia Parade.
Visitors can embrace the cosy setting of a local café or Copenhagen Old Town while they watch the traditional Danish Santa Lucia Parade or join in with carol singing and boat rides alongside the Nyhavn Christmas Market on the quayside.
You can purchase konfekt – made from marzipan, chocolate and nougat – as a special gift, buy vanilje kranse, or bow-shaped biscuits, or pick up some delightful snebolde (snowball) treats coated with a coconut topping.
During Christmas time, many shoppers also indulge in a hot dog cooked over smoking coals and a cup of sweet, fragrant mulled wine to keep themselves toasty while they soak up the sights and fragrances of a bustling Copenhagen Christmas market.
Looking for a festive gift that offers an alternative take on Christmas cuisine for a foodie friend back home? Head for one of the stalls selling brun kage or pebernødder (loosely translated as pepper cookies), a quintessentially Danish Christmas treat you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
Unique Gifts and Crafts to Look for in Christmas Markets in Copenhagen
A Copenhagen Christmas market is an amazing place to search for beautiful decorations, gifts and handmade items that will mean the world to the recipient – and you’ll have a wonderful time as you shop!
There are stalls selling everything from crafts and clothing to artwork, clocks, baubles, leather goods, garlands, glassware, wooden ornaments, children’s toys and knitted items that are a testament to the skill and passion of the artisans behind them.
If you’re stuck for inspiration, here are some of the gifts you can buy at almost any Copenhagen Christmas market:
- Scandinavian hand-poured scented candles set in elegant glass votives are a must-have present for family members.
- Ceramics and jewellery should be carefully packaged to keep them safe on your way home, but a handmade piece of Danish tableware or a gorgeous brooch will be sure to delight.
- For kids, our preference has to be the traditional wooden toys, puppets, carousels and even chess sets. They will last generations and are lovingly crafted with exquisite attention to detail.
- Nothing beats Danish knitwear for warmth and cosiness, and a pair of snug hand-woven socks, gloves or a scarf will easily banish the December chill at home in the UK.
Alongside these wares, you’ll find a wealth of decorations such as trinkets, ornaments and baubles to hang on your own tree or display over your hearth bringing the holiday spirit to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations.
Copenhagen Christmas Market Shopping FAQs
If this is your first time visiting a Copenhagen Christmas market, we appreciate that a few pointers may prove helpful and ensure you find the best Christmas markets and know the confirmed dates well before you travel.
While every Christmas market has convenient opening hours and will guarantee a wonderful atmosphere, it’s normally fine to pay via card if you aren’t carrying Kroner with you – although some stalls selling smaller items prefer cash, most have card readers.
The biggest Christmas markets in Copenhagen are enchanting but may be overwhelming for infants or those with mobility needs. Tivoli Christmas Market is among the most visited, but we’d suggest a trip in November to avoid the crowds and when the queues for the rides will be shorter.
Finally, Copenhagen as a city is very walkable, and the public transport system is reliable and low-cost. However, if you’re worried about walking long distances, it’s best to note that most Christmas markets don’t open until around the late morning, and you should pre-book a taxi if you wish to ensure your day is comfortable and well-organised.
If you’d like further information or advice about planning your trip to visit the best Christmas markets in Copenhagen or other Christmas holidays, please get in touch or browse our short holiday break packages online.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 28th, 2023 at 6:03 pm; on the subject of Denmark.