December in Copenhagen is a magical time of year. While the days are short, the spirits are high, mostly fueled by gløgg, æbleskiver, and impressive displays of holiday lights.
With the opening of the Tivoli Gardens’ Christmas Market, the start of ice skating season at the Kongens Nytorv ice rink, and the Royal Danish Ballet performing The Nutcracker now until December 21, there’s no question that December is a great time to experience the City of Spires.
Here’s where to eat, drink, shop, and be merry when you visit.
Where to Eat the Best Traditional Christmas Smørrebrød Lunch
As one of the food capitals of the world, there’s no shortage of ways to eat and drink your way through Copenhagen. But there’s without a doubt one dish you can’t miss when you get there, and that’s smørrebrød, the open-faced sandwiches synonymous with Danish cuisine.
Restaurant Sankt Annæ
Housed in a historic building dating back to 1837, Restaurant Sankt Annæ is where Danish lunch traditions shine. Start with pickled herring on black bread topped with dill, red onion, capers, and a raw egg yolk, before moving into their impressive menu of traditional smørrebrød. Wash it down with an Aalborg snaps and a Tuborg Christmas beer and you’re well on your way to passing as a local. This place is even a favorite of the King, so you know it’s good.
Hvide Lam (White Lamb)
With all the biking and walking you’ll be doing around town, there’s no doubt you’ll need an afternoon snack, as well as an ice cold Tuborg Classic and a sidecar (snaps). Stop into Hvide Lam before 3 pm and eat a humble version of smørrebrød like the coal merchants used to do in this cozy tavern dating back to the 1800s. If you find yourself enjoying your time there a little too much and the afternoon disappears before you know it, every evening jazz musicians play from 8:30 – 11:30 pm.
2 Essential Copenhagen Bars Not to Miss in December
With akvavit (snaps), literally being the water of life, and gløgg (mulled wine) being sold by the thousands of glasses, Copenhageners know a think or two about how to stay warm, and enjoy life, in December. We should all take note.
Hviids Vinstue
For a classic glass of gløgg (mulled wine), there’s no better place than the iconic Hviids Vinstue. They sell more than 100,000 glasses of the stuff from November to December.
A former 18th century speakeasy, and known as being the headquarters for an illegal wine trade when it first began, it’s no wonder this place has become a legacy venue. With mulled wine that’s laboratory tested and confirmed to have an alcohol percentage of 21 percent, the nearly 77 year old owner Per Møller knows a thing or two about getting into the holiday spirit – and how to keep it going. While it’s debated if it’s the oldest bar in Copenhagen, it surely wins the title of best place to enjoy a glass (or three) of gløgg.
Enjoy a glass before checking out the Christmas lights at Hotel d’Angleterre and the Christmas Market in Kongens Nytorv. If you find yourself going to see the Royal Danish Ballet perform The Nutcracker, be sure to stop in here before the performance, like a real local.
Epicurus: Christmas with Camille Sledge Dec 2 – 30
There’s no better way to end a day of exploring Copenhagen than by listening to holiday classics in one of the city’s best jazz bars, Epicurus. With two concert seatings nightly in the subterranean concert hall, a night here is an experience that’s been carefully curated by some of the best in the business. In true Danish style, everything here is intentional, from the state-of-the-art Bösendorfer 230 Vienna Concert piano to the flight of drinks that come included when you reserve a seat for the concert, as well as the specially curated cocktails. Upstairs, a six-course dinner menu from Head Chef Oliver Bergholt is also worth the splurge.
Shop the Finest in Danish Design (and What to Buy)
When it comes to architecture, furniture making, and leatherwork, no other country comes close to Danish design. And because it’s the holiday season, here are a few places to shop for the finest of what these functional innovators have to offer.
Dahlman 1807 Leather
When it comes to leather goods, no one does it better to Dahlman 1807. One of their signature pieces, the Architect Belt, has been an iconic piece since the 1940s, and it’s still going strong. It quickly became a signature of the most famous architects of the 50s and 60s for its simple, but functional, design. Miles Davis even wore a special version of the belt on the cover of his album Kind of Blue. Each belt is handmade in the on-site workshop and upstairs shop at number 5 Fortunstræde. Not bad for a company that started by making saddles for the Royal Horse Guards in the 1800s.
Carl Hansen & Søn Flagship Store
Even if it’s just for inspiration, the Carl Hansen & Søn Flagship Store isn’t to be overlooked.
Most admired in the furniture world for their iconic CH24 chair, better known as the Wishbone Chair designed by Hans J. Wegner, it’s worth coming to see the craftmanship of this timeless piece in person. Since you can’t fit a chair in your suitcase, or possibly even afford a set of them, they also have a beautiful collection of holiday ornaments for sale.
Kitchen, glassware, vases, along with leather pieces, duffels, and toiletry bags are also available. Because when a company can make something as simple as a chair look so harmonious, don’t you want to see what else they can do?
Where to Be Merry: Christmas Markets and Caroling Not to Miss
‘Tis the season for caroling, holiday lights, and some of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the world.
Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market
If you only have time to do one thing in Copenhagen in December, make it a trip to the Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market. With lights, decorations, and an area to meet Santa all adding to the amusement park’s already cool offerings, spending one day or evening here isn’t enough, but it will have to do.
Design Museum Julemarked
Mark your calendars for the Design Museum Christmas Market, one of the most exclusive markets to visit, only open December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10, 2026 from 10 am to 6 pm. Hosted in the museum’s garden, the market is a great place to find unique gifts from some of Denmark’s most talented artists who design jewelry, ceramics, textiles, glass, and graphics.
Santa Lucia Kayaking Carolers
If you happen to be in Copenhagen on December 13, the evening Santa Lucia kayak parade is a can’t miss. Kayakers are decked out in Christmas lights and décor, all singing Christmas carols in Nyhavn, Christianshavn, and Højbro Plads from 5 pm to 7 pm. To get a glimpse of these kayaking carolers be sure to grab a spot along the canals at least two hours before the parade starts.