Copenhagen events & things to do in December 2026
Start with Nyhavn, Rosenborg Castle and King's Garden, plus Christiansborg Palace. December in Copenhagen averages 5°C / 40°F highs, 1°C / 33°F nights, and about 12 rainy days.
Expect 5°C/40°F days and about 12 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- Nyhavn★ 4.7 · 8.3k reviewsNyhavn is the colorful 17th-century harbor lined with wooden ships, restaurants, and canal-tour boats.
- Rosenborg Castle and King's Garden★ 4.6 · 13.5k reviewsChristian IV built Rosenborg as a Renaissance pleasure palace, and the castle now displays royal collections and crown jewels.
- Artemas - LOVERCORE / GETTING UP TO NO GOOD TourDec 1Source: Ticketmaster
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By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Copenhagen in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
40°F / 33°F
4.6°C / 0.7°C
RainPrecipitation
12d
2.4in · 60mm
LightDaylight
6.8h
Sea
44.2°F
6.8°C
December is cold and festive, with Tivoli Christmas, markets, and warm layers for dark harbor evenings.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Dec 1 – Dec 31
Copenhagen Christmas Market at Tivoli Gardens
A traditional Christmas market featuring festive stalls, decorations, rides, and seasonal entertainment in the historic Tivoli Gardens amusement park.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 1 – Dec 31
Copenhagen Light Festival
An annual event where artists illuminate the city with light installations and artworks, creating a magical atmosphere during the dark winter month.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 1
Show all 29 events for December
- Dec 2 – Dec 19
- Dec 2
- Dec 3 – Dec 20
- Dec 3
- Dec 4
- Dec 5
- Dec 5
- Dec 6
- Dec 7
- Dec 7
- Dec 8
- Dec 9
- Dec 10 – Dec 24
Royal Danish Ballet: The Nutcracker
The Royal Danish Ballet performs the classic Christmas ballet 'The Nutcracker' at the Royal Danish Theatre, a beloved seasonal tradition.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 10
- Dec 10
- Dec 11
- Dec 13
- Dec 14 – Dec 15
- Dec 15 – Dec 23
Christmas Jazz at Jazzhus Montmartre
A series of live jazz concerts featuring local and international artists celebrating the Christmas season at the iconic Jazzhus Montmartre venue.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 15
- Dec 17 – Dec 19
- Dec 18 – Dec 20
Copenhagen Opera Festival: Holiday Gala
Special holiday gala performances by the Copenhagen Opera featuring festive arias and classical music.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 18
- Dec 18
- Dec 18 – Dec 19
- Dec 30
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Dec 25Christmas DayPublic holiday
- Dec 26Boxing DayPublic holiday
- Dec 25-Dec 27Long weekend
About Copenhagen
City overview
Copenhagen is a compact waterfront capital built around canals, bike lanes, and distinct neighborhoods. Start in Indre By for royal sights and shopping, cross to Christianshavn for canals and the Opera House, then head to Vesterbro or Nørrebro for restaurants and nightlife. Østerbro and Amager are better for parks, beaches, and quieter days.
Food & drink
Start with smørrebrød, a cardamom bun, and a pølsevogn hot dog; book New Nordic restaurants well ahead. Torvehallerne works for an easy lunch, Reffen for casual waterfront food, and Kødbyen or Nørrebro for dinner and bars.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Christiansborg Palace
- 2Church of Our Saviour
- 3Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
- 4The Little Mermaid and Kastellet
- 5Tivoli Gardens
- 6Amalienborg
- 7National Museum of Denmark
- 8Round Tower
1Christiansborg Palace
4.6★ · 21,846indoorOpen dailyChristiansborg on Slotsholmen houses Denmark's parliament, royal reception rooms, stables, and the remains of older castles. Visit the tower for a free central-city view.
Wikipedia
2Church of Our Saviour
4.6★ · 9,863indoorOpen dailyThe Christianshavn church is known for its external spiral staircase and globe-topped spire. The climb gives a harbor and Indre By view, with Christiania a short walk away.
Book a timed spire slot in busy months and skip the climb during high wind or heavy rain.
3Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
4.6★ · 14,655indoorClosed MonThe Glyptotek near Tivoli holds classical antiquities, Danish art, French art, and a palm-filled winter garden. It is one of the most comfortable museum stops in cold or wet weather.
Wikipedia
Show 3 more sights
- 4The Little Mermaid and Kastellet
- 5Tivoli Gardens
- 6Amalienborg
Neighborhoods
1Indre By
Indre By is the historic center, with Strøget, the Round Tower, Rosenborg, Christiansborg, Nyhavn, and Copenhagen’s busiest shopping streets.
2Christianshavn and Holmen
Christianshavn and Holmen mix canals, the Church of Our Saviour, Christiania, houseboats, the Opera House, old naval buildings, and harbor paths.
3Vesterbro and Kødbyen
Vesterbro and Kødbyen sit west of Central Station with Istedgade, meatpacking-district restaurants, bars, design shops, Tivoli access, and late evenings.
Day trips
35km / about 25min by train from Copenhagen Central
Roskilde
Roskilde has the cathedral with royal tombs and the Viking Ship Museum on the fjord. It is the simplest history-focused rail trip from the capital.
45km / about 45min by train from Copenhagen Central or Østerport
Helsingør and Kronborg Castle
Helsingør pairs a preserved old center with Kronborg Castle, the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The coastal train also gives Øresund views.
40km / about 35min by Øresund train from Copenhagen Central
Malmö
Malmö makes an easy international day trip for its old squares, canals, and waterfront architecture. Carry a passport or national ID in case of a border check.
Getting around
DOT tickets and City Passes cover the Metro, S-trains, buses, harbor buses, and regional trains. The M3 City Circle connects the center, the M2 runs to the airport, and bikes are often fastest for short trips. Central Station, Nørreport, and Kongens Nytorv are the main transfer points.
Planning a Copenhagen trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about Copenhagen in December
- Best rainy-day things to do in Copenhagen in December
December averages 12 rainy days in Copenhagen, so keep these indoor stops as realistic backups.
- Christiansborg Palace — Christiansborg on Slotsholmen houses Denmark's parliament, royal reception rooms, stables, and the remains of older castles. Visit the tower for a free central-city view.
- Church of Our Saviour — The Christianshavn church is known for its external spiral staircase and globe-topped spire. The climb gives a harbor and Indre By view, with Christiania a short walk away.
- Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek — The Glyptotek near Tivoli holds classical antiquities, Danish art, French art, and a palm-filled winter garden. It is one of the most comfortable museum stops in cold or wet weather.
- Amalienborg — Amalienborg is the Danish royal family main residence, with four matching palaces around an octagonal square. The Royal Guard changes at noon, and Frederik Church, also called the Marble Church, stands on the axis nearby.
- National Museum of Denmark — Nationalmuseet in Indre By covers Danish prehistory, Viking material, medieval collections, and modern cultural history. It is the strongest rainy-day introduction before palace and city walks.
- What to pack for Copenhagen in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic Copenhagen checklist.
- A warm coat and insulating layers for average highs around 5°C / 40°F.
- A heavier evening layer because nights average 1°C / 33°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 12 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in Copenhagen
- 4 days covers the main Copenhagen highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
Ready to plan Copenhagen?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Copenhagen plan for December 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.