What’s Happening in Copenhagen in February: Winter Activities in The Danish Capital
Brighten up these cold days with our pick of the best winter activities taking place in Copenhagen this February, from Copenhagen Light Festival to bar events and parties at Copenhagen Downtown. Despite the cold month, there are plenty of cosy things to do in the Danish capital, from exciting exhibitions to “hygge” places to stay warm with a coffee. So grab your scarf and see what the city has to offer this February. If it's your first time visiting us, then check out our blog and travel news for other things to do around town, whatever the weather!
"Aura" Photo credit: COPENHAGEN LIGHT FESTIVAL, Christoffer Askman
Copenhagen Light Festival
January 31st to February 23rd, 5pm to 10pm
Lighting up the city at night, this free festival is in its 10th year of bringing light-art to Copenhagen, illuminating some of the most famous city sights. With over 50 works of art from international establish and upcoming local artists, alongside organizations and students, this is a chance to celebrate light in the long dark winter evenings. Many of the illuminations can be found along the harbour side, but there are also sites around the city neighbourhoods. Check the map to plan your route.
(Photo credit: COPENHAGEN LIGHT FESTIVAL, Christoffer Askman “Hvad drømmer du om Christiania?”)
Art through Light
This year the lights include updated installations of favourite shows from previous years, such as "The Wave" version 5.0 and the "Green Beam VII", there are also new designs and innovative light shows, installations, sculptures, designed objects and project mapping on buildings facades. There is even a light installation on the famous bridge to Sweden! Get interactive and explore the city's neighbourhoods at night through this vibrant festival.
See the festival programme here. There is also a festival app for all the programme and information at "Indenfor10Minutter" in your app store. #copenhagenlightfestival
The festival is also mindful of being sustainable, keeping the energy use low and the lights shining bright!
Iceskating in Frederiksberg Garden
Skøjtebane Frederiksberg Runddel - Until the last Sunday in February
Get your skates on and have a go on the rink at Frederiksberg Runddel! Entrance is free and you can hire skates for 60DKK (or bring your own) to have some winter fun. Located just by the entrance to Frederiksberg Gardens, just a short metro from the city centre, this is an annual pop up rink that provides plenty of fun for locals and visitors alike. What are you waiting for?!
Winter Jazz Festival 2025
1st- 25th February
The Vinterjazz festival was established in 2001 and takes place in over 150 venues around the country and hosts over 600 concerts during the three week festival (many of the concerts are free!). This festival is the winter sister of the summer Copenhagen Jazz Festival which has been taking place since the 70s, with this collaboration with musicians and venues country-wide securing Denmark a place in the international jazz scene. With the summer festival hosting outdoor concerts, the Winter Festival is more of a club festival, with over 100 venues preparing themselves for concerts with both international and local jazz stars.
Taking the stage are famous international names such as Madeleine Peyroux, Steve Gunn, Arild Andersen, Yggdrasil, Rob Lift, Daniel Summer, Amanda Ginsburg, and Irish Mythen. Local Danish artist highlights include DR Big Band, Rasmus Openhagen Krogh, OTOOTO, Karen Mukupa and Marlene Mortensen. The festival isn’t just jazz either - many of the artists are jazz inspired, performing music that is rooted in jazz but has broadened the genre with an international twist. For something really funky, check out the Global Voice concerts for jazz infusions.
Alongside famous jazz venues like the Christiania Jazz Club, Jazz Montmartre, and Charlie Scott’s, there are also smaller bars and clubs taking place to give a more intimate experience. For the big concerts you can check out Den Sorte Diamond (The Black Diamond) or even the church Sankt Johannes Kirke.
As part of the Winter Jazz Festival taking part around the city, you can also find events taking place at Tivoli 5th, 12th and 19th February at Nimb Bar.
Check out the programme of concerts (some of them are free!) here
Valentine’s Day at Copenhagen Downtown
February 14th
Love is in the air! If cupid has been kind to you and you are visiting Copenhagen with your love, then enjoy a romantic day in the city touring the waterfront or taking in the sights before joining us for an evening of fun in our international bar. If you are travelling alone, then don’t miss our solo travellers nights every Wednesday, including February 13th, so you may have a date after all by February 14th! Check out our Bar Events to find the latest parties taking place or check out our Facebook pages here. We will make sure you have a special evening, whether you are looking for love, or not!
Van Gogh Immersive Experience
Extended until end of April
This immersive art experience of the famous Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh has entertained millions in European cities and is now taking place in Copenhagen. With a 360 degree digital experience, mapping, and virtual reality, surround yourself with the artist’s most celebrated works as you stroll through this exciting visual treat! A must for all art fans, open Wednesday to Sundays.
Tickets from 220DKK for adults. Book your tickets before it sells out!
Get Cosy in a Candlelit Cafe
Copenhagen is full of coffee and pastry shops, with some of the more famous ones such as Coffee Collective popping up around the town, but there are plenty of cute and cosy ones, even with candle light to keep the winter blues away! For the best pastries try the famous Sankt Peders Bageri, one of the oldest in Copenhagen and serving up the best baked cinnamon buns, or Cafe Dyrehaven in Vesterbro for a local chilled vibe and delicious Danish smørrebrød (like an open sandwich!). For quality coffee check out Wilmore in Vesterbro which also serves a great cocktail at night, or Swedish style Fika in the centre for a coffee and sweet treat. Time to get “hyyge”!
Art and Exhibitions
Copenhagen is a culture capital and filled with galleries and museums of international renown. From the Danish design Museum to Louisiana Museum of Modern, there is an opportunity to find historic, avant garde, and world-class artists around the city.
For a traditional art experience head over to the National Gallery of Denmark (Statens Museum for Kunst - SMK) or Carlsberg Glyptoteket, or for photo lovers then immerse yourself in the impressive artwork on display at the Fotografisk Center.
For design lovers check out AKUT#6: Fabric of Change at the Design Museum Danmark until April 21st - and exploration of design trends and the role in society. For history buffs then don’t miss the Carlsberg Glyptoteket with exhibitions on Roman Emperors and a superb collection on ancient Egypt. Louisiana (a stunning museum of art set on the beach a short train ride from the city centre) has an exhibition Ocean on until April and painter Alexej Jawlensky until June.
(Photo from Tivoli Press by Lasse Sailing)
And…. Things to Look Forward To! Tivoli Gardens at Easter
Opening again 4th April!
This historic amusement park has more than 30 rides to thrill set in a landscaped garden and lake and comes back to life for Easter after the winter closure. Prepare for a fully decorated spring experience with Easter Egg hunts and music performances. Here you can find food stalls and restaurants alongside fairground rides including the famously old rollercoaster. Do you dare ride the Demon ride? For us that is a “no”!
Entrance is from 180DKK or get a ride pass for 189DKK for unlimited rides. Ticket information can be found here
Don’t be put off by the cold winter weather, Copenhagen in February is cosy and full of cultural delights - plus you avoid the tourist crowds of summer months. Just make the most of the fresh air and wrap up warm! Or, grab a drink at our friendly international bar and enjoy the spirit of backpacking with us! Make new friends, swap stories, and enjoy our great vibes. See you there!