When to visit Denmark: a guide to what’s happening every month

29.08.2024 - 00:09 / lonelyplanet.com

Aug 28, 2024 • 0 min read

When is the best time to visit Denmark? Truly, whenever you want.

Tourists visit this Scandinavian star year-round. It’s a popular place for city breaks in the autumn, winter and spring, with trips focused on hiking and outdoor exploration happening largely in the summer.

Indeed, summer is peak season in all senses of the word. The sun shines, with temperatures hitting the mid 20°sC (70–80°F) – and prices reaching sky-high levels. While the weather can be a little less predictable, the shoulder seasons of April to May and September to October offer a similar appeal – but for less. 

Because the weather in Denmark it is so changeable – and thus something any Dane will talk about anywhere, anytime – be aware that the country gets buffeted by winds, suffers heavy cloudbursts in the summer months and is a place where you always need to pack waterproof layers. A local saying goes, ”There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” And locals always know best, no?

At a high latitude, Denmark also marks its seasons through extreme swings in its daylight hours. In winter, the sun sets around 3:30pm; in summer, the sky can stay light until 11pm or later. Whatever the time of year, a passion for  friluftsliv  – outdoor life – obtains.

In Danish culture, as long as you have the right clothes and understanding of what the weather might wreak, it’s fun to embrace this nature-first spirit. 

Post-summer, the late sun continues to linger into September. Danes call this  sensommer –  and celebrate it as its own little mini season. Indeed, the early part of fall can be wonderful, with long golden days ideal for pursuing water sports, exploring small towns, visiting galleries and sitting at streetside cafes, soaking up the rays. As the days get shorter and colder (it happens quick), Denmark moves into hygge season, when outdoor cafes require wrapping up in blankets – and a cozy vibe is palpable wherever you go.

From the moment the first Christmas beer is served on November 5 until Christmas Day (celebrated in Denmark on December 24), the months of November and December are filled with joy – dark and rainy though they may be. Christmas markets spring up at farm shops, castles and manor houses, and on street corners in every city. One of the best and most popular markets takes place in the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen from November 15 to January 5. Look forward to stalls, an ice-skating rink, festive ballets like The Nutcracker and attractions for all ages.

After all the Christmas festivities, true Scandinavian winter sets in. This season does’t deliver the weather you would choose for a hiking holiday: sometimes horizontal rain, often high winds and short, dark days. Such