We’ve looked up Christmas markets around the country that not only offer an authentic festive vibe, but also include the classic components of Danish Christmas culture – like æbleskiver (doughy pastries dipped in sugar and jam) or home-made decorations like red and white folded paper hearts.

Many Danish Christmas markets limit their opening to a single weekend or just one day – we’ve selected the ones you’ll be able to enjoy throughout the Christmas period.

Tivoli

A staple for visitors to Copenhagen, it would be remiss not to include the Christmas market at Tivoli, the 19th-century gardens-turned-amusement park which almost embodies Danish Christmas with its spectacular decorations and yuletide atmosphere.

You can enjoy seeing the Christmas elves and take in the taste of roasted almonds, gløgg (mulled wine), hot chocolate and risengrød (rice pudding).

Bear in mind you’ll have to pay the Tivoli entrance fee to visit the market.

Address: Tivoli, Vesterbrogade 3, 1630 Copenhagen

Website: Tivoli.dk

Photo: Bax Lindhardt/SP/Ritzau Scanpix

Den Gamle By

Aarhus’ open-air museum Den Gamle By is a wonderful nostalgic experience and in December you can savour the spirit of Christmases past. You won’t be relying on market stalls to buy your Christmas gifts – you can go inside the authentic historical artisans, bakers and gift shops to browse and buy.

The old-fashioned streets are immaculately and authentically decorated and you’ll feel like you’ve reached the happy ending of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Adults pay an entrance fee of 135kr to enter the open air museum, while under-18s go free.

Address: Viborgvej 2, 8000 Aarhus

Website: dengamleby.dk

Ridehuset Christmas Market

At Ridehuset, a former barracks building close to Aarhus City Hall and the Aros art museum, a month-long Christmas market is open daily. There’s no shortage of baubles and festive snacks, but your main reason for visiting should be to find that elusive and original gift idea – there’s a great range of stands run by craftspeople and artisans, and there’s a good chance you’ll see something a loved one would love.

Address: Vester Allé 1, 8000 Aarhus

Website: aarhusjulemarked.dk

File photo: Annelene Petersen/Midtjyske Medier/Ritzau Scanpix

Jul på Bakken

To the north of Copenhagen, Bakken claims to be the world’s oldest theme park, is free to enter and is best known for its creaky rollercoaster rides. But during the winter, it spreads on the festive fun with a Christmas market that runs until December 22nd.

Address: Bakken, Dyrehavevej 62, 2930 Klampenborg

Website: bakken.dk

Jul i Aalborg

Aalborg does not hold back when it comes to Christmas. While other major cities sometimes limit run times on Christmas markets set up on their main squares, you can spot elves, grottos and Christmas trees on Gammeltorv every day through to December 23rd.

Look out for the ferris wheel and warm up with glühwein, a rum-infused, punchier alternative to gløgg.

Address: Gammeltorv, 9000 Aalborg

Website: visitaalborg.dk

Højbro Plads

If you find yourself wandering around central Copenhagen on a gift hunt in December, you’re more than likely to stumble across a Christmas market – several squares in close proximity to each other have stalls and decorations set up. These include Nytorv, Kongens Nytorv and Højbro Plads. At the latter, you can find glass sculptures, handmade ornaments, delicacies and knitted mittens, amongst various other treats.

Address: Højbro Plads, 1200 Copenhagen

Website: julemarked.nu