Photo: © Rolands Varsbergs / VisitDenmark
When winter arrives, Copenhagen fills with lights, Christmas stalls, warm drinks and the smell of roasted almonds.
Some of the Christmas markets are large and central. Others are smaller, local and a little more tucked away.
I live in Frederiksberg and have spent many Christmas seasons in and around Copenhagen, including several years exhibiting at the Christmas market in Brøndsalen. So this is my personal guide to the markets and December places I think are worth knowing.
Updated throughout the season
Several organisers have not yet published their final dates for Christmas 2026. I will update this guide as dates are confirmed. Where a 2026 date has not yet been announced, I say so clearly.
Christmas in my own corner of Copenhagen
I live and work in Frederiksberg, and this is also where Ugly Duckli belongs.
For several years I had my own stand at the Christmas market in Brøndsalen, so I have a particular affection for the smaller local Christmas traditions as well as the big markets in central Copenhagen.
Haveselskabet has not yet confirmed whether its Christmas market will return in 2026. I will update this guide when there is news.
Christmas markets I am watching for 2026
Some are Copenhagen classics. Others are smaller local markets with their own atmosphere. I update the dates as the organisers publish them.
1. Christmas market in Nyhavn
2026 date awaiting confirmation
Nyhavn seems almost made for December. The coloured houses, harbour, lights and Christmas stalls along the waterfront make it one of the places where Copenhagen feels particularly festive.
You will typically find warm drinks, seasonal food and small gifts, while the historic harbour provides most of the atmosphere for free.
Where: Nyhavn, Copenhagen K
13 December
Lucia in kayaks
One of my favourite December experiences is the Lucia procession on the water. Illuminated kayaks move through Copenhagen’s canals and pass, among other places, Nyhavn.
14 November to 20 December 2026
2. Jul På Højbro Plads
There will once again be a Christmas market on historic Højbro Plads in 2026. The market has a new owner and will be presented from this year under the name Jul På Højbro Plads.
Christmas traditions from Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands will meet here through stalls, food, design, crafts, music, entertainment and seasonal activities. Children will also be able to experience an interactive Christmas display with magical talking trees and the new story of Julius Klejne.
Where: Højbro Plads, Copenhagen K
Admission: Free
Website: kbhjulemarked.dk
3. H.C. Andersen Christmas Market at Nytorv and Gammeltorv
6 November to 21 December 2026
This market adds a little fairytale atmosphere to Christmas. The small stalls are inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s universe, and the location is wonderfully central between Strøget and the old streets around Nytorv.
Where: Nytorv and Gammeltorv, Copenhagen K
4. Christmas market at City Hall Square
2026 date awaiting confirmation
The organiser has announced that there will be a Christmas market at Copenhagen City Hall Square in 2026. The final dates have not yet been published, so I will update the guide once they are confirmed.
Where: Rådhuspladsen, Copenhagen V
5. Christmas around Kongens Nytorv
2026 date awaiting confirmation
Kongens Nytorv is a natural centre for Christmas in Copenhagen. From here you can continue towards Nyhavn, Strøget, Magasin and Hotel d’Angleterre, all of which become part of the city’s Christmas atmosphere.
Where: Kongens Nytorv, Copenhagen K
6. Christmas in Tivoli
13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Christmas in Tivoli is much more than a Christmas market. The entire garden is transformed with lights, Christmas trees, stalls, rides and seasonal food.
There is an entrance fee, but if you want one big Christmas experience right in the middle of Copenhagen, Tivoli remains something rather special.
Where: Tivoli Gardens, Vesterbrogade
7. Christiania Christmas Market
2026 date awaiting confirmation
The Christmas market in Den Grå Hal at Christiania has a character all its own. Expect crafts, colours, textiles, food and gifts in a more bohemian setting than the traditional central Copenhagen markets.
Where: Den Grå Hal, Christiania
8. Christmas in Dragør
21–22 November, 28–29 November, 5–6 December, 12–13 December and 19–20 December 2026; Saturday and Sunday 12–17
Dragør is a little outside central Copenhagen, but it almost becomes a Christmas excursion in itself. The yellow houses, cobbled streets and old town create a completely different atmosphere from the city centre.
Where: Badstuevælen, Dragør old town
9. Haveselskabet Christmas Market in Frederiksberg
Not yet confirmed for 2026
This traditional market in Haveselskabets Have has a special place in my heart because I had my own stand here for several years.
Haveselskabet currently states that the market was last held in November 2025 and that they have not yet decided whether it will return in 2026.
Where: Haveselskabets Have, Frederiksberg
10. Swedish Church Christmas Bazaar
20–22 November 2026; Friday 20 November 15–19, Saturday 21 November 10–18, Sunday 22 November 10–17
On Østerbro you can enjoy a small taste of Swedish Christmas with seasonal specialities, a lottery, decorations and the atmosphere around Svenska Gustafskyrkan.
Where: Svenska Gustafskyrkan, Østerbro
11. Christmas in Jægersborggade
2026 date awaiting confirmation
Jægersborggade is worth watching if you prefer small shops, design, coffee and local Nørrebro atmosphere rather than the large markets in the centre.
Where: Jægersborggade, Nørrebro
12. Flids Christmas Market
11–13 December 2026; Friday 12–18, Saturday and Sunday 11–17
Flids brings together artists, designers and craftspeople and is a good place to look for ceramics, jewellery, textiles, prints and things you are unlikely to find in a large chain store.
Where: Nørrebrohallen, Nørrebrogade 208
13. RAW Market
2026 date awaiting confirmation
RAW has traditionally had a more experimental craft and design character. It is one to watch if you would like to find something a little less conventional.
14. Bryggen Christmas Market
2026 date awaiting confirmation
Islands Brygge also has local Christmas markets where small producers, handmade pieces and neighbourhood December atmosphere appear close to the harbour.
15. Christmas on Værnedamsvej
2026 date awaiting confirmation
Værnedamsvej sits right on the border between Frederiksberg and Vesterbro and has its own small-town feeling with cafés and specialist shops. When the street holds a Christmas event, it is a lovely local alternative to the city centre.
Perhaps you would like to take a little Danish Christmas tradition home
If walking through the Christmas markets has put you in the mood for something more Danish, you can try weaving one of the classic red and white paper hearts yourself.
I have made a free illustrated step-by-step guide in both English and Danish, and you are very welcome to download, print and use it.
Or gather people around a table and weave together
I also bring the Danish Christmas-heart tradition out to companies, international teams, universities, embassies, organisations and communities in Copenhagen.
It can be a shared experience for an agreed group, or open heart weaving at a larger Christmas event. Nobody needs previous experience. Beginners start with the small heart, and those who want to continue can weave the larger one too.
Large groups are welcome as well. I can bring additional helpers when needed, because everyone should be able to get personal help and experience the pleasure of successfully weaving a heart.
And for a very small group, you can come home to me in Frederiksberg
I also host the Private Paper Heart Experience for one private group of one to six guests.
We sit around my table, talk about the Danish Christmas-heart tradition and Hans Christian Andersen, and weave the hearts together. There is time for conversation, mistakes and another attempt if the first heart does not quite behave.
A few practical questions about Copenhagen Christmas markets
When do Copenhagen Christmas markets open in 2026?
Which Copenhagen Christmas markets are the most popular?
Are Copenhagen Christmas markets free?
Where can I learn more about Danish woven Christmas hearts?
Can Ugly Duckli bring a Christmas-heart experience to our company or organisation?
Can I experience the tradition privately?
If you are writing about Danish Christmas
You are very welcome to link to this guide or use Ugly Duckli as a source on Danish woven Christmas hearts and Christmas traditions.
I can also help with background information, images and short comments.
I hope you find a little of the Christmas atmosphere you are looking for
You do not have to visit every market. Choose a few places that appeal to you, dress warmly and leave a little time simply to walk around Copenhagen when the Christmas lights come on.
And perhaps you will take a small Danish Christmas heart home with you too.
Rikke is the founder of Ugly Duckli in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen. She shares her love of the Danish tradition of woven Christmas hearts and the stories, memories and people connected to them.
Ugly Duckli is built around a simple idea: When we weave hearts, we weave ourselves into each other’s lives.
Rikke creates Ugly Duckli’s own paper heart designs and welcomes international guests into her Frederiksberg home for the Private Paper Heart Experience, where they learn to weave traditional Danish Christmas hearts.