From festive markets and beer and cookie-tasting to ‘gnome schools’ and Christmas storytelling, there are heaps of magical things to do for the whole family during this festive season, in and near Copenhagen.

Browse through our guide for some advice on where to go and what to see to get a taste of the traditional Danish ‘julehygge’.

For more inspiration from the museums, visit Copenhagen Museums & Attraction at cphmuseums.com

Christmas at the Castle
Dec 3-4 & 10-11, 10:00-17:00, Kronborg Castle, Kronborg 2C, Helsingør
Indulge in the annual gathering of the Christmas Market at Kronborg Castle. In the rooms and halls of this historic Renaissance castle you will find a great variety of stands selling Christmas decorations, arts and crafts, unique design, clothes, toys and small goods. Certainly, you will get in the right jolly spirit when the tall tree in the grand ballroom is lit and the children’s Christmas show comes on. The seasonal Christmas market at Kronborg Castle is a great opportunity to experience one of the most impressive buildings in Denmark and the mythical home of Hamlet.

Carlsberg Christmas Market
Dec 2-4, 10:00-17:00; Visit Carlsberg, Gamle Carlsberg Vej 11, Cph V
Enjoy delightful Danish æbleskiver, mulled wine with beer, special beer-tastings and Carlsberg everywhere. Visit Carlsberg’s rustic beer garden sets the tone for a brand-new Christmas market where seasonal cheer abounds, while you can buy tasty foods and drinks at the Jacobsen Brew House & Bar. Buy beer for your Christmas party, do some last-minute Christmas shopping and take a horse carriage ride with family and friends. It is a Christmas outing for the whole family – and even Dad will enjoy this one! Particularly as entrance to the market is free.

Going Old School
Dec 3-4, 11:00-16:00; Sagnlandet Lejre, Slangealleen 2, Lejre
In the beautiful scenery of hills, forests, lakes and meadows you will find houses, cottages and gardens from the Stone Age, Iron Age, Viking Era and 1800s. And here you will also encounter Sagnlandet, Lejre’s annual Christmas celebration. Join the atmospheric fun when Sagnlandet turns the entire scenery into a Winter Wonderland from the 1800s. Make your own Christmas candles, tin soldiers, sweets and elves – and get familiar with all the old-fashioned Danish Christmas traditions. There are candles in the paned windows and scents of Christmas cookies, homemade honey and sweets in the air. Don’t miss this exciting and cosy family experience: Christmas like in the Old Days!

Gnomes Galore
Cookie-tasting: Dec 3-4, 13:30-15:30
Gnome school: every Sat & Sun in Dec, 12:00-15:00
National Museum of Denmark, Prinsens Palæ, Ny Vestergade 10, Cph K
Gnomes, elves, Santa’s little helpers – it’s the season for small creatures with pointy red hats. Hear stories about gnomes on ships, church gnomes, farm gnomes and garden gnomes, when the National Museum’s gnome experts let you in on everything a proper Christmas gnome needs to know. This year, the National Museum of Denmark is transforming into a ‘gnome school’ where potential little gnomes learn how to practise the difficult clog walk, how to write like a gnome and how to help in Santa’s workshop. If you pass all the tests, you will be considered a real gnome – and receive your own diploma. Meanwhile, the adults can indulge in the historic Christmas cookie-tasting. Encounter some of the traditional Danish Christmas delicacies – ‘pebbernødder’, ‘æbleskiver’ and ‘vaniljekranse’ – and hear the stories behind them.

For more inspiration from the museums, visit Copenhagen Museums & Attraction at cphmuseums.com