Tivoli Gardens, also known simply as Tivoli (), is an
amusement park and
pleasure garden in
Copenhagen
Copenhagen ( ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of 1.4 million in the Urban area of Copenhagen, urban area. The city is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the ...
, Denmark. The park opened on 15 August 1843 and is the third-oldest operating amusement park in the world, after
Dyrehavsbakken in nearby
Klampenborg, also in Denmark, and
Wurstelprater in Vienna, Austria.
With 4.25 million visitors in 2024, Tivoli is the most visited amusement park in Scandinavia and second-most popular seasonal amusement park in the world after
Europa-Park. Tivoli is also the fifth-most visited amusement park in Europe, behind
Disneyland Park,
Efteling,
Europa-Park and
Walt Disney Studios Park. It is located in downtown Copenhagen, next to the
Central rail station.
History
The amusement park was first called "Tivoli & Vauxhall";
[Tivoli – Tivoli Gardens Copenhagen – Copenhagen Portal – Tourist Guide](_blank)
Copenhagenet.dk. Retrieved on 15 August 2011. "Tivoli" alluding to the
Jardin de Tivoli in Paris (which in its turn had been named after
Tivoli near Rome, Italy), and "Vauxhall" alluding to
Vauxhall Gardens in London. It is mentioned in various books, such as ''
Number the Stars'' by Lois Lowry, and was also used prominently in the 1961 science fiction film ''
Reptilicus''.
Tivoli's founder,
Georg Carstensen
Johan Bernhard Georg Carstensen (31 August 1812 – 4 January 1857) was a Danish army officer and one of the developers of Tivoli Gardens. He spent most of his childhood in the Near East. He travelled widely and had a career in the military Roya ...
(b. 1812 – d. 1857), obtained a five-year charter to create Tivoli by telling
King Christian VIII that "''when the people are amusing themselves, they do not think about politics''". The monarch granted Carstensen use of roughly 15 acres (61,000 m
2) of the fortified
glacis outside Vesterport (the West Gate) for an annual rent. Until the 1850s Tivoli was outside the city, accessible from the city only through the Vesterport.
From its beginning Tivoli included a variety of attractions: buildings in the exotic style of an imaginary Orient: a theatre, band stands, restaurants and cafés, flower gardens, and mechanical
amusement rides such as a
merry-go-round and a primitive
scenic railway. After dark, colored lamps illuminated the gardens. On certain evenings, specially designed
fireworks
Fireworks are Explosive, low explosive Pyrotechnics, pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a large numbe ...
could be seen reflected in Tivoli's lake, a remnant of the
moat
A moat is a deep, broad ditch dug around a castle, fortification, building, or town, historically to provide it with a preliminary line of defence. Moats can be dry or filled with water. In some places, moats evolved into more extensive water d ...
surrounding the city fortifications.
Composer
Hans Christian Lumbye
Hans Christian Lumbye (; 2 May 1810 – 20 March 1874) was a Danish composer of waltzes, polkas, mazurkas and galops, among other things.
Beginnings
As a child, he studied music in Randers and Odense, and by age 14 he was playing the trumpet ...
(b. 1810 – d. 1874) was Tivoli's musical director from 1843 to 1872. Lumbye was inspired by Viennese waltz composers such as the Strauss family (
Johann Strauss I
Johann Baptist Strauss I (; ; 14 March 1804 – 25 September 1849), also known as Johann Strauss Sr., the Elder or the Father (), was an Austrian composer of the Romantic music, Romantic Period. He was famous for his light music, namely waltzes, ...
and his sons), and became known as the "Strauss of the North". Many of his compositions are specifically inspired by the gardens, including "Salute to the Ticket Holders of Tivoli", "Carnival Joys" and "A Festive Night at Tivoli". The
Tivoli Symphony Orchestra still performs many of his works.

In 1874, a Chinese-style ''Pantomimeteatret'' (pantomime theatre) took the place of an older smaller theatre. The audience stands in the open, the stage being inside the building. The theatre's "curtain" is a mechanical peacock's tail. From the very beginning, the theatre was the home of Italian pantomimes, introduced in Denmark by the Italian
Giuseppe Casorti
Giuseppe is the Italian form of the given name Joseph,
from Latin Iōsēphus from Ancient Greek Ἰωσήφ (Iōsḗph), from Hebrew יוסף.
The feminine form of the name is Giuseppa or Giuseppina.
People with the given name include:
:''Not ...
. This tradition, dependent on the Italian
Commedia dell'Arte
Commedia dell'arte was an early form of professional theatre, originating from Theatre of Italy, Italian theatre, that was popular throughout Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. It was formerly called Italian comedy in English and is a ...
, has been kept alive; it portrays the characters Cassander (the old father), Columbine (his beautiful daughter),
Harlequin (her lover), and, especially popular with the youngest spectators, the stupid servant
Pierrot. The absence of spoken dialogue is an advantage, for Tivoli is now an international tourist attraction.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Tivoli also hosted
human exhibitions.
In 1943,
Nazi
Nazism (), formally named National Socialism (NS; , ), is the far-right politics, far-right Totalitarianism, totalitarian socio-political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in Germany. During H ...
sympathisers burnt many of Tivoli's buildings, including the concert hall, to the ground. Temporary buildings were constructed in their place and the park was back in operation after a few weeks.
Tivoli is always evolving without abandoning its original charm or traditions. Georg Carstensen said in 1844: "Tivoli will never, so to speak, be finished", a sentiment echoed just over a century later when
Walt Disney
Walter Elias Disney ( ; December 5, 1901December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer, voice actor, and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the Golden age of American animation, American animation industry, he introduced several develop ...
said of his own Tivoli-inspired
theme park, "
Disneyland
Disneyland is a amusement park, theme park at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. It was the first theme park opened by the Walt Disney Company and the only one designed and constructed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney, ...
will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world".
In Danish, Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish, the word ''tivoli'' has become synonymous with any amusement park.
Rides

The park is best known for its wooden
roller coaster, Rutschebanen, or as some people call it, Bjergbanen (''The Mountain Coaster''), built in 1914. It is one of the world's oldest wooden roller coasters that is still operating today. An operator controls the ride by braking so that it does not gain too much speed during descent of the hills. It is an
ACE Coaster Classic.
Another roller coaster,
The Demon (''Dæmonen''), features an
Immelmann loop, a
vertical loop, and a
zero-G roll all during the ride time of just one minute and forty six seconds. An old roller coaster, The Snake (''Slangen''), was removed to have enough space for The Demon. In 2017, Tivoli Gardens added an optional
virtual reality
Virtual reality (VR) is a Simulation, simulated experience that employs 3D near-eye displays and pose tracking to give the user an immersive feel of a virtual world. Applications of virtual reality include entertainment (particularly video gam ...
experience to the ride, simulating a flight through ancient China, along with encounters with dragons and demons. The Demon is situated next to the concert hall.
A well-known
swing ride,
The Star Flyer, opened in Tivoli in 2006. high and built by the Austria-based Australian company
Funtime, it offers panoramic views of the city.
On 1 May 2009, Tivoli Gardens opened the new ride Vertigo, a looping plane ride where the rider pilots the ride, able to control the plane. This ride had extremely low capacity and suffered significant downtime. The ride was removed in 2021.
A
Zamperla Air Race ride, Aquila, opened on 11 April 2013. It is a giant swing and spinner with centrifugal powers up to 4 g, named after the constellation of the Eagle.
The newest attractions include Fatamorgana and Tik Tak. Fatamorgana opened in 2016. This is the world's first
Condor
Condor is the common name for two species of New World vultures, each in a monotypic genus. The name derives from the Quechua language, Quechua ''kuntur''. They are the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere.
One species, the And ...
2GH, which offers two separate seating arrangements, one milder version with two-seater gondolas, and a thrilling version in which riders are slung around at high speed while seated in a ring and facing away from the center.
Tik Tak opened in 2018 and is the first permanent installation of a
Mondial Shake R5. This model is slightly less aggressive than the traveling model and is spectacularly themed.
Roller coasters
Other rides
*Aquila – giant swing and spinner ride that opened in 2013; with centrifugal powers up to 4 g; height limit 1,2 m. Zamperla.
*The Bumper Cars – classic bumper cars that date from 1926.
*Fatamorgana – a tall hybrid
Condor
Condor is the common name for two species of New World vultures, each in a monotypic genus. The name derives from the Quechua language, Quechua ''kuntur''. They are the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere.
One species, the And ...
ride that opened in 2016. Huss.
*The Balloon Swing (Ballongyngen) –
Ferris wheel which opened during WWII in 1943.
*The Flying Suitcase (Den Flyvende Kuffert) – a 7-minute H.C. Andersen-inspired dark ride that opened in 1993 and was renovated in 2010. Mack Rides.
*The Galley Ships – roundabout boats that opened in 1937.
*The Golden Tower –
Turbo Drop tower that opened in 1999; height . S&S Worldwide.
*The Mine (Minen) – dark ride in a boat that opened in 2003; this 200 meters long mine-themed ride has a 2 m drop. Mack Rides.
*The Monsoon (Monsunen) – giant swing, a magic carpet ride that opened in 2001; height limit 1,4 m. Zierer.
*The Skyship (Himmelskibet) – an tall sky flyer that opened in 2006; height limit 1,2 m. Funtime.
*The Swing Carousel – swing ride used at Halloween and Christmas.
*Tik Tak – A spinner ride that opened in the summer 2018; Visitors are 'thrown through time and space', rotated both vertically and horizontally at high speed, while being exposed to forces approaching 4G.
Mondial (Shake R5)
Children's rides
*The Astronomer (Astronomen) – space-themed roundabout boats that opened in 2017.
*The Blue Sapphire (Den blå Safir) – mini Ferris wheel that opened in 1970.
*The Animal Carousel (Dyrekarrusellen) – classic carousel from 1920.
*The Dragon Boats (Dragebådene) – pilot your own boat on the water, opened in 1936.
*The Elf Train – train ride.
*The Fun House – house of fun.
*The Lighthouse – air carousel that opened in 2010. Zamperla.
*The Little Dragon – swing ride.
*The Little Pilot – airplanes that opened in 1990. Remodelled/redesigned into 'The Little Dragon' in 2013 as a part of the reopening of the Merry Corner.
*The Music Carousel – carousel.
*Minimorgana – mini bumper cars that opened in 2016.
*The Panda (Pandaen) – mini drop tower that opened in 2000. S&S Sansei .
*The Star Tower – Children's 'drop tower' opened in 2013 as a part of the reopening of the Merry Corner, Zamperla.
*The Temple Tower – pull-yourself-up tower ride that opened in 2000. Heege.
*The Vintage Cars – on-track cars that opened in 1959.
*The Wood Carousel – wooden carousel.
Former attractions
*Vertigo – (Permanently closed as of July 5, 2021) giant swing that opened in 2009; height limit 1,4 m. Technical Park. This looping plane ride reaches a speed of and a height of .
*Snurretoppen - Huss Breakdance
*Dragon - Huss Flic Flac
*Original Rutchebane
Other attractions
*The Pantomime Theater has free pantomime shows.
*The Tivoli Guard Boys stars boys age 9 – 16 who perform music at the park.
*Tivoli Aquarium – located below ground level inside The Concert Hall, entrance is at extra charge.
*Amusement Arcades – extra charge.
*Tivoli Jackpot – cash prizes, extra charge.
*Tivoli Festival – takes place from 14 May to 8 September and features more than 50 different events that include opera shows, symphony concerts, chamber music, pop and rock artists, and much more. On Fridays at 10 pm there is a weekly rock concert under the banner Friday Rock.
*
The Concert Hall – there has been a concert hall at the park since day one; the current concert hall was built in 1956 and seats 1660 guests. It was renovated in 1985 and the Rotunda was added then. Extra charge music concerts and shows.
*
The Glass Hall Theater – the current Glass Hall was built in 1946, following the destruction of the old one in 1944 during the Nazi occupation of Denmark. the hall features all kinds of music events as well as theater shows for kids. Extra charge.
*The Harmony Pavilion – occasionally music performances throughout the year and special events.
*Open Air Stage – this open-air stage hosts both music performances and other kind of shows.
*Promenade Pavilion – occasionally music performances throughout the year and special events.
*Montebello – In 1891 Tivoli purchased a large yellow hot air balloon for a new attraction. It was filled with hydrogen, and the basket could carry up to 15 people at a time.
In addition, there is a Halloween Fest in October and Christmas Holidays in December. During the summer the park has fireworks shows each Saturday. In 2022 the firework season runs from June 4 to September 24, and the firework will take place on the roof of The Concert Hall to the tones of The Barber of Seville by Gioachino Rossini.
Hotels
There is one on-site hotel at the park: Hotel Nimb. The Tivoli Hotel & Congress Centre is affiliated with Tivoli Gardens only by name, but close cooperation does take place.
Performing arts
Besides the rides, Tivoli Gardens also serve as a venue for various performing arts & as an active part of the cultural scene in Copenhagen.
Tivoli Concert Hall
Tivoli Concert Hall is a classical concert hall featuring concerts with some of the largest names in international classical music.
The Pantomime Theatre

The Pantomime Theatre is an open-air theatre designed by
Vilhelm Dahlerup, also known for the design of the
Royal Danish Theatre. It is a toy-like
historicist built in Chinese style and noted for its mechanical front curtain that takes five men to operate and unfolds like a
peacock's tail. As indicated by the name, it is primarily a scene for pantomime theatre in the classical Italian
commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte was an early form of professional theatre, originating from Theatre of Italy, Italian theatre, that was popular throughout Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. It was formerly called Italian comedy in English and is a ...
tradition, which is performed daily with a live
pit orchestra. Besides this original function, the theatre leads a second life as a venue for ballet and
modern dance
Modern dance is a broad genre of western concert dance, concert or theatrical dance which includes dance styles such as ballet, folk, ethnic, religious, and social dancing; and primarily arose out of Europe and the United States in the late 19th ...
, performing works by choreographers such as
August Bournonville,
Dinna Bjørn, Louise Midjord and
Paul James Rooney.
The Tivoli Youth Guard
The Tivoli Youth Guard is a formation of boys and girls aged 8–16 dressed in uniforms reminiscent of those of the
Royal Danish Guard complete with
bearskins. It was founded in 1844 and gives concerts, makes parades, stands guard at the garden's buildings and monuments at special occasions and represents the gardens at various events. It is composed of a
Corps of drums, a military-styled
marching band and an
honor guard platoon.
Pop and jazz music
During the warmer summer months, Tivoli also features a live music series dubbed ''Fredagsrock'' (''Friday Rock''), which in the past has featured
Roxette
Roxette is a Swedish pop rock duo originally consisting of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle, both of whom were already established musicians in Sweden prior to the band's formation. Fredriksson had released a number of successful solo albums, ...
, the
Smashing Pumpkins,
Sting,
the Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American Rock music, rock band formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The group's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian Wilson, Brian, Dennis Wilson, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their f ...
,
Pet Shop Boys
Pet Shop Boys are an English synth-pop duo formed in London in 1981. Consisting of vocalist Neil Tennant and keyboardist Chris Lowe, they have sold more than 100 million records worldwide and were listed as the most successful duo in UK music h ...
,
Kanye West
Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer and record producer. One of the most prominent figures in hip-hop, he is known for his varying musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After ...
and
5 Seconds of Summer, and also popular Danish acts such as
TV-2,
Nephew,
Hanne Boel,
Raveonettes and
Thomas Helmig.
During the
Copenhagen Jazz Festival, Tivoli Gardens is one of the many Copenhagen localities that serve as venues for concerts.
Tivoli summer 2008
. Tivoli.dk (29 June 2009). Retrieved on 15 August 2011.
Gallery
Image:Kopenhaga tivoli jan2004 ubt.jpeg, The H.C. Andersen castle
Image:20141228-MAT 1304.jpg, A view of the illuminated gardens on a December night
Image:20141228-MAT 1315.jpg, Tivoli Gardens lake tree
File:Tivoligarden 2011.JPG, Tivoligarden Youth Guard parade
Image:Tivoli bynight.JPG, The Vaffelbageriet in Tivoli at night
Image:20141228-MAT 1325.jpg, The Chinese Tower at night
Image:20141228-MAT 1324.jpg, Tivoli Gardens Chinese tower and boating lake
Image:TivoliChinese.jpg, The Pantomime Theatre
Image:Tivoli Gardens birds view 2015.jpg, Tivoli Gardens seen from a birds eye view in 2015
Image:TivoliGlassHall.jpg, The Glass Hall
Image:Hotel Nimb 20141228-MAT 1120-HDR-2.jpg, Tivoli's Moorish Palace, the Nimb Hotel and Restaurant
Image:Spelterini Tivoli Copenhagen.jpg, Aerial photography
Aerial photography (or airborne imagery) is the taking of photographs from an aircraft or other flight, airborne platforms. When taking motion pictures, it is also known as aerial videography.
Platforms for aerial photography include fixed-wi ...
, taken from Eduard Spelterini's balloon on 22 June 1922
Image:Vertigo in Tivoli.jpg, Vertigo in Tivoli
Image:Tivoli NYE 2023-2024.jpg, alt=Tivoli NYE 2023-2024, Tivoli Gardens, New Year's Eve 2023-2024
See also
* Nimb Hotel
* Tourism in Denmark
References
External links
*
**
Copenhagen-Portal – Tivoli and History
* ttps://web.archive.org/web/20090410064600/http://www.european-city-parks.com/copenhagen/tivoli-gardens/ Tivoli Gardens Article
Picture gallery including Tivoli's first Halloween season
{{Authority control
1843 establishments in Denmark
Amusement parks in Denmark
Amusement parks opened in 1843
Culture in Copenhagen
Danish companies established in 1843
History of Copenhagen
Human zoos
Parks in Copenhagen
Pleasure gardens
Tourist attractions in Copenhagen
Vesterbro, Copenhagen