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December in Copenhagen, the darkest month of the year, is also one of the most charming ones. On some days it might seem like the sun never rises, but festive decorations and candlelight brighten up the city in the most romantic way.
Add the smell of Danish Christmas classics like gløgg and æbleskiver and the atmosphere can only be called hyggeligt.
From Christmas markets to ice skating to exhibitions, there’s plenty going on in Copenhagen, whether you’re celebrating a holiday or not.
Here are all the best Copenhagen events this month:
Wednesday 1st December
Christmas Tree Decorating at Blågårds Plads
As every year, there will be a giant Christmas tree on Blågårds Plads throughout the holiday season. Come by to help decorate it while Christmas music is playing and Blågården invites you to enjoy a bowl of risengrød – The perfect way to kick off the festive season. Rumour has it a surprise guest from the North Pole might bring some treats. The program starts from 4 pm.
Thursday 2nd December
Book release: Innovation in the streets
Over the last 30 years, Michael Lodberg Olsen has worked with over 20 different initiatives and projects to improve everyday life for some of society’s most vulnerable groups, from drug addicts to homeless people to sex workers. Often, his approach has been unconventional, provocative, innovative. In his new book “Innovation in the streets“, he’s sharing some of his experiences and ideas. Join the release event at The Social Beer Shop from 4-7 pm.
Saturday 4th December
Christmas market on Værnedamsvej & Tullinsgade
Get your festive feelings going when one of Copenhagen’s coziest corners is transforming into an open air Christmas market. Have a stroll around, admire the decoration, and feast on winter treats. From 9 am to 4 pm.
Sunday 5th December
Rita Blå’s Christmas flea market
Go on treasure hunt and enjoy Danish Christmas classics like gløgg and æbleskiver from 11 am to 4 pm in Kulturhus Indre By. There will be a variety of preloved items as well as crafts and more potential Christmas gifts. Want to put up a stall? Tickets are available for 370 DKK.
Flea market at Studenterhuset
At this flea market, students sell clothing, shoes, and more. Student or not, swing by to have a browse from 11 am to 4 pm. Want to put up a stall? Tickets are available from 125 DKK. Please note that you need to be a student to book a stall.
Wednesday 8th December
We Don’t Want Any Crap in Our Wine x Housewife Roast at The Caribbean Housewife
The Caribbean Housewife is mostly known for her Caribbean-inspired soulful soups but Jamain who is behind the concept also has a focus on natural wine from women producers. For this edition of her popular Housewife Roast, she will host a meet-and-greet with Camilla Gjerde, the author of We Don’t Want Any Crap in Our Wine – a book that tells the story of nine women producing natural wine. Can’t make it but intrigued by the book? Until 15th December, the book alongside a selection of photography by Cecilia Magnusson will be on display in the restaurant. You can also purchase the book via the online store.
Thursday 9th – Monday 12th December
Lolita Pelegrime: Female Energy at Galleri 9
Newly opened Galleri 9 showcases Lithuania-born artist Lolita Pelegrime: Female Energy is a collection of portraits of women created between 2018 and 2021. Inspired by Copenhagen’s smoky bodegas, Lolita takes the human experience of people she meets and links them with nature, portraying their unique female energy. Join the vernissage on Thursday from 5 to 8 pm.
Friday 10th December
Midnight bath with sauna, natural wine, and music at Sofiebadet
Historical bathing house Sofiebadet in Christianshavn is hosting a midnight bath – Sauna, natural wine, and a live concert on a Friday night? Yes, please. Tickets cost 375 DKK.
Saturday 11th December
Voices from the Block at Cinemateket
Together with Turning Tables Denmark, Cinemateket is hosting the mini festival “Voices from the Block“. The festival aims at providing a forum for children and teenager from public housing areas who often experience people talking about them rather than with them. With short films, music videos, small documentaries, and other creative formats, they tell stories about their lives and dreams. Tickets are available for part 1 from 3 pm as well as for part 2 from 5 pm and cost 30 DKK each.
Christmas city walk
On this city walk, you’ll learn more about Danish Christmas traditions: How long has the Advent wreath been used in Denmark? How did people celebrate Christmas in the old days? What is a Christmas carol? When did people start decorating spruce in the living rooms? The trip starts at Vor Frue Kirke at 2 pm and ends at the Christmas market in Nyhavn at 3:30 pm. Tickets cost 125 DKK and can be found on the website.
Wine & Vinyl at Huset KBH
Dive into the wonderful world of vinyl, a glass of wine in hand. Expert Karim Pedersen will share some interesting insights about the origin of vinyl. Doors open at 8:30 pm, the event starts at 9 pm. Tickets cost 35 DKK.
Sunday 12th December
Veronica Maggio at Store Vega
Swedish singer-songwriter Veronica Maggio is taking over Store Vega. Veronica grew up in the picturesque city of Uppsala as the daughter of an Italian father and a Swedish mother. She’s known and loved for her Swedish language pop. Experience one of Sweden’s biggest local artists from 8 pm. Doors open 7 pm and tickets cost 375 DKK.
Monday 13th December
Alfabet: An Inger Christensen literature concert at Cinemateket
Inger Christensen was one of Denmark’s most famous female literary figures. Join when sound artist Mute State performs an audiovisual concert dedicated to her, where the audience is a reader, listener, and spectator at once. The concert focuses on Inger Christensen’s collection of poems called “Alphabet“ from 1981. Tickets are available for 100 DKK. From 4:45 pm.
Wednesday 15th December
Film, Tapas & Cocktails: Love Actually at Cinemateket
Richard Curtis’ Love Actually might be one of the more contemporary Christmas classics. Join for a cosy evening at Cinemateket to enjoy a light dinner and cocktail while letting Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson, and Emma Thompson (among others) get you into a festive mood. Tickets cost 215 DKK. The movie will be screened with Danish subtitles. From 5-8:30 pm.
Thursday 16th December
Gay Pop-Up Bar & Banko at Café Engholmen
Gay Pop-Up Bar has joined forces with podcaster Ditte, Josefine, and Simon from “Spøgelser med følelser“: The evening will be kicked off with Banko from 6:30 pm. Tickets are sold out but everyone is welcome to drop by from 8 pm for drinks and good times.
Sunday 19th December
Danish on a Sunday: Malou’s Christmas at Cinemateket
This film from 2020 follows trouble child Malou who is sent to a small island to live with new foster parents. Resenting everything there, she enters a pact with local gnome Nils to get thrown off the island – only to discover that her new home isn’t that bad after all. But a pact is a pact… The film is screened with English subtitles at 2:15 pm.
Monday 20th December
Monday Night Big Band at Huset KBH
Why not start off the Christmas week with some jazz? The orchestra MNBB has been giving Christmas concerts for over 20 years. So get ready for a great evening with exciting surprise acts. Doors open at 7:30 pm and the concert starts at 8 pm. Tickets cost 200 DKK.
Friday 24th December
Christmas Eve
In Denmark, Christmas Eve on 24th December is the most important part of the holiday season. Things get very traditional, from the food to the dance around the Christmas tree. Curious how Danes celebrate and what they dish out? Find a roundup along with some recipes here.
Friday 31st December
New Year’s Eve
Some love it, some hate it – New Year’s Eve is a special evening, whether you like it or not. Need some inspiration or have you always wondered how Danes traditionally kick off the new year? Learn more here.
If you’re a business or organisation that would like us to add your event to next month’s calendar, please contact us at hello [@] scandinaviastandard [dot] com. Thank you!
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