Looking for some things to do in Copenhagen in December?
You’ve come to the right article as this complete list of the best things to do in Copenhagen in December will put you right in the festive spirit and leave you falling in love with Copenhagen.
Copenhagen is one of the best places you can visit in December. Being in Scandinavia, visiting during the winter makes for a much more authentic experience. And it leads to better things to do too!
From the Christmas Markets at Tivoli to ice skating outdoors, Copenhagen transforms into a Winter Wonderland in December, and these are some of the best things to do…
Things to Do in Copenhagen in December
While Denmark is great to visit all year round (we especially love it in June), it’s a magical experience visiting in the wintertime. So here are some of the best things to do in Copenhagen in December to help you start planning your trip.
Tivoli Gardens Christmas Markets
Without a doubt, the number one thing to do in Copenhagen in December is to head to Tivoli Gardens.
Tivoli alone is a reason many people visit Copenhagen, and it’s clear to see why. It’s one of the oldest theme parks in the world, and at Christmas Time, it becomes even more special. The best Christmas Markets in Copenhagen are in the park, as well as Santa’s Grotto, reindeers, and more than 1,000 Christmas trees.
Quite a lot!
The atmosphere is guaranteed to give you goosebumps. Plus, you can go on all of the rides too.
Even though Copenhagen is expensive, it’s worth splashing out for something as incredible as Tivoli Gardens.
Nyhavn
Nyhavn is the most photographed spot in Copenhagen. It’s extremely picturesque, especially in December.
The coloured houses are beautiful as they are, but when you add Christmas lights and decorations lining the canal, it’s breathtaking. Especially at night time, it’s something straight out of a dream.
On top of simply admiring the canal, there are lots of restaurants and bars where you can enjoy a meal or a drink and soak in the atmosphere.
Nyhavn perfectly summarises the Danish way of life, where they are super laid back and relaxed. It simply wouldn’t be a trip to Copenhagen without spending some time at Nyhavn.
Ice skating at Frederiksberg Runddel
One of the most wintery things you can do in Copenhagen in December is to go ice skating at Frederiksberg Runddel.
Frederiksberg Runddel is an open area just outside Frederiksberg Gardens, which also makes for a lovely walk. In the winter months, an ice rink is formed in the Runddel and you can go ice skating outside in the cool Danish air.
If you have your own skates, it’s completely free, but for tourists, if you want to rent skates, it costs 60 DKK, which is pretty reasonable! It’s a proper Scandinavian experience, and being outside while ice skating makes you feel like you’re in a movie.
Royal Danish Playhouse
Visiting the Royal Danish Playhouse in Copenhagen during December is perfect for travellers who appreciate culture and the arts.
The Royal Danish Playhouse embraces the festive spirit, hosting a variety of performances that range from classic plays to modern dramas and musicals. One of the most popular performances is “The Nutcracker” which is performed at the Playhouse multiple times each year in the winter months.
Rosenborg Castle
Copenhagen’s Rosenborg Castle is another thing not to miss out on. The castle is beautiful to look at both outside and in. Inside, you’ll find the royal family’s thrones and their crown jewels. The crowns in particular are pretty amazing to see.
Plus, there are gardens around it that are nice for walks. If you can be there for the Changing of the Guards ceremony, it’s amazing and consists of a marching band walking from Rosenborg Castle to Amelianborg, a palace in the centre of Copenhagen.
Christiansborg Palace
Another beautiful palace in the centre of Copenhagen is Christiansborg Palace. What’s good about visiting the city is that most of the sights are close together, which is good as there is no Uber in Copenhagen.
Christiansborg is where the Danish government meets, and it’s a must-see in Copenhagen. It’s a really impressive building and you can get some really cool pictures, especially from the courtyard if the horses are out.
Another thing about Christiansborg is that you can climb to the top of its tower for free and get an amazing view over Copenhagen. Note that there is an airport-like security check to enter Christiansborg.
Enjoy a glass of Gløgg
Gløgg is a traditional Nordic drink which is a spiced, sometimes alcoholic, mulled wine or spirit.
There’s no better time to drink one than in December when it’s cold outside. It’s not just a drink; it’s a cosy, heartwarming experience that embodies the festive spirit of the season.
Drinking Gløgg gives the perfect opportunity to slow down and appreciate the ambience of Copenhagen in its winter beauty. You can find it pretty much anywhere in Copenhagen from cafes to street food stalls, most places that serve hot drinks will have Gløgg as an option on the menu.
Copenhagen Zoo
Copenhagen Zoo is one of the best zoos in the world. It’s got so many rare animals such as polar bears, jaguars, cheetahs and a tiger. But the main attraction is the two Giant Pandas.
Seeing them rolling about eating bamboo is a true pinch-yourself moment. The enclosures in the zoo are also very spacious, and their Elephant House is state-of-the-art. By visiting in December, the zoo isn’t very busy, meaning you can look at the animals without having to wait your turn to get to the front.
When you visit Copenhagen Zoo you can also tell how well looked after the animals are. It’s a really well-run zoo and is helping to repair the reputation that zoos have been given thanks to some less well-run zoos around the world.
National Museum
Since the weather in Copenhagen in December is pretty chilly, you’ll want to do some things indoors every now and again.
The museum summarises the entire history of Denmark in one building, as you are taken from the Stone Age, through the Viking period, and all the way into modern times.
One of the highlights is the extensive collection of Viking artefacts such as ancient coins, which are pretty cool. But Danish krone coins still resemble Viking coins to an extent- how many currencies do you know with a hole in the middle?
Explore Freetown Christiania
Freetown Christiania is a part of Copenhagen where, put simply, laws don’t apply.
Long story short, the residents declared their own rules and it stuck. It’s most known for its open cannabis trade, but there is so much more to it too. The graffiti is also one of Freetown Christiania’s biggest selling points. It’s one of the most unique neighbourhoods you can explore, but just be careful where you take photos.
There are lots of signs saying that photography is not allowed. But that just means you have more attention to soak in the culture of the area.
The Round Tower
If you enjoyed the view from Christiansborg Palace Tower, you will love the view from the Round Tower.
The Round Tower is a tower with the single best view over Copenhagen. You can see for miles. And the tower itself is quite unique too as rather than a spiral staircase, it’s a continuous slope going round and round until you reach the top.
There are also some rooms on the way up and a church at the bottom. But of course, the main attraction is the view from the top. Words can’t do it justice, you simply need to see it for yourself to appreciate its true beauty.
Torvehallerne Food Market
Copenhagen is a food-lover’s paradise. If you’re a foodie, then you should dedicate a good amount of time to Torvehallerne Food Market. It’s the best place in Copenhagen for some authentic Danish food.
The most popular Danish foods to try are ‘æbleskiver’, which is pancake balls dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam, ‘smørrebrød’, a traditional open-faced sandwich, and you can’t visit here without trying some of the Gløgg mentioned earlier.
There are over 60 stalls to choose from, so there’s a little bit of everything. On top of the tasty food, it has a really nice atmosphere and is decorated with lots of Christmas lights in the festive season.
Botanical Gardens
One of the best things you can do in Copenhagen and throughout the rest of the year is to visit the Botanical Gardens.
The Botanical Gardens in Copenhagen are truly beautiful. Copenhagen is a pretty relaxed city as it is, so you aren’t escaping the usual “hustle and bustle” of city life, but it’s still nice to take a relaxing hour at the Botanical Gardens.
There are lots of greenhouses which you can walk through, and they’re pretty humid so it’s also a nice way to warm up in the cold weather. The Palm House is particularly humid, and it’s also a really photographable spot with the spiral staircase which makes the Botanical Gardens famous.
An added bonus is that it’s completely free to enter the Gardens, as it’s considered a public park. Note that there is an entry fee for the Palm House though.
Canal tour
There are lots of ways to get around Copenhagen; walking, bikes, taxis (there’s no Uber in Copenhagen), but the best way is by canal.
Taking a canal tour of Copenhagen is an unnegotiable “must-do” when visiting the city. The only downside of visiting in December is that some canals may be frozen and you aren’t able to go to certain places, but it’s still worth doing.
Copenhagen was designed to be viewed from the canals, especially Nyhavn, which is even more beautiful from the water.
Experience the Danish hygge
Last but by no means least of these things to do in Copenhagen is to simply experience the Danish hygge.
Hygge (pronounced ‘hoo-ga’) is a Danish word that doesn’t have a direct translation in English but essentially encapsulates a feeling of cosy contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life.
Copenhagen is the perfect place to do this, and it’s part of the reason why it’s a good place to spend your 30th birthday. Simply sitting at Nyhavn, for example, and watching the world go by is so peaceful and relaxing.
So while there are so many things to do in Copenhagen and so many things to cram into an itinerary, make sure to account for some down time, for some hygge. There’s a reason Copenhagen is one of the happiest cities in the world, and hygge plays a big part in this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some questions related to things to do in Copenhagen in December along with answers to each question.
Is Copenhagen worth visiting in December?
Yes, Copenhagen is worth visiting in December. It transforms into a magical, festive Winter Wonderland. There are lots of activities to do like checking out Tivoli Gardens Christmas Markets, ice skating outside, catching a performance and more.
Is there snow in Copenhagen in December?
The average daily temperature in Copenhagen in December is 3°C / 37.4°F, so there is a possibility of snow. But the months with the most snow are January and February.
What time does it get dark in Copenhagen in December?
It gets dark around 4 pm in Copenhagen in December. Even when the city is dark, it has a cosy feel to it. Copenhagen is also very safe, even when it is dark.
Final Thoughts: Things to Do in Copenhagen in December
And there you have it, a complete list of the best things to do in Copenhagen in December.
Copenhagen really comes to life in December, it’s definitely a magical and special experience visiting in the festive season.
From having fun at the markets in Tivoli Gardens to catching a performance at the Playhouse, you’ll be sure to leave Copenhagen excited for the holidays.
Author Bio
This post was written by Josh Band from A Backpacker’s World. Josh loves to write about backpacking all around the world. From Southeast Asia to Europe, and everything in between, Josh loves to explore and spend as little as possible while doing so. Who doesn’t love budget travelling, right?
