Photo: Tivoli Photo Archive.
Copenhagen’s famous Tivoli Gardens is once again geared up for the holidays, with lights, entertainment, shopping, and winter fun for all ages.
Dozens of amusement park rides are open during the celebration, along with special winter activities such as a Toboggan Run down a 20-degree slope. The walkways and plazas are lined with more than 50 Christmas market stalls selling food, holiday decorations, crafts, and gifts. Don’t forget to check out Pixie Ville, a huge tent filled with mechanical pixies (elves) in a variety of Christmas scenes. Of course Santa Claus is also on hand with his sleigh to pose for photos with children and their families.
Christmas at Tivoli runs from November 12 through December 30 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Ice sculpting demonstrations take place daily at noon. The Tivoli Christmas Band plays Christmas songs and jazzy tunes on Saturday and Sunday afternoon through December 19.
Evenings bring Tivoli Illuminations, a stunning 10-minute light-and-water show on the Tivoli Lake that takes place Sundays through Thursdays at 5, 6, 7, and 8 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays at 6, 7, 8, and 9 p.m. (no 6 p.m. show December 26-28 or December 30).
Photo: Lars Bech/Tivoli Photo Archive.
The Tivoli Lucia Parade takes place on St. Lucia Day, December 13, at 5:30 p.m., with approximately 100 girls from choirs throughout Copenhagen performing traditional holiday songs.
Between Christmas and New Year’s, fireworks light up the sky over Tivoli at 6 p.m. (December 26-30, no fireworks December 29).
Theater lovers can also catch a variety of shows, both holiday-themed and otherwise, at Tivoli’s various performance venues, including the first Danish-language version of the hit Mamma Mia!, currently playing at the Tivoli Concert Hall (show tickets must be purchased separately but include Tivoli admission).
For more on Christmas at Tivoli, visit the Tivoli website.