Copenhagen doesn't have one big Christmas market – it has several, spread across the old town within walking distance of each other, plus Tivoli. 2026 brings a few changes worth knowing before you go: the classic market that used to fill Kongens Nytorv now lives on Nytorv and Gammeltorv, and Højbro Plads has a new Christmas market in place of the old one. Here's what's on, when, and – because this is PilsPosten – where to drink without paying Nyhavn prices.
The markets at a glance
| Market | Where | 2026 dates | Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julemarked Nytorv & Gammeltorv | Nytorv / Gammeltorv, on Strøget | 6 Nov – 21 Dec | Free |
| Christmas in Tivoli | Vesterbrogade 3 | 13 Nov – 3 Jan 2027 | Paid (approx. 200–230 kr) |
| Jul på Højbro Plads | Højbro Plads | 14 Nov – 20 Dec | Free |
| Rådhuspladsen | City Hall Square | 11 – 20 Dec | Free |
| Nyhavn | Along the canal | Not confirmed (usually early Nov – 21 Dec) | Free |
| Copenhagen Winter Wonderland | Kongens Nytorv | Returns Nov 2026, dates TBA | Ice rink |
Julemarked Nytorv & Gammeltorv
The biggest free market in the city, and the one most people mean when they say "the Christmas market". It used to sit on Kongens Nytorv, moved to Thorvaldsens Plads in 2024 and Nytorv in 2025, and in 2026 spreads across the two connected squares of Nytorv and Gammeltorv, right on Strøget. It carries the Hans Christian Andersen fairy-tale theme, and this year it includes a free ice rink with free skate rental. Open 6 November – 21 December 2026.
Christmas in Tivoli
The headline act, with tens of thousands of lights, decorated rides and Christmas stalls through the gardens. The season runs 13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 – the longest in the city.
- Tickets are dated and non-refundable; prices vary by day. Adult entry has been quoted at roughly 200–230 kr for 2026, but Tivoli hadn't published a confirmed price at the time of writing.
- Rides cost extra – entry alone is fine if you're there for the atmosphere.
- Copenhagen Card covers basic admission.
- 24 December: sources disagree on whether Tivoli is open – check tivoli.dk before planning around it.
Last season, Tivoli opened 11:00 to 22:00/23:00 Sunday–Thursday and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Expect something similar.
Jul på Højbro Plads (new for 2026)
Højbro Plads, between Strøget and the canal facing Christiansborg, was for years many people's favourite Copenhagen market. The long-running market isn't returning in its old form; instead, Jul på Højbro Plads runs 14 November – 20 December 2026, with stalls, food and traditions from Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. If you've been before, expect something different.
Nyhavn
Small rows of stalls along the colourful canal houses. Honestly, the backdrop is better than the market. 2026 dates hadn't been confirmed at the time of writing; it usually runs from early November to around 21 December. Walk through, take the photo – and don't sit down for a beer here (see below).
Rådhuspladsen and Kongens Nytorv
Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square) gets a short ten-day Christmas market from 11 to 20 December. Over at Kongens Nytorv, there's no traditional market any more: the square hosts Copenhagen Winter Wonderland, an ice rink that winds around the square. It returns in November 2026; dates hadn't been announced at the time of writing.
Beyond the centre
Flid's art and design Christmas fair in Nørrebrohallen in December is the pick for design-minded gifts rather than mass-produced decorations. Further out, there are Christmas markets at Kronborg Castle in Helsingør (paid entry for adults), in Dragør, at Bakken and in Roskilde.
The PilsPosten angle: gløgg, julebryg and cheaper beer
Gløgg is the Danish mulled wine, served with raisins and chopped almonds in the glass, usually alongside æbleskiver – round pancake puffs with jam and icing sugar. Every market sells both. The markets don't publish price lists, and we don't have verified 2026 stall prices yet. If you're at a market this season, report what you paid on PilsPosten – it helps everyone.
For gløgg with a reputation, locals go to bars rather than stalls:
- Hviids Vinstue (Kongens Nytorv 19) – Copenhagen's best-known gløgg spot, reported by TV 2 Kosmopol to sell around 110,000 glasses each Christmas season. Expect a queue.
- Byens Kro (Møntergade 8) – famous for its very strong "dødsgløgg". One is enough.
J-dag – the release of Tuborg's Christmas beer, Julebryg – falls on the first Friday of November, which in 2026 is 6 November, the same day the Nytorv & Gammeltorv market opens. Bars across the city get busy from the evening onwards.
Cheaper beer near the markets. In our Copenhagen data:
- Bo-Bi Bar (Latin Quarter) – 48 kr per 0.5 L equivalent, the cheapest central bar on our list and a few minutes' walk from Gammeltorv.
- Tove Bar (Indre By) – 55 kr for a full half-litre.
- Nyhavn – expect 110–130 kr for a beer at the canal-side cafés. Drink first, then walk down for the view.
See our full guide to cheap beer in Copenhagen and the live Copenhagen list on PilsPosten for current prices.
Practical tips
- Go early: markets get crowded after 17:00 once offices empty. Afternoons are calmer.
- Getting around: Gammel Strand metro is closest to Nytorv/Gammeltorv and Højbro Plads; Kongens Nytorv station serves Nyhavn and the ice rink; Tivoli is next to Copenhagen Central Station.
- Payment: Denmark is close to cashless – cards work almost everywhere.
- Weather: expect cold, damp and dark by around 16:00. Layers matter more than snow boots.
- Combine them: Nytorv, Gammeltorv, Højbro Plads and Nyhavn sit on one walkable line along Strøget – easily done in an afternoon, with Tivoli as the evening.
Frequently asked questions
When do Copenhagen's Christmas markets open in 2026? The first is Nytorv & Gammeltorv on 6 November, Tivoli follows on 13 November and Højbro Plads on 14 November. Most free markets close around 20–21 December; Tivoli runs until 3 January 2027.
Are they free? All except Tivoli and Kronborg are free to enter.
Is the Højbro Plads market cancelled? The long-running market isn't returning in its old form, but a new market – Jul på Højbro Plads – runs on the square from 14 November to 20 December 2026.
Is there still a market on Kongens Nytorv? No – the square hosts the Winter Wonderland ice rink. The market moved to Nytorv and Gammeltorv.
Dates checked November 2026 against Visit Copenhagen and organiser information. Some dates were still unconfirmed at the time of writing – check before you travel.