The best Christmas markets (Julemarkeder) in Copenhagen complement the beautifully decorated shop windows in Denmark during the hygge advent period — in 2024, many markets will open in early November.
The Julemarked on Højbro Plads is Copenhagen’s best Christmas market to visit but the Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market at Nytorv and the 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 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 but there is sometimes a small entrance ticket price for smaller markets at special venues. Hotels in Copenhagen are pricy at the best of times but some bargains may be found during the Christmas period, especially in hotels usually catering to business travelers.
2024: Copenhagen Christmas Markets Dates — the larger Julemarkeder are open from around 5 November to 21 December, generally open daily from around 11:00 to 19:00 – often a bit later on weekends.
- Only Tivoli is open on and beyond Christmas Day — buy Tivoli tickets online.
Free Christmas Markets in Downtown Copenhagen 2024
The large Christmas markets in central Copenhagen follow the same pattern as in recent years with free admission in 2024 and most markets open from 5 November to 21 December 2024.
The top Julermarkeder are:
- Julemarked on Højbro Plads — Copenhagen’s Best Christmas Market
- Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market at Nytorv
- Julemarked Kongens Nytorv — best Metro connections
- Christmas Market at Nyhavn — the postcard-perfect colored houses background is better than the market.
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. Admission is free.
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 stallholders come from Germany so expect the typical good sausages, German-style GlĂĽhwein, 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 2024, the Julemarked Højbro Plads operates from 5 November to 21 December 2024. It is open daily from 11:00 closing at 19:00 on Sunday to Wednesday and 21:00 on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market at Nytorv
The Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market is on Nytorv square just off the Strøget pedestrian street near the Vor Frue Domkirke (cathedral). It follows the typical Julemarked pattern of stalls selling a variety of food and trinkets.
The Nytorv square is around halfway between Copenhagen’s town hall square, which has a large Christmas tree but no market, and the Højbro Square.
In 2024, the Hans Christian Andersen Julemarked is open daily from 11:00 to 19:00 (20:00 on Friday and Saturday & 18:00 on Sunday) from 15 November to 21 December 2024. Free admission.
Julemarked Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen
The Julemarked Kongens Nytorv is one of the largest in Copenhagen and again expanding with Kongens Nytorv square finally completely cleared from the metro construction equipment that covered much of the large square for years.
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 2024, the Julemarked Kongens Nytorv is open from 5 November to 21 December 2024. 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 19:00 on Sunday. Gratis.
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 2024, the Christmas market at Nyhavn will be open from 5 November to 21 December, daily from 10:00 to 19:00, 20:00 on Friday and Saturday. Free.
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 for several good restaurants and shopping opportunities.
The Christmas season at Tivoli is generally from around mid-November to 31 December (or early January). 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 DKK160 (rides extra — around DKK190). Basic admission is covered by the Copenhagen Card.
In 2024, Tivoli Gardens’ Christmas season runs from 15 November 2024 to 5 January 2024.
Christmas Market in Freetown Christiana
Freetown Christiana 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.
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 GrĂĄ Hal is mostly open for ten days in mid-December. This Christmas market gets very busy, especially on weekends.
In 2024, the Christiana Christmas Market is open from 8 to 20 December 2024 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 store’s 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. 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 Stroget pedestrian area, especially near Højbro Plads. The large department stores are also worth entering to see the Christmas decorations.
