The Copenhagen Christmas market season for 2026 starts on 6 November, when the stalls go up on Nytorv and Gammeltorv, and Tivoli Gardens follows on 13 November. Copenhagen doesn’t have one big market. Instead you get a handful of smaller ones spread across a compact, walkable centre, plus Tivoli, which has been running since 1843 and turns into a Christmas village each winter.
Below you’ll find the 2026 dates we could confirm, what each market is like, what to eat, how to get around, and where to leave your bags if you arrive before check-in.
Copenhagen Christmas Market 2026 at a Glance
| Market | 2026 dates | Hours | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas in Tivoli | 13 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | Usually from 11:00; check tivoli.dk for each day | Paid ticket |
| Nytorv & Gammeltorv | 6 Nov – 21 Dec | Mon–Wed 11:00–20:00, Thu 11:00–21:00, Fri–Sat 11:00–22:00, Sun 12:00–19:00 | Free (ice rink and skates too) |
| Jul på Højbro Plads | 14 Nov – 20 Dec | Not yet published | Free |
| Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square) | 11 – 20 Dec | Not yet published | Free |
| Nyhavn | Expected late Nov to Dec (not yet announced) | Not yet published | Free |
Christmas in Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli is the headline act of any Copenhagen Christmas market trip. The amusement park sits right opposite Copenhagen Central Station and opens for its Christmas season from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, so it’s still going after most European markets have packed up.
The park fills with Christmas trees, light displays and wooden stalls selling decorations, knitwear, sweets and gifts. Several of the rides keep running in winter, including the old wooden roller coaster, so you can mix a ride or two with a mug of gløgg. There are also Christmas shows on the park’s stages, which you can book separately.
Unlike the city’s other markets, Tivoli charges entry, and ride passes cost extra. Opening hours vary by day and Tivoli has closed on some holidays in past seasons, so check the calendar and buy tickets on Tivoli’s official website before you go. Weekday afternoons are the calmest time to visit, and it’s worth staying until dark, which comes before 16:00 in December, to see the lights.
Other Copenhagen Christmas Market Spots in 2026
The free markets are all within a 15-minute walk of each other along Strøget, the long pedestrian shopping street, so you can easily cover three or four in one afternoon.
Nytorv & Gammeltorv
This is the biggest free Copenhagen Christmas market and the first to open, running from 6 November to 21 December 2026 on the two connected squares by the old courthouse. New for 2026 is a free ice rink with free skate rental. It’s about 200 metres from City Hall Square, and the nearest metro stop is Gammel Strand. The organiser posts updates on julemarked.dk.
Jul på Højbro Plads
A new market for 2026, open 14 November to 20 December, on the square between Strøget and the canal at Gammel Strand. It brings stalls and entertainment from Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, plus a children’s exhibition with talking trees.
City Hall Square (Rådhuspladsen)
A short market runs on Rådhuspladsen from 11 to 20 December. The big city Christmas tree here is traditionally lit on the first Sunday of Advent, which falls on 29 November in 2026. The city hadn’t published the programme when we checked.
Nyhavn and Kongens Nytorv
Nyhavn’s small market along the colourful canal houses usually runs from late November through December. Its 2026 dates weren’t out yet when we checked. Next door on Kongens Nytorv, the Copenhagen Winter Wonderland ice rink is confirmed to return in November 2026, with dates and prices still to come.
Christiania
The indoor market in Den Grå Hal, the big grey hall in Freetown Christiania, is the city’s alternative option, with art, candles, wooden toys and secondhand finds. It normally runs in December. Check Christiania’s own channels for 2026 dates.
Food and Drink to Try
Danish Christmas food is simple and filling. At almost every stall you’ll find these:
- Gløgg, Danish mulled wine, served with raisins and chopped almonds in the cup
- Æbleskiver, round little pancakes dusted with powdered sugar and dipped in jam
- Flæskesteg sandwiches, roast pork with crackling, red cabbage and pickles
- Brændte mandler, warm sugar-roasted almonds sold in paper cones
Copenhagen is not a cheap city, and market food is priced accordingly in Danish kroner (DKK). Denmark doesn’t use the euro. Most stalls take cards and phone payments, but it doesn’t hurt to carry a little cash for the smaller ones.
Getting There and Getting Around
Trains from Copenhagen Airport reach Copenhagen Central Station (København H) in about 15 minutes, and Tivoli’s main entrance is across the road. From there, walk down Strøget to Nytorv and Gammeltorv, then on to Højbro Plads and Nyhavn. If it’s raining, the M3 City Circle metro stops at Rådhuspladsen, Gammel Strand and Kongens Nytorv.
December days are short and often wet and windy, with temperatures usually just above freezing. Bring a waterproof jacket, warm layers and shoes with grip. For events, Christmas concerts and opening hours across the city, VisitCopenhagen keeps an updated calendar.
Luggage Storage Near the Copenhagen Christmas Market
Many visitors arrive by train or plane in the morning and can’t check in until the afternoon, or have a few hours to fill before a late departure. Radical Storage has partner shops and hotels around Central Station and the old town, so you can find luggage storage near Tivoli Gardens and walk to the markets with empty hands.
You book online in a minute, and every bag is protected up to €10,000. Cancellation is free, and with 16.5K+ locations in 2.3K+ cities and a 4.8/5 rating from travellers, you can use the same app on the rest of your trip.
Copenhagen Christmas Market FAQ
The season starts on 6 November 2026 at Nytorv and Gammeltorv. Tivoli opens its Christmas season on 13 November, and Jul på Højbro Plads opens on 14 November.
No. Tivoli is an amusement park and charges an entry ticket, with rides extra. The markets on Nytorv, Gammeltorv, Højbro Plads, Rådhuspladsen and Nyhavn are free to enter.
Christmas in Tivoli runs from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Check tivoli.dk for daily hours and any holiday closures.
Yes, most stalls accept cards and mobile payments. Prices are in Danish kroner (DKK), and a little cash is handy for small stalls.
Radical Storage has partner locations around Copenhagen Central Station, Tivoli and the old town. Book online, drop your bags and pick them up later. Each bag is protected up to €10,000 and cancellation is free.
Weekday afternoons are the quietest. Arrive before dark to see the stalls, then stay after 16:00 when the lights come on.