Month guide · Copenhagen · Denmark
Copenhagen in December
What December is really like in Copenhagen: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 5°C (41°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 7.1 hours of daylight. Short, dark days brightened by Christmas markets, gløgg and æbleskiver; busy around the holidays.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 5°C (41°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 7.1 hours
- Sea temperature
- 6°C (43°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in December
December is the 10th-warmest month in Copenhagen: days average 5°C (41°F) against a yearly average high of 12°C (54°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with November (8°C (46°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 3°C (37°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 08:33
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 15:37
- Daylight
- About 7.1 hours
- Sea
- 6°C (43°F)
Winter (December–February). Cold and dark, with Christmas markets, gløgg and hygge in December, then the quietest and lowest-priced weeks of the year.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in July). Book accommodation early: December is one of the pricier months.
Events in December
- Christmas markets at Nyhavn, Højbro Plads and Tivoli (usually late November to December)
- New Year's Eve fireworks across the city
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Landmark · Indre By
Rundetårn (Round Tower)
Built by Christian IV in the 1640s as an astronomical observatory, the Round Tower is climbed by a smooth spiral ramp instead of stairs — wide enough, legend says, for Peter the Great to ride up on horseback.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Kids
- Architecture
Waterfront · Islands Brygge
Islands Brygge Harbour Bath
Come on a warm weekday evening when locals arrive after work; lifeguards are on duty only during the summer season.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Active
- Kids
Architecture · Amager
CopenHill
Bjarke Ingels' waste-to-energy plant has an artificial ski slope on its sloping roof, a hiking trail to a rooftop viewpoint and one of the world's tallest climbing walls on its facade.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Architecture
- Free
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Nørrebro
Assistens Cemetery
Pick up a map at the entrance to find the famous graves, and keep your voice down near recent burials.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
What to pack
For highs near 5°C, lows near 1°C and 10 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Copenhagen?
A shoulder-season month, with 2 notable events on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Copenhagen in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Copenhagen?
It is a shoulder-season month. Short, dark days brightened by Christmas markets, gløgg and æbleskiver; busy around the holidays.
+How warm is Copenhagen in December?
Average highs are around 5°C (41°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Copenhagen in December?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.