Christmas Markets in Copenhagen are big thing. We love the decorations, the atmosphere, and of course the Gløgg. There are several Christmas Markets in Copenhagen and the main ones are located in the city centre and there is a good mix of Danish and foreigners visiting these markets.
Below we have created a list of our favourites in the City Centre and for the more local and “neighbourhood” markets you can read our post on The 6 Local and “different” Christmas Markets.
After years of experience I can share the optimal approach to making the most of our Christmas markets. Firstly wrap up warm and then when you are done, wrap a little bit more warm, because it is always colder than you think. Start at one end of the market and as the very first thing – buy a Gløgg. Not the hot apple cider or any other”interpretation” of our Gløgg, buy the real stuff – with raisins and almonds. Then work your way through the market and as your glass of Gløgg empties you find the closest place to get a refill and then continue.
If you haven’t been to Copenhagen before during Christmas, then what will probably stand out the most is that the decorations are not immensely colourful or overpowering, but instead kept in mostly white colours and relatively simple compared to other cultures. As one of our running guests said once: ”your Christmas decorations are very ”Scandinavian design”. After giving it a few moments of thought, the sentence makes sense and I can only encourage you to come and see for yourself (and of course make up your own opinion).
View all the four Christmas markets on Google Maps here.
Christmas Market in Nyhavn
The Christmas market in Nyhavn is nothing less than spectacular. It is stunning, it is quaint and it is very idyllic. Nyhavn is an old harbour from the 1600s and you can probably already imagine the old colourful houses
the canal surrounded by lit up stands and the smell of Gløgg. The trees at the end of the harbour also always have very nice light decorations, so for certain the Christmas market in Nyhavn is one to visit. It is super touristy, but nothing a few glasses of Gløgg won’t make you forget. But consider yourself warned.
Christmas Market German style at Højbro Plads
Are German Christmas markets better than Danish? From a true and passionate Dane the answer is a loud no, but if you are into pretzels, Glühwein and wursts, then this is the Christmas market for you. Why do we have a German Christmas market? Good question, and while I do not know, my best guess is that with so many Christmas markets in Copenhagen one has to differentiate oneself right ? Højbro Plads where this Christmas market is held, is right next to the main shopping street Strøget, so if you are out shopping in Copenhagen this will make a nice deroute. And also, this market is not very far from Ved Stranden 10 which is a very good wine bar in Copenhagen that serves Natural Wine, which makes an even nicer deroute if you ask us ;-).
Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market at Kultorvet
Fairytales, winter and Christmas is probably the epitome of hygge and Christmas atmosphere. This Chrismas market which is just a 1 minute walk from Nørreport station and a 2 minute walk from Torvehallerne is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen. The stalls are named after the poems of Hans Christian Andersen and if you are in need of a bit of Christmas spirit then this is the place to go for butter cookies, Gløgg, hot cocoa and an incredible atmosphere. From a personal point of view, when I think of Hans Christian Andersen and winter, I always think of The Little Match Girl, which is by no means cosy, idyllic or ”feel good” but maybe a trip to the Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market will change this.
Christmas Market in Tivoli
Welcome to the most amazing Christmas universe. If you want to get into the Christmas spirit then a visit to Tivoli is a must. Yes, it is an amusement park, which for lovers, elderly and other people looking for a truly idyllic Christmas market may not sound like the obvious place. But trust me when I say, that this is indeed very special and very unique. The decorations are exceptionally tasteful, the atmosphere with hot coal heaters, carousels, Santa world, and the many stalls are done really well, and it is perfect for a stroll in the afternoon or evening.
Tivoli is located right next to the Central Station so even if you are arriving from outside the city centre this is very central and easy to access.
That is it. All of the above Christmas markets are within a 1½ km radius, so one can easily visit them all in the course of an evening or afternoon. I would actually encourage this as it will provide a nice walk through”Christmas Copenhagen” and you can really breathe in the atmosphere. If you are considering doing so, then unless you would like to go shopping I would advise to avoid Strøget/Købmagergade and instead walk via Strædet, Pisserenden and Pilestræde. These streets are much nicer and more cosy.
Happy Christmas and happy running,
Lena
