Denmark Copenhagen Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Copenhagen is very-high
Copenhagen Weather in December — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 4° / 0°
- Rainfall
- 55mm · 11 days
- Crowds
- Very busy
As of 2026, Copenhagen in December averages a high of 4°C and low of 0°C with 55mm of rain over about 11 days. Cold + dark + damp — heavy down coat, thermal merino base layer, waterproof boots with grippy soles, wool scarf + insulated gloves, hat for sunset evenings. Only 7 hours of daylight + 88% humidity makes Copenhagen feel arctic without proper layers. Hand warmers (HotHands at any 7-Eleven) are the canonical Christmas market accessory. Indoor heating is intense — removable mid-layers essential.
December is very-high for Copenhagen.
December is Copenhagen's Christmas peak — Tivoli's full Christmas program (the most-magical European Christmas event), 60+ Christmas market stalls across Copenhagen, candle-lit Nyhavn, glogg + æbleskiver everywhere, and New Year's Eve fireworks displays across the harbor. The Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market at Rådhuspladsen turns the city hall square into a fairy-tale scene. Hotel rates jump 30-50% above November but the cultural payoff is the year's highest. Book 2-3 months ahead for Christmas Eve through January 2.
Travel score
Tivoli Christmas peak + Hans Christian Andersen Markets + NYE fireworks
December Weather at a Glance
December averages 39°F / 4°C highs and 32°F / 0°C lows with 55mm rainfall over 11 wet days (mix of rain + snow). Humidity 88% (year's highest). Sunshine just 1h daily (year's low). Only 7 hours of daylight — sunrise 08:38, sunset 15:38 (year's shortest at winter solstice December 21). Wind chill -3°C on cold-snap days. Snow accumulation typically 2-5 days per December but more often the city stays wet and grey rather than picturesque white. The shortest darkest month is also the year's most-magical thanks to Tivoli Christmas.
December Travel Advice
Book Christmas Eve through January 2 hotels 8-12 weeks ahead (the year's busiest hotel week). Tivoli Christmas + New Year's Eve at Tivoli (kr175 entry + fireworks at midnight) — book Tivoli online to skip queue. Christmas Day (December 25) + Boxing Day (December 26) — most restaurants + museums close. Many Michelin restaurants (including Noma + Geranium) close December 23 - January 5. Pre-book Christmas dinners 6+ weeks ahead at heritage restaurants (Restaurant Schønnemann, Aamanns, Palægade). New Year's Eve at Nyhavn or Christianshavn — fireworks displays start ~22:00 from boats + windows.
Flying In from Overseas
Christmas + NYE peak inbound from all major markets. Direct flights from Seoul $1,200-1,800 (Korean Air direct), $1,800-2,800 Christmas + NYE week. Tokyo $1,100-1,600, Shanghai $900-1,300. From Europe: London $150-400, Paris $200-450, Berlin $130-300. NYC $700-1,400, Toronto $750-1,500. NYE flights are the year's most expensive after Korean summer break. Schengen visa-free.
December Pricing Trends
Year's secondary peak (after July-August): Hotel d'Angleterre $800-1,500/night Christmas-NYE week, $600-1,000 mid-Dec. Nimb Hotel $700-1,200. Mid-range 4-star $230-400. Flights from Seoul $1,200-1,800 (NYE week $1,800-2,800). Christmas Eve through January 2 is the year's busiest hotel week — book 8+ weeks ahead.
Copenhagen December Weather Stats
Avg High
4°C
Avg Low
0°C
Rainy Days
11
55mm total
Sunshine
1h
Daily avg
Humidity
88%
humid
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
13 km/h
Gusts 38
Sea Temp
5°C
no swimming
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
19 μg/m³
PM10
34 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
1°C
Nighttime
-3°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
13 km/h
Max gust 38 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tivoli Christmas at peak (Copenhagen's most-magical event of the year)
- Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market at Rådhuspladsen
- 60+ Christmas market stalls citywide (glogg + æbleskiver every block)
- New Year's Eve at Tivoli or Nyhavn (fireworks across the harbor)
- Hygge season absolute peak — candles + fires + flødeboller everywhere
Cons
- 4/0°C cold + 88% humidity = brutally damp arctic feel
- Only 7h of daylight (sunrise 08:38, sunset 15:38)
- Hotels at near-peak summer prices (Hotel d'Angleterre $800-1,500/night)
- Rain/snow 11 days/month — slushy sidewalks
- Christmas Day + Boxing Day reduced hours (many restaurants + museums closed)
December Events & Festivals
- Tivoli Christmas peak season (peak last week of November through January 1)
- Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market at Rådhuspladsen
- Christmas Day (Dec 25) + Boxing Day (Dec 26) reduced hours
- New Year's Eve fireworks at Tivoli + Nyhavn + Christianshavn
Copenhagen in December — Full Picture
December is Copenhagen's Christmas peak — Tivoli's full Christmas program (the most-magical European Christmas event), 60+ Christmas market stalls across Copenhagen, candle-lit Nyhavn, glogg + æbleskiver everywhere, and New Year's Eve fireworks displays across the harbor. The Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market at Rådhuspladsen turns the city hall square into a fairy-tale scene. Hotel rates jump 30-50% above November but the cultural payoff is the year's highest. Book 2-3 months ahead for Christmas Eve through January 2.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Cold + dark + damp — heavy down coat, thermal merino base layer, waterproof boots with grippy soles, wool scarf + insulated gloves, hat for sunset evenings. Only 7 hours of daylight + 88% humidity makes Copenhagen feel arctic without proper layers. Hand warmers (HotHands at any 7-Eleven) are the canonical Christmas market accessory. Indoor heating is intense — removable mid-layers essential.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
11°C
3.3°C
8.7/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
20.3°C
12.3°C
10.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
12°C
6.3°C
11/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current3.3°C
-1.3°C
10/mo
Copenhagen Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3° | -2° | 11d·50mm | 1h | 88% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 3° | -2° | 8d·30mm | 2h | 85% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 6° | 0° | 9d·35mm | 4h | 80% | 2 | Quiet | Shoulder | |
| 11° | 3° | 9d·35mm | 6h | 75% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 16° | 7° | 8d·40mm | 8h | 70% | 4 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 19° | 11° | 10d·50mm | 9h | 70% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 21° | 13° | 10d·70mm | 8h | 70% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 21° | 13° | 11d·75mm | 7h | 73% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| 17° | 10° | 10d·55mm | 5h | 78% | 3 | Busy | Peak | |
| 12° | 6° | 11d·60mm | 3h | 82% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 7° | 3° | 12d·65mm | 1h | 87% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| December (Best) | 4° | 0° | 11d·55mm | 1h | 88% | 1 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Copenhagen December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Copenhagen?
Copenhagen in December is very-high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Copenhagen in December?
Copenhagen December averages a high of 4°C and a low of 0°C.
Does it rain much in Copenhagen in December?
Copenhagen December averages 55mm of rainfall over about 11 rainy days.
What should I wear in Copenhagen in December?
Cold + dark + damp — heavy down coat, thermal merino base layer, waterproof boots with grippy soles, wool scarf + insulated gloves, hat for sunset evenings. Only 7 hours of daylight + 88% humidity makes Copenhagen feel arctic without proper layers. Hand warmers (HotHands at any 7-Eleven) are the canonical Christmas market accessory. Indoor heating is intense — removable mid-layers essential.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Copenhagen in December?
Copenhagen December sunrise is 08:38 and sunset is 15:38, with 7h of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Copenhagen in December?
Copenhagen December air quality (AQI) averages 52, rated Moderate. PM2.5 averages 19μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Copenhagen in December?
In December, Copenhagen is great for Tivoli Christmas (Pantomime Nutcracker + 500,000 lights + 60+ markets), Christmas markets at Højbro Plads + Hans Christian Andersen Rådhuspladsen + Nyhavn, Christiansborg Tower (free indoor city panorama + heated).
Is December peak season in Copenhagen?
Copenhagen December crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Copenhagen
View Other Months
Planning a December trip to Copenhagen?
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Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.