The best Christmas markets (Julemarkeder) in Copenhagen complement the beautifully decorated shop windows in Denmark during the Advent period — in 2026, some markets open already in early November.
Christmas in Copenhagen is generally a beautiful time of the year, with shop windows especially tastefully decorated. Christmas markets add to the festive experience but are less important than in recent years. The Julemarked on Nytorv and Gammeltorv (also Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market) claims to be the largest Christmas market in Denmark. Food stalls accompany the large ice-skating rink on Kongens Nytorv square. The Christmas market at Nyhavn has the most typical Copenhagen backdrop, while the market in Christiania is as unique as this alternative-living Freetown. The Christmas decorations at Tivoli are a class act, as are many shop windows in Copenhagen. Admission is free to the large Christmas markets in downtown Copenhagen.
In a major change from recent years, the popular Julemarked on Højbro Plads will not be operating in 2026. A special market will be at Rådhuspladsen in front of Copenhagen’s town hall, but only from 11 to 20 December 2026.
2026 Copenhagen Christmas Market Dates
2026: Copenhagen Christmas Market Dates — the larger Julemarkeder are open from 6 November to 21 December, generally open daily from around 11:00 to 19:00 – often a bit later on weekends.
Hotels in Copenhagen are pricey at the best of times, but some bargains may be found during the Christmas period, especially in hotels usually catering to business travelers.
Tivoli is open on and beyond Christmas Day — buy Tivoli tickets online. The ice-skating rink with some food stalls on Kongens Nytorv is open until mid-February 2027.
Free Christmas Markets in Downtown Copenhagen 2026
Some of the large Christmas markets in central Copenhagen will be open from 6 November to 21 December 2026. Admission remains free for the larger markets.
The top large Julemarkeder in Copenhagen are:
- The Julemarked at Gammeltorv and Nytorv (sometimes Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market)
- Ice-skating rink and winter magic at the Copenhagen Winter Wonderland on Kongens Nytorv — best Metro connections and partly open until mid-February 2027.
- Christmas Market at Nyhavn — the postcard-perfect colored houses background is better than the market.
- Julemarked on Højbro Plads, arguably Copenhagen’s best Christmas market, will not take place in 2026. It remains to be seen if the alternative ten-day market at Rådhuspladsen will be as popular.
Julemarked På Rådhuspladsen — New Christmas Market at Copenhagen’s Town Hall in 2026
In recent years, the Julemarked on Højbro Plads in the heart of the old town has been considered Copenhagen’s best Christmas market. However, this market will not be held in 2026. The organisers will arrange a short ten-day market in front of Copenhagen’s town hall from 11 to 20 December 2026.
This market was often also referred to as the international Christmas market, as it followed the typical German Weihnachtsmarkt concept. The log cabins were imported from Tyrol, and many stallholders came from Germany, so they served the typical good sausages, German-style Glühwein, waffles, pancakes, and sweets.
It is expected that the same style of market will be held at the Rådhuspladsen. The location will make it popular, but it is uncertain whether such a short market will be viable.
Christmas Market at Nytorv and Gammeltorv
The Christmas market at Nytorv and Gammeltorv claims to be the largest in Denmark. Centrally located in the pedestrian zone of central Copenhagen, this market is likely to become even more popular with the Højbro Plads market not opening in 2026.
It follows the typical Julemarked pattern of stalls selling a variety of food and trinkets. Santa Claus will be there on many days for children to meet and take photos.
The market also has a small ice skating rink, but the much larger rink on Kongens Nytorv is the better choice for avid skaters.
In 2026, the Christmas market at Nytorv and Gammeltorv is open from 6 November to 21 December 2026 as follows:
- Monday—Wednesday: 11:00 – 19:00
- Thursday: 11:00 – 20:00
- Friday: 11:00 – 21:00
- Saturday: 11:00 – 21:00
- Sunday: 12:00 – 19:00
In previous years, it often functioned as two separate markets: the Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market and the Gammeltorv Julemarked, which previously used Kongens Nytorv and Thorvaldsens Plads in front of the Thorvaldsens Museum.
These two market squares are on either side of the Strøget pedestrian street near the Vor Frue Domkirke (cathedral, which often has free concerts).
Copenhagen Winter Wonderland on Kongens Nytorv
Since 2024, the Copenhagen Winter Wonderland has replaced the Julemarked Kongens Nytorv on this centrally located square at the crossing of several metro lines. The main attraction is a large open-air ice-skating rink (skøjtebane), while the adjacent winter market (vintermarked) aims to serve food of higher quality than the typical Christmas market street food and sweets.
In 2026, the Copenhagen Winter Wonderland is expected to be open from late November to mid-February 2027. Ice skates may be rented on site.
Christmas Market at Nyhavn
Nyhavn, with its colorful quayside buildings, is the classic Copenhagen tourist postcard motif. 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. Prices are often slightly higher than at other markets but not by much. (Copenhagen is an expensive city.)
In 2026, the Christmas market at Nyhavn will likely be open from 5 November to 21 December, daily from 10:00 to 19:00, 20:00 on Friday and Saturday. Free.
Julemarked on Højbro Plads – Copenhagen’s Best Christmas Market Canceled in 2026
In 2026, the Julemarked Højbro Plads will not be held.
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 is beautifully decorated with special winter and Christmas themes. The park is particularly atmospheric in the late afternoon and early evening when the lights come on.
Tivoli is not only popular for its funfair rides but also for several good restaurants and shopping opportunities.
The Christmas season at Tivoli is from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Opening hours are from 11 to 23:00 (midnight on Friday and Saturday).
Tivoli is actually open on Christmas Day but closed on Christmas Eve (24 December).
Buy Tivoli tickets online in advance: basic admission is around DKK210 (DKK390 rides included). Basic admission is covered by the Copenhagen Card.
In 2026, Tivoli Gardens’ Christmas season runs from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Christmas Market in Freetown Christiania
Freetown Christiania is famous as the alternative hippie lifestyle community in Copenhagen. The area is hugely popular with foreign visitors but many locals only visit during the Christmas season.
Christiania 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 Christiania Julemarket in Den Grå Hal is mostly open for ten days in mid-December. This Christmas market gets very busy, especially on weekends.
In 2026, the Christiania Christmas Market is likely to be open from 5 to 20 December 2026 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 making ample use of the store’s huge porcelain and figurine collections.
The exhibition is on the upper floors of the Royal Copenhagen flagship store at Amagertorv 6 near Højbroplads. For savings and bargains, visit the Royal Copenhagen Factory Outlet Store in Frederiksberg.
Almost all shops in Copenhagen have special Christmas displays, which are generally very stylish. The best windows are usually in the Strøget pedestrian area, especially near Højbro Plads. The large department stores are also worth entering to see the Christmas decorations.
Neighborhoods and smaller towns often have Christmas markets for a day or a weekend. These are very authentic and mostly locals selling, not commercial enterprises.
Two popular Christmas events in Copenhagen include the lighting of the Christmas lights on the large Christmas trees on Rådhuspladsen (both Copenhagen and Frederiksberg) on the weekends of first Advent, and the torchlight Santa Lucia kayak parade, usually in the early evening of 13 December on the canal around Slotsholmen.