Copenhagen Christmas Markets 2026

At a glance

2026 dates

13 November 2026–3 January 2027 (Tivoli); Højbro Plads 14 November–20 December 2026

Opening hours

Tivoli hours vary by date: choose your day in the official calendar. Højbro Plads has a separate timetable.

Entry

Tivoli requires paid admission; rides and some shows cost extra. Check the chosen date and ticket inclusions. City-market arrangements differ.

Rail / nearest useful station

København H for Tivoli; Kongens Nytorv for the harbour area

Best time to go

Daylight first, then return for the lights (our planning suggestion)

Setting

Tivoli Gardens; Højbro Plads and seasonal city markets

Our verdict

How we choose and check our guides

The market

Copenhagen works best as a Christmas weekend with two different moods. Begin with Tivoli, whose Christmas season runs from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, then leave another part of the trip for the city’s squares. The municipal visitor service confirms the same opening day, and Tivoli’s dated programme extends into January. Choose your exact day in the official calendar before buying: opening times, ticket inclusions and performances need their own checks.

Inside Tivoli, let the decorated gardens be the main event rather than rushing from one ride to another. Follow the lights, look at the stalls and choose a warm pause when you need it. Admission is separate from many rides and performances, so decide what sort of visit you want before booking. A gentle wander can be enough; families who want rides should compare the relevant ticket options and restrictions.

For a city-centre contrast, Højbro Plads has confirmed Christmas dates of 14 November to 20 December 2026. The official tourism listing describes food and craft traditions from Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Browse with curiosity and ask about the objects that interest you. Carry a bag that closes securely, and think about how you will protect delicate presents before the journey home.

Nyhavn adds harbour views and seasonal atmosphere, but check its current market listing separately rather than applying Tivoli’s dates to the whole city. Leave room between the main stops for a café and a little daylight exploring. Wind and rain can make a short waterfront walk feel quite different from the same distance on an indoor map. You need not see every stall: a comfortable route, one thoughtful gift and an evening among the lights make a satisfying break.

More about the market ↗ · More about the market ↗ · More about the market ↗ · More about the market ↗ · More about the market ↗

Tivoli after dark

Save time for an unhurried look at the illuminated gardens.

Tivoli after dark — tivoli.dk

Højbro Plads

Explore the confirmed14November–20December2026 city-centre market.

Højbro Plads — visitcopenhagen.com

A Danish Christmas taste

The municipal visitor guide lists traditional treats; check each stall’s actual menu.

A Danish Christmas taste — visitorservice.kk.dk

A harbour pause

Make Nyhavn a separate daylight stroll, checking its own seasonal arrangements.

A harbour pause — visitcopenhagen.com

Eat and drink

Æbleskiver

Official Tivoli Christmas food category

Æbleskiver

Pancake puffs listed in the municipal visitor guide to Christmas in Tivoli.

Official food categoryOrganiser food guide ↗

Gingerbread hearts

Official Tivoli Christmas food category

Gingerbread hearts

Look for a seasonal sweet, checking the stall’s current ingredients.

Official food categoryOrganiser food guide ↗

Marzipan

Official Tivoli Christmas food category

Marzipan

A traditional treat in the official visitor guide; check portions and allergens.

Official food categoryOrganiser food guide ↗

Roast pork sandwiches

Official Tivoli Christmas food category

Roast pork sandwiches

A savoury option described by the municipal visitor service.

Official food categoryOrganiser food guide ↗

Rice pudding

Official Tivoli Christmas food category

Rice pudding

The visitor guide includes rice pudding among the Christmas treats.

Official food categoryOrganiser food guide ↗

Official seasonal food category

Gløgg

VisitCopenhagen describes this warming drink as part of Nyhavn’s Christmas atmosphere.

Official food categoryOrganiser food guide ↗

Where we’d stay

Around Tivoli and København H

Useful for the main Christmas visit and railway arrivals; ask about the precise hotel entrance.

Vesterbro

Compare smaller hotels just west of the station, checking your return walk and room requirements.

Our pick

Scandic Palace Hotel

An established City Hall Square hotel near the Tivoli side of the centre.

6-minute mapped walk to Tivoli mapped main entrance · Hotel information

Check prices

Also good

Absalon Hotel

A family-owned hotel in Vesterbro, west of Copenhagen Central Station.

12-minute mapped walk to Tivoli mapped main entrance · Hotel information

Check prices

Splurge

Andersen Boutique Hotel

A smaller design hotel on Helgolandsgade in Vesterbro.

12-minute mapped walk to Tivoli mapped main entrance · Hotel information

Check prices

Best value

Wakeup Copenhagen – Bernstorffsgade

Compare this minimalist budget hotel on Bernstorffsgade for your dates.

16-minute mapped walk to Tivoli mapped main entrance · Hotel information

Check prices

Also good

Nimb Hotel

A boutique-hotel treat overlooking Tivoli Gardens; check ticket inclusions separately.

9-minute mapped walk to Tivoli mapped main entrance · Hotel information

Check prices

See all stays in Copenhagen ↗

We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.

Book early for weekends. The walking times are measured routes to Tivoli mapped main entrance; give yourself a little longer for a relaxed stroll through the market.

Map

Find the market streets, arrival points, parking and places to stay. The map loads as you approach this section; mouse-wheel scrolling stays with the page.

Choose Explore the map to pan and pinch to zoom; choose Finish exploring or press Escape to return to page scrolling. Pins show places, not the precise position of individual stalls.

Open in Google Maps ↗

Coordinates: OpenStreetMap contributors. Organiser toilet and access information. Temporary toilet locations use the named street/site as a navigation point; ask staff for the exact unit.

Make it a weekend

Day one · Your main Christmas visit

1. Late morning

   Find your main market

   Arrive, leave your bags and get your bearings before the main visit.

2. Lunch

   Choose a market taste

   Read menus and prices, and ask about ingredients before ordering.

3. Afternoon

   Browse at your own pace

   Give the crafts time, with a warm indoor pause when you need one.

4. Evening

   Return for the lights

   Enjoy another circuit after dark, keeping time for your return journey.

Day two · A little more of the city

1. Morning

   A gentle city stroll

   Use daylight for another part of the city, checking opening times separately.

2. Midday

   One last favourite

   Return to a favourite stall or choose a separate market after checking its dates.

3. Departure

   Leave time for the transfer

   Collect your bags and check the dated station or airport journey.

What a Brit needs to know

Travelling on a full British citizen passport? For these Schengen trips, check that it was issued less than ten years before arrival and expires at least three months after you leave. Tourist visits across the Schengen area count towards a combined 90 days in any 180-day period.

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is in use. First registration can involve a photograph and fingerprints, so leave extra time at the border. There is no advance EES application or charge; for Eurostar from London, border checks take place before departure.

For a December 2026 trip, recheck ETIAS before you travel. At our 24 October 2026 check, official guidance had not announced a confirmed launch date and said no application was needed yet. A future requirement cannot be settled by your market booking date.

GOV.UK passport and Schengen rules · Official EES guidance · Official ETIAS updates

Take suitable travel insurance for the whole trip and a valid UK GHIC or eligible EHIC. The card covers medically necessary state healthcare on the same terms as local residents; it does not replace insurance or cover private treatment and getting you home.

NHS healthcare cover and insurance guidance

Money and December essentials

Denmark uses Danish kroner (DKK), not euros, and is in the Schengen area. Check each stall’s accepted cards and whether cash is needed. December is CET, one hour ahead of the UK. Pack windproof and waterproof layers, shoes with grip and a suitable adaptor; check the forecast for the actual weekend.

Getting there from the UK

Getting here from the UK

British Airways publishes direct London–Copenhagen flights, with an approximate flight time of 1 hour 50 minutes. Use a dated airline search for the weekend you want. From Copenhagen Airport, plan the onward train or Metro and your hotel walk separately, leaving time for passport control, baggage and waiting.

Whole-journey planning: Direct London–Copenhagen flights; roughly 6–8 hours door to door is an editorial planning estimate. Substitute your own airport access, check-in allowance, arrival formalities and dated transfer.

On Instagram

Practical information

Official links

• Market organiser · current visitor information
• Official visitor source
• Official visitor source
• Official visitor source
• Official visitor source
• Official visitor source
• Official visitor source
• Official visitor source
• Official visitor source
• Official access information