Do you want to know what to wear in Copenhagen in Winter? Then you have come to the right place. Winter has firmly started in December in Copenhagen and as you would expect the temperatures plunge. In this guide we tell you everything you need to pack for Copenhagen in December for sightseeing, the weather, Christmas, dress codes, dinner and more.
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Weather in Copenhagen in December
December in Copenhagen is definitely classified as Winter. , January and February. And as you would expect from any Northern European country in Winter, Copenhagen can get VERY cold in Winter. But how cold is it?
How cold is Copenhagen in December?
Copenhagen in Winter is very cold. However December is actually not the coldest month to visit the Danish capital. That honor goes to January and February. But make no mistake, December is still a very chilly month to visit.
Generally speaking the average high temperatures in Copenhagen in December only ever reaches around 3°C and snow showers are not uncommon.
However it is worth noting that Copenhagen is a city on the sea (it is home to the Little Mermaid after all). And the wind that whips over the city from the Oresund Strait and the Baltic Sea can make the temperatures actually feel much cooler than they are!
Therefore you are going to need lots of light layers and insulating coats in your Winter travel capsule wardrobe for Denmark.
How rainy is in Copenhagen in December?
So now you know the temperatures you can expect in Copenhagen in December, we will turn our attention to the rainfall.
And the bad news is that one of the rainiest months in the city is in fact December with anywhere between a 30% and 40% chance of rain on any given day.
Therefore it is a good idea to prepare your wardrobe with some waterproof top layers and of course waterproof shoes.
Does it snow in Copenhagen in December?
As the average daytime temperature in Copenhagen in December hovers just above freezing, there is a good chance that you will see snow.
In fact Copenhagen is a pretty good place to go if you want a shot of a white Christmas in Europe. However don’t expect the snow fall to be too heavy or too deep in December. As the title of snowiest month in Copenhagen actually belongs to January.
Note: we always recommend checking the forecast at your destination(s) 7 days out from travel to make sure there are no expected weather fronts i.e. heatwaves or cold snaps.
And if your trip takes in neighbouring countries be sure to check out our other European Winter guides:
- What to wear in Germany in Winter
- What to wear in Amsterdam in Winter
- What to wear in Belgium in Winter
Or if you trip to Copenhagen spans multiple seasons be sure to check out our related guides:
How do local people dress in Copenhagen in Winter?
The Danes know how to rock a Winter Capsule Wardrobe and they know that layers are key to any outfit at this time of year.
Generally speaking local DAnish people tend to dress very practically in Winter which translates into lots of layers, thick insulating coats and of course lots of winter accessories and boots.
So if you want to dress like locals in Denmark you should prioritise dressing for the weather before concerning yourself with fashion.
What to Wear in Copenhagen in December
When looking at what to pack for Copenhagen in December, layers are going to be your best friend.
We always recommend not overpacking when traveling however this can prove trickier in Winter due to the layers required and the heavier shoes. For tips on how to pack light in Winter check out our guides on the 54321 packing method and the sudoku packing method here.
What to Wear in Copenhagen in December for Women
Thick Coat / Jacket
A coat is my number one pick for any Copenhagen in December packing list. It would be impossible to sightsee in Copenhagen in December without a thick insulating coat.
So don’t be tempted to pick your smartest coat, pack your thickest and warmest coat for the weather. This is required for the weather and also will be most in keeping with the locals who know how important a practical coat is in Winter.
When looking for a coat for Northern Europe in Winter I recommend picking something that is insulated, is waterproof and also has some good wind resistance. The last one is particularly important for Copenhagen where you will be next to the sea.
Some of our favorite brands of coats for Copenhagen in Winter include:
- Columbia,
- Eddie Bauer
- Marmot
- North Face and
- Patagonia
Click here to shop coats for Copenhagen.
For more information on how to pack Winter Coats for travel check out this post
Winter Accessories (Hat, Scarf and Gloves)
Winter accessories are a must for Copenhagen in December. Again you will be doing lots of outdoor activities and as the Christmas markets are in full swing, you are likely to be outdoors at night too which adds to the chill in the air.
Note: Christmas at Tivoli Gardens is perhaps the best Christmas event in Copehagen and definitely should not be missed!
I would recommend taking with you a matching scarf and gloves set that match your winter coat to finish off the look. But be sure to get gloves that are touch screen compatible so as you are likely to be taking lots of photographs.
Also as the temperatures are so cold in Copenhagen and the wind can be quite gusty I also recommend packing ear muffs to protect your ears from the cold too!
Click here to shop winter accessories
Trousers
Depending on exactly what your Copenhagen itinerary looks like will affect the type of trousers you require.
However generally speaking I would pack a mixture of trouser types. This would include jeans, cordouroy trousers or even some thick wool pants.
Jeans are perfect for sightseeing around the city in places such as museums, the royal palaces, Copenhagen zoo and even Tivoli Gardens.
I would recommend picking smarter jeans such as black jeans or dark blue jeans that are more fitted or skinny jeans however you will see all sorts of styles of the streets of Copenhagen. So it is most important that you feel comfortable.
However I personally don’t think you can go wrong with a pair of fleece lined jeans in Northern European cities in Winter.
But for some of the cities smarter restaurants, such as Geranium and Noma, I also like to have a thicker pair of wool trousers or black pants.
Skirts and Dresses
Although Copenhagen in December is probably too cold to be wearing dresses and skirts for sightseeing I still like to have one of these options to change into for dinner.
As the nights can be very cold, I recommend wearing a sweater dress or a jumper dress, paired with thick tights and boots with a good sole that can cope if there is ice on the ground.
However as Copenhagen is quite a liberal and multicultural place you can wear the length of dress you feel most comfortable in.
Click here to shop dresses for Copenhagen in December.
Blouse
A loose blouse works for the evenings or days layered with a cardigan or sweater.
T Shirts
Although it will be too cold for t shirts on their own, they are a great base for Copenhagen in Winter.
T-Shirts that are plain or are lightly patterned are easier to make work as part of a capsule wardrobe.
Layers
After a good Winter coat, the next most important thing for Copenhagen in December is layers such as cardigans, hoodies and sweaters.
Hoodies are a great casual top layer for sightseeing in the day at places such as museums and galleries. However I like to have something smarter for evenings.
I personally never travel in Winter without a merino wool sweater. Merino wool is one of my favorite fabrics to include in a Winter capsule wardrobe. That is because it provides extra warmth as they are an insulating fabric but is also compact unlike a thick knit. Therefore it is easy to pack and doesn’t take up a lot of space in your case.
Shop layers for Copenhagen here.
Pashmina
It doesn’t matter where I am traveling to in Europe a pashmina is always on my packing list. A pashmina can be used as a scarf or lovely accessory but can double up as an added extra layer. For December in Copenhagen however we recommend bringing the thickest pashmina you can find.
PJs
For those traveling to Copenhagen in Winter we recommend packing thicker, flannel pjs.
Thermals
We definitely recommend packing a thermal base layer or thermal Long Johns for Copenhagen in December. Even when the thermometer reads as above freezing you may still want a base layer. That is because the wind makes it feel extra cold.
I always wear some merino wool thermals for going out in Scandinavia at night when I will be spending time outdoors.
Click here to shop merino wool thermals.
Underwear and Socks
This really goes without saying. However it is worth talking a bit more in depth. We recommend packing either thicker hiking socks or thermal socks such as those made of merino wool for Copenhagen in Winter as these just cope with cold conditions better.
What to pack for Copenhagen in December for Men
The packing list for men is quite similar as the ladies packing list for Copenhagen in December and we recommend packing:
Thick Coat
A practical warm coat with some insulation as well as being water and win resistant is a good idea for Copenhagen in December.
T Shirts and Shirts
Long sleeve t shirts are best for Copenhagen in Winter.
But on top of t shirts you may also want to pack a long sleeve button down shirt for visiting restaurants in Copenhagen with a dress code.
Chinos/ Jeans
Jeans are great for sightseeing in December. You may want to add a smarter pair of chinos or smart wool trousers to the packing list too for nights out and fancier dinners.
Shop men’s travel chinos here.
Layers
A hoodie, jumper and sweater alongside the jacket are the perfect layers for 7 days in Copenhagen.
Underwear, Socks and Pjs
Including thicker socks and potentially some thermals if you feel the cold.
Best Shoes for Copenhagen in December
Boots
Ankle boots are my number one pick for Copenhagen in December They are easier to pack than knee high boots and if you select the right pair are waterproof and come with good soles.
We recommend picking a pair that are both waterproof and fleece lined to cope with the cold weather as well as any water and puddles for when the ice is melting.
Click here to shop ankle boots.
Note: hiking boots are only really necessary if you plan on going on hikes outside of the city. For tips on how to pack boots in a suitcase check out this post.
What to pack for Copenhagen in December (Non Clothing)
- Crossbody Bag – unfortunately any tourist site attracts pickpockets and Denmark is no different. Protect your belongings by having a crossbody bag with lots of zips.
- Backpack – for storing items on your day trips.
- Travel adaptor
- Power Pack / battery packs
- Hand Warmers – as the weather is so cold in Copenhagen in Winter we recommend packing a plentiful supply of hand warmers with you to add into your gloves.
- Sun screen
- Lipbalm –
- Compact Umbrella
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Travel First Aid Kit
- Blister plasters
- Toiletries – for our essential toiletries packing list click here.
How to dress in Copenhagen in December for Special Events
The main special event in Copenhagen in December is the Christmas Markets. The Copenhagen Christmas markets usually start in November but run up until Christmas Eve.
The best one in the city is Tivoli which is a really special place to visit at any time of year but especially in December with the Christmas lights, market and stalls.
Copenhagen December Packing List
So just to recap here is our complete list of what to add to your December Copenhagen Packing List
- Waterproof and Wind resistant Coat or jacket
- Scarf, Gloves, Hat and ear muffs
- Thermal base layers – preferably merino wool (optional)
- T shirts
- Thicker weight trousers such as jeans (preferably fleece lined), woolen trousers or corduroy trousers.
- Merino Wool Thermal socks
- T shirts
- Layers such as sweaters, fleeces, jumpers and hoodies
- Warm Nightwear
- Ankle Boots with a good sole for icy conditions, waterproof and fur lined interior
- Medication and Documentation
- Back Pack
- Travel Adaptor
- Toiletries
- Camera
- Battery Pack
- Sunglasses
- Travel first aid kit including blister plasters
- Lip Balm
- Hand Warmers
FAQs About Copenhagen in December
Can you wear jeans in Copenhagen?
You can absolutely wear jeans in Copenhagen in December. However it is worth spending time thinking about the jeans to pack for Winter.
For Winter we recommend packing fleece lined pairs as better for the weather. And I would have one other type of trouser with you such as a thick wool trouser for nights in very smart restaurants.
Have you been to Copenhagen in Winter? What did you wear? We would love you to tell us in the comments below!