Things to do at Christmas
Various locations in Cph
For a city of just over one million, Copenhagen does have it all … and never more so than over Christmas. Enjoy one of these festive celebrations, whether youÂ’re after a traditional church service, fun with friends, or an alternative celebration at Christiania. Glædelig Jul!
Christmas Dinner at the Rover
Irish Rover, Vimmelskaftet 46, Cph K; 24 Dec from 11:00 until late, 25 Dec from 12:00 until late, 26 Dec from 11:00 until late; 3333 7393
If youÂ’re not up for making your own Christmas Day dinner, and youÂ’re tired of Danish cuisine, drop into the Irish Rover on Strøget for a traditional Irish feast. The proprietor of the Rover, Jonno, ensures a yuletide experience to remember. A three-course meal is on offer for just 196kr (half price for kids) including soup, roast turkey or duck, and a hearty apple tart. And in true Irish spirit, a glass of beer or wine is included in the meal. As they say in the old country: ‘Nollaig faoi shéan is faoi shaonas duitÂ’ – A happy and a prosperous Christmas to you!
Homeless Christmas at ChristianiaÂ’s Grey Hall
Den Grå Hal (The Grey Hall), Christiania, Refeshalevej 2, Cph K; Dec 24-25
Even if youÂ’re not homeless (and many who attend this arenÂ’t), you can still enjoy an artistic and quirky Christmas with a twist as the Grey Hall serves up a wonderful Christmas dinner. The party here is a welcome escape from the run-of-the-mill Christmas. Celebrations are held over the 24th and 25th. No entry fee is required and the food is also free, but donations are gladly welcomed. So spice up your Jul this year and make for a Christiania Christmas.
Celebrate with the International Church of Copenhagen
International Church of Copenhagen, Gjørlingsvej 10, Hellerup; Dec 24, 12:00 –20:00; www.internationalchurch.dk
The International Church of Copenhagen will begin their Christmas Eve celebrations at their Church House in Hellerup with a light lunch at 12:00, continue with a worship service at 13:00 and then have more food and celebrations from 14:00 until 20:00. And then on December 25, a service will be held at Sankt Andreas Kirke (Gothersgade 148, 1123 Cph K) at 11:30.
St AlbanÂ’s Anglican Church
St AlbanÂ’s Church, Churchill Parken 6, Langelinie; 24 Dec at 12:00 & 23:30, 25 Dec at 10:30; www.st-albans.dk
If youÂ’re a traditional type, or would just like to experience a church service in English to mark the birth of Jesus, then try the Anglican Church. St AlbanÂ’s will hold a carol service for children on Christmas Eve with a midnight mass later in the night. They will also hold a service on Christmas Day.
Russian Orthodox Christmas
The Aleksander Nevskij Russian Orthodox Church, Bregade 53, Cph K; check church for details – services tend to take place on Dec 28 & 29, and Jan 1& 7
Built in 1883 after Danish princess Dagmar married Russian tsar-to-be Aleksander III, this magnificent church is a prominent landmark and difficult to miss. This church is closed to tourists so a service is the only chance to appreciate the inside of this building. The Orthodox ChurchÂ’s Christmas celebration culminates on 7 January – the official birth date of Christ according to the orthodox calendar. Services are usually held in Church-Slavic, but there are Danish language exceptions during the holiday season.
Christmas shopping in Malmø
Why not take a trip over the Øresund Bridge to do some Christmas shopping with cheaper price tags than Denmark. Malmö has 800 shops and counting, as well as seven shopping centres: Hansa, Triangeln, Caroli, Balthazar City, Storgatan, Åhléns and Mobilia. The city gets dressed up in its finest Christmas outfit so enjoy a bit of Christmas with a Swedish twist. Trains from Copenhagen run to Malmø every 20 minutes from the main station and only cost 82kr for adults and 41kr for kids.
Catholic Church
Sankt Ansgars Church, Bregade 64, Cph K; 24 Dec at 16:00, 24 Dec midnight mass at 23:30, 25 Dec at 11:00; 3313 3762
Join the millions of Catholics across the world who attend midnight mass at CopenhagenÂ’s very own version at Sankt Ansgars Church. They also offer a special Christmas music piece at the midnight mass service.
Palae Bar
Ny Adelgade 5, Cph K; Dec 24, 12:00-14:00; Free Adm
Jazz from 12:00 to 14:00 with the kind of service that would make Basil Fawlty blush.
Catch a Christmas Film
Cinemaxx Fisketorvet, Kalvebod Brygge 57, Cph V; www.cinemaxx.dk;
Who doesnÂ’t love a good Christmas film to get you in the mood. Catch Tim BurtonÂ’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D. This is an old kids film from 1993, delightfully updated to 3D. The plot follows Jack Skellington, the king of Halloweentown, who discovers Christmas Town, but doesnÂ’t quite understand the concept.
Church-goer Christmas dinner
Cph K; Dec 25
Traditionally on December 25 church-goers at three churches – Sankt Andreas Kirke (Gothersgade 148, 124 Cph K), Vor Frue Kirke (Nørregade) and Trinitatis Kirke (Landemærket 2) – congregate for an extremely affordable Christmas lunch. Check within the churchÂ’s circles whether the dinner will take place this year.
