Copenhagen gets even prettier during the holiday season when Christmas lights and displays are put up around the city.
Here are the top places to see the city sparkle!
- Christmas Lights
- Christmas in Copenhagen
- Free Copenhagen Walking Tours
- Boat Tours
- Things To Do in Copenhagen
- 3-Day Itinerary
Tivoli Gardens
Without a doubt, this is the place to go to see spectacular Christmas lights in Copenhagen.
The amusement park’s grounds will have more than 1,000 Christmas trees wrapped in lights and baubles.
Every building and market stall is draped in twinkling lights and 70,000 Christmas ornaments.
Just the sheer number of lights around the grounds guarantees something special.
The Christmas market here is also decorated. You can shop for traditional Danish gifts, holiday decorations, and souvenirs.
2024 dates are yet to be announced. Last year, the Christmas festival at Tivoli Gardens was from November 17 to December 31.
You can purchase individual tickets to Tivoli Gardens online or get tickets at a discount using a Copenhagen tourist pass.
Nyhavn Canal
Here at Copenhagen’s most photographed spot, boats on the canal sparkle with lights on their masts.
Behind them are the picturesque, colorful houses that are instantly recognizable from postcards of the city.
The canalside restaurants and cafes are also decorated for the holidays and the stalls from the Nyhavn Christmas market are adorned with garland and lights, creating a festive environment.
TIP: Many Copenhagen Boat and Canal Tours begin at Nyhavn so why not combine your time seeing the Christmas lights with a view of Copenhagen from the water?
Christmas Markets
Visiting Copenhagen’s Christmas markets is one of the most fun things to do during the holiday months.
One of the big draws of the markets is how pretty they are with all the lights and decorations.
They are free to visit and there’s no obligation to buy anything, so why not go to a few to get in the holiday spirit?
Read more about Copenhagen’s Best Christmas Markets.
Kongens Nytorv (King's New Square)
Built in 1908, this beautiful square is in the heart of the city. A wonderful Christmas market is here each year, making the square even more attractive.
Two of Copenhagen’s grandest buildings are on the square and both are decked out with lights for the holidays.
One of them, the iconic Magasin du Nord department store, is dressed for Christmas with thousands of lights.
The store’s windows are filled with whimsical displays for the holidays.
The other grand building is the Hotel d’Angleterre, below.
Hotel d’Angleterre
The Christmas lights at this stunning neoclassical structure built in the 1870s are spectacular.
The façade on Copenhagen’s King’s Square looks like something from a fairytale, with giant figures from tales by Hans Christian Andersen.
In past years, the hotel has been draped with thousands of clear bulbs to resemble a giant curtain and with blue lights to make the hotel appear covered in gigantic icicles.
The hotel reveals the decorations and lights on the third week in November and will stay lit through Christmas.
Copenhagen Zoo
Copenhagen Zoo is transformed into a magical winter wonderland at Christmastime.
Hundreds of Christmas trees are wrapped with over 400,000 lights and buildings shine brightly as well.
Giant figurines of bears, reindeer and foxes shimmer with white lights and cozy market stalls are also decorated.
The zoo’s Christmas experience runs from November 16th to January 2nd, 2025. You can purchase tickets here.
