It is a mathematical certainty that as Christmas gets closer, more people are looking for presents, so why not start your hunt early and beat the rush?
Perfectly timed for this purpose are what we like to call the arty Christmas markets – included here with a few other pretenders this year. Miss them at your peril!
The next Faberge
Starting in mid-November – please note that the New Designers’ Market, a fixture over the last eight years, is not taking place this year – a trip to these markets is rarely a wasted one.
Among the affordable, unique offerings are gems that could even accumulate in value. So make sure you get the name of the designer, as in a few years’ time, s/he could be the talk of the town, or even the world.
Design Xmas Market
Dec 2-4, Fri 12:00-19:00, Sat & Sun 10:00-17:00; Victoria Ceramic Studio, Vesterbrogade 24B, Cph V; free adm
Normally the home of six potters, Viktoria Ceramic Studio will for the sixth year in a row transform into a shopping wonderland where you can purchase goodies such as Copenhagen’s finest ceramics, jewellery, leather, knitwear and more unique items.
Source sample products that you will not be able to find anywhere else, including work by designers such as Kasper Kasper and Tina Marie, while CPH Handmade offer exquisite ceramic products. As well as shopping, you can visit their cosy café and enjoy some fresh pastries, hot drinks, and mulled wine.
BaghusDK Xmas Market
Dec Sat 13 & 14, 20 & 21, 10:00-16:00; Vesterbrogade 107B, Cph V; free adm
The Danish furniture, ceramics and jewellery designers at BaghusDK sell prototypes, discontinued goods, samples and exhibition products – all of their own creation. Look out for the discounts in their big Christmas sale and check out their range on the Facebook page.
KADK Xmas Market
Nov 29, 10:00-17:00; Philip De Langes Allé 10, Cph K; free adm; kadk.dk/en
Every year the students and employees at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts Schools of Architecture, Design and Conservation (KADK) sell their own creations such as sculptures, Christmas decorations, jewellery, ceramics, prints and paintings – stuff they’ve made during their studies. Don’t forget to bring cash.
Margrethe School
Nov 22, 10:00-18:00; Badestuestræde 1-3, Cph K; free adm
At the Academy of Fashion and Design, students/designers do their own designs and illustrations. If you need a unique Christmas gift, this is a great place to look. And don’t go without trying their gløgg and æbleskiver.
Jewellery for Change
Venue and date TBC, last year’s event was at Display, Saxogade 92, Cph V; kea.dk
Talented design students from KEA are taking over the display shop for their event ‘Jewellery for Change’. Its purpose is to expand the world’s perception of what a piece of jewellery is about. Expect classy items and a good atmosphere to get you in the mood.
Rita Blå’s Julelopper
Nov 19, 12:00-17:00; AFUK Foreningen, Enghavevej 82B, Cph V; free adm.
Normally held on the five Sundays leading up to Christmas, this market specialises in crafts, design and vintage clothing. Visiting the stalls is like attending a party as the music never stops.
Best of the one-off markets
Vesterbro Xmas Party
Sun 27 Nov, 15:00; Enghaveparken, Cph V
Wrap up warm and head over to the park to decorate recycled Christmas trees. Your reward is risengrød bubbling away with festive spirit, music, dancing and, if you’re lucky, Santa might grant you a wish.
Carlsberg Xmas Market
Fri 2 Dec, 10:00; Bryggergård, Visit Carlsberg, Cph V
Hop aboard for what is probably the best Christmas market ever arranged for Dad. Sample special beer, stock up your festive brew and tick off the chore of buying a tree while you’re nicely sozzled. And if your kids behave, treat them to a horse-drawn carriage and æbelskiver.
Østerbro’s Hyggeligste Market
Sat 3 Dec, 10:00-16:00; Remisen, Blegdamsvej 132, Cph Ø; 10kr
Named by Antik & Auktion magazine as one of Copenhagen’s best, the Christmas edition of the well-known flea market will serve up countless possibilities for presents. As the organisers proudly proclaim, it’s the “market where people meet”.
Family Xmas Market
Fri 25 Nov, 15:00-20:00, Sat 26 & Sun 27 Nov, 10:00-16:00; Bernstorff Slot, Jægersborg Alle 93, Gentofte
Sat 3 Dec & Sun 4 Dec, 10:00-16:00; Det gamle Grønttorv, Grønttorvet 5, Valby; over-12s 75kr, under-12s 25kr, under-3s free adm
The organisers are promising a magical Christmas experience for the whole family – at these prices, it better be! Santa and his elves will be in attendance, along with 90 stalls selling the finest festive crafts, and musicians aplenty. This could be the Danish julehygge experience you’ve been looking for.
Flid’s Xmas Market
Sat 3 Dec & Sun 4 Dec, 11:00-17:00; Nørrebrohallen, Cph N; over-12s 30kr, under-12s free adm: flidmarked.com
Entrepreneurs, craftsmen and other exhibitors will be selling their one-off knick-knacks. Prints, jewellery and ceramics will heavily feature. Cards and Mobilepay accepted! Check the website for a list of the 100-odd stall holders.
Norwegian Christmas market
Fri 25 Nov, 14:00-19:00, Sat 26 Nov, 11:00-16:00 & Sun 27 Nov, 12:00-16:00; Sjømannskirken, Ved Mønten 9, Cph S; 10kr
Enjoy Norwegian delicacies at this bazaar. The festivities include a performance by the King Haakon Church Choir (Sat 14:00) and a liturgy to mark the first Sunday of Advent (Sun 11:00). Enjoy pinnekjøtt, lutefisk, cookies, waffles and more.
