Copenhagen, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Oslo and Helsinki 2026
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Introduction
Mulled wine is called gløgg or glögg here, the stalls stand between snow and lights, and by half past three it’s already dark. A city trip to a Scandinavian Christmas market is pure magic for kids and a lovely reason for parents to get away for a few days in December.
We introduce the markets in Copenhagen, Stockholm, Gothenburg, Oslo and Helsinki, with the dates for 2026 as the organisers publish them themselves. If there’s no official date, we say so honestly.
Researched by Arjan from Zuidlaren, so you don’t have to · Sources: Københavns Kommune, Tivoli, Skansen · updated 24 October 2026 · About this page
You’ll find more winter ideas on Winter in Scandinavia.
📌 Overview
Most Scandinavian Christmas markets open in mid-November and run until just before Christmas; Tivoli and Jul i Vinterland go on until 3 January 2027. Expect short days: in mid-December it’s only light for about six hours in Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki.
| Season | Mid-November to late December; some until 3 January 2027 |
|---|---|
| Daylight in mid-December | ± 7 hrs in Copenhagen, ± 6.5 hrs in Gothenburg, ± 6 hrs in Stockholm, Oslo and Helsinki (calculated with NOAA) |
| Admission | City markets free; Tivoli, Skansen and Liseberg with an admission ticket |
| Distance from Utrecht (NL) | Copenhagen ± 902 km (± 9.6 hrs), Oslo ± 1,500 km (± 16.5 hrs), Stockholm ± 1,548 km (± 16.8 hrs) (OSRM) |
Practical
In mid-December it’s light for less than six hours in Helsinki. Plan outdoor activities around midday and save the market for the dark: that’s when the lights are at their prettiest.
Source: NOAA Solar Calculator
You’ll be outside for hours, standing at the stalls. A hat, scarf, gloves and waterproof shoes with a good sole are no luxury; kids get cold faster than you do.
Scandinavia pays almost only by card. Skansen is even completely cashless; bring a debit or credit card.
Source: Skansen
At Skansen, children up to and including 15 years go free. On Nytorv in Copenhagen there’s a free ice rink, and Tivoli and Liseberg have rides for little ones.
Source: Skansen · Københavns Kommune
Comparison
| City | Market | Period | Admission | Kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen | Jul i Tivoli | 13 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 (source) | Admission ticket needed (source) | Rides and lights; ideal for little ones |
| Copenhagen | Nytorv & Gammeltorv | from 6 Nov 2026, 11:00–21:00; end date: see official website | Free (source) | Free ice rink |
| Copenhagen | Højbro Plads | from 14 Nov 2026, 11:00–21:00 (source) | Free (source) | – |
| Stockholm | Skansen Christmas market | Fri–Sun, 27 Nov – 20 Dec 2026 (source) | Skansen admission; 0–15 years free (source) | Open-air museum with animals; cashless |
| Stockholm | Stortorget, Gamla Stan | Dates for 2026 not officially confirmed | – | – |
| Gothenburg | Jul på Liseberg | 14 Nov – 30 Dec 2026, not daily (source) | Included in the Liseberg admission ticket (source) | Rides for young and old |
| Oslo | Jul i Vinterland | 7 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 (source) | Free; some attractions cost extra (source) | Ferris wheel and ice rink |
| Helsinki | Tuomaan Markkinat | 27 Nov – 22 Dec 2026 (source) | See official website | On Senate Square |
Aarhus and Odense have lovely Christmas markets too, but we haven’t found official dates for 2026 yet. We’ll add them as soon as they’re known.
Days out
Location: Copenhagen Type: Theme park · Christmas
The old amusement park in the middle of the city becomes a Christmas world with lights, stalls and rides from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
You need a ticket to get in.
Also via GetYourGuide · Official website
Advertisement · affiliate linkLocation: Copenhagen Type: Christmas market · free
Christmas market on two squares in the centre, from 6 November, daily from 11:00 to 21:00. There’s a free ice rink.
Location: Copenhagen Type: Christmas market · free
Christmas market by the water at Højbro Plads, from 14 November, from 11:00 to 21:00.
Location: Copenhagen Type: Boat trip
A calm ride through the canals of Copenhagen in a quiet electric boat, with a guide telling the story live. Nice for a sit-down between two Christmas markets.
Also via Viator
Advertisement · affiliate linkPlace: Copenhagen Type: Walking tour
A guide takes you through the lit-up streets and Christmas markets of the city centre. At the market you taste æbleskiver, Danish Christmas puffs with jam and icing sugar, with coffee.
Location: Stockholm Type: Open-air museum · Christmas
Since 1903 one of Sweden’s oldest Christmas markets, in the open-air museum on Djurgården. Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 27 November to 20
December 2026. Skansen is cashless.
Location: Stockholm Type: Christmas market
The Christmas market on the oldest square in the city is a classic. We haven’t yet been able to confirm the dates for 2026 with the organiser.
Place: Stockholm Type: Walking tour
Through the narrow lanes of the old town to Stortorget, where the Christmas market stands in December. A handy way to get your bearings.
Also via Viator
Advertisement · affiliate linkPlace: Stockholm Type: Walking tour
You walk past the Christmas lights and a Christmas market and taste glögg and Swedish Christmas sweets along the way. A good first impression of the city in December.
Also via Viator
Advertisement · affiliate linkPlace: Stockholm Type: Boat trip · lunch
Two hours through the Stockholm archipelago aboard M/S Enköping, according to the provider the oldest passenger ship in the world still sailing. On board there’s a Swedish Christmas buffet and glögg. A warm break on a cold December day.
Location: Gothenburg Type: Theme park · Christmas
Liseberg is a Christmas park from 14 November to 30 December 2026, but not every day.
The Christmas market is included in the admission ticket. Check the calendar beforehand.
Location: Gothenburg Type: Boat trip
In a flat Paddan boat you travel for about 40 minutes through the canals towards Liseberg, with glögg and Christmas music on board. A lovely start to an evening at Jul på Liseberg.
Location: Oslo Type: Christmas market · free admission
Christmas market with a Ferris wheel and ice rink in Spikersuppa, right in the centre. Open from 7 November 2026 to 3
January 2027.
Place: Oslo Type: Walking tour
A guide takes you through Oslo’s festively decorated centre and tells you about Norwegian Christmas traditions. Afterwards you can head to Jul i Vinterland yourself.
Location: Helsinki Type: Christmas market
Helsinki’s big Christmas market is on Senate Square, from 27 November to 22 December 2026.
Place: Helsinki Type: Walking tour
A walking tour through Helsinki’s illuminated centre, with a visit to the Christmas market. Your guide tells you about Finnish Christmas customs.
Santa Claus Village isn’t a Christmas market: the village on the Arctic Circle is open all year round. Opening hours: see official website.
Place: Rovaniemi Type: Day trip
In Santa’s village on the Arctic Circle you take a ride with a dog team. Goes well with a visit to Santa himself.
Also via Viator
Advertisement · affiliate linkLocation: Rovaniemi Type: Tour
A guided tour of Santa Claus Village where you officially cross the Arctic Circle and get a certificate with your name on it. You’re picked up at your hotel, handy if you’re in Rovaniemi without a car.
Also via Viator
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Where to stay
Practical
| What | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Admission to the city markets in Copenhagen and Oslo | Free | kk.dk · julivinterland.no |
| Jul i Tivoli | Price: see official website | tivoli.dk |
| Skansen Christmas market | Admission; 0–15 years free | skansen.se |
| Jul på Liseberg | Included in the admission ticket | liseberg.se |
| Hotel, weekend 11–13 December 2026 | Current price per hotel via the buttons above | Booking.com |
FAQ
In mid-November. In Copenhagen, Nytorv & Gammeltorv opens on 6 November 2026 and Tivoli on 13 November; Oslo starts on 7 November.
Tivoli and Liseberg combine the market with rides; at Skansen, children up to and including 15 years go free, and you can see Scandinavian animals.
The city markets in Copenhagen and Jul i Vinterland in Oslo are free. For Tivoli, Skansen and Liseberg you need an admission ticket.
Up to and including 3 January 2027 (Tivoli).
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 27 November to 20 December 2026.
Expect to pay by card. Skansen is completely cashless.
In mid-December about 7 hours in Copenhagen and about 6 hours in Stockholm, Oslo and Helsinki.
Tuomaan Markkinat on Senate Square runs from 27 November to 22 December 2026.
References
Every figure and every rule on this page has a source. Here they all are at a glance, checked on 23 October 2026.