The best Christmas markets (Julemarkeder) in Copenhagen complement the beautifully decorated shop windows in Denmark during the hygge advent period. The Julemarked on Højbro Plads is Copenhagen’s best Christmas market to visit but Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market at Axeltorv and Julemarked Kongens Nytorv are fun too. The Christmas market at Nyhavn has the most typical Copenhagen backdrop while the market in Christiana is as unique as this alternative living free town. The Christmas decorations at Tivoli are a class act, as are many shop windows in Copenhagen.
The large Christmas markets in Copenhagen are generally open daily from around 11:00 to 19:00 – often a bit later on weekends. Most markets open around 20 November and end a few days before Christmas.
- Only Tivoli is open on and beyond Christmas Day.
Julemarked on Højbro Plads – Copenhagen’s Best Christmas Market
The best Christmas market in Copenhagen is the Julemarked on Højbro Plads in the heart of the old town.
It is often also referred to as the international Christmas market as it follows the typical German Weihnachtsmarkt concept. The log cabins are imported from Tyrol and many stall holders come from Germany so expect the typical good sausages, German-style Glühwein, waffles, pancakes and sweets.
The Christmas market is very conveniently located on Højbro Plads between the Strøget pedestrian street and the Christiansborg Palace (parliamentary complex with a free viewing platform from Copenhagen’s tallest tower).
In 2016, the Julemarked Højbro Plads operates from 19 November to 23 December. It is open daily from 11:00 closing at 19:00 on Monday to Wednesday, 20:00 on Thursday, 21:00 on Friday and Saturday, and 18:00 on Sunday.
Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market at Axeltorv
The Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market moved from the Kultorvet to a new location at Axeltorv in 2016. It follows the typical Julemarked pattern of stalls selling a variety of food and trinkets. At the new location, it might be possible to create a more convivial atmosphere similar to the market at Højbroplads.
The Hans Christian Andersen Julemarked is at Axeltorv between the Palads cinema and Circus theater near Vesterport station and only a block from Tivoli, the central station and Rådhusplads. (Copenhagen’s town hall square has a large Christmas tree but no market!)
In 2016, the Hans Christian Andersen Julemarked is open daily from 11:00 to 19:00 from 18 November to 22 December.
Julemarked Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen
The Julemarked Kongens Nytorv is one of the largest in Copenhagen although currently somewhat restricted by construction of the new metro line taking up much of the space on Kongens Nytorv square.
In addition to the typical stalls, this market is enhanced by the beautiful decorations on the facades of the grand Hotel D’Angleterre and Magasin department store.
In 2016, the Julemarked Kongens Nytorv is open from 18 November to 22 December from 11:00 to 19:00, 20:00 on Friday.
Christmas Market at Nyhavn
Nyhavn with its colorful quayside buildings is the classical Copenhagen tourist postcard motive. This area with its endless open-air restaurants, cafés and bars is always lively but during much of November and December typical Christmas market outdoor stalls add further attractions to the area.
Nyhavn has the best background but the Julemarked here somewhat lacks the charm and cozy atmosphere of other Christmas markets in Copenhagen. Nyhavn somewhat makes up for it by opening earlier than the others.
In 2016, the Christmas market at Nyhavn will be open from 11 November to 23 December, daily from 11:00 to 18:00, 19:00 on weekends.
Christmas in Tivoli Gardens Funfair Park
The Tivoli Gardens funfair park is hugely popular with visitors to Copenhagen and locals alike.
During advent, Tivoli is open for its short Christmas period season and beautifully decorated with special winter and Christmas themes. The park is particularly atmospheric late afternoon, early evening when the lights come on.
Tivoli is not only popular for its funfair rides but also several good restaurants and shopping opportunities.
The Christmas season at Tivoli is generally from around 20 November to 31 December. Opening hours are from 11 to 23:00 (midnight on Friday and Saturday).
Tivoli is actually open on Christmas Day but closes at 16:00 on Christmas Eve (24 December).
Admission to Tivoli is around DKK100 (rides extra).
In 2016, Tivoli Gardens’ Christmas season runs from 19 November to 31 December.
Christmas Market in Freetown Christiana
Freetown Christiana is famous as the alternative hippie lifestyle community in Copenhagen. The area is hugely poplar with foreign visitors but many locals only visits during the Christmas season. (The fairly open drug selling in Pusher Street was mostly stopped in 2016.)
Christiana has a famous Christmas Market held indoors in The Grey Hall. Many small stalls here sell mostly handmade artwork but somewhat disappointingly, most of the sellers seem to be non-locals.
The Christiana Julemarket in Den Grå Hal is mostly open for ten days in mid-December. This Christmas market gets very busy, especially on weekends.
In 2016, the Christiana Christmas Market is open from 9 to 20 December, daily from noon to 20:00.
Royal Copenhagen Christmas Table
The Royal Copenhagen Christmas Table is a popular Copenhagen tradition. Since 1963, the flagship store of Royal Copenhagen on Strøget has invited different artists and celebrities to create six Christmas table settings. These do not necessarily show typical Danish Christmas celebrations but rather the invited artists’ interpretation of a perfect Christmas, of course using ample of the stores huge porcelain and figurine collections.
The exhibition is on the upper floors of the Royal Copenhagen flagship store at Amagertorv 6 – within visual sight of the wonderful Christmas market on Højbroplads.