10 Things to Do in Copenhagen at Night

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

Matías Rodríguez

Matías Rodríguez

8 min read

10 Things to Do in Copenhagen at Night

Tivoli Garden by night | ©Guillaume Baviere

Copenhagen is one of those cities where it doesn't matter when you're visiting because it will always have something interesting to offer, but once the sun goes down, the Danish capital lights up creating a magical atmosphere for a host 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 neighbourhood 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 a great place to take a 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 the soft, warm lighting, which creates a magical atmosphere. In addition, night tours tend to be less crowded than daytime tours. This could be a good option if you plan to visit Copenhagen during the summer or during the high season months.

2. Catch 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.

  • Nørrebro neighbourhood: one of the best neighbourhoods to find live music. This neighbourhood is known for being home to some of the city's most popular bars, such as the Stengade, which offers a wide range of concerts and live music shows, and the Rust, which is one of Copenhagen's largest and best-known music pubs. 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 classic American music while enjoying your menu, but, above all, you will find a lot of music history and you will get into a rock 'n' roll atmosphere surrounded by relics of stars such as Mick Jagger or Elvis Presley.
  • The Vesterbro neighbourhood: another popular place to find live music, this neighbourhood has a wide 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 the Pumpehuset, which is one of the most renowned clubs in the city and offers a wide variety of rock and pop concerts.
  • Frederiksberg: also known for its bars and nightclubs. This neighbourhood is one of the city's most iconic live music venues.

Book tickets for 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 live entertainment in Tivoli Gardens. The park has a wide variety of shows.

If during your visit to the gardens you would also like to have dinner, you can choose from the various food stalls and restaurants. Tivoli Gardens offers a wide variety of dining options, from traditional Danish food to international alternatives.

Book tickets for the Tivoli Amusement Park

4. Visit the Kødbyen night market.

Kødbyen| ©Bo Helsted
Kødbyen| ©Bo Helsted

For an alternative night-time experience in Copenhagen, a visit to the Kødbyen night market is a great option. Kødbyen is a historic neighbourhood that was once the centre of the city's meat industry, but has now become one of the capital's most fashionable spots.

The Kødbyen night market will offer you a shopping and dining experience, as **you can find high quality, artisanal products and food from Danish suppliers.**From cheese and wine to chocolates and beer, this market will offer something for everyone, which is why it is often included in the best tours of the city.

The atmosphere of the Kødbyen night market is something not to be missed. The place has a lively and relaxed atmosphere, making it an ideal place for a fun and unique night out. In addition, the market is located in an area with many bars and clubs, so after shopping and sampling the delicious food, you can continue the evening by enjoying a drink with friends or join a pub crawl.

Book a pub crawl tour of 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 film lovers. The theatre was founded in 1913 and since then has been a popular destination for those looking to see high quality films in an elegant and cosy 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 theatre has a great film programme, which includes a mix of classic and contemporary films from both 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 film, you can head out to explore the many bars, restaurants and shops in the area or tour some of Copenhagen's finest palaces, which abound in the neighbourhood.

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 neighbourhood in the heart of Copenhagen that offers a wide variety of nightlife experiences to suit all tastes:

  • On Ravnsborggade, which is Nørrebro's main artery, you can find some of the liveliest and most eclectic bars in the city, as well as live music shows and restaurants that are often included in the itineraries of the best food tours in Copenhagen due to their gastronomic quality.
  • If you're an art lover, Nørrebro is also home to many galleries and art shops in the neighbourhood, which is home to a wealth 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 side to the capital's epicentre.

Book a bike tour in Copenhagen

7. Visit the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen harbour

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

The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen harbour 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 at any time of the year and at any time of the day, most visitors recommend visiting it at night. The statue is illuminated by spotlights and looks very different to how it looks during the day.

You can get there on foot or by bicycle, or you can take one of the many harbour cruises, which include the statue on their route. 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 Copenhagen's canals

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

Taking a night cruise along Copenhagen's canals is one of the most popular things to 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 canal cruise is during the winter season, when the Christmas lights illuminate the city and add a magical touch. If you plan to visit Copenhagen during Christmas, this is an alternative to consider.

Book a Copenhagen canal cruise

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 be an interesting and unique experience.

The peaceful and quiet atmosphere of the cemetery can also be a perfect place for reflection and meditation. Many visitors enjoy the tranquillity and peace of the place at night. You can also connect with the history of Denmark.

Please note that you should exercise caution when 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.