Celebrating Christmas in Copenhagen - The Best Treats and Activities

Are you looking for the best city in Europe to celebrate Christmas with your partner, brother, grandmother, best friend, or the whole family? Copenhagen is a great suggestion because it's the best place to combine a city trip, Christmas, and coziness. The Danes value good times, especially during Christmas. They even have a word for it: ‘hygge’! In December, Copenhagen looks like a magical Christmas city with lights, trees, Christmas markets, and delicious food everywhere, there is so much to do!

Below are four great experiences you should try during the holidays. In addition, there are four typical Danish Christmas snacks and drinks. Glædelig jul! (Merry Christmas!)

4 great things to do when celebrating Christmas in Copenhagen

1. Christmas market in Tivoli

Tivoli is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, and gets transformed into a true Christmas wonderland during the winter months, with Christmas trees, twinkling lights, winter scents, and stalls selling the most delicious snacks and drinks. The Christmas market in Tivoli is definitely worth a visit, as it is one of the best Christmas markets in the world according to CNN. There are a variety of activities to enjoy, such as ice skating, watching Nutcracker themed light shows, enjoying the ballet performance called The Snow Queen, or strolling past the many stalls where you might find something special! Christmas in Tivoli is also great fun for children, who can visit Santa Claus, take a look inside Santa's house, ride the elf train, and cuddle with forest animals. Are you excited, get your Tivoli tickets now! It is important to note that this is an entrance ticket only, you purchase additional tickets on site, but many Christmas activities can be visited with your regular ticket too!

2. Christmas market at the Zoo

How wonderful is it to visit the animals at the zoo during Christmas? You can do just that at the Copenhagen Zoo! The entire zoo is decorated in the Christmas spirit with 900 Christmas trees, 400,000 Christmas lights, and reindeer and horses wandering around the park. Maybe you'll evenspot Rudolph the red nose reindeer! Buy Christmas gifts for your loved ones at the stalls or pick up the most beautiful Christmas decorations. There are also food stalls serving delicious treats which you must try when in Copenhagen around Christmas. Keep on reading this blog to find out what these treats are. 

3. Cosy winter walk through Copenhagen

Ever heard of the Danish word ‘hygge’? There is no direct translation of the word, but the meaning is closest to cosiness. And that’s the perfect description for a winter walk through Copenhagen! Copenhagen is an excellent city to walk through and is very pretty during the holidays. Stroll through atmospherically lit streets, along canals and through picturesque neighbourhoods, visit Christmas markets, skate a lap on the ice rink, and taste ‘glögg’ or ‘æbleskiver’. Experience Christmas in Copenhagen like a true local by going in foot, to get that typical hygge feeling. 

4. See Copenhagen with the Hop-on Hop-off Bus

Don't feel like walking all around in the cold, but still want to discover Copenhagen during Christmas? Then get on the Hop-on Hop-off Bus. Sit back, relax and enjoy Copenhagen in the most beautiful Christmas spirit. You can get off whenever you see something you want to visit, whichever you prefer. The Hop-on Hop-off Bus is the most comfortable way to explore Copenhagen in the cold. The Hop-on Hop-off Bus departs from Central Station and first heads towards Tivoli Gardens, which we already recommended. The Hop-on Hop-off Bus then drives past various sights such as the National Museum, Christianshavn Square, Christiansborg Palace, Nyhavn, the Swedish Church, the Little Mermaid, and much more. 

4 typical Danish Christmas snacks and drinks

1. Not mulled wine but glögg

Glögg is a spiced wine similar to mulled wine, it’s the Scandinavian version. Glögg is a spiced wine similar to mulled wine, except it is sweeter, contains more alcohol and is more heavily spiced. The main ingredient in this drink is hot red wine, and sometimes a bit of rum is added for that extra kick. Glögg also contains winter spices such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and a sweet hint of orange. This Christmas drink also contains raisins and almonds to add more sweetness and a mild nutty flavor. Glögg tastes sweet and spicy, and its aroma makes everyone think of Christmas. Glögg is really an essential part of Christmas in Copenhagen!

2. Danish Christmas beer: julebryg

‘Julebryg’ literally means Christmas beer and is a very important tradition in Denmark. Every year in November, breweries launch beer with Christmas flavors. Julebryg is dark, full-bodied, and can often taste like caramel, malt, chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and other winter flavors. Each brewery has its own recipe, but the best known is Tuborg Julebryg. This beer goes perfectly with wintery Danish dishes such as roast meat or stews. It is definitely worth trying when you stop for a drink in a café or bar after or during your winter walk through Copenhagen.

3. Found at every Christmas market: æbleskiver

If there's one Danish Christmas treat you must try, it's æbleskiver. These are small, round, fluffy pancake balls.  Originally, they were made with apple, æbleskiver means apple slice in Danish, but these days they come with different fillings such as jam, vanilla, chocolate, or lemon zest.  These pancake balls are made with buttermilk instead of regular milk, which makes the batter light and fluffy. Æbleskiver are served with a little powdered sugar and often enjoyed with a glass of glögg.

4. No Danish Christmas dinner is complete without frikadeller

These are meatballs and are served in most Danish households during Christmas. Frikadeller are oval, have a soft and light texture, and are slowly fried in butter. This makes the frikadeller soft on the inside, but crispy on the outside. Frikadeller can be eaten hot or cold, not only during Christmas, but they’re also popular with bread for lunch. For many Danes, they are a must-have during Christmas dinner.

In other words, Christmas in Copenhagen is a wonderful idea. There is a lot to do and many things to see and lots of delicious treats to try. Go to the Christmas market in Tivoli one day, taste glögg in the evening, go for a winter walk the next day and enjoy frikadeller, or choose the most relaxed option and enjoy Copenhagen on the Hop-on Hop-off Bus. 

With Tours & Tickets you can book your tickets for Tivoli or the Hop-on Hop-off Bus in advance, so you have that settled. Enjoy your trip and Merry Christmas!