If you’re visiting Copenhagen this Christmas season, you can’t miss the amazing winter wonderland at Tivoli Gardens. There is no better Copenhagen attraction to get you into the holiday spirit than Tivoli Gardens Christmas festivities. There are thousands of twinkling lights that illuminate the dark winter nights. Tivoli Gardens Christmas has decorations that rival a Hollywood Christmas movie. Events take place throughout the Christmas season to entertain families from all over the world. Light shows, parades, performances, the Tivoli Christmas market, and Santa Claus himself are part of the fun. Christmas in Tivoli is simply magical! Here is what you can expect and all the information you need to enjoy the fun for yourself.
Tivoli Gardens Christmas Dates and Times
Tivoli Gardens Christmas celebration kicks off on Saturday, 16 November. That’s when the brilliant Christmas decorations, Tivoli Christmas market, and holiday-themed amusement park opens to an excited public. For many Danes and travelers alike, Tivoli Gardens Christmas is a family tradition.
From 16 November until 5 January, Tivoli Gardens will be open from 11:00 until 23:00. The park stays open an extra hour on Friday and Saturday nights when it closes at 24:00. Throughout the season, there are a number of special events and Christmas-season entertainment. Most of the special events are included with the purchase of your entrance ticket and are guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit!
Tivoli Gardens Christmas Entertainment
As you may be surprised to learn, there are a lot of things to do in Copenhagen in winter. The city is very active and lively despite the chilly weather and darkness of Danish winter. The same is true of Tivoli Gardens Christmas. It’s a little chilly and the sun sets early, but when you bundle up and head to Tivoli, you’ll find plenty of events and family Christmas entertainment.
Illumination
Throughout the year, Tivoli entertains visitors with an evening light show on the lakes in the center of the park. During the Christmas season, guests can enjoy the Illuminations light show each evening at half past the hour beginning at 17:30. The show is about 10 minutes long and is best viewed from the bridge over the lake. The spectacle combines lasers, smoke, fire, water, and music from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.
Christmas Parades
There are two parades that you can enjoy during Christmastime at Tivoli Gardens. The first is held on 13 December in honor of Saint Lucy’s Day. For Santa Lucia or Saint Lucy’s Day, children’s choirs parade through the gardens with candles singing their Christmas songs. Around 100 children participate each year and the event begins and ends at the ride, Tik Tak. The parade begins at 17:30 and ends at 18:15.
The Tivoli Youth Guard will march and play Christmas music each weekend during the Christmas season. On Saturdays, their parade begins at 14:00 and on Sundays, it starts at 12:00 noon.
Fireworks
Starting on 25 December, the skies above Tivoli Gardens are lit with brilliant fireworks. From Christmas Day until New Year’s Eve you can witness a wonderful fireworks display each night at 20:45 on 25 and 26 December and 23:00 on 27 and 31 December. The best viewing area is at the lawn in front of the Open-air Theatre.
Cabaret
Tivoli’s Crazy Christmas Cabaret show is a hilarious holiday tradition. Enjoy this annual English-language performance each evening in the Glass Hall Theatre. Tickets start around $30 USD and the acting troupe is fantastic. The creative original shows are something that locals look forward to every year, so plan ahead if you’re in town and get tickets for the show. Entry into Tivoli Gardens is included, which is quite a deal!
Santa Claus
You can visit Santa at his grotto located at the Pantomime Theatre from 16 November through 23 December. After that, he is said to return to his home in Greenland. Visiting Santa is included in your entrance ticket, however, there are additional fees if you want to have your picture taken with Santa.
The Grounds of Tivoli Gardens at Christmas
Walking around Tivoli Gardens at Christmastime is magical. The trees are covered in twinkling lights and bright decorations. Many areas are coated with a fresh blanket of artificial snow and the entire park looks like it’s a Christmas card. Here are some of the Christmas season upgrades that you’ll find inside of Tivoli at Christmas.
Trainsbury
In front of the open-air stage, you’ll find Trainsbury. This is Tivoli’s version of the Polar Express – it’s a festive building to stay warm and enjoy a holiday snack or a warm drink. There are vendors and gift shops inside as well as around Tivoli Gardens.
Tivoli Gardens Christmas Tree
The Tivoli Gardens Christmas tree is incredible. It’s located in the center of Tivoli in front of the Nimb hotel and is decorated in twinkling lights and Swarovski crystal ornaments. The official tree lighting ceremony is on Saturday 16, November at 16.30. The events include caroling, performances from the Tivoli Youth Guard band and Santa Claus.
The Christmas Train
Tivoli’s miniature train ride is popular with guests all year long. It’s especially enjoyable at Christmastime when the train and its normal route get a holiday-themed upgrade. Lok out for the Christmas Train as you walk around the park and enjoy the atmosphere.
Honey Cake Castle
In the castle square, you’ll find Honey Cake Castle. It’s a wonderful place to warm up and enjoy some refreshments during your time at Tivoli Gardens Christmas.
Tivoli Gardens Christmas Rides
The rides inside of Tivoli Gardens get a Christmas make-over and operate throughout the winter season. Some additional rides like the Christmas swings are added when the park reopens in November. Visitors of all ages enjoy the rides during Tivoli Gardens Christmas.
Get Tickets Now
There are so many things to do in Copenhagen during the winter and the city is alive with bright decorations and festive Christmas Markets. Tivoli Gardens Christmas celebration should also be part of your holiday fun. Visiting Copenhagen in the winter months is a truly great experience and you’ll be immediately in the holiday spirit – especially when you include a trip to Tivoli Gardens.
Buy your tickets to Tivoli Gardens Christmas Market by clicking here. Prices are under $20 USD for a skip the line entrance ticket.
