Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market

Copenhagen's festive season is adorned with numerous Christmas markets, each offering a unique experience. Among them, the Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market stands out, celebrating the legacy of Denmark's beloved storyteller. 

Situated at Gammeltorv Square in the heart of the city, this market immerses visitors in a fairy-tale ambiance, reflecting the charm of Andersen's timeless tales. From themed stalls inspired by "The Little Mermaid" and "The Ugly Duckling" to live performances and traditional Danish treats, this market provides an enchanting Christmas experience for all ages.

You can also get the full holiday experience with the StoryHunt Christmas audio walk or the Hans Christian Andersen audio walk.

Does the Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market Exist in 2025?

Yes, the Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market (H.C. Andersen Julemarked) is a cherished annual tradition in Copenhagen, returning for 2025. 

Each wooden cabin is named after one of Andersen's iconic stories, creating a storybook atmosphere unique among Copenhagen's Christmas markets. You can meet both Julemanden (Santa Claus) and Hans Christian Andersen himself - portrayed by actors who bring the fairy tale magic to life. 

The market features thousands of twinkling Christmas lights, festive garlands, and traditional Danish decorations that transform Gammeltorv Square into a winter wonderland straight from Andersen's imagination. 

It’s perfect for families and fairy tale enthusiasts seeking authentic Danish Christmas experiences.

When and Where Is the HCA Christmas Market Held in 2025?

The Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market is located at Gammeltorv Square in Copenhagen's historic centre, adjacent to Nytorv and near the famous Strøget shopping street. 

For the 2025 season, the market operates from November 14 to December 20, 2025. Opening hours are typically: 

• Monday to Thursday 11 AM-7 PM
• Friday and Saturday 11 AM-9 PM
• Sunday 12 PM-7 PM (or 6 PM). 

Gammeltorv is positioned near Vor Frue Domkirke (the cathedral) and approximately halfway between Copenhagen's Town Hall Square and Højbro Plads, making it easy to combine with other Christmas attractions.

These times may vary, so it's advisable to check the Official Website for the most current information.

Is the Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market Free to Enter?

Entry to the Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market is completely free. 

You can explore all the fairy tale-themed stalls, enjoy the festive decorations, watch live entertainment, and soak in the Christmas atmosphere without paying to enter. However, purchasing food, drinks, crafts, or gifts from the vendors will cost money. 

Traditional treats like gløgg (mulled wine), æbleskiver (Danish pancakes), roasted almonds, and German sausages typically range from 30-80 DKK. Handcrafted gifts, Danish jewellery, woollen scarves, and Christmas ornaments vary in price depending on the item. 

While Copenhagen is largely cashless and most stalls accept card payments and mobile wallets, bringing some cash is advisable as smaller vendors may prefer cash transactions.

What Makes the HCA Christmas Market Unique?

The Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market stands apart through its literary theme - each stall is named after one of Andersen's famous fairy tales like "The Little Mermaid," "The Ugly Duckling," "The Snow Queen," and "Thumbelina." This creates a whimsical, storybook atmosphere unlike any other Copenhagen market. 

What truly distinguishes this market is the Copenhagen Post Orchestra performance every Saturday from 2-3 PM – it’s retired postal workers dressed in traditional red postal uniforms playing festive Christmas tunes. 

This charming tradition adds authentic Danish character you won't find at larger, more commercial markets. It's smaller and less overwhelming than Tivoli, making it ideal for families with young children.

When Can I Meet Santa Claus at the Market?

Julemanden (Danish Santa Claus) welcomes visitors at the Hans Christian Andersen Christmas Market in his dedicated wooden cottage. Santa's hours are typically Wednesday through Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM throughout the market season. 

Children and adults can pose for photos with Santa and share their Christmas wishes. The Santa cottage is festively decorated, creating perfect photo opportunities. 

Meeting Santa here is free, though you'll want to bring a camera or smartphone. Unlike some commercialized Santa experiences, this maintains an authentic, cozy Danish Christmas feel. The market's Santa is known for being patient and welcoming with children, speaking both Danish and English. 

Since hours are limited to afternoons and specific days, plan accordingly if meeting Santa is important for your visit. Weekend afternoons tend to be busiest, so weekday visits between 1-4 PM offer shorter waits and more personal interactions with Julemanden.

How to Get to the HCA Christmas Market?

Gammeltorv Square is centrally located in Copenhagen's historic centre, making it extremely accessible by all transportation methods. 

By metro, exit at Nørreport Station (the city's busiest transit hub) and walk approximately 7-10 minutes south through the Latin Quarter - it's a pleasant stroll through historic streets. Multiple bus lines service the area with stops near Gammeltorv, including routes along Strøget. 

If staying in central Copenhagen, the market is within easy walking distance from most hotels - it's positioned right off Strøget, Europe's longest pedestrian shopping street, making it hard to miss. Copenhagen is exceptionally bike-friendly, and bike racks are available throughout the area surrounding Gammeltorv. 

The square sits adjacent to Nytorv and approximately halfway between Copenhagen Town Hall (Rådhuspladsen) and Højbro Plads, so you can easily walk between multiple Christmas markets. For visitors combining markets, walk from Højbro Plads (3 minutes), Strøget shops (1 minute), or Round Tower (5 minutes). 

How Does the HCA Market Compare to Other Copenhagen Christmas Markets?

The Hans Christian Andersen Market occupies a unique position among Copenhagen's Christmas offerings. 

Unlike Tivoli Gardens (190-210 DKK entry, large-scale production), this market is free and more intimate, making it less overwhelming for families with young children. Compared to Nyhavn's romantic harbour setting, the HCA market emphasizes literary heritage and storytelling specifically. While Højbro Plads focuses on German-inspired traditions with excellent food, the HCA market celebrates Danish fairy tales. 

Consider visiting Tuesday-Thursday afternoons to avoid weekend crowds while still experiencing Santa (Wednesday-Sunday).

What Should I Know Before Visiting?

• Dress warmly in layers - December temperatures hover 0-5°C (32-41°F), and Gammeltorv Square is open-air with limited windbreaks. 
• The market gets busiest after 5 PM when Danes finish work and during Saturday afternoons for the Post Orchestra performance at 2 PM. 
• For smaller crowds and better photos, visit Tuesday-Thursday mornings or early afternoons. If meeting Santa is priority, remember Wednesday-Sunday 1-4 PM only. 
• Saturday visits at 2 PM catch the orchestra but expect largest crowds. 
• The market closes December 20th (note: earlier than many other markets), so don't wait until the final week. 
• Copenhagen is cashless-friendly, but small cash amounts help at occasional vendors. 
• Combine your visit with nearby attractions: Round Tower, Strøget shopping (adjacent), Højbro Plads market, or Vor Frue Domkirke cathedral (nearby). 
• Free entry makes it budget-friendly for families. 
• Try at least one traditional treat: æbleskiver with jam, gløgg with almonds, or brændte mandler.

For complete Copenhagen Christmas experiences, Unlock Christmas in Copenhagen with an audio walk or with the Christmas with the H.C. Andersen tour.