Some cities have a theme park. Copenhagen has Tivoli — and there’s a real difference. This Tivoli Gardens Copenhagen guide is the one page you need before you go, and Tivoli sits near the top of almost every list of the city’s headline sights, for good reason.
Tivoli Gardens is a 19th-century pleasure garden in the heart of Copenhagen, opposite Central Station, open across four seasons a year. Entry (200 kr for adults, 100 kr for children aged 3–7) buys you the gardens, live music and the restaurants; rides cost extra, with an all-day ride pass at 269 kr. Go after dark, when tens of thousands of lights come on and the place turns magical. Here’s how to plan it.
Opened on 15 August 1843, Tivoli is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, and it still draws crowds: 4.25 million people came through the gates in 2024. What follows works whether it’s your first visit or your fifth: the seasons, the tickets, the rides worth queueing for, where to eat, and the small practical things most sites gloss over.
Tivoli Gardens Copenhagen at a Glance
Tivoli Gardens is the cornerstone of Copenhagen tourism — the attraction every first-time visitor puts on their itinerary, and the one most locals still call their favourite. Before diving into rides, restaurants and seasons, here are the essentials on Tivoli Gardens in table form.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Opened | 15 August 1843 (among the oldest amusement parks in the world) |
| Location | Vesterbrogade 3, 1630 Copenhagen — directly opposite Central Station |
| Rides | From the 1914 wooden coaster Rutschebanen to Fatamorgana, a swing ride opened in 2016 |
| Annual visitors | 4.25 million in 2024 (the most visited amusement park in Scandinavia) |
| Seasons | Halloween (2 October–1 November 2026), Christmas (13 November 2026–3 January 2027), Easter (19–29 March 2027), Summer (30 March–26 September 2027), closed otherwise |
| Restaurants | From Gemyse to Grøften (1874); see tivoli.dk for the full list |
| Tickets | Entry 200 DKK (adults) / 100 DKK (ages 3–7); ride pass 269 DKK extra (134 DKK for children) |
| Best time to go | From 7pm — the lights come on at dusk and the park looks completely different |
A Brief History of Tivoli Gardens
Georg Carstensen, a Danish journalist and impresario, talked Christian VIII into granting a five-year lease on a patch of land just outside the old city ramparts in 1843. His pitch was simple: “When the people are amusing themselves, they do not think about politics.” Carstensen’s original Tivoli combined Chinese pagodas, French fairground rides, a Persian-inspired concert hall and English landscape gardening — the aesthetic is still visible today.
Tivoli has survived two world wars (Nazi sympathisers burned down the concert hall in 1943), several near-bankruptcies and Copenhagen’s post-war expansion. It is widely cited as one of the inspirations for Disneyland. Tivoli also helped shape much of the vocabulary of modern theme parks — thematic zones, illumination at dusk, strolling live entertainment.
In 2025 Tivoli marked 182 years since it first opened. Hans Christian Andersen wrote parts of “The Nightingale” during visits to Tivoli’s Chinese Tower; the writer considered the gardens one of his favourite places in Copenhagen.
The Four Seasons at Tivoli
Tivoli is not open year-round. It shuts between seasons, including 2 to 12 November and 4 January to 18 March in the 2026-27 calendar, and each opening has its own personality. Plan your Copenhagen trip around a season, not the other way round.
Summer Season (late March to late September)
The longest and busiest season. In 2027 it runs from 30 March to 26 September, straight after Easter in Tivoli (19–29 March); the 2026 summer season ran from 7 April to 20 September. This is when Tivoli is at its most garden-like. Friday Rock headline concerts at Plænen start in early May and run weekly through September. Fireworks go up at 23:30 every Saturday in June, July and August.
Halloween at Tivoli (2 October to 1 November)
From 2 October to 1 November 2026, Tivoli gives itself over to Halloween, and 20,000 pumpkins line the paths. Halloween at Tivoli skews family-friendly — not scary. The gates open at 11:00 every day; check tivoli.dk for the evening closing time.
Christmas at Tivoli (mid-November to early January)
Christmas at Tivoli is the main reason many Copenhageners buy an annual pass. This year it runs from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with Christmas-market stalls selling gløgg (Danish mulled wine), æbleskiver (round filled pancakes), roasted almonds and Danish-design gifts; an outdoor ice rink in front of the Concert Hall; and the rides all operate in full winter lighting. It is Copenhagen’s Christmas centrepiece — go on a weekday evening to avoid the weekend-family surge.
Closed Periods
Tivoli shuts between seasons. After Halloween ends on 1 November 2026 the gates stay closed from 2 to 12 November, then reopen for Christmas on 13 November. Once Christmas closes on 3 January, the park is shut until Easter in Tivoli opens on 19 March 2027, and the summer season follows from 30 March to 26 September 2027. If you are specifically flying to Copenhagen for Tivoli, check opening dates on tivoli.dk before booking.
Tickets: How to Buy, What It Costs
Tivoli uses two separate tickets: entry (which lets you in) and a ride wristband or ride tickets (which lets you ride). Most restaurants, concerts and gardens are included in entry. Only the rides cost extra.
| Ticket | Price (DKK) | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Adult entry | 200 | Gardens, concerts, restaurants, walking around — no rides |
| Child entry (3–7) | 100 | Same as adult entry; under 3s free |
| Unlimited ride wristband | 269 | All rides, all day — only valid the day you activate |
| Adult entry + ride pass | 469 | 200 DKK entry plus the 269 DKK ride pass; the one to get for ride-focused days |
| Annual pass (Tivoli Gold Pass) | from 1,599 | A year of visits; compare what each pass level includes on tivoli.dk |
Time-saving tip: Buy online at tivoli.dk before you go and skip the ticket-office queue at the main gate on Vesterbrogade. Arriving by train? The second gate, on Bernstorffsgade by Central Station, is the nearer one.
The annual pass only makes sense if you will be back often: day entry is 200 DKK and the Tivoli Gold Pass starts at 1,599 DKK. It is also valid during Halloween and Christmas.
Opening Hours and Entrances
Opening hours change with the season and the day of the week, so look up the calendar on tivoli.dk for the week of your visit. During Halloween (2 October to 1 November 2026) the gates open at 11:00 every day.
The ornate main gate is on Vesterbrogade, and the Bernstorffsgade entrance opposite Central Station is the closest to the train. Ticket scanners accept printed, phone-screen and Apple/Google Wallet tickets.
The Best Rides at Tivoli — Ranked by Thrill Level
Tivoli is small by Disney standards, but every ride is walkable from the next. Below, ranked from gentle to terrifying, the rides worth planning your visit around.
For Toddlers and Young Families
- Rasmus Klump’s World — six gentle rides and play areas themed around a Danish children’s book hero (polar bear cub). No height minimum.
- Flying Elephants (Den Flyvende Kuffert) — suspended dumbo-style ride themed on Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘Flying Trunk’ fairy tale.
- Den Gamle Vogntur — vintage car ride on a slow loop through the gardens; toddlers can steer.
- Tivoli’s antique carousel — the Animal Carousel (Dyrekarrusellen), a classic from 1920. Arguably the prettiest carousel in Europe.
For Older Kids and Adults Who Aren’t Coaster People
- Ballongyngen (the boat swings) — airborne gondola swings. Height minimum 100cm. Gentle airtime.
- Himmelskibet (the sky-ship) — 80m gyro tower. Not scary but the view over Copenhagen is exceptional.
- Tivolis Radiobiler (bumper cars) — under a brass-domed pavilion, the best classic-Tivoli experience.
- Den Flyvende Tæppe (the Flying Carpet) — magic-carpet ride over the Persian area, themed on Arabian Nights.
For Thrill Seekers
- Rutschebanen (1914) — wooden coaster on a track of about 700 metres, with a brakeman on every train. One of three wooden coasters with an on-board brakeman left in the world. Not particularly intense but historically irresistible.
- Dæmonen (2004) — Bolliger & Mabillard floorless coaster with three inversions: a loop, an Immelmann and a zero-G roll. The park’s headline modern coaster. Height min 120cm.
- Aquila — giant swing and spinner added in 2013. Height min 130cm.
- Star Flyer — 80-metre chain swing, towering above the Copenhagen skyline. Views to Malmö on clear days.
- Fatamorgana — a swing ride over Tivoli Lake, opened in 2016, and less intense than Dæmonen.
Where to Eat Inside Tivoli
Tivoli is full of places to eat, from food-hall counters to hotel dining rooms. Here is the shortlist worth planning a meal around.
Fine Dining
- Gemyse (vegetarian) — greenhouse-themed plant-forward tasting menu. Book ahead.
- Nimb Brasserie — inside the Moorish-domed Nimb Hotel. French-Danish bistro, à la carte.
- Fru Nimb — classic Danish smørrebrød inside the Nimb Hotel, with excellent aquavit.
- Nimb Bar — afternoon tea inside the Nimb Hotel at 495 DKK per person, or 645 DKK with Ruinart champagne, served daily until 31 January 2027.
Classic Tivoli Experiences
- Grøften (1874) — a classic smørrebrød restaurant that has been part of Tivoli for more than 150 years. Order the Stjerneskud (starlight) open sandwich and a Carlsberg.
- Færgekroen Bryghus — lakeside brewpub with in-house beers; Danish comfort food and an outdoor terrace.
- Wagamama Tivoli — British-Asian noodle chain, fine for families.
- Tivoli Food Hall — the best-value option in the park. 15 food stalls under one roof (smørrebrød, sushi, falafel, pizza, ramen, burgers).
Tip: Most Tivoli restaurants allow walk-ins on weekdays. For Friday (Friday Rock) and Saturday evenings, book a table online at tivoli.dk before you go.
Live Entertainment: Concerts, Pantomime, and the Youth Guard
Fredagsrock (Friday Rock)
Every Friday from early May to mid-September, Tivoli hosts a headline concert on the Plænen outdoor stage — free with park entry. Past headliners include Sting, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Leonard Cohen, Britney Spears, Nick Cave and a Saturday-morning-radio playlist of Danish favourites (Kashmir, Mew, Aqua, Lukas Graham). The lineup is announced in February; see tivoli.dk/en/friday-rock.
The stage is on Plænen, the big lawn; arrive by 19:30 to get a reasonable standing spot for the 22:00 show, and have dinner before you claim it.
The Pantomime Theatre
Tivoli’s Pantomime Theatre (1874, facing the Pantomime Lake) runs a full program of wordless Commedia dell’arte performances: Pierrot, Harlequin and Columbine. Shows are free with park entry, so check the day’s programme on tivoli.dk for times, and watch for the theatre’s peacock-fan curtain.
Tivoli Youth Guard
Every summer-season weekend, about 100 uniformed young Danes, boys and girls, march in red tunics and bearskin hats, carrying brass instruments. The parade sets off from Tivoli Castle and winds through the gardens; check the programme on tivoli.dk for the day’s times. The guard was founded in 1844, and Tivoli calls it the world’s oldest youth guard.
Fireworks and Illuminations
Tivoli’s fireworks festival begins on Christmas Day and carries on into the New Year. Summer has its own shows too: every Saturday in June, July and August, fireworks go up over the gardens at 23:30 and last 8 to 12 minutes.
Nightly illumination: from dusk onwards the park is lit by strings of bulbs, Chinese paper lanterns and the Pantomime Theatre’s lit dome. Arrive before sunset so you can watch dusk fall over the gardens.
Tivoli at Night: The Point of Going After Dark
Until you’ve seen Tivoli after dark, you haven’t really seen Tivoli. Chinese lanterns glow over the Pantomime Theatre, lamps ring the lake, and the rides (Rutschebanen, Star Flyer, the Ferris wheel) are outlined in warm-white fairy lights. Even locals who visit for lunch come back in the evening — some pass through the gates twice the same day. If you’re building a whole evening around it, pair Tivoli with a stroll to Nyhavn and see our guide to Copenhagen at night for where to go after the gates close.
Best viewing spot: stand on the bridge over Tivoli Lake looking towards the Pantomime Theatre, 30 minutes after sunset. That means late evening in midsummer and late afternoon by November, so check the sunset time for your date. The Nimb Hotel’s roof bar (Nimb Terrace) offers the best elevated view but is members-and-hotel-guests-only.
Tivoli with Kids: Practical Advice
Tivoli is one of the most genuinely child-friendly destinations in Copenhagen — strollers welcome everywhere, baby-changing facilities in every toilet block, a dedicated “Children’s Tivoli” zone around Rasmus Klump’s World, and rides gentle enough for toddlers. Denmark’s child-safety culture means you can let older kids roam the park with a meeting point agreed.
- Best age range: 4–12 gets the most out of the park. Under 4s will love the carousel and flower gardens but not much of the ride lineup.
- Stroller tip: Park strollers in the designated racks near each ride; unattended strollers are rarely stolen but don’t leave valuables.
- Food for picky eaters: Tivoli Food Hall solves everyone in one building; pizza, sushi, burgers, Danish kid-friendly classics.
- Baby-wearing: Front-carriers are allowed on most family rides including the flying elephants.
- Nap breaks: The Italian-style gardens near Plænen are ideal for stroller naps. Bring a blanket.
- Height minimums: Most thrill rides require 120–140cm. Check the ride list at tivoli.dk before going.
- Meltdown management: The carp pond by the pagoda is a guaranteed reset; kids can feed the fish with coins bought from a nearby dispenser.
For a wider view of visiting Copenhagen with children, see our full guide to Copenhagen with kids, which covers everything from the Blue Planet aquarium to Bakken (the even older rival amusement park a 20-minute train ride north).
Getting to Tivoli Gardens
Tivoli Gardens sits in the middle of Copenhagen, wedged between Central Station and the City Hall Square — one of the most central locations of any amusement park in the world. Getting to Tivoli Gardens is part of the appeal: the airport train runs straight to Central Station, across the road from the Bernstorffsgade entrance.
Tivoli is in central Copenhagen, directly opposite Central Station — it is genuinely the easiest major attraction in Europe to reach. Here are your options.
- From Central Station (Hovedbanegården): Walk out the main entrance, cross Bernstorffsgade, and you are at the Bernstorffsgade gate.
- From Copenhagen Airport: The airport train runs direct to Central Station in around 15 minutes, the simplest option. The M2 Metro also runs from the airport through Kongens Nytorv (about 13 minutes) to Nørreport with no change, but leaves you a walk across the centre.
- By bus: Any bus to Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square) drops you 200m from the main gate.
- By bike: Bike parking along Bernstorffsgade and inside the Tivoli Hotel courtyard. The free Bycyklen municipal bikes are discontinued — use Donkey Republic.
- By car: Don’t. Parking in central Copenhagen is expensive. The closest garage is Industriens Hus on H.C. Andersens Boulevard; check its hourly rate when you park.
See also our comprehensive Copenhagen transportation guide for tips on the Copenhagen Card (includes Tivoli entry but not rides) and the cheapest ways to get around the city.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
These come from dozens of local visits and a decade of helping Copenhagen-bound travellers plan a day at the park.
- Buy tickets online, a day ahead. That way you walk straight past the ticket-office queue.
- Arrive around 18:00 in summer. You get the last of the daylight, then see the park change character at sunset.
- Consider the annual pass only if you’ll be back often. The maths: day entry is 200 DKK and the Tivoli Gold Pass starts at 1,599 DKK, so it pays for itself on the eighth visit.
- Bring a light jacket even in July. The gardens cool off at night and there’s a breeze off Tivoli Lake.
- Lockers are available by the main entrance, at the Glyptotek exit and under Dæmonen (50 DKK for large, 70 for jumbo). Very useful if you’re travelling with carry-on from Central Station.
- The toilets by the Japanese Pagoda are the quietest in the park on busy days.
- Wi-Fi is free throughout the park — “Tivoli WiFi”, no password required. Tap water is safe and delicious; refill bottles at any restaurant.
- Food from outside is allowed at Tivoli (unusual for amusement parks). A picnic by the Pantomime Theatre is perfectly acceptable.
- Re-entry is allowed — get your hand stamped on exit if you want to leave for dinner elsewhere and come back for the evening lights.
- Accessibility: Check the ride list on tivoli.dk for which rides wheelchair users can take. Disability passes available at guest services for reduced waiting.
Tivoli Gardens FAQs
Is Tivoli Gardens worth visiting?
Yes — especially at night. Tivoli is not just an amusement park; it’s an open-air concert hall, a botanical garden and a 183-year-old Copenhagen institution. Even without riding anything, entry-only at dusk (200 DKK for adults) is one of the city’s best-value evenings. If you’re short on time in Copenhagen and can only do three things, Tivoli at night should be one of them.
How much time do I need at Tivoli Gardens?
Minimum 3 hours (gardens + one restaurant + lights). For a ride-focused visit with kids, 5–6 hours. For a full day with two meals and a concert, all-day from 14:00 until closing. Most first-time visitors underestimate the park: budget more time than you think.
Is the Copenhagen Card valid at Tivoli?
Yes — the Copenhagen Card includes entry to Tivoli but not the ride wristband or individual ride tickets. If you plan to ride, budget 269 DKK on top of the card. If you’re visiting for the gardens, food and atmosphere, the Copenhagen Card covers everything.
When is the best time to visit Tivoli?
Six sweet spots: (1) the first days of the year’s opening, when Easter in Tivoli starts on 19 March 2027; (2) Friday evenings in summer for Fredagsrock; (3) the first week of Halloween in early October for the pumpkins; (4) 13 November opening of Christmas at Tivoli; (5) late November weekday evening for a quiet Christmas visit; (6) New Year’s Eve for the midnight fireworks. See our full best time to visit Copenhagen guide.
Can I visit Tivoli for free?
Usually not: adult entry is 200 DKK. However, the New Year’s Eve closing at Tivoli, the Opening Day parade and occasional “open house” days in early April may waive entry for under-7s. Check the Tivoli calendar in advance. If you’re counting kroner, our roundup of free things to do in Copenhagen has plenty of no-cost alternatives nearby. The Tivoli Food Hall and the Nimb Hotel lobby can be entered without paying park entry via a separate Bernstorffsgade door.
Is Tivoli scary for young kids?
No. Halloween at Tivoli is genuinely family-friendly (no jump scares, no gore — just decorative pumpkins and orange lanterns). The rides are gentler than at most European parks; the headline coaster Dæmonen has a 120cm height minimum and three gentle inversions. Toddlers find Rasmus Klump’s World entirely benign.
Are dogs allowed at Tivoli?
Service dogs only. Regular pets are not permitted inside Tivoli. Leave your dog at the hotel; Copenhagen’s Kongens Have or the beach at Amager Strandpark are better dog-friendly alternatives.
Where should I stay for a Tivoli visit?
The Nimb Hotel, a luxury hotel inside Tivoli itself, is the romantic answer. Any hotel near Central Station is a short walk away; for a curated shortlist see our guide to the best hotels near Tivoli. The Tivoli Hotel, Wakeup Copenhagen Carsten Niebuhrs Gade and the more luxurious Villa Copenhagen are all within easy reach. See our full Copenhagen accommodation guide for detailed neighbourhood recommendations.
The opening weeks of the summer season are one of the best times to go: the spring bulbs are out, the queues are short and the evenings are just long enough for the lights. We cover the timing, the weather and what else opens alongside it in our guide to Copenhagen in April.
Related Reading
Tivoli is one stop in a much larger itinerary. These guides will help you plan the rest of your Copenhagen trip:
- The National Museum of Denmark — Viking halls, the Sun Chariot and a free children’s museum.
- Sample itineraries for Copenhagen — day-by-day plans for 2, 3, 4 and 5-day trips.
- The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek — Roman sculpture and French painting under the winter garden dome.
- Copenhagen neighborhoods — where to stay near Tivoli.
- Copenhagen events and festivals — including the Tivoli Christmas market and summer Friday Rock.
- Rosenborg Castle — the Crown Jewels, the King’s Garden and how long to allow.
- Pre-trip practicalities — currency, etiquette, booking windows.
- The Round Tower — the spiral ramp, the observatory and the city view from the top.
Final Thoughts: Is Tivoli Worth It?
Tivoli Gardens is a rare attraction — 183 years old, still operating daily in season, still loved by the locals who grew up there. It is neither a pure amusement park nor a pure park; it is closer to a Victorian pleasure-garden that accidentally became the most visited amusement park in Scandinavia. Budget 3–5 hours, arrive at dusk at least once, eat somewhere sit-down rather than snacking, and do at least one thing you wouldn’t normally — a Pantomime performance, a Friday Rock concert, or the Rutschebanen wooden coaster. Do that, and you’ll see why the locals keep coming back.
Last updated: July 2026. Ticket prices, opening dates and seasons change every year — always confirm the current calendar on tivoli.dk before you book.
Photo Credits
- Tivoli lake reflections at night: 20141228-MAT 1324 by MattXDA, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Rutschebanen at Tivoli: Tivoli – Rutschebanen 02 by Leif Jørgensen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Simple Minds at Tivoli’s Friday Rock: Copenhagen 2014-08-08 (15164233175) by Guillaume Baviere, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Grøften in Tivoli Gardens: Grøften (Tivoli) by Orf3us, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- Halloween at Tivoli’s main entrance: Halloween at Tivoli Copenhagen 20131019 001 (10369848126) by Johan Wessman / News Øresund, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
