01Weather
Copenhagen weather in December
Afternoons in December average 5.6 °C (42 °F) and nights cool to 2.4 °C (36 °F). Compared with November it is 2.6 °C cooler; January is 1.4 °C cooler again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 9 °C / 48 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 2 °C / 35 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -2 °C / 29 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 6.3 | frost mornings per month |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 11.8 °C / -8.1 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 08:14 | 15:42 | 7.5 h |
| 15 December | 08:33 | 15:36 | 7.1 h |
| 31 December | 08:39 | 15:46 | 7.1 h |
Daylight shrinks by about 24 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Copenhagen).
03Crowds
How busy Copenhagen is in December
moderate The main sights are moderate in December. What drives it:
- Tivoli Christmas market
- Christmas in Nyhavn
- hygge season
04Public holidays
Public holidays in December 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 24 Dec 2026 | Christmas Eve |
| 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec 2026 | St. Stephen's Day |
| 31 Dec 2026 | New Year's Eve |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Copenhagen in December
No major recurring events fall in December.
07Packing
What to pack for Copenhagen in December
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- gloves: frost on about 6 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is cold, dark and festive, with afternoons around 4 °C, Tivoli's Christmas market, gløgg and æbleskiver everywhere and the sun setting before four. Danes celebrate on the 24th, when almost everything closes from noon, and the 25th and 26th are holidays with shops shut and museums mostly closed. Snow falls on a few days and sometimes stays for a white Christmas. New Year's Eve fireworks are loud, unofficial and widespread, with the official speech from the Queen at six.
Hotel rates are moderate until the 23rd, then rise for the New Year week. The ice rink at Frederiksberg Runddel and the Christmas lights on Strøget run all month. Tivoli's season continues to the first days of January. Daylight is under seven hours. The Winter Jazz festival and the sales follow in January, the cheapest month of the year.
09Compare
Copenhagen month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4 °C | 0 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 5 °C | 1 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 7 °C | 1 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| April | 11 °C | 4 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| May | 16 °C | 9 °C | – | – | busy | Good |
| June | 21 °C | 13 °C | – | – | busy | Excellent |
| July | 21 °C | 15 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| August | 22 °C | 14 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
| September | 18 °C | 12 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| October | 13 °C | 9 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
| November | 8 °C | 5 °C | – | – | quiet | Good |
| December | 6 °C | 2 °C | – | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Copenhagen.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam in December | 8 °C | 14 |
| Prague in December | 5 °C | 8 |
| London in December | 8 °C | 11 |
| Budapest in December | 5 °C | 8 |
| Paris in December | 8 °C | 13 |
| Venice in December | 9 °C | 6 |
11FAQ
Copenhagen in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Copenhagen?
December is a good month to visit Copenhagen. Daytime highs average 6 °C (42 °F), and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are moderate.
What is the weather like in Copenhagen in December?
Expect cold days around 6 °C (42 °F) and nights near 2 °C (36 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 9 °C, and one in ten stays below 2 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Copenhagen in December?
December in Copenhagen, by the 1991–2020 station normals.
What should I wear in Copenhagen in December?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Copenhagen crowded in December?
The main sights are moderate in December. Main drivers: Tivoli Christmas market; Christmas in Nyhavn; hygge season.
What time does it get dark in Copenhagen in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 15:36 and rises at 08:33, giving 7.1 hours of daylight.