Although it can be colder and wetter than during the peak tourist months of summer, Copenhagen also has a lot to offer in winter. Try some of these activities and events to make the most of your time in this beautiful city, no matter the season.
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Ice skating
Copenhagen has multiple outdoor skating rinks that offer great ice skating and great scenery. The ice rink at Frederiksberg Runddel is free and open every day in December. Bring your own skates or rent a pair there up to an hour before closing. Situated next to the entrance to the Frederiksberg Gardens, this track offers a lovely setting while warming up with a little energetic activity. Just be sure to skate counterclockwise to avoid accidents.
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Explore the Christmas markets
Starting in November, Christmas markets appear all over Denmark. These charming and atmospheric markets are the perfect place to find souvenirs and gifts or to do a small window shopping while sipping a glass of mulled wine. The Christmas Market at Tivoli Gardens, a 19th-century amusement park in the heart of Copenhagen, is something not to be missed. Enjoy rides during the day and then stay watching the dazzling light displays after dark. For a different atmosphere, check out the Christiania Christmas Market. Founded in 1971 when nearby residents took over an abandoned military area, Christiania is an autonomous commune with collectivist and anarchist roots. The indoor Christmas market in Christiania offers many shops with unique gifts and delicious snacks.
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Celebrate the new year
If you plan to celebrate the new year in Copenhagen, there will be many festivities to enjoy. From December 26-30, the Tivoli Fireworks Festival lights up the sky every night with fantastic fireworks displays centered on a different theme each year. On New Years Eve, head into town to enjoy one of the special dinner menus offered by many restaurants, or try having specialty drinks and cocktails later in the evening while the bars and clubs go all out. Finally, gather with the crowds in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento just before midnight to tell the new year and hear the bell of the clock tower.
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To visit a museum
When it’s too cold or humid to stay outside, warm up and enjoy while exploring one of Copenhagen’s many museums. The Hirschsprung Collection has a wide variety of paintings by Danish artists from the 18th and 19th centuries. Just down the road is the National Gallery of Denmark, which houses almost 9,000 paintings and sculptures (and entry to the permanent collection is free). If modern art is more your style, try the Den Frie Contemporary Art Center or the ARKEN Museum of Modern Art, located in a suburb near the outskirts of Copenhagen. If you prefer something a little more out of the ordinary, visit the Medicinsk-Historisk Museum and its collection of fascinating artifacts from medical history, or explore The Cisterns, an underground museum of modern glass art.
