10 Things to Do in Copenhagen at Night

Copenhagen is a city to discover at any time of the year and at any time, but at night it takes on a magical aura that makes it unique. Here are the best nighttime activities to discover the Danish capital.

Matías Rodríguez

Matías Rodríguez

8 min read

10 Things to Do in Copenhagen at Night

Tivoli Garden at night | ©Guillaume Baviere

Copenhagen is one of those cities where it doesn't matter when you are visiting because it will always have an interesting alternative to offer you, but, once the sun goes down, the Danish capital lights up creating a magical atmosphere to enjoy a lot of attractions, from bars and nightclubs to palaces and amusement parks.

Some of the best things to see and do in Copenhagen at night include enjoying a cruise along the city's canals, taking a guided tour of Christiansborg Palace, attending a live music show in the trendy neighborhood bars, touring the Tivoli Gardens and even taking a tour of Assistens Cemetery.

1. Take an evening guided tour of Christiansborg Palace

Christiansborg Palace| ©Bernard Blanc
Christiansborg Palace| ©Bernard Blanc

Christiansborg Palace is one of the main sites in Copenhagen and take a guided night tour. It is the seat of the Danish Parliament, the Prime Minister's Office and the Supreme Court, making it one of the most iconic buildings in Copenhagen.

During the guided tour you will discover the Great Audience Hall, the Throne Room, the Royal Library and the Chapel. You can also learn about the history and culture of Denmark from the expert local guide.

What makes a night tour of Christiansborg especially striking is its illumination with soft, warm lights, which create a magical atmosphere. In addition, night tours are usually less crowded than daytime tours. It might be a good option if you plan to visit Copenhagen during the summer or during the high season months.

2. Attend a live music show in the city's bars.

Copenhagen Pub| ©Florent Paris
Copenhagen Pub| ©Florent Paris

Attending a live music show in Copenhagen's pubs is an exciting activity that will allow you to immerse yourself in the city's vibrant music scene. In the Danish capital, there is a wide variety of bars offering live music, from jazz clubs to rock bars.

  • The neighborhood of Nørrebro: is one of the best neighborhoods to find live music. This neighborhood is known for being home to some of the most popular bars in the city, such as the Stengade, which offers a wide range of concerts and live music shows, and the Rust, which is one of the largest and best known music pubs in Copenhagen. Nearby is also the capital's Hard Rock. If you want to experience Copenhagen's nightlife you can do so by booking a pub crawl.
  • Book tickets for the Hard Rock Café in Copenhagen: a place where you will discover the classic music of the United States while enjoying your menu, but above all, you will find a lot of music history and you will enter a rock 'n' roll atmosphere surrounded by relics of stars like Mick Jagger or Elvis Presley.
  • The neighborhood of Vesterbro: another popular place to find live music this neighborhood as it has a variety of bars and live music clubs, such as the Ideal Bar on the Vega, which is known for its intimate atmosphere and its jazz and blues concerts and Pumpehuset, which is one of the most recognized clubs in the city and offers a wide variety of rock and pop concerts.
  • Frederiksberg: also known for its bars and nightclubs. This neighborhood is one of the most emblematic places in the city for live music.

Book tickets for the Hard Rock Café Copenhagen

3. Visit the Tivoli Gardens

Tivoli Gardens| ©Trine Christensen
Tivoli Gardens| ©Trine Christensen

Visiting the Tivoli Gardens and amusement park at night is an experience not to be missed if you visit Copenhagen. These gardens contain one of the oldest amusement parks in the world and are located in the heart of the city. The park is famous for its atmosphere and light shows, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

Also, if you plan to visit Copenhagen in December, you can see the park transformed into a festive paradise with lights, Christmas trees and decorations around every corner. During the evening, you can also enjoy the live shows offered at Tivoli Gardens. The park has a wide variety of shows.

If during your visit to the gardens you also want to dine, you can opt for the various food stalls and restaurants that are there. Tivoli Gardens offers a wide variety of dining options, from traditional Danish food to international alternatives.

Book tickets for the Tivoli Amusement Park

4. Stroll through the Kødbyen night market.

Kødbyen| ©Bo Helsted
Kødbyen| ©Bo Helsted

If you want an alternative experience during the night in Copenhagen, visiting the Kødbyen night market is an excellent option. Kødbyen is a historic neighborhood that was once the center of the city's meat industry, but has now become one of the trendiest places in the capital.

The Kødbyen night market will offer you a shopping and dining experience, as **you will be able to find high quality and artisanal products and food from Danish suppliers.**From cheeses and wines to chocolates and beers, this market will offer variants for all tastes, which is why it is usually included in the best tours of the city.

The atmosphere of the Kødbyen night market is something you can't miss. The place has a lively and relaxed atmosphere, which makes it an ideal place to spend a fun and unique evening. In addition, the flea market is located in an area with many bars and nightclubs so after shopping and tasting the delicious food, you can continue the night enjoying a drink with your friends or join a pub crawl.

Book a pub crawl in Copenhagen

5. Enjoy a movie at the Grand Teatret

Grand Teatret| ©dea cvetkovic
Grand Teatret| ©dea cvetkovic

The Grand Teatret is a historic gem in the heart of Copenhagen that offers a unique experience for movie lovers. This theater was founded in 1913 and has since been a popular destination for those looking to see high quality films in an elegant and cozy atmosphere.

The architecture of the Grand Teatret is very striking, with a beautiful Art Nouveau interior that will immerse you in a journey back in time before you start enjoying the show. In addition, the theater has a great movie program, which includes a mix of classic and contemporary films, both from Denmark and the rest of the world.

The Grand Teatret is located in the heart of Vesterbro, which is known to be a vibrant gastronomic and cultural destination in the city. After watching a movie, you can head out to explore the many bars, restaurants and stores in the area or tour some of Copenhagen's finest palaces, which abound in the neighborhood.

Book a food tour of Copenhagen

6. Get lost in the streets of Nørrebro

In Nørrebro| ©Jens Cederskjold
In Nørrebro| ©Jens Cederskjold

Nørrebro is a multicultural neighborhood located in the heart of Copenhagen that offers a wide variety of nightlife experiences for all tastes:

  • On Ravnsborggade, which is the main artery of Nørrebro, you can find some of the liveliest and most eclectic bars in the city, as well as live music shows and restaurants that for their gastronomic quality are often included in the tours of the best food tours in Copenhagen.
  • In addition, if you are an art lover, in Nørrebro you can visit the many galleries and art stores located in the neighborhood, which is home to a large number of artists and creatives, so you can easily find a wide variety of exhibitions and events in the area.

-Nørrebro is also often included in the best bike tours in Copenhagen, as it is one of the most beautiful places to take in the sights of the city and see a different skyline from the epicenter of the capital.

Book a bike tour in Copenhagen

7. Visit the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen harbor

The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen harbor| ©Morgan Moinet
The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen harbor| ©Morgan Moinet

The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen harbor is one of the most iconic symbols of the city. This small bronze sculpture, created by Danish artist Edvard Eriksen in 1913, has become one of the most popular tourist attractions attracting millions of visitors each year.

Although the Little Mermaid statue is a popular attraction during any time of the year and at any time of the day, most visitors recommend visiting it at night. The statue is illuminated with spotlights and looks very different than it does during the day.

You can get there on foot or by bicycle, or you can take one of the many harbor cruises, which include the statue on their tour. There are also several restaurants and bars nearby, so you can have dinner or a drink while enjoying the view. The Copenhagen hop on-hop off sightseeing bus includes a stop at the site.

Book tickets for the Copenhagen sightseeing bus

8. Take a night cruise along the canals of Copenhagen

Copenhagen Canal by night| ©Mane
Copenhagen Canal by night| ©Mane

Taking a night cruise on the canals of Copenhagen is one of the most popular activities you can do in the city. A unique and romantic experience from which you can see some of Copenhagen's most famous landmarks, such as the Little Mermaid statue, Christiansborg Palace, the Opera House and Queen Louise Bridge.

Night cruises usually last about an hour and offer a relaxing and peaceful experience in the city. These night cruises are often included among the best canal tours in Copenhagen.

One of the best times to enjoy a night cruise on the canals is during the winter season, when the Christmas lights illuminate the city and give it a magical touch. If you are planning to visit Copenhagen during Christmas this is an alternative to consider.

Book a canal cruise in Copenhagen

9. Take a night tour through Assistens Cemetery

Assistens Cemetery| ©Thomas Koch
Assistens Cemetery| ©Thomas Koch

Assistens Cemetery is one of the most famous cemeteries in Denmark. Located in Nørrebro and although it may seem an unusual place for a night tour, after dark it offers a guided tour that can make for an interesting and unique experience.

The peaceful and quiet atmosphere of the cemetery can also be a perfect place to reflect and meditate. Many visitors enjoy the tranquility and peace of the place at night. In addition, you will be able to connect with the history of Denmark.

Please note that you should exercise caution while walking through the cemetery, as the paths can be dark and the terrain uneven. It is also a very large and open site, so it is ideal to visit at night if you plan to visit Copenhagen in July or during the summer months.

10. Take part in a guided tour of Copenhagen's hidden treasures

Copenhagen by night| ©Stig Nygaard
Copenhagen by night| ©Stig Nygaard

Taking a guided tour of Copenhagen' s hidden treasures by night can be a unique and exciting way to explore the city. The Danish capital has many secrets hidden behind its streets and buildings and such a tour can reveal some of these hidden treasures that would normally go unnoticed.

These tours are ideal to take in the silence of the night and I recommend taking a guided tour as they know the city inside out and will be able to take you to the places that are hard to find. They will also be able to provide valuable information and recommendations on places to visit, places to eat and shop in the city and the best time to visit Copenhagen and its attractions.