We’ve looked up Christmas markets around the country that not only offer an authentic festive vibe, but also include the classic components of Danish Christmas culture like æbleskiver (puffed pancake balls), roasted almonds, gløgg (mulled wine) and julehjerter (red and white folded paper hearts).
Bakken, north of Copenhagen is the world's oldest amusement park, and its history goes all the way back to 1853. During Christmas, the park is illuminated with twinkling lights and decorations, giving a magical and nostalgic feel, as the historic wooden structures are covered in garlands and lights.
As well as the usual theme park rides, during Christmas at Bakken there are special festive events such as live performances, festive parades and choirs singing traditional Danish carols. Santa Claus (Julemanden) will also be there to greet families and there are plenty of market stalls, selling handmade crafts and seasonal treats.
Some of the restaurants in Bakken even serve traditional Danish Christmas dinner, consisting of roast duck, caramelised potatoes and red cabbage. Restaurant bookings are advised as these get booked up quickly.
The theme park is free to enter but you pay for rides inside the park.
Christmas opening: 21st November - 22nd December.
View this post on Instagram
Aarhus’ open-air museum Den Gamle By (The Old Town) is a wonderful nostalgic experience. Across the festive period you can discover Christmas traditions dating back 400 years.
The old-fashioned streets are immaculately and authentically decorated, with local workers chatting about the history of the area. You can go inside the historical bakers, gift shops and enjoy the festive atmosphere with a brass band playing carols. There are also special festive events, like meetings the elves at elf town Koglekjøbing.
Adults pay an entrance fee of 205 kroner to enter the open air museum, while under-18s go free.
Christmas opening: 14th November - 31st December including Christmas Day.
READ ALSO: Julehygge: How to get into the Christmas spirit like a Dane
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
A Danish Christmas market guide would not be complete without Tivoli. The 19th-century gardens-turned-amusement park becomes a Nordic Winter Wonderland with its spectacular decorations and yuletide atmosphere.
The garden is decorated with more than 70,000 Christmas baubles and more than 1,000 Christmas trees covered in lights. This year, there will be a sparkling Christmas tree on the Tivoli Lake as well as the usual iconic Christmas tree set up in front of the Tivoli Concert Hall. There will also be a large red Christmas heart projecting images of Christmas stories in front of the hotel Nimb. Not forgetting Father Christmas, (Julemanden) who you can visit and get a photo with.
As well as soaking up the magical atmosphere, there are around 60 market stalls to enjoy, selling gifts, food and drink.
Bear in mind you’ll have to pay the Tivoli entrance fee to visit the market.
Christmas opening: 13th November - 3rd January
Photo: Emil Helms/Ritzau ScanpixAarhus Art and Christmas Market
At Ridehuset, a former barracks building close to Aarhus City Hall and the Aros art museum, the month-long Art and Christmas market in Aarhus is open daily.
There’s no shortage of baubles and festive snacks, but your main reason for visiting should be to find that original and creative Christmas gift. There’s a great range of uniquely crafted products on stands run by craftspeople and artisans.
Entrance is free.
Christmas opening: 27th November - 20th December
View this post on Instagram
Aalborg does not hold back when it comes to Christmas. While other major cities sometimes limit run times on the main square Christmas markets, at Gammeltorv you can spot elves, grottos and Christmas trees all the way through to December 23rd.
As soon as you arrive at Gammeltorv in the centre of Aalborg, the Christmas spirit surrounds you. Christmas trees, hot chocolate, æbleskiver, sugar-roasted almonds, half metre long hot dogs and giant frankfurters are all on offer.
READ ALSO: Danish word of the day: Julekalender
There's a Christmas train that takes you through Aalborg city's streets, where there are more cozy Christmas stands. Look out for the ferris wheel and warm up with glühwein, a rum-infused, punchier alternative to gløgg and don't forget to visit Santa Claus.
It's free to visit.
Christmas opening: 13th November - 23rd December
View this post on Instagram
Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market in Odense
H.C Andersen is Denmark’s most famous storyteller, and the Christmas market (julemarked) in Odense certainly captures the fairytale atmosphere.
The charming market encompasses Hans Christian Andersen's house and the area is filled with lights, a carrousel, decorated Christmas cows and stalls selling handicrafts and traditional Danish festive treats and drinks.
Christmas opening: November 28th-29th, December 5th-6th and 12th-13th
View this post on Instagram
Egeskov Christmas Market, Funen
With around 110 stalls, Egeskov Julemarked is Funen's largest Christmas market.
The many market stalls can be found in the exhibition buildings which are also home to vintage cars and aircraft. At the stall you can find Christmas decorations, crafts, art work, food and drink.
Throughout the Christmas opening days, there is various entertainment such as Christmas carols and meeting the castle elves. The playground and garden are also open but there is no access to the castle in the winter.
It costs 130 kroner for adults (online, 145 kroner at the door) and 80 kroner for children aged 4-12 (or 95 kroner at the door). If you have a yearly card to Egeskov, entry is free.
Christmas openings: All weekends in November and the first weekend in December.
The city of Esbjerg has an annual Christmas market filled with all things Danish like gløgg (mulled wine), æbleskiver (puffed pancake balls) and julehjerter (red and white folded paper hearts).
The market also has an ice rink and music to enjoy. If you want to see the main Christmas tree lights turned on, make sure to turn up on November 21st.
The markets are free but you need to pay for ice skating.
Christmas opening: 20th November - 23rd December.
READ ALSO: How to put your Christmas wishes on Denmark’s MobilePay app
View this post on Instagram
Ærøskøbing is the best preserved eighteenth century town in Denmark and is often referred to as "fairytale town" due to its quaintness. So you can imagine how magical it is during Christmas. The setting is unique and intimate with illuminated Christmas stalls on cobbled streets with picturesque backdrops. Getting a ferry over to this remote Danish town on Ærø will be a Christmas trip to remember.
Christmas opening: The last two Saturdays in November and the first two in December. (Nov 21st and 28th, Dec 5th and 12th)
View this post on Instagram
Jul på Kronborg
For something a little different, the Christmas markets at Kronborg Castle can be experienced by train.
Nordsjællands Veterantog takes passengers on a round trip from Copenhagen Central station to Helsingør, where you can visit the Christmas Markets held inside Kronborg Castle, famous for being the setting of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
The train journey itself, which takes place on a train from 1953, is an experience, with hot drinks and æbleskiver on offer. At Kronborg Castle, there are plenty of stalls selling festive gifts and treats, as well as live musical performances and even dancing around the Christmas tree with Julemanden himself.
Tickets for the festive steam train experience are on sale, starting at 260 kroner for an adult return, or 130 kroner for a child. You can also book tickets med forplejning, with refreshments. It's popular and tickets often sell out quickly.
Dates: Train journeys to Kronborg's Christmas market take place on December 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th and 20th. There are also a number of departures between Copenhagen and Helsingør in the run-up to the Christmas period.
View this post on Instagram
Comments