01Weather
Copenhagen weather in January
Afternoons in January average 4.2 °C (40 °F) and nights cool to 0.5 °C (33 °F). Compared with December it is 1.4 °C cooler; February is 0.6 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical January | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 8 °C / 46 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 0 °C / 32 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | -4 °C / 25 °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) | 11.6 | frost mornings per month |
| Hottest / coldest January day 2016–2025 | 11.4 °C / -10.1 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | 08:38 | 15:47 | 7.1 h |
| 15 January | 08:28 | 16:09 | 7.7 h |
| 31 January | 08:04 | 16:41 | 8.6 h |
Daylight grows by about 90 minutes over the month. Times are local (Europe/Copenhagen).
03Crowds
How busy Copenhagen is in January
quiet The main sights are quiet in January. What drives it:
- dark, cold days
- Winter Jazz festival from late January
- museum season
04Public holidays
Public holidays in January 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
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 January
Every year in January
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Jazz | late January to mid-February | music |
07Packing
What to pack for Copenhagen in January
- a winter coat, gloves and a hat
- thermal layer for early mornings
- waterproof shoes
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- gloves: frost on about 12 mornings
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
January is the darkest month, with grey skies, temperatures hovering around freezing and daylight from about half past eight until four. Tivoli is closed after the first days of the month, but the Winter Jazz festival starts in the last week with concerts in clubs and churches across the city, and the museums and design shops are empty. Hotel rates are the lowest of the year.
Snow falls on a handful of days and rarely stays long; sleet and wind off the harbour are more typical. The Christmas markets are gone, but the hygge season of candlelit cafés is at its most convincing. The winter sales run all month. The harbour baths are closed, though winter bathing clubs swim daily. The Frederiksborg and Kronborg castles are an easy train day trip with no queues. February brings Fashion Week and the school holidays; see February.
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 January? See the best time to visit Copenhagen.
10Elsewhere
January in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam in January | 7 °C | 12 |
| Prague in January | 4 °C | 10 |
| London in January | 7 °C | 11 |
| Budapest in January | 4 °C | 10 |
| Paris in January | 7 °C | 13 |
| Venice in January | 8 °C | 5 |
11FAQ
Copenhagen in January: your questions
Is January a good time to visit Copenhagen?
January is a good month to visit Copenhagen. Daytime highs average 4 °C (40 °F), and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are quiet.
What is the weather like in Copenhagen in January?
Expect cold days around 4 °C (40 °F) and nights near 0 °C (33 °F). One January in ten brings afternoons above 8 °C, and one in ten stays below 0 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Copenhagen in January?
January in Copenhagen, by the 1991–2020 station normals.
What should I wear in Copenhagen in January?
Pack a winter coat, gloves and a hat, thermal layer for early mornings, waterproof shoes.
Is Copenhagen crowded in January?
The main sights are quiet in January. Main drivers: dark, cold days; Winter Jazz festival from late January; museum season.
What time does it get dark in Copenhagen in January?
Around the middle of January the sun sets at about 16:09 and rises at 08:28, giving 7.7 hours of daylight.