Can you hear it? There's something in the distance... It sounds like it's getting closer. Could it be? Yes, it's Christmas!

You've probably noticed that the tinfoil-wrapped chocolate elves have long since appeared in your supermarket. The Christmas beer has started flowing, and soon everything else will come roaring in. As usual, we've picked a few highlights for you to indulge in this festive season.

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So put on your reindeer motif sweater, open the first bag of biscuits and read on.

In Copenhagen, you can find everything from large international Christmas markets to small and more local markets selling handmade goods. You can find a list of Christmas markets in Copenhagen here, but we'd like to spoil you with two that we've picked out that are particularly exciting.

BaneGaarden's Christmas Market

Every weekend from November 26th to the 17th of December (both days included), BaneGaarden opens its heavy wooden gates for several weekends full of Christmas magic. There will be several markets where you can buy your Christmas presents, a Lucia procession, Christmas bingo and tombola, s'mores and snobrød over a bonfire and much more. 

You can find the full programme here and buy tickets for the Christmas buffet here. It will be hard not to get into the Christmas spirit, no matter which day you choose. Because the programme is different every day, so you can swing by every day and get a new experience every time.

Flid Christmas Market

Once again, this year, Flid Julemarked is opening its doors for a proper round of artistic and sustainable Christmas fun. It takes place from the 8th to the 10th of December in Nørrebrohallen, where artist exhibitors, designers and craftsmen will be present.

Photo: Rasmus Kongsgaard

Flid is all about sustainability, originality, shaping and design. This means you can buy Christmas gifts for everyone in the family, regardless of age and taste.  You'll be able to find items in different categories, such as jewellery design, illustrations, wood design, furniture, crafts and lighting.

If you need a December experience where you don't feel crushed by Christmas, read on! You might associate afternoon tea with the British upper class, but in Copenhagen, you don't have to be rich or British to enjoy a pot of tea, finger sandwiches, scones, and delicious little cakes. Inside Perch's Tea Room, located just above the famous tea shop, you can be pampered in the beautiful and very classical surroundings.

Photo: A. C. Perch's Tea Room

They have a wide menu with over 100 different teas, cheese platters, cakes, scones, and much more. There's a high ceiling and tablecloth on the table and a tea station where the skilled staff will brew your tea to perfection. Best of all, after your visit to Perch's Tea Room, you can go down to the shop and buy the tea to take home, so you can have a piece of luxury in your cup at home.

You can't say Christmas in Denmark without saying glögg. Although it's an old tradition, there are still many different new interpretations. If you take a walk around the various bars, cafés, and restaurants in Copenhagen, most will have their version of glögg. The classic can be found at Hviids Vinstue, but there are plenty of other solid options around Copenhagen just waiting to be savoured.

Photo: Hviids Vinstue

Whatever you're into, there's a glögg version of it. We've created a glögg guide so you can find the glögg that works best for you! It's just a matter of trial and error. You could even go on a glögg tour around Copenhagen and try a bunch of different ones.

Denmark has a tradition of celebrating the light and Saint Lucia on December 13th. According to legend, Lucia was a young Christian woman who fell victim to Emperor Diocletian's persecution of Christians, which is why Denmark honours her with a luminous parade.

It's no secret that we in Copenhagen love our canals, so on the 13th of December you can experience a slightly alternative Santa Lucia parade in true Copenhagen style when kayaks and a canal tour boat from Stromma, with the choir Tritonus on board, set off from Kayak Republic and sail through the canals in kayaks decorated with lights and Christmas decorations.

Photo: Daniel Rasmussen

The parade is a beautiful sight to be enjoyed from the quayside along the canals of Copenhagen. This year, the route has been extended with an extra stop, and you will therefore be able to experience the kayakers singing Christmas carols in Nyhavn, from where the floating parade continues to Christianshavns Torv, BLOX and Højbro Plads, before ending at Kayak Republic on Børskaj.

The most popular stop is at Nyhavn, so if you want to watch the parade somewhere with a little more space, you can join the parade at Christianshavn or BLOX, where there is expected to be a little more elbow room. You can read more about the Lucia parade and see the full programme here.

Danish Christmas is generally associated with a lot of traditions, and for most Danes, the Christmas menu is probably synonymous with roast duck, roast pork, red cabbage, browned potatoes and risalamande and much, much more.

At Ravelinen in Christianshavn you can get the classic Christmas dinner with curry herring, fish fillet, pork roast and the beloved Christmas dessert; Risalamande. The Christmas menu comes in different sizes, and there is both a lunch platter for the small hunger and a big Christmas table. If you are one of those who like to challenge the classic Christmas traditions and flavours, Selma in the city centre has a slightly different approach to their Christmas table. The Christmas menu contains the classic basic elements but is accompanied by new and exciting flavour combinations.

Photo: Lukas Bukoven

All we need now are big fat fluffy flakes of falling snow and the children's big round eyes on the presents under the tree. Is it a new phone or has grandma knitted socks again this year?   

But one thing is the gift race and high calorie intake, another is the cosiness, community and interpersonal generosity. So a big recommendation is to get out and contribute to the good vibes in the city once a year.

We'll be back in your inbox before you know it with more of the best of Copenhagen.

Copenhagen Unfolded is published by VisitCopenhagen. Our goal is to tell the world about Copenhagen and the great experiences that are to be had here. This issue of Copenhagen Unfolded is put together by Kasper Syhler, Julie Horn and Christina Daubjerg Newman.

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