The final month of the year has arrived; let’s send out 2015 with a bang and bring on 2016 the best way we know how!
Here’s how to enjoy yourself all through December:
Tuesday 1st December
Christmas Tree Lighting at Blågårds Plads
To launch into Kultur2200’s “24 Days of Culture” (part of Copenhagen Christmas Festival) go enjoy the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Blågårds Plads, 4 – 6 pm. There will be warm snacks and plenty of holiday cheer!
Tuesday 1st December – Sunday 6th December
CISPA Presents ‘Three Sisters’ by Anton Chekhov
The Copenhagen International School of Performing Arts will be showcasing their talented students in Chekhov’s absurdist play dealing with “the ruthlessness of Time.” An interpretation not to be missed! There are seven performances in total, so book your tickets soon.
Thursday 3rd December
Have a Vintage Christmas at BauBau Shop
Good company, music and gløgg while shopping for vintage treasures in one of Copenhagen’s best second-hand spots. What’s better than that?! 4:00 – 8:00 pm.
Saturday 5th – Sunday 6th December
Det Nye Designer Julemarked
Browse market stands with lots of great design – clothes, interior and more – plus Christmas warm drinks like gløgg (mulled wine). A great way to find gifts and spend a pre-holiday weekend.
Sunday 6th December
Viking Party and Winter Bathing
Come down to Islands Brygge and celebrate Christmas – Viking style. This event involves jumping into the icy cold water of the Copenhagen Harbour, followed by a sauna (just how Sweyn Forkbeard would have loved it). You can also drink Viking mead, taste meat roasted over the fire, and hear the old tales from the Viking age while the sun sets on the harbour. From 11:30 – 17:00.
Monday 7th December
Thundercat at Lille Vega
The critically acclaimed American artist Thundercat fuses R&B with electro and funk. Enjoy a fun and high-energy show in an intimate setting.
Tuesday 8th December
“The Fabric Dreams are Made Of” at the Bremen Theatre
A showing of NORDIC:DOX award nominated film focused on drug abuse Monalisa Story followed by a discussion about the nature of therapy, dreams and compulsion. A heavy and fascinating night.
Wednesday 9th December
Jose Gonzalez at Store Vega
Swedish singer and songwriter Gonzalez with an indie-folk vibe is always great on stage, so catch this talented performer while you can!
Friday 11th – Sunday 13th December
Saints’ Store Pop-Up by Such Agency
Three brands that are perfect for Christmas gifts: Lemur Design, Memobottle & Organic Basics. Find them all in one place at the Saints’ Store Pop-Up over the weekend. Held at Nørrested on Stefansgade, the shop will be a cosy spot with great items. Open 9 am – 7 pm on Fri & Sat, 9 am -6 pm on Sunday.
Saturday 12th December
Morten Hemmingsen Sørup “Bringing You Up To Date” Art Show (now with Gløgg)
Morten Hemmingsen Sørup is brining you his first solo show since closing his gallery in 2014. Morten works mainly in sculpture, incorporating words that have been conjured up in the artist’s imagination, in humorous juxtaposition. Check out the closing party at Monty´s Atelier, Bispevej 29, København NV from 12pm – 2pm.
Photo credit: Emil Monty Freddie
Sunday 13th December
Luciadag (Saint Lucy’s day)
Also called the Feast of Saint Lucia, Saint Lucy’s Day commemorates the martyr Saint Lucy who brought food to Christians hiding in the catacombs. Celebrated as the holiday of light, Saint Lucy’s Day is particularly celebrated in the Nordic countries, where young girls (and now, boys) dress in white and sing songs about Saint Lucy while holding candles. In Sweden, this is a popular (though unofficial) holiday and they serve saffron buns called St Lucia buns. All other Nordic countries have based their celebrations on the Swedish model; Danes began celebrating in 1944 as a passive protest against German occupation to “bring light in a time of darkness.” In Sweden, Finland and Norway, this is largely celebrated as a secular holiday, while in Denmark it tends to take place in church.
Here are some events where you can attend:
Tivoli Lucia procession
100 white-clad kids cruise around Tivoli singing. This is magical, and can’t get more Christmassy. The choir begins at Den flyvende Kuffert (The Flying Trunk) at around 5.30pm.
Lucia procession in Vesterbro
Vesterbro hosts one of the longest Sy Lucy’s Day procession through the Vesterbro streets. The parade starts at Mariakirken at 7pm, and ends at Sct. Matthæus Kirke, where the procession ends with a small concert and a glass of glögg.
Kayak Lucia procession
200 kayaks on the water, lighting up the water. Sounds pretty good right? The procession starts at Kajakhotellet in Christianshavn, and includes Kayak Republic, Nyhavn, Højbroplads, and back again. It all begins at 2pm at Kajakhotellet with glögg and æbleskiver.
Lucia procession in the Church of Our Lady
Vor Frue Kirke, a.k.a. the Church of Our Lady, has a procession and service at 5pm with the children from N. Zahles Gymnasieskole.
Danish on a Sunday: People Get Eaten
The story of a married couple just going through the motions; one is having an affair and, soon the other disappears. When one member of the family is missing, suddenly the rest realise how much they miss him. In Danish with subtitles. At Cinemateket, 2:15 pm.
Monday 14th December
TagTomat urban gardening start-up celebrates two years!
The official program hasn’t yet been released, but this urban gardening start-up will be hosting talks and events all day elaborating on their work as well as other urban gardening methods. For a real look into the Copenhagen urban green scene, spend the day getting to know TagTomat.
Saturday 19th December
Home Alone & Gløgg
Get your Christmas on at Absalon’s filmklub, where they’re showing Christmas classic Home Alone. The bar is open during the whole movie for refills on your gløgg and other drinks. It starts at 8pm.
Thursday 24th December
Christmas Eve (Juleaften)
Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate! To those who don’t, enjoy your days off!
Check this out:
Friday 25th December
Christmas Day (Juledag)
Are you full yet?
Saturday 26th December
Christmas Day (Juledag)
How about now? I bet you’re full now.
Sunday 27th December
Danish on a Sunday: The Shamer’s Daughter
A medieval fantasy in which a mother and daughter both have the ability to make others feel shame. When the heir to the kingdom is falsely accused of murder, they are drawn into the drama. In Danish with English subtitles. At Cinemateket, 2:15 pm.
Monday 28th December
Ulige Numre at Store Vega
A local band that you’ll want to check out if you haven’t already. Their hit “København” is the perfect tune to listen to as you cycle over the city’s bridges and canals.
Thursday 31st December
New Year’s Eve
Happy 2016!
Änglamark Nytårsløb – New Years Run
Are you the kind of person who likes to run 5, 10 or 21 kilometers before drinking your bodyweight in champagne to celebrate the coming year? You sound like a superhero. A number of runs of varying length, from 2 km for children to a full marathon, start at 9:35 and 11:05 am. That’s one way to wake up!
The Extraordinary New Year’s Eve Celebration
This New Year’s Eve event is always a riot; lots of DJs, champagne, and good looking folks dancing. Tickets sell out fast so if you feel like a rockin’ time, look into this party!
Ongoing in December
Copenhagen Christmas Festival
From 1st – 24th December, the municipality of Copenhagen hosts various events and activities around the city. Parts of the festival include “24 Days of Culture” in Nørrebro, and Copenhagen Municipality in collaboration with a range of the city’s cultural institutions.
Tivoli Christmas Market and Decorations
There’s nothing more Christmasy-charming than the Christmas Market and beautiful lights on display at Tivoli from mid-December. Enjoy a glass of gløgg or hot chocolate while browsing the stalls packed with great gifts.
The Nutcracker at the Royal Theatre
Everyone’s favorite holiday ballet is here, bringing the Sugar Plum Fairy along with it! Premiering on 4th December, the show runs through the 22nd, including a matinee and evening show every Saturday & Sunday in between.
“Learning from Japan,” Designmuseum Denmark
This exhibit explores the Japanese influence on Danish design. There will be over 400 works on display – both Japanese and Danish – some of which have rarely been seen by the public.
“Rising from Darkness,” Statens Museum for Kunst
An exhibition that explores the work of 12 artists from the immediate post-WWII period. These are pieces that evoke the fear, uncertainty and weariness of the time, as well as a sense of protest and emerging power. On until January 2016.
“Infinite Unit” by Yayoi Kusama, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
If you’re an art lover, you need to check out this incredible Kusama retrospective! The Japanese artist is well known for his patterns covering vast spaces, as well as his ability to blend into those patterns with matching clothes. On until January 2016.
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Bjørn Wiinblad, Arken Museum
See the most comprehensive retrospective ever compiled of beloved Danish artist Wiinblad. Enter the visual universe of this multi-medium artist as well as learn about his placement and significance in the Danish art and design scene. On display until January 2016.
If you’re a business or organisation that would like us to add your event to next month’s calendar, please contact us at hello [@] scandinaviastandard [dot] com. Thank you!
Are you planning to attend any events this month? Are there any good ones we missed? Tell us about it in the comments!