10 Things to Do in Copenhagen in March

March marks the end of the cold season in Copenhagen and the beginning of the cold season, but it is also an ideal month for music festivals and some of the most interesting alternative events in the Danish capital.

Matías Rodríguez

Matías Rodríguez

10 min read

10 Things to Do in Copenhagen in March

Day of flowers and visits | ©Holly

If you want to enjoy Copenhagen during the off-season, but with more pleasant weather than January and February, you can choose to visit the Danish capital in March, when the onset of spring brings warmer temperatures and also marks the formal start of festivals and outdoor events.

Some of the best things to see and do in Copenhagen in March include celebrating St Patrick's Day on the city's streets, discovering new flavours at the Coffee Festival, experiencing street art at the Distortion festival, enjoying the Children's Culture Festival with the little ones and taking part in the Danish capital's half marathon, which is one of the most challenging in the Scandinavian region.

1. Celebrate St Patrick's Day on the streets of Copenhagen

Celebrating St Patrick's Day| ©Marianne Green
Celebrating St Patrick's Day| ©Marianne Green

St Patrick's Day, celebrated on 17 March each year, is a popular holiday around the world and Copenhagen is no exception. The Danish city joins in the celebration with a variety of events and activities throughout the city centre, ranging from beer tastings to city tours.

The city's Irish pubs and bars, such as The Dubliner and The Irish Rover, offer a wide variety of Irish beers and live music. There are also parades and outdoor events at venues such as City Hall Square and Tivoli Park. You can also find themed food and drink at other venues around the city.

You can also learn about Denmark's links to Irish culture through the interrelationship between the two countries, especially after the cultural exchanges generated by the waves of immigration in the early 20th century.

The Danes wear green and join in the celebration with enthusiasm, so if you're in town in March, make sure you don't miss the St Patrick's Day festivities!

Book tickets for a tour of Copenhagen

2. Discover new flavours at Copenhagen Coffee Festival

At the Coffee Festival| ©La Marzocco
At the Coffee Festival| ©La Marzocco

The Copenhagen Coffee Festival is an annual event held in March that is dedicated to coffee and everything that surrounds it, from growing and harvesting to roasting, brewing and tasting.

During the festival, you'll have the opportunity to attend talks and workshops by coffee experts, participate in tastings, sample different varieties of beans from around the world and meet some of the country's best baristas.

There is also a wide variety of coffee-related products available for purchase, from utensils and brewing tools to beans and gourmet coffee blends. Many of these tours are often included in the best food tours of Copenhagen during the festival dates.

This event is very popular with coffee lovers and industry professionals, and offers a unique and inspiring experience for anyone who wants to explore and learn more about the world of coffee, which is considered one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world.

Book a food tour in Copenhagen

3. Marvel at street art at Distortion Festival

Distortion Festival| ©Peter Anderson
Distortion Festival| ©Peter Anderson

The Distortion Festival is one of Copenhagen's largest and most important festivals, and takes place in March for one week. The event started as a small celebration in 1998, but has since grown in popularity and now attracts more than 100,000 people every year.

The festival focuses on electronic music and street art and offers a unique and vibrant experience on the streets of the Danish capital. During the festival days, parties are organised all over the city, from squares and parks to clubs and bars, making it one of the best things to do in Copenhagen at night.

In addition to the music and art, there is also a wide variety of food and drink to enjoy at the food stalls and outdoor bars that are set up for the festival, so you can also take a pub crawl.

Distortion is one of the most exciting celebrations of the year in Copenhagen and is very popular with locals and tourists alike. If you enjoy music and street art, you should definitely add Distortion to your list of festivals to visit.

Book a bar tour in Copenhagen

4. Experience metal music at Copenhagen's Copenhell festival

Copenhell Festival| ©ArtbyPuhang
Copenhell Festival| ©ArtbyPuhang

Copenhell is an annual music festival held in Copenhagen in March and is known for its focus on heavy metal and hard rock music. During the days of the event, thousands of people gather in the Danish capital to enjoy music, food and drink in a festive and exciting atmosphere.

Copenhell has been held since 2010 and has attracted a large number of international artists from the metal scene, such as Metallica, Iron Maiden, Slayer and Slipknot. In addition to the music, there is also a variety of food and drink stalls, offering everything from beer to barbecue food and traditional Danish dishes.

The festival takes place at Refshaleøen, a former industrial area in Copenhagen that has been transformed into an event venue. With multiple stages and seating areas, it is possible to enjoy the music and atmosphere at any time of the day or night. You can get there by public transport or on the city's hop-on-hop-off sightseeing buses.

Book tickets for the Copenhagen sightseeing bus

5. Enjoy the Children's Culture Festival

Children having fun in Copenhagen| ©Kristoffer Trolle
Children having fun in Copenhagen| ©Kristoffer Trolle

The Children's Culture Festival is an annual event held in Copenhagen during the month of March that aims to offer cultural and creative activities for children and young people of all ages.

Throughout the days of the event, the city becomes a stage for theatre, music, dance and art performances, all designed to engage children and allow them to explore and experience different forms of artistic expression.

In addition, there are workshops and interactive activities where children can learn and develop their creative skills, making it one of the best things to do if you plan to visit Copenhagen with children.

This festival is an excellent opportunity for families to explore the cultural scene in the Danish capital and enjoy a wide variety of fun and educational events and activities for children.

6. Discover the cherry blossoms at the Sakura Festival

Sakura Festival| ©Steen Elm
Sakura Festival| ©Steen Elm

If you want to discover an alternative side of Copenhagen that is closely related to Japanese culture, then the Sakura Festival is a must. This annual event is held every year in March and focuses on the cherry blossom, also known as sakura.

The festival takes place in Langelinie Park, near The Little Mermaid, in the harbour area where you can access Copenhagen's best canal tours as well as some of the city's most expansive views.

During the festival, you can enjoy the beauty of the cherry blossoms, take part in Japanese cultural activities, listen to live music and enjoy authentic food. There are also stalls selling Asian products, handicrafts and souvenirs.

This festival is the ideal excuse to discover a taste of Japanese culture in Denmark and to take some of the best photographs of your trip, as the cherry blossoms will collaborate with the scenery to create a fascinating backdrop.

Book a tour of Copenhagen's canals

7. Immerse yourself in Under culture with the Copenhagen Blues Festival

Enjoying the Blues Festival| ©Alberto Quaglia
Enjoying the Blues Festival| ©Alberto Quaglia

The Copenhagen Blues Festival is one of the most anticipated musical events of the season in the city and also a cult of alternative events. It is organised every year in March and during the festival days the capital is filled with live blues, jazz and soul music.

The festival attracts international and local musicians, and features a variety of shows at venues across the city, from small bars to large concert halls. Some shows even take place at the National Museum of Denmark and other top museums in Copenhagen.

The event also offers a wide range of music-related activities such as workshops, seminars and talks to promote and share the blues culture, making it one of the most important blues festivals in Europe, and a perfect opportunity to discover new artists and enjoy the music in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

8. Attend the Nordic Antique Fair

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

If you're a lover of second-hand goods, the annual Nordic Antiques Fair in Copenhagen is one of the largest events of its kind in Northern Europe. Each year it attracts a large number of local and international visitors.

The fair presents antiques from different periods and styles, from the 18th century to the 1970s. Among the items on display are furniture, silverware, glassware, ceramics, jewellery and works of art.

In addition to the sale of antiques, the fair also offers talks and lectures on topics related to the history of art and decoration. Some of these activities take place inside some of Copenhagen's finest palaces such as Christiansborg.

This fair will be a great opportunity for you if you love antiques and decoration, as you can find unique and exclusive pieces, as well as learn about the history and value of the artworks and antique objects on display.

9. Take part in the Copenhagen Half Marathon

Copenhagen Marathon| ©Wrencam
Copenhagen Marathon| ©Wrencam

The Copenhagen Half Marathon is one of the city's most important sporting events and is held annually in March. The 21.1-kilometre race attracts runners from all over the world and offers an exciting course through the city's most iconic sights, including the city's finest buildings.

This half marathon is an ideal opportunity for running enthusiasts to enjoy the city in a different and healthy way. In addition, the event has a lively and festive atmosphere, with music and entertainment in the streets to encourage runners.

Spectators can also enjoy the race and cheer on the runners from the finish line and along the route, although if you're up for it you can also sign up and take part in the activities. Are you up for the challenge?

10. Experience the celebrations for the beginning of spring

Spring in Copenhagen| ©Ingrid0804
Spring in Copenhagen| ©Ingrid0804

Copenhagen, like many other cities, celebrates the beginning of spring with enthusiasm. The city is filled with festivities that include music, dance, food and drink to welcome the most anticipated season of the year. One of the most popular activities is the celebration of the spring equinox, which takes place every year around 20 March.

During the celebration, the King's Garden, located in the heart of the city, becomes the epicentre of the festivities. Activities include live music and dance performances, children's games, arts and crafts workshops, and a variety of seasonal food and drink. The highlight of the celebration is the burning of a large bonfire, symbolising the end of winter and the beginning of spring in Copenhagen.

Another popular activity during the beginning of spring is a boat trip along the city's canals. There you can enjoy the comfortable scenery while relaxing on a cruise and learning about the history of the city. There are also numerous gardens and parks that are filled with seasonal flowers, and are an ideal place for a picnic or a relaxing afternoon.

Finally, culture lovers can enjoy the art galleries and museums that the city has to offer. The Louisiana Museum of Art, located about 30 minutes' drive from the city centre, is one of Denmark's most popular galleries, with a large collection of contemporary art.

Temperatures in Copenhagen in March

Canal day in Copenhagen| ©David Adamson
Canal day in Copenhagen| ©David Adamson

In March, the temperature in Copenhagen starts to improve after the cold winter months. Temperatures average between 1 and 7°C, with warmer days allowing you to enjoy outdoor activities. Although it is still advisable to wear warm clothes, especially in the evenings, it is no longer necessary to dress in heavy and bulky winter clothing.

It is important to note that although the temperature is starting to rise, the weather in Copenhagen is still unpredictable and there can be sudden changes in the weather in a matter of hours. Therefore, I recommend that you pack a variety of clothing to be able to adapt to the changing conditions. In general, March is a good time to visit Copenhagen and enjoy the city without extreme temperatures.

Copenhagen's tourist crowds in March

Tourist Bus| ©Amandine
Tourist Bus| ©Amandine

March is one of the mid-season months in Copenhagen and, although it is not as busy as summer, the city still attracts a considerable number of tourists. Temperatures start to rise and the days get longer, making the city more pleasant for walking and enjoying outdoor activities, leading to an increase in visitors.

Therefore, although the tourist influx is not as high as in the summer months, I recommend that you book in advance to ensure you find accommodation and avoid higher prices. Hotels can fill up quickly during popular events and weddings, which are very common in Denmark in March, so you'll avoid surprises if you book early.

Prices in Copenhagen in March

Money in euros| ©Ibrahim Boran
Money in euros| ©Ibrahim Boran

Prices in Copenhagen in March can vary depending on the time of the month when you travel. In early March, prices may be lower due to the mid-season, but as spring approaches, costs may rise due to increased demand. In general, Copenhagen is an expensive city, but in March you'll be able to find cheap alternatives.

For accommodation, you'll find better value than during the summer, but it's advisable to book in advance to get better prices. For food, you can visit food markets and fast food outlets to save money, while restaurants can be more expensive.

What to pack for a visit to Copenhagen in March?

Luggage| ©tookapic
Luggage| ©tookapic

March marks the start of spring and temperatures are warmer, although snowfall persists, so pack the following:

  • Lightweight trousers
  • Sports T-shirt
  • Waterproof socks
  • Waterproof footwear
  • Waterproof coat
  • Rain jacket
  • Umbrella
  • Snow gloves
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera