10 Things to Do in Copenhagen in February

If you travel to Copenhagen in February, be prepared for cold weather and snow, but also for a city full of unique things to do: among the best activities you can see and do in Copenhagen are visiting covered markets, celebrating the traditional Fastelavn, experiencing Vinterjazz, being amazed by the Copenhagen Light Festival, or attending performances at the Opera.

Every February, the legendary Tivoli Gardens opens its doors for a few weeks to celebrate its winter season. You'll find magical decorations, artificial snow, light shows, seasonal attractions and even ice skating rinks.

It's a different way to experience one of Europe's oldest parks, which is transformed into a cosy winter wonderland perfect for visiting with your family or partner. In addition, the park offers special gastronomic offerings and small markets, so you can enjoy not only the attractions, but also Danish culture and tradition in a festive atmosphere.

If you want to be sure of getting in, it's best to buy your tickets in advance. I recommend booking your tickets for the Tivoli Gardens and enjoying one of Copenhagen's most iconic places in its most magical winter version.

Every February, Copenhagen lights up with the Copenhagen Light Festival, an event that transforms the city with light art installations.

You can explore the canals and streets on foot or by boat to admire light sculptures, projections and interactive light shows created by Danish and international artists.

It's a perfect plan for enjoying the city as a couple or with the family and one of the most photogenic experiences of the Danish winter.

If you are a food lover, February brings with it an unmissable event: the Copenhagen Cooking & Food Festival in its winter edition. Local restaurants, chefs and producers take part, offering special menus, tastings and unique gastronomic experiences in the city.

It's a great opportunity to try contemporary Nordic cuisine, from traditional Danish dishes to innovative creations, and discover why Copenhagen is now one of Europe's most important culinary destinations.

In February, Copenhagen hosts Copenhagen Fashion Week, the most important fashion event in Northern Europe. Over several days, leading Scandinavian brands and emerging designers present their collections on catwalks throughout the city.

Although most of the shows are professional, the city buzzes with a special atmosphere: shops, pop-ups and events open to the public make this festival interesting for travellers who want to immerse themselves in Nordic fashion culture.

Vinterjazz is Denmark's most important music festival in February, with more than 600 concerts throughout the country and dozens of venues in Copenhagen.

During the festival, you can enjoy concerts in some of the city's most iconic venues, such as the Royal Danish Opera, the Koncerthuset, Christiansborg Palace and numerous jazz clubs.

The repertoire ranges from classic jazz to contemporary and experimental fusions. There are also talks, workshops and meetings with artists. It is an unmissable event for lovers of live music.

Fastelavn is a traditional Danish festival celebrated in Copenhagen and throughout the country, where children and adults dress up in costumes to enjoy family activities. The celebration takes place on the seventh Sunday before Easter Sunday, which is usually in late February or early March.

Fastelavn in Copenhagen begins with the traditional breaking of the pot, which consists of a barrel-shaped piñata decorated with drawings of black cats. Blindfolded children and adults try to break the piñata with a stick while singing songs related to the holiday.

After breaking the pot, the little ones dress up and go out into the streets to ask for sweets, just like on Halloween, which is why it is considered the Scandinavian equivalent of this celebration and one of the best activities to do with children in Copenhagen. Adults also take part in the festivities and usually celebrate Fastelavn with dinners and dances in halls or bars and restaurants.

In Copenhagen, Fastelavn is celebrated in many places, such as schools, kindergartens, churches and community centres. In addition, parades and activities are held in different neighbourhoods of the city, and pub crawls in the city often include the theme in their tours.

Winter Pride Festival is an annual event that celebrates diversity and inclusion in Copenhagen for a week in mid-February. During this celebration, you can participate in cultural, sporting and social activities that promote respect and equality for the LGBTQ+ community.

Among the activities you can enjoy are art exhibitions, parties, concerts, debates and conferences. One of the most popular events is the pride parade, which takes place in the city centre and attracts thousands of people, including many tourists and visitors.

The aim of this festival is to promote equality, tolerance and respect for sexual and gender diversity, and to create a space for coexistence where everyone can feel safe and accepted.

The event attracts a large number of visitors each year and has become one of the city's most important festivities during the month of February.

Attending a performance at the Copenhagen Opera House is a unique experience that you will especially enjoy if you are a lover of classical music. In addition, the Royal Opera House is one of the city's most emblematic buildings and is located in the capital's harbour.

During February, the Opera House offers a varied programme of concerts, operas and ballets that allow you to enjoy this iconic space. The acoustics in the main hall are exceptional, allowing you to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Tickets tend to sell out quickly, so I recommend booking in advance.

One of the best alternatives you can find in Copenhagen during the winter to escape the cold and snow is to visit the winter markets, which are located in different parts of the city.

At these markets, you can buy crafts, souvenirs, regional products, and typical food and drinks, as most of these places include food stalls. They are also an economical option for lunch or dinner, making them one of the best activities to do in Copenhagen at night with the family.

Among the most recommended markets in February are Torvehallerne, as well as the food markets in neighbourhoods such as Kødbyen and Nørrebro, which stand out for their local atmosphere and gastronomic variety.

Celebrating Valentine's Day in Copenhagen can be a romantic and unforgettable experience. The city offers a wide variety of activities and places to enjoy as a couple, as well as some of the best canals in the Scandinavian region, giving the Danish capital a fairytale landscape.

A popular option is to take a stroll along the harbour of Nyhavn, which is located on the banks of the canal and features picturesque colourful houses and numerous restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy a romantic dinner.

You can also take advantage of a cruise along the canals, which at this time of year usually have heated boats. In addition, the Copenhagen Light Festival offers a unique setting to celebrate with the city spectacularly illuminated.

February is the coldest month of winter in Copenhagen, with average daily temperatures ranging from -2 to 2 °C. Minimum temperatures can drop to -5 °C or even lower, while daytime highs can rise to around 5 °C. The weather in February is quite unpredictable, with sunny days and blue skies interspersed with cloudy, rainy or snowy days.

Keep in mind that snow is quite common in the capital in February, which makes the city even more beautiful and picturesque, although to enjoy it you will need to have the right equipment and clothing. Temperatures rise substantially in Copenhagen in March.

February is one of the low season months for tourism in Copenhagen, which means that the city is less crowded and there are fewer queues at tourist attractions. However, there are a large number of events and festivals, which can temporarily increase the number of visitors.

Therefore, even though the city is usually less crowded than during the summer, I advise you to book your accommodation and excursions in advance to secure your place and make the most of your experience at one of the best times of the year to visit Copenhagen.

Although Copenhagen is not usually a cheap city, in February the cost of accommodation and meals can be lower than during the summer, although you should bear in mind that prices may increase during events and festivals.

In general, you will find a variety of accommodation and food options to suit different budgets. Prices may vary depending on location, quality and services, so I recommend that you research and compare different alternatives before making a reservation to secure your place.

February brings some of the coldest days of the year in Copenhagen, so to make the most of your visit, I recommend packing the following:

• Wool jumper
• Thermal socks
• Waterproof footwear
• Waterproof coat
• Wool scarf
• Woolly hat
• Raincoat
• Thermal T-shirt
• Umbrella
• Touchscreen gloves
• Warm trousers