The best Christmas markets (Julemarkeder) in Copenhagen complement the beautifully decorated shop windows in Denmark during the hygge advent period — in 2025, many markets 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 on the adjacent Gammerltorv are fun too. A further market is arranged around the large ice-skating rink on the large Kongens Nytorv square at many metro line crossings. 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.
2025 Copenhagen Christmas Market Dates
2025: Copenhagen Christmas Markets Dates — the larger Julemarkeder are open from around 4 November to 21 December, generally open daily from around 11:00 to 19:00 – often a bit later on weekends.
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.
- Only Tivoli is open on and beyond Christmas Day — buy Tivoli tickets online, while the ice-skating rink with some stalls on Kongens Nytorv is open until mid-February 2026.
Free Christmas Markets in Downtown Copenhagen 2025
The large Christmas markets in central Copenhagen follow the same pattern as in recent years with free admission in 2025 and most markets open from 4 November to 21 December 2025.
The top Julermarkeder are:
- Julemarked on Højbro Plads — Copenhagen’s Best Christmas Market
- Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market at Nytorv with a large new market on the adjacent Gammeltorv.
- Ice-skating rink and winter magic at the Copenhagen Winter Wonderland on Kongens Nytorv — best Metro connections and partly open until mid-February 2026.
- 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 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 2025, the Julemarked Højbro Plads operates from 4 November to 21 December 2025. It is open daily from 11:00 and closes 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 2025, 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 14 November to 20 December 2025. Free admission.
Nytorv Julemarked in Copenhagen
The Nytorv Julemarked is one of the largest in Copenhagen and was for years centrally located on Kongens Nytorv. The market moved to Thorvaldsens Plads in 2024, but will be on the large Nytorv / Gammeltorv in the heart of pedestrian Copenhagen.
In addition to the typical stalls, Santa Claus will be in position many days for free consultation and photos with families and children.
In 2025, the Julemarked Nytorv is open from 7 November to 21 December 2025. It is open daily from 11:00 to 19:00 on Monday to Wednesday, 20:00 on Thursday, 21:00 on Friday and Saturday, and 19:00 on Sunday.
Copenhagen Winter Wonderland on Kongens Nytorv
Since 2024, the Copenhagen Winter Wonderland has replaced the Julemarked Kongens Nytorv as the attraction on this centrally located square. 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 2025, the Copenhagen Winter Wonderland is expected to be open from late November to mid-February 2026. Ice-skates may be rented on site.
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 2025, 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 is 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 2025, Tivoli Gardens’ Christmas season runs from 14 November 2025 to 4 January 2025.
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 Grå Hal is mostly open for ten days in mid-December. This Christmas market gets very busy, especially on weekends.
In 2025, the Christiana Christmas Market is open from 8 to 20 December 2025 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.
Neighborhoods and smaller towns often have Christmas markets for a day or a weekend. These are very authentic and mostly locals selling and not commercial enterprises.
Two popular Christmas events in Copenhagen include the lighting of the Christmas lights on the large Christmas trees on Radhuspladsen (both Copenhagen and Frederiksberg) on the weekends of first Advent, and the torchlight kayak parade, usually on the early evening of 13 December on the canal around Slotsholmen.