Copenhagen
Copenhagen Christmas markets 2026: Tivoli, Nytorv and gløgg by the canals
Tivoli in lights, æbleskiver on the square and mulled wine along the canals of Nyhavn. These are Copenhagen’s Christmas markets in 2026, with dates, the food to try, a cosy place to eat afterwards and the hotels within walking distance.
It is early evening in December, and it has been dark for hours. Thousands of bulbs hang in the trees over Tivoli, the air smells of roasted almonds and gløgg, and somewhere behind you someone is laughing on a wooden rollercoaster from 1914. Copenhagen does Christmas its own way: a little elegant, a little childlike and very cosy.
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Short answer: Copenhagen’s Christmas markets in 2026
Christmas in Tivoli: 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Admission is required and opening hours vary by day.
Julemarked Nytorv and Gammeltorv: 6 November to 21 December 2026, with a free ice rink.
Nyhavn: The stalls along the canal usually open in early November. The 2026 dates have not been announced yet.
Always check the organisers’ own sites, such as tivoli.dk and julemarked.dk, before you go.
Stay within walking distance of the markets
The best thing about a Christmas trip to Copenhagen is walking home from Tivoli when the lights go out. These two are the closest.
Nimb Hotel: inside Tivoli
The hotel occupies the Moorish-style palace inside Tivoli itself, with the Christmas lights outside your window.
Book your stay: See rooms at Nimb Hotel
Villa Copenhagen: next to Tivoli
A luxury hotel in the former central post office, with two bars and just a couple of minutes’ walk to Tivoli.
Book your stay: See rooms at Villa Copenhagen
Nimb Hotel in Tivoli.
Christmas in Tivoli: where it all began
Tivoli has been part of Copenhagen’s Christmas for generations, and every winter the gardens become a Christmas village of stalls, trees and glowing pavilions. Several rides stay open, and at night the lights are mirrored in the lake. Arrive in the early afternoon, before the evening queues, and stay until dark.
Nytorv and Gammeltorv: the market in the centre
In 2026 the big city market fills the two connected squares of Nytorv and Gammeltorv by Strøget. Expect stalls with Christmas gifts and food, and an ice rink with free skate hire. It is free to visit, and a natural stop between Tivoli and Nyhavn.
Nyhavn: gløgg by the canal
Along the colourful houses of Nyhavn the stalls stand shoulder to shoulder, serving gløgg, æbleskiver and hot sausages. The market is small, but the setting is hard to beat, especially when the boats in the canal are strung with lights.
What to try
Æbleskiver: small, round puffs of pancake batter, served with icing sugar and jam. The Danish Christmas snack.
Gløgg: hot spiced wine with almonds and raisins in the cup.
Roasted almonds: sweet and warm, straight from the pan.
Risalamande: rice pudding with cream, almonds and cherry sauce, on many restaurant Christmas menus.
Copenhagen is also one of Europe’s great bakery cities. Grab a cinnamon swirl for breakfast before the markets, and see our favourites in the six best bakeries in Copenhagen.
A cosy place to eat afterwards
After an evening in the cold, a candlelit table is just the thing. Vækst, with a small greenhouse in the middle of the dining room, serves modern Nordic food in an indoor garden and is one of our favourite places in the city. Read about Vækst and green Nordic cooking, and book well ahead in December.
Nyhavn, where the stalls line the canal. Photo: Picolo
More hotels near the markets
Hotel Sanders: boutique by Kongens Nytorv
A small luxury hotel with a restaurant, behind the Royal Danish Theatre and a short walk to Nyhavn.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Sanders
71 Nyhavn Hotel: in an old warehouse
A hotel in a 19th-century warehouse at the end of Nyhavn, with the canal right outside.
Book your stay: See rooms at 71 Nyhavn Hotel
See more in our guide to the best hotels in Copenhagen.
Getting to Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a short flight from most UK airports, and the train from the airport reaches the city centre in around a quarter of an hour.
Tips for a Christmas trip to Copenhagen
Buy Tivoli tickets online: It saves time in the queue, especially at weekends.
Go midweek: The markets are calmer early in the week.
Dress warmly: Damp sea air feels colder than the thermometer suggests.
Book dinner early: Christmas party season fills restaurants in December.
Frequently asked questions about Copenhagen Christmas markets
When does Tivoli open for Christmas in 2026?
Christmas in Tivoli opens on 13 November 2026 and runs until 3 January 2027. Check tivoli.dk for opening hours and closed days.
Are Copenhagen’s Christmas markets free?
Tivoli requires an admission ticket. The markets on Nytorv, Gammeltorv and in Nyhavn are free to visit.
Where should you stay for the Christmas markets?
Nimb Hotel is inside Tivoli and Villa Copenhagen is right next to it. Hotel Sanders and 71 Nyhavn are close to Nyhavn and Kongens Nytorv.
How long do you need?
A long weekend gives you time for Tivoli, the city markets, the bakeries and a good dinner.