Things to do in Copenhagen in January

When is your trip?

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Looking for a different month?

Overview

January is a less popular time to visit Copenhagen. The weather is usually really cold and breezy, with temperatures ranging from 30—36°F (-1—2°C). There are plenty of events to check out and activities to try in Copenhagen during this time. Some of our top recommendations: visit the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, go on a winter bike tour, explore the Tivoli Gardens Winter Wonderland, and more!

Copenhagen has plenty to offer for visitors of all ages and interests. In this article, we tell you the top things to see and do for your January trip to Copenhagen. Get inspired by the events, activities, attractions, and experiences unique to January. We’ll let you know where to explore events based on your interests, whether that’s food, culture, art, music, sport or others.

We’ll let you know everything you need to prepare for the weather in Copenhagen in January. Learn about what to wear and pack for your trip, the average temperatures throughout January, temperature changes from morning to evening and much more.

Visiting Copenhagen? See our Copenhagen Trip Planner.
I'll never travel to Copenhagen without this trip planner again
Learn more
Don't take our word for it
Slide 1 of 6

Best events and things to do in Copenhagen in January

Top experiences in January
Visit the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Located just north of Copenhagen, the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts in January. The museum's stunning coastal setting and impressive collection of modern and contemporary art make it a unique and inspiring place to explore. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum hosts special exhibitions and events that offer a fresh perspective on the world of art.
Go on a winter bike tour
Copenhagen is known for its bike-friendly infrastructure, and in January, you can join a guided winter bike tour to explore the city's sights and attractions. Riding through the streets and parks in the crisp winter air offers a unique perspective on the city, and the tour guides provide interesting insights into Copenhagen's history and culture. It's a fun and active way to experience the city in January.
Explore the Tivoli Gardens Winter Wonderland
Tivoli Gardens, one of the world's oldest amusement parks, transforms into a magical winter wonderland in January. The park is adorned with festive lights, decorations, and seasonal attractions, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy ice skating, traditional Danish treats, and thrilling rides, making it a must-visit destination during the winter months.
Go ice skating at Frederiksberg Runddel
In January, the city's lakes and ponds freeze over, creating the perfect opportunity for outdoor ice skating. One of the most popular spots for ice skating in Copenhagen is Frederiksberg Runddel, where you can join locals and visitors alike as they glide across the frozen surface. It's a fun and unique way to experience the city in the winter months.
Take a winter canal tour
Copenhagen's picturesque canals are a sight to behold in January, especially when they're dusted with snow. Taking a winter canal tour allows you to see the city from a unique perspective, as you glide past historic buildings, colorful houseboats, and iconic landmarks. It's a peaceful and scenic way to explore Copenhagen during the winter season.
I'll never travel to Copenhagen without this trip planner again
Learn more
Holidays in Copenhagen in January
January
  • New Year's Day (January 1)
Other notable holidays
I'll never travel to Copenhagen without this trip planner again
Learn more

Weather in Copenhagen in January

Temperatures on an average day in Copenhagen in January

The average temperature in Copenhagen in January for a typical day ranges from a high of 36°F (2°C) to a low of 30°F (-1°C). Some would describe it as really cold and breezy.

For comparison, the hottest month in Copenhagen, July, has days with highs of 70°F (21°C) and lows of 58°F (14°C). The coldest month, February has days with highs of 37°F (3°C) and lows of 30°F (-1°C). This graph shows how an average day looks like in Copenhagen in January based on historical data.

Visiting Copenhagen? See our Copenhagen Trip Planner.

Historical temperature average in January
36°F
highs
30°F
lows

General weather summary

Really cold and breezy
Feels like
31%
Chance of rain
0.090 in
Amount
20.0 mph
Wind speed
94%
Humidity
7.7 hrs
Daylight length
8:26 AM
Sunrise
4:09 PM
Sunset
27%
Cloud cover
Jacket
What to wear
What to wear in January
With an average high of 36°F (2°C) and a low of 30°F (-1°C), it generally feels really cold and breezy. There might also be a small chance of rain. With that in mind, most people would dress in something warm like a jacket
I'll never travel to Copenhagen without this trip planner again
Learn more

Best attractions for Copenhagen in January

Besides the array of exciting events and activities Copenhagen has to offer for travelers in January, we want to remind you of the classic attractions in Copenhagen that are great to visit at this time of the year as well! You can’t miss these iconic landmarks, local favorites, and places rich with cultural heritage. We hope to give you insights and inspiration into the best things to see and do to make the most of your visit. Here is a list of our top attractions in Copenhagen for January.
Nyhavn
1. Nyhavn
4.7
(5200)
Harbor
Historic Walking Areas
Tivoli Gardens
2. Tivoli Gardens
4.5
(78321)
Theme park
Nature & Parks
19th-century amusement park with antique roller coaster & live entertainment program.
The Little Mermaid
3. The Little Mermaid
4.1
(26050)
Historical landmark
Sights & Landmarks
Iconic bronze mermaid sculpture, by Edvard Eriksen, of a character from H.C. Andersen's fairytale.
Rosenborg Castle
4. Rosenborg Castle
4.6
(18844)
Castle
Museums
Dutch Renaissance palace & gardens, including a museum housing the crown jewels, with guided tours.
The Round Tower
5. The Round Tower
4.5
(22861)
Observatory
Sights & Landmarks
17th-century tower with an observatory, planetarium, event hall & spiral ramp instead of stairs.
Freetown Christiania
6. Freetown Christiania
Neighborhoods
Freetown Christiania, also known as Christiania or simply Staden, is an intentional community and commune in the Christianshavn neighbourhood of the Danish capital city of Copenhagen. It began in 1971 as a squatted military base. Its Pusher Street is famous for its open trade of cannabis, which is illegal in Denmark. Wikipedia.
Church of Our Saviour
7. Church of Our Saviour
4.6
(7285)
Church
Sights & Landmarks
Baroque, 17th-century place of worship with a carillon & steps around the outside of the spire.
Øresund Bridge
8. Øresund Bridge
4.5
(6218)
Bridge
Sights & Landmarks
Huge bridge linking the coast of Sweden with an artificial island with a tunnel to Denmark.
Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
9. Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek
4.6
(11772)
Art museum
Museums
Fine art museum with antique Mediterranean sculptures, plus 19th-century French & Danish works.
Christiansborg Palace
10. Christiansborg Palace
4.5
(17880)
Castle
Sights & Landmarks
Tours of the royal palace's lavish reception rooms & stables, plus 12th-century castle remains.
National Museum of Denmark
11. National Museum of Denmark
4.5
(11025)
Art museum
Museums
18th-century mansion with collections and exhibitions on Denmark's history, people and culture.
Strøget
12. Strøget
4.5
(583)
Notable street
Neighborhoods
Pedestrian boulevard known for its abundant shops at all price levels, cafes & a Guinness museum.
Carlsberg Brand Store
13. Carlsberg Brand Store
4.2
(1583)
Store
Museums
Gift shop at the Carlsberg brewery complex selling a wide range of logo merchandise & beverages.
Amalienborg
14. Amalienborg
4.5
(25855)
Castle
Museums
18th-century rococo complex of palaces, with a museum & marches/displays by royal guards.
Frederik's Church
15. Frederik's Church
4.6
(7153)
Church
Sights & Landmarks
18th-century Lutheran church with the largest dome in Scandinavia & a Kierkegaard statue in grounds.
Botanical Garden
16. Botanical Garden
4.6
(5628)
Botanical garden
Nature & Parks
National Museum of Natural History’s plant collection, the biggest in Denmark, spread over 10 ha.

Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Copenhagen?

Get inspired for your trip to Copenhagen with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:

Planning a trip to Copenhagen?
Save all the best places to visit with WanderlogDownload the travel planning app everyone's been raving about
  • Itinerary + map in one view
  • Live collaboration
  • Auto-import hotels and reservations
  • Optimize your route
  • Offline access on mobile
  • Optimize your route
  • See time and distance between all your places
Learn more
Get the iOS app from the App Store
Get the Android app from Google Play