December in Copenhagen averages highs of 6 °C (42 °F) and lows of 3 °C (37 °F), with about 10 rainy days and 7 h 03 min of daylight. The sea is cold, around 5 °C (41 °F).
December weather in Copenhagen at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is December a good time to visit Copenhagen?
Tough month: cold and some rain. December is usually low season in Copenhagen: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in December 2026
- Thu 24 Dec: Christmas Eve (Juleaftensdag) public holiday
- Fri 25 Dec: Christmas Day (Juledag / 1. juledag) public holiday
- Sat 26 Dec: St. Stephen's Day (2. juledag) public holiday
- Thu 31 Dec: New Year's Eve (Nytårsaftensdag) public holiday
- Tivoli's Christmas season and city Christmas markets event
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Copenhagen in December
With cold days in December, here are the indoor picks first, then the outdoor ones for drier spells.
- Rosenborg Castle and King's Garden — crown jewels indoors
- Louisiana Museum — 35 min north by train indoors
- Torvehallerne food halls indoors
- Nyhavn — canal houses outdoors
- Tivoli Gardens — open in seasons, magical at night outdoors
- Harbour baths and a canal tour — swim in summer outdoors
Where to stay: Indre By for sights; Vesterbro or Nørrebro for food and value; Christianshavn for canals.
What to pack for Copenhagen in December
- A warm winter coat, hat and gloves: it rarely gets above 6 °C (42 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 10 days this month see real rain.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Copenhagen costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €80–170 | €220–420 |
Excluding flights. December is usually low season in Copenhagen: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper.
December in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berlin | 6° / 1° | 8 | Tough month |
| Amsterdam | 8° / 4° | 12 | Tough month |
| Prague | 5° / 0° | 7 | Tough month |
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Copenhagen?
By the numbers, December is a tough month: cold and some rain, with average highs of 6 °C (42 °F) and about 10 rainy days. December is usually low season in Copenhagen: rooms are typically easier to find and cheaper. The best months for weather are June, July, August.
How warm is Copenhagen in December?
Average highs are 6 °C (42 °F) and lows 3 °C (37 °F) (2015–2024 averages). The sea is cold, around 5 °C (41 °F).
Does it rain a lot in Copenhagen in December?
Expect about 10 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 61 mm in total. It is the 2nd wettest month of the year in Copenhagen.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.