December is a wonderful time to visit Copenhagen, as the city comes alive with Christmas lights, markets, and seasonal events. There are plenty of things to see and do, from festive boat tours and ice skating to Christmas performances and delicious food experiences.
Our guide will help you make the most of your visit, whether you want to explore Copenhagen’s Christmas markets, experience local traditions, or find other Christmassy things to do.
December is the perfect time to explore Copenhagen’s Christmas markets. Browse festive stalls filled with ornaments and gift ideas, warm up with a cup of glögg, and treat yourself to æbleskiver and other Christmas favorites while enjoying the lights and holiday atmosphere.
Located on two historic squares right by Copenhagen’s shopping street Strøget, this large Christmas market is easy to combine with a day of sightseeing and shopping. Explore the decorated stalls, enjoy Christmas treats.
Address: Nytorv & Gammeltorv
Open: Daily through December 21
Stop by Copenhagen’s City Hall Square for another dose of Christmas spirit in the heart of the city. Browse the stalls, grab something warm to drink, and enjoy the festive atmosphere before continuing toward Strøget or Tivoli.
Address: City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen)
Open: December 11 through December 21
For something a little different, head to Christiania and visit the indoor Christmas market in Den Grå Hal. The market has been a December tradition for decades and is filled with colorful stalls selling crafts, gifts, food, and drinks. Live music adds to the atmosphere, and admission is free.
Address: Den Grå Hal, Refshalevej 2
Getting there: Hop off at stop 32 on Stromma's Hop On-Hop Off buses
Open: December 8 through December 20
Head a little outside the city center for Christmas at Bakken, where the amusement park is filled with lights, festive stalls, and seasonal activities. Browse the Christmas market, go ice skating, watch the Christmas parade, and enjoy some of the rides while you’re there.
Address: Dyrehavsbakken 51
Open: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through December 20
Photo by Visit Copenhagen
Want to visit a true winter wonderland this December? Stop by the always-magical Tivoli, transformed into something straight out of a fairytale. The iconic amusement park twinkles with thousands of lights and cheerful decorations, while the scent of Christmas treats mingles with laughter and joyful screams from the rides.
Take the kids to see Santa in his house, browse the festive stalls, and enjoy the rides and seasonal activities. After dark, you can also catch Tivoli’s Christmas projection show in front of Nimb, which is included with your entrance ticket.
A trip to Tivoli is an absolute must when in Copenhagen, and if you want to skip the entrance line, you can buy your ticket with us.
Experience Christmas in Tivoli from November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027.
Address: Vesterbrogade 3
Getting there: Join Stromma's Hop On-Hop Off buses to stop 12
Photo by Tivoli
If you're in Copenhagen on December 13, don’t miss the city’s floating Lucia Parade. Hundreds of illuminated kayaks sail through the canals while the choir stops to sing at selected points along the route, creating one of Copenhagen’s most atmospheric December traditions.
You can watch the parade from land at several spots along the route:
17:15: Nyhavn
17:45: Christianshavn
18:10: BLOX
18:30: Højbro Plads / Gammel Strand
18:45: Finale with communal singing at Kayak Bar
If you want to experience the parade from the water, you can join one of our special Lucia Canal Cruises. We offer both extended and shorter cruises along the parade route, as well as a covered and heated viewing boat docked at Ved Stranden if you prefer to stay in one place and watch the parade pass by.
Photo by Lukas Bukoven
See Copenhagen from the water and add a little extra Christmas spirit to your December visit. Choose between our cozy Christmas Canal Tour with drinks and traditional Danish Christmas treats, or enjoy live music on board our Christmas Jazz Cruise.
The Christmas Canal Tour lasts 90 minutes and takes place after dark, giving you the chance to enjoy the city lights while cruising through Copenhagen’s waterways. Drinks and seasonal treats such as pebernødder and klejner are included in your ticket. Join the tour from Ved Stranden 26.
If live music is more your thing, hop on board the Christmas Jazz Cruise and enjoy one hour of swinging jazz as you sail through the canals and harbor. This swinging canal tour departs from Nyhavn 3.
Both tours take place on covered and heated boats, so you can sit back, warm up, and enjoy Copenhagen from the water even on a cold December day.
In December, several ice-skating rinks pop up across Copenhagen, turning the city into a winter playground. You don’t need your own skates, as you can rent a pair at the rinks and simply join in whenever you feel like it.
One of the most popular spots is Broens Skøjtebane, beautifully set between Nyhavn and Christianshavn. Here, you can glide across the ice surrounded by twinkling lights and the scent of hot drinks and street food from nearby stalls.
Go round and round the circular skating rink at Kongens Nytorv while admiring the historic buildings, Christmas lights, and views toward Nyhavn. With Christmas music playing and the busy city all around you, it’s a pretty special place for a spin on the ice.
Another favorite is Frederiksberg Runddel, located right by Frederiksberg Garden. Locals and visitors alike gather here to skate, laugh, and enjoy the wintry atmosphere. If you're traveling with kids, take them to the fun playgrounds in the park or visit Copenhagen Zoo, just a few minutes' walk from the skating rink.
Ice skating in Copenhagen is one of the most joyful things to do in December. Whether you’re spinning gracefully or holding onto the railing, it’s the perfect way to embrace the winter spirit and a little hygge on ice. Find the rinks on the map below.
Photo by Mark Tanggaard
Experience Marie's magical and enchanting journey in George Balanchine's The Nutcracker on the beautiful Old Stage at the Royal Danish Theatre. Enjoy Tchaikovsky's well-known music, beautiful costumes, and impressive ballet while following Marie into a magical world filled with dancing snowflakes, toy soldiers, and the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Address: Kongens Nytorv 9
Is there anything more delicious than a sticky cinnamon bun, a tasty Danish, or a gooey chocolate chip cookie? In the land of hygge, these mouthwatering treats rank high on the self-care scale, and that’s probably why the city has so many amazing bakeries.
Choosing a favorite isn’t easy, but here are some of our favorite bakeries in Copenhagen:
Come for the famous cardamom bun, and don’t be surprised if you end up ordering more than one. Juno has become one of Copenhagen’s best-known bakery stops, with beautifully made pastries, great coffee, and a relaxed neighborhood feel.
Step inside Copenhagen’s oldest bakery and try one of its popular cinnamon rolls. Sankt Peders Bageri has been part of the city for generations, making it a great stop if you want a little history with your pastry.
Make your way to Refshaleøen for a bakery experience that feels a little different from the rest. Lille Bakery is known for its organic ingredients, simple surroundings, and seasonal baking, including Christmas treats and Lucia buns in December.
Head to Carlsberg Byen for modern takes on classic Danish baking. Københavns Bageri combines traditional recipes with a more contemporary approach, making it a great place to try familiar Danish favorites with a twist.
Want to make it extra special?
For something a little more luxurious, stop by Maison d’Angleterre on Kongens Nytorv. The elegant pâtisserie offers beautifully made cakes, pastries, macarons, and chocolates, perfect for a special December treat in the heart of Copenhagen.
Take a seat at Copenhagen’s oldest café and make room for cake. La Glace has been serving cakes and sweet treats since 1870, and if you want to try one of their classics, go for the famous Sportskage with nougat crunch, whipped cream, macaroon, and caramelized choux pastry.
Explore these Copenhagen favorites and find your very own favorite. Check the map below for their locations.
Photo by Daniel Rasmussen
Hviids Vinstue has been part of Copenhagen for more than 300 years and has always been a gathering place for locals, regulars, and artists alike. The bar has survived events such as the great fires of 1728 and 1795, the English bombardment in 1801, and the occupation during World War II. If only walls could talk.
Glögg is a beloved Danish Christmas tradition, and Hviids has been serving its famous mulled wine since 1945. The recipe has remained unchanged for decades and is so popular that they even bottle it. If you fall in love with it or simply want to show off your Copenhagen visit to friends and family, you can take a bottle home.
Address: Kongens Nytorv 19
Travel back in time at Frilandsmuseet and experience a Danish Christmas from the olden days. Visit the historic houses and see how Danes used to decorate for the holidays, enjoy Christmas treats such as æbleskiver and glögg, and take a cozy Christmas walk under glowing lanterns.
Have fun watching the Christmas play Drillenissen, where mischievous elves play tricks on the farmer who forgot to give them their porridge. Before heading back to Copenhagen, stop by the shop and bring home a little piece of Christmas past with retro ornaments and decorations.
Check the specific Christmas opening hours on their website before going.
Address: Kongevejen 100, Lyngby
Getting there: From Copenhagen Central Station, take the E-line S-train toward Holte and get off at Sorgenfri Station. From there, it’s about an 800-meter walk to Frilandsmuseet.
Below, you’ll find a map highlighting the nine best things to do in Copenhagen this December. Put on your most comfortable shoes, dress warmly – and in layers – for the winter weather, and explore these wonderful spots around the city.
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