Denmark Christmas Travel Guide: Where to Celebrate the Holiday Season

If you’re looking to celebrate Christmas in Denmark, you’re in for a truly magical experience. The country comes alive with festive charm, think snow-dusted castles, glowing lanterns, and the scent of cinnamon drifting through cobbled streets. Whether you’re after cozy traditions or dazzling displays, Denmark offers a winter escape that feels both timeless and enchanting.

From twinkling waterfronts to historic towns wrapped in holiday cheer, there’s no shortage of places to soak up the season. Expect bustling markets, nostalgic rides, and warm mugs of gløgg (mulled wine) served with a smile. Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or flying solo, Denmark’s Christmas spirit is sure to leave you glowing.

1. Tivoli Gardens

Copenhagen’s sparkling winter wonderland

Velegnet til: Billeder, Natteliv, Mad

Step into a breathtaking setting at Tivoli Gardens, where Christmas feels like a fairytale. Each year, this iconic amusement park turns into a glittering winter paradise, with thousands of lights, festive music drifting through the air, and charming wooden stalls selling everything from hand-crafted gifts to steaming cups of gløgg or mulled wine.

Don’t miss the nostalgic rides dressed up for the season, especially the vintage carousel and the scenic railway. And if you’re lucky, you might catch a live performance or a surprise visit from Santa Claus himself. It’s the kind of place where even grown-ups find themselves believing in holiday magic again. Visit at twilight, when the lights truly dazzle and the atmosphere becomes irresistibly cozy.

Adresse: Vesterbrogade 3, 1630 Copenhagen V, Denmark

Åbningstider: Hours vary by season

Telefon: +45 33 15 10 01

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2. Copenhagen Christmas Markets

A city wrapped in festive cheer

Velegnet til: Shopping, Mad, Billeder

Copenhagen’s Christmas markets are full of holiday spirit, great food, and picturesque photo spots. At Højbro Plads, you’ll find stalls selling handmade gifts, mulled wine, and sweet treats, all set against a backdrop of historic buildings. Nearby, the Hans Christian Andersen Market adds a whimsical touch with fairytale themes and cozy corners ideal for warming up.

We suggest visiting in the early evening to enjoy the lights as they begin to glow. Sample fluffy pancake balls called æbleskiver or other tasty treats to keep hunger at bay. Time your visit around December 13th to experience the truly moving Santa Lucia kayak parade and make this Christmas one to remember.

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3. Kronborg Castle

A royal Christmas by the sea

Velegnet til: Historie, Billeder

Kronborg Castle, famously known as Hamlet’s home, offers a regal and atmospheric setting for a festive day out. During December, its grand halls are decked with traditional decorations, and the scent of mulled wine drifts through the courtyards. You’ll find costumed guides sharing stories of royal Christmases past, and children can join in crafts or treasure hunts tucked into the castle’s nooks.

With views over the Øresund and a rich sense of history, it’s a Christmas experience that feels both majestic and intimate. Arrive early to explore before the afternoon chill sets in, and don’t miss the candlelit chapel; it’s especially beautiful at dusk.

Adresse: Kronborg, 3000 Helsingør, Denmark

Åbningstider: Hours vary by season

Telefon: +45 49 21 30 78

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4. Nyhavn

Christmas by the canal

Velegnet til: Par, Shopping, Billeder

Nyhavn is picture-perfect in December with its colorful townhouses reflected in the canal, strings of lights twinkling overhead, and wooden stalls lining the cobbled promenade. Treat yourself to an indulgent hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, a favorite among young and old for warming up while browsing handmade gifts and decorations. The scent of roasted almonds and cinnamon fills the air, adding to the jolly vibe.

Around dusk, carolers often gather near the water, their voices echoing through the harbor as boats glide past decked in shimmering decorations. Take your time to pause and enjoy this wonderful moment, take a photo, and feel the warmth of a Danish Christmas unfolding by the sea.

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5. Ærø

An island escape with heartfelt traditions

Velegnet til: Usædvanlige oplevelser, Par, Billeder

Ærø offers a peaceful, wholesome setting when it comes to winter, with cobbled streets, charming houses, and a slower pace that invites you to truly unwind. The island’s festive spirit is intimate and heartfelt, think candlelit windows, local choirs singing in tiny churches, and handmade decorations in local shops. It’s a place where traditions are cherished and warmly shared.

Visit the town of Ærøskøbing, where the old-world allure is especially strong. Locals often gather for community events, and you might even be invited to join in a seasonal singalong or sample homemade holiday treats. For something truly special, try a vildmarksbad, a steaming outdoor hot tub with sea views, wonderful after a bracing coastal walk.

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6. Aarhus Christmas Market

A living postcard of Danish Christmas past and present

Velegnet til: Familier, Mad, Historie

In Denmark’s second-largest city, the Aarhus Christmas Market transforms the historic Latin Quarter and Tivoli Friheden into a festive wonderland. The market is known for its nostalgic charm, with cobbled streets, timber-framed buildings, and thousands of twinkling lights. One of its standout features is Den Gamle By, The Old Town, an open-air museum where visitors can experience Christmas as it was celebrated in Denmark from the 1800s to the 1970s.

In Denmark’s second-largest city, the Aarhus Christmas Market transforms the historic Latin Quarter and Tivoli Friheden into a festive wonderland. The market is known for its nostalgic charm, with cobbled streets, timber-framed buildings, and thousands of twinkling lights. One of its standout features is Den Gamle By, The Old Town, an open-air museum where visitors can experience Christmas as it was celebrated in Denmark from the 1800s to the 1970s.

Soak up the market’s authentic atmosphere and try tasty traditional Danish treats, such as æbleskiver pancake balls and gløgg, mulled wine. It’s ideal for families and culture lovers alike. Arrive in the late afternoon to enjoy the lights at their best and catch live music performances in the evening.

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7. Egeskov Castle

A fairytale Christmas in Denmark’s best-preserved Renaissance castle

Velegnet til: Luksus, Billeder, Shopping

Set on the island of Funen, Egeskov Castle offers a truly magical Christmas experience within its 16th-century moated walls. The castle’s grand halls and gardens are transformed into a winter spectacle, with thousands of lights, artisan stalls, and themed exhibitions. Its architecture, complete with spires, turrets, and a drawbridge, adds a fantastical backdrop to the festivities, making it one of Denmark’s most atmospheric holiday destinations.

The market features high-quality Danish crafts and gourmet treats that make unique gifts. Explore the castle at dusk to enhance the enchantment, as the lights reflect off the moat and the grounds come alive with seasonal music and scents.

Adresse: Egeskov Gade 22, 5772 Kværndrup, Denmark

Åbningstider: Hours vary by season

Telefon: +45 62 27 10 16

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8. Odense

Christmas in the hometown of Hans Christian Andersen

Velegnet til: Familier, Historie, Shopping

Odense, the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, wraps its streets in storybook charm each December. The city’s Christmas market, set in the historic quarter near the cathedral, recreates a 19th-century village with costumed vendors, horse-drawn carriages, and stalls brimming with handmade gifts. As you stroll past timbered houses and glowing lanterns, carolers sing in cobbled squares, bringing Andersen’s fairytales to life.

Odense doesn’t just decorate for Christmas; it tells a tale you get to walk through. Join candle-making workshops, sample old-fashioned sweets, and explore the Andersen Museum for a deeper dive into the city’s literary legacy.

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9. LEGOLAND, Billund

Building unforgettable memories

Velegnet til: Familier, Oplevelser, Billeder

At this time of year, LEGOLAND in Billund turns into a dazzling holiday playground where imagination meets festive magic. Explore themed zones decked out in millions of LEGO bricks, twinkling lights, and snow-dusted decorations. The park’s Christmas makeover includes a LEGO-built winter village, holiday parades, and interactive workshops where kids and adults craft seasonal creations. Even the iconic Miniland gets a snowy transformation, complete with miniature Christmas scenes.

Enjoy a mix of creativity and celebration for all the family, with rides open throughout the season. Even Santa makes a special appearance in his LEGO sleigh. Make sure to try some Danish holiday treats and shop for exclusive LEGO sets in the festive market.

Adresse: Nordmarksvej 9, 7190 Billund, Denmark

Åbningstider: Hours vary by season

Telefon: +45 79 50 17 17

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10. Ribe Christmas Market

Christmas magic in Denmark’s oldest town

Velegnet til: Historie, Familier, Shopping

Ribe invites you to celebrate Christmas in a setting steeped in medieval charm. Stroll through narrow cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses, where the scent of roasted almonds and mulled wine fills the air. The market unfolds in the town square beneath the towering Ribe Cathedral, with stalls offering handcrafted gifts, local delicacies, and traditional decorations.

Ribe’s intimate, authentic Christmas celebrations will wrap you in centuries of Danish holiday tradition, all under a canopy of festive lights. Join guided lantern walks, listen to carolers echoing through centuries-old alleys, and explore the Viking Museum for a unique historical twist.

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