Copenhagen Christmas markets 2026: confirmed dates, Tivoli and where to go

Copenhagen's Christmas markets have different calendars. Nytorv and Gammeltorv run from 6 November to 21 December 2026, with free entry. Christmas in Tivoli runs from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 and requires a ticket. If markets are the main reason for travelling, choose your dates around the places you want to visit.

Do not assume a market named in a 2025 guide is returning to the same square. Højbro Plads is a particular source of confusion this year, and Copenhagen Winter Wonderland at Kongens Nytorv has announced its return without a complete dated programme on the page we checked.

The dates below were checked against organisers' pages on 30 October 2026. This is a planning guide to what is confirmed, with the gaps kept visible. The cover photograph shows Nyhavn's winter lights from an earlier season.

Which Copenhagen Christmas market dates are confirmed for 2026?

Sources: Nytorv and Gammeltorv, Christmas in Tivoli, Copenhagen Winter Wonderland and the former Højbro Plads organiser's visit page.

For a trip that includes both of the first two markets, plan within their overlapping season, 13 November–21 December. That is a more dependable starting point than a general statement that Copenhagen's markets stay open until New Year.

What is at Nytorv and Gammeltorv, and is it free?

The organiser advertises free admission, a free ice rink and free skate loans. The location is beside Strøget and the courthouse, a useful stop during a walk through the centre. Its own practical page lists these hours:

Use that page for this market's hours. Another organiser's website also mentions Nytorv but shows a different timetable; combining the two would create a schedule neither has published.

For a first afternoon, arrive with enough daylight to orient yourself, browse, then stop for something warm. You can enjoy this part of Copenhagen without buying an attraction pass. If skating matters to your group, check availability and the rink's own arrangements when you arrive rather than assuming a free offer guarantees an immediate slot.

Is Tivoli worth booking just for Christmas?

Tivoli is the paid part of the trip: gardens, lights, Christmas stalls and rides in one place. It makes sense if you want an evening built around the setting, or if rides are a main attraction for the children. If you only want a short browse through market stalls, start with the free city market and decide whether Tivoli justifies a separate afternoon or evening.

Choose the ticket by what you intend to do. Garden admission and ride access are different purchases or package components; check the current product description before paying. Do not assume an entrance ticket includes every ride, a meal or a performance.

Use Tivoli's ticket shop and opening calendar for the date of your visit. Check Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve individually, including the hours, ticket options and total price for your group.

Give Tivoli its own block of time. It is more enjoyable when you can stop for food and wait for the lights without keeping one eye on a cross-city dinner reservation. A ticketed visit is also a reason to keep the confirmation available offline in the format Tivoli accepts.

What is happening at Højbro Plads and Kongens Nytorv?

The former Højbro Plads market organiser now says its traditional market is moving to Rådhuspladsen. Meanwhile, the city's Christmas events directory lists a Christmas event at Højbro Plads from 14 November. These are not enough to conclude that every event on the square has been cancelled, or that an old guide's stalls and timetable still apply.

If Højbro Plads is central to your plans, check the exact event listing and organiser close to departure. For now, treat it as an optional stop on a walk, not the reason to book a non-refundable trip.

At Kongens Nytorv, Copenhagen Winter Wonderland's own site says it will return in November 2026 and that further information will follow. That confirms an intended return, but not exact operating days, rink hours or prices. Nyhavn is nearby for a waterfront walk; lights and restaurants there do not establish a separately confirmed Christmas-market calendar.

How would you spend two days in Copenhagen at Christmas?

Day one: the city on foot. Start at Nyhavn, walk towards Kongens Nytorv, and continue along the centre's shopping streets towards Nytorv and Gammeltorv. Stop wherever you want to browse rather than trying to visit every market name in a list. Finish with a restaurant reservation if a warm, seated dinner is important to you.

Day two: Tivoli and room for the weather. Keep the first half of the day flexible for a museum, café or another neighbourhood, then use your booked Tivoli visit for the afternoon and evening. If you decide against Tivoli, spend longer in the free market and choose another indoor activity nearby.

That route is our suggestion for a compact visit, not an official itinerary. It works best before the city market closes on 21 December. For a later trip, build the plan around Tivoli's calendar and individually confirmed restaurant and attraction hours.

Wear shoes suitable for wet paving and take an outer layer that stops the wind. Copenhagen does not need snow to feel cold when you are standing still at a stall. A café break is part of the plan, especially with younger children; do not schedule every daylight hour outside.

How do you get from Copenhagen Airport to the markets?

Choose the airport connection by where you are staying. The Copenhagen Metro recommends M2 towards Vanløse for Kongens Nytorv, Nyhavn and Nørreport. It gives approximately 13 minutes to Kongens Nytorv and 15 minutes to Nørreport, and operates around the clock.

For accommodation beside Copenhagen Central Station, or a visit beginning near Tivoli, the airport train may fit better. Check the route to your exact address rather than taking the first service labelled city centre. Buy a valid ticket for the required zones before boarding and check live notices for the day.

The same principle applies on departure. Save the route while you have Wi-Fi, allow time for luggage and the airport, and check the service again before leaving. An all-night network is useful, but it does not mean every departure has the daytime frequency.

Will your phone work in Denmark?

Look at your home operator's Denmark allowance first. An eligible EU/EEA contract may already include the roaming data you need; other contracts vary. The EU roaming guide helps you decide whether an extra plan adds anything.

If you need travel data, the Denmark eSIM page shows current plans. For a route continuing into Sweden, Germany or elsewhere, compare the actual country list on a Europe eSIM. A regional name is not a substitute for checking every stop.

Confirm device compatibility and install over Wi-Fi using the setup guide. Save tickets and addresses offline, and keep enough charge for the return journey. Mobile service can slow down inside a busy event, so agree a meeting point before separating.

Short answers

When do Copenhagen's Christmas markets start in 2026? Nytorv and Gammeltorv open on 6 November; Tivoli's Christmas season begins on 13 November.

Are Copenhagen Christmas markets open after Christmas? Tivoli's season continues until 3 January 2027. Nytorv and Gammeltorv close on 21 December, so they are not a post-Christmas option.

Are the markets free? Nytorv and Gammeltorv advertise free entry. Tivoli requires paid admission, with ride access depending on the ticket or package purchased.

Is Højbro Plads cancelled? The former organiser announces a move to Rådhuspladsen, while the city lists an event at Højbro Plads. Check the individual event rather than assuming those names refer to the same market.

For other holiday calendars, compare Brussels Winter Wonders and Vienna's Christmas-to-New-Year markets.

Last checked: 30 October 2026. Recheck the organisers' pages for location updates and the exact opening hours of any holiday visit.