Christmas markets 2012 – Copenhagen
After covering Berlin and Stockholm we’re keeping it Scandinavian by popping down to the Danish capital, Copenhagen. Here you’ll find a variety of Christmas markets to check out, and don’t forget to sample one of the many Christmas beers produced by the city’s excellent craft brewers.
Copenhagen, Denmark – Christmas markets are just another reason to visit
Photo credit: Comrade Foot via photopin cc
Tivoli Christmas market
Tivoli is wonderful at any time of the year but it’s extra special in the run-up to Christmas. Continuing the Russian theme introduced last year (a Russian city with a Tivoli-style version of St. Basil’s Cathedral from Red Square in the Kremlin with a 21 metre tall tower complete with domes and a carillon, etc.) The Christmas tree is equally impressive and the basilica is ringed by shops and food stalls. The Christmas market itself is set up along the paths in the fairgrounds and comprises around 50 stalls selling gifts, decorations, hot drinks, sweets and food. The stalls and decor are inspired by Danish and Scandinavian tradition and the presence of real reindeer add to the magical Christmas atmosphere.
Open from 16 November 2012 to 23 December 2012
Højbro Plads Christmas market
From mid-November the scent of Danish (i.e. alcoholic) gløgg, steaming cocoa and Yuletide sweets fills the air on Højbro Plads right near the main drag, Strøget. This Christmas market boasts of having something for everyone and the stands sell products from many different countries. Taste some German pastries and Italian cheeses before sampling chocolate, coffee and sausages. Just make sure you don’t go home without trying traditional Danish æbleskiver (pancakes) and the aforementioned gløgg (mulled wine). It’s not just food though – you can pick up a woolly jumper or two (perhaps inspired by Sarah Lund?) or add to your collection Christmas decorations; find some unique jewellery, a fun hat or other clothing. The kids can ride the festive train in the Christmas city and have their picture taken with Santa from Thursday to Sunday between 13.30 and 17.00.
Open from 16 November 2012 to 23 December 2012
Nyhavn Christmas market
Nyhavn is usually one of the first places visitors to Copenhagen make for but in November and December it changes from its usual picture-postcard waterfront cuteness into er, picture-postcard Christmassy waterfront cuteness. Market stalls are set up selling the usual suspects of gløgg and æbleskiver along with Christmas beer, foodstuffs and handicrafts.
Open daily 16 November 2012 to 22 December 2012
Image (c) planet-dad.com
Christiania Christmas market
Yes, the hippies, freaks and star children do Christmas too, albeit in their own way. The free town of Christiania plays host to a Christmas market more akin to an Eastern bazaar. Here you’ll find a large number of stalls selling handicrafts, mirrors, wrought iron candle holders, hand-made jewellery, Christmas mobiles cut from paper, clothes, leather masks and much else (though presumably not their own aromatic version of Frankincense). It’s an exciting place to visit and takes place in the Grå Hall in Christiania.
Open from 7 December 2012 to 20 December 2012
Image (c)visitcopenhagen.com
Kronborg Castle Christmas market
For a very different atmosphere away from the city make the journey to Hamlet’s castle (Kronborg) for the Christmas market on the first weekend of December. Here you will find high quality arts and crafts and the opportunity to meet local artists. As well as the market itself the setting has much to offer: you can take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage to admire the castle as you sweep past, make decorations in the Christmas workshop or join in singing (or perhaps humming along to?) Danish Christmas songs in the castle chapel. The Museum shop is beautifully decorated for the occasion and has a range of unusual gifts.
Open 1 and 2 December 2012
Elsinore Christmas market
Another easy trip from the capital is the lovely old town of Elsinore to the north. It’s only 40km or so and on Axeltorv you’ll find around 25 stalls selling pottery and jewellery, clothing such as jackets, mittens, hats, scarves and even clogs along with traditional Christmas figures like elves and pixies. There is also a large tent in which you can find Christmas goodies like sweets and hot chocolate.
Open every weekend from 30 November 2012 to 23 December 2012
These sound spectacular. Copenhagen is very very high on my list—now if I can only make it there during the winter
You definitely should try to get there for he Christmas markets, but Copenhagen is wonderful any time of the year