Copenhagen shines brightest at Christmas time

Copenhagen, Denmark is a gorgeous place to spent the holiday season: the lights, the decorations, the food, and of course the beautiful markets! For a relatively small capital city, Copenhagen has plenty of wonderful Christmas markets to choose from. Here you can take in the festive feeling and browse the stalls for Christmas gifts while sipping on a hot gløgg (mulled wine) or nibbling on some æbleskiver (dough balls with jam and powdered sugar).

Æbleskiver

Here is the LoveLiveTravel roundup of some of the best Christmas markets Copenhagen has to offer for that true taste of the festive season, Danish style:

Christmas at Tivoli

Tivoli’s Christmas Market

A wonderful place to visit any time of year, there’s just something about Tivoli during the holiday season – it’s the ultimate Copenhagen Christmas experience. This nostalgic amusement park dating back to 1843 comes alive with shimmering lights and quaint wooden huts offering up festive wares like woolen knits, Christmas tree decorations, chocolate treats, and much more. This year, Tivoli has a train theme, with many of the stands being housed in old-fashioned box cars centered around a station, and there’s even an old engine for the kids (or kids at heart) to climb inside for a closer look. The Arabian palace-style Hotel Nimb shines with white light, an ornate swan carving on its faux-snow dusted lawn, and the towering Christmas tree sparkles with ornaments.

Hotel Nimb at dusk

At the Julemands Stue, children can visit Denmark’s Santa, the Julemand (the Christmas man) and parents can purchase a souvenir photo of the occasion. Just out front, a small carousel, where even the youngest can take a spin, and in fact all of the park’s rides are open for thrill-seekers. Of course, Tivoli also has a wonderful variety of festive food and drink to try, including the city’s best flæskesteg sandwich – sliced roast pork with crispy crackling with red cabbage, pickled cucumbers, homemade dressing, and a modern twist of a focaccia bun. It’s a true taste of Danish Christmas!

Tivoli’s festive Flæskesteg sandwich

When: November 18th-December 31st, 2017  11am to 11pm weekdays, 12am Fridays and Saturdays (Christmas Eve 10am-5pm and New Years Eve 11am to 12:30am)

Entry: Monday-Thursday 110 DKK, Friday-Sunday 120 DKK/ Age 3-7 50 DKK / Under 3 free

Christmas at Kronborg Castle

For a bit of an adventure, jump on the regional train north to Helsingør, where you’ll find an Renaissance Christmas market at the beautiful Kronborg Castle, Shakespeare’s inspiration for Hamlet’s castle. The winding halls are laden with stalls offering Christmas decorations, handcrafts, clothing and jewellery, while down in the candlelit cellar there is a food market with free samples and plenty to buy to savour later – liqueurs, baked goods, meats, herb mixes, and more. There are classical music performances, shows for the kids, and dancing around the Christmas tree in the sweeping ballroom. You can also explore the historic rooms and exhibitions of Kronborg.

Handcrafts at Kronborg

When: December 2nd-3rd and 9th-10th, 2017 / 10am to 5pm

Entry: 65 DKK, children under 4 free

Nyhavn Christmas Market

Colourful Nyhavn

This market may be small, but it’s the setting that makes it special. Located at Copenhagen’s most famous locale, the colourful harbour of Nyhavn,  little huts line the famous waterway, selling woolen knits, Christmas decorations, hot gløgg, and tasty fudge in countless flavours (try the caramel apple cinnamon!). Garlands of greenery, lights, and Christmas hearts hang overhead, contributing to the festive atmosphere.

When: November 20th-December 23rd, 10am to 7pm/ Fridays and Saturdays until 8pm

Entry: Free

Kongens Nytorv Christmas Market

Stall at Kongens Nytorv

Kongens Nytorv is perhaps Copenhagen’s most bustling hub, and though much of it is taken over by the construction of the new Metro line, it still manages to host a charming market. Though it doesn’t look like much from the outside, once you enter the maze of wooden cabins, you find yourself among stalls packed with Christmas goodies. This is a great market for holiday foods of all kinds – German flammekuchen, Hungarian langos, and salmon cooked over an open flame, as well as the obligatory hot drinks cabin. Just across from this market, you can marvel over the city’s best Christmas decorations on the posh Hotel d’Angleterre. This year their display boasts an advent calendar made of framed LED screens, which reveal a festive image every day.

Hotel d’Angleterre

When: November 18th-December 22nd 2017 / Monday to Wednesday: 11am to 7pm, Thursday 11am to 8pm, Friday 11 am to 9pm, Saturday: 10am  to 9pm, Sunday: 11am to 6pm

Entry: Free

Højbro Plads Christmas Market

Højbro Plads from above

Højbro Plads market is the place for lovers of frankfurters and currywurst to get their fix, along with a tasty glühwein. The market’s red huts, thousands of lights and impressive decorations sit just of the bustling Strøget pedestrian street in the shadow of Christiansborg Palace. You can find a variety of handcrafts here, like paper lanterns, glass ornaments, and of course more woolen knits, as well as some tasty treats like chocolates and caramelized almonds, a Copenhagen Christmas must-try.

Handcrafts at Højbro Plads

When: November 18th-December 23rd 2017 / Monday to Wednesday: 11am to 7pm, Thursday 11am to 8pm, Friday 11am to 9pm, Saturday 10am to 9pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm

Entry: Free

Christiania Christmas Market

Christmas at Christiania’s Grey Hall

For something a bit different, head over the bridge to the island borough of Christianshavn and visit the annual market of the Freetown of Christiania. The Grey Hall is the setting for this community-minded market, where you can find some more unusual items, many of them handmade. The Christmas goodies like gløgg and æbleskiver are far more affordable here than any other market.

When: December 2nd-20th, 12pm to 8pm (closes at 6pm December 20th)

Entry: Free

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!