Tivoli Christmas Market 2026

As a local Copenhagener, I want to share the magic of Christmas in Tivoli – what it costs, what’s on in 2026 and what makes it so special during the most wonderful time of the year.

To get the most out of Christmas in Copenhagen, don’t miss:

• Overview of all Copenhagen Christmas markets in 2026
• What to do in Copenhagen at Christmas

Updated October 2026 with dates and prices from Tivoli. Prices vary by date, so always check tivoli.dk before you go.

Does Tivoli Gardens Have a Christmas Market in 2026?

Absolutely! Christmas in Tivoli runs from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, and the historic amusement park – which first opened its gates in 1843 – undergoes a spectacular festive transformation.

Thousands of twinkling lights, decorated trees and wooden Christmas stalls create a fairy-tale atmosphere, with Christmas decorations, sweets, hot drinks, gifts and Danish Christmas food. CNN has even included Christmas in Tivoli on its list of the world’s best Christmas markets.

When Is Tivoli Christmas Market Open in 2026?

The Christmas season runs from Friday 13 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Opening hours vary from day to day, and Tivoli has closed on some holidays in previous seasons, so check the opening calendar on tivoli.dk before you go.

The long season makes Tivoli unique among Copenhagen Christmas markets: while the big outdoor markets close on 20–21 December, Tivoli stays open into the new year. Evening visits show off the lights at their best – in December it’s dark by around 16:00.

How Much Does It Cost to Go to Tivoli Christmas Market?

Tivoli is the only major Christmas market in Copenhagen that charges admission. Entrance prices for Christmas 2026 start at:

• 210 DKK for adults and children aged 8+
• 115 DKK for children aged 3–7
• Free for children under 3

Prices vary by date, and rides cost extra unless you buy a ride pass – see the current options on Tivoli’s website. Tickets for The Nutcracker ballet include entrance to the Gardens.

Is it worth it? For most visitors, yes – it’s the most complete Christmas experience in the city. For a guided experience in Tivoli, try our Tivoli’s Hidden Stories audio walk.

What Makes Tivoli Christmas Market Special?

• The lights: thousands of them, reflected in the lake and wrapped around the old trees.
• The rides: Tivoli’s rides run during the Christmas season (weather permitting), so you can ride the vintage wooden roller coaster in the winter darkness.
• The illuminated Nimb Hotel, a fairy-tale palace and the perfect photo backdrop.
• The Nutcracker ballet at the Tivoli Concert Hall, with sets and costumes designed by Queen Margrethe II.
• Christmas stalls tucked between the gardens’ paths, with gifts, decorations and treats.

More than 180 years of history combined with Danish hygge create a magic that’s hard to match anywhere in Copenhagen.

What Is the Most Famous Christmas Market in Copenhagen?

Copenhagen has several charming Christmas markets – including the brand-new Jul På Højbro Plads in 2026 – but Tivoli remains the most famous and iconic. Its mix of amusement park, historic gardens and festive stalls creates an unparalleled holiday experience.

Personally, I also find Tivoli’s Christmas market to be the most magical!

Key facts at a glance

• Dates: 13 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
• Entry: Paid – from 210 DKK (adults and children 8+)
• Best for: Families, first-timers and the full festive spectacle
• Nearest metro: København H (Copenhagen Central Station) or Rådhuspladsen (M3)
• Directions: Tivoli, Vesterbrogade 3, 1630 København V (Google Maps)
• Official website: tivoli.dk

Comparing markets? See all the options side by side in our guide to Copenhagen Christmas markets 2026.

The dazzling lights, themed decorations and entertainment appeal to locals and tourists alike, making it a central highlight of Copenhagen’s Christmas celebrations.

What Food and Drinks Are Available at Tivoli?

Tivoli is a treat for food lovers, with both market stalls and sit-down restaurants. Look out for Danish Christmas classics:

• Gløgg – Danish mulled wine, served with raisins and almonds.
• Æbleskiver – round pancake puffs, traditionally served in threes with jam and powdered sugar.
• Flæskesteg sandwiches – roast pork with crispy crackling.
• Brændte mandler – caramelised almonds you’ll smell long before you see them.

Sit-down restaurants get busy in December, so book ahead if you want a proper Christmas dinner.

The Nutcracker Ballet at Tivoli in 2026

In 2026 the Tivoli Concert Hall stages The Nutcracker from 26 November to 20 December. The sets and costumes are designed by Queen Margrethe II, the choreography is by Peter Bo Bendixen, and the music is played live by Tivoli Copenhagen Phil.

Tickets cost from 265 to 735 DKK and include entrance to Tivoli. The performance lasts about two hours and is recommended for children from age 6 – a wonderful family tradition. Prefer the Balanchine version? The Royal Danish Theatre also stages a Nutcracker in 2026 – see our Copenhagen Christmas guide.

Can You Enter Tivoli for Free?

No – you need an admission ticket to enter Tivoli and its Christmas market. Children under 3 go free.

Check Tivoli’s official website for current prices and offers. For a guided experience, our Tivoli’s Hidden Stories audio walk shares unique insights about Tivoli, Denmark and Copenhagen.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Tivoli Christmas Market?

• Come in the late afternoon and stay into the evening – the park transforms completely after dark.
• Weekday afternoons are calmer than Friday and Saturday evenings.
• Early in the season is usually less crowded than the last weeks before Christmas.
• If rides are your priority, arrive at opening time when queues are shortest.

For photographers, twilight (roughly 15:30–16:30 in December) gives beautiful blue-hour light.

How Do I Get to Tivoli Christmas Market?

Tivoli is in the very centre of Copenhagen, right across the street from Central Station (København H).

• Train or metro: København H station is a minute’s walk from the main entrance on Vesterbrogade.
• From the airport: Trains run directly to Central Station in about 15 minutes.
• On foot: Rådhuspladsen (City Hall Square) is next door, and most central hotels are within a 10–20-minute walk.

How Does Tivoli Compare to Other Copenhagen Christmas Markets?

Tivoli is Copenhagen’s biggest, most expensive and most complete Christmas experience. The free markets – like the new Jul På Højbro Plads, Julemarked Nytorv & Gammeltorv and the stalls along Nyhavn – focus on stalls, food and atmosphere, while Tivoli adds rides, gardens and performances.

It’s also the only one open into the new year (until 3 January 2027).

What Should I Know Before Visiting Tivoli Christmas Market?

• Buy tickets online in advance to skip queues on busy days.
• Dress warmly in layers – December temperatures usually hover around 0–5°C.
• Expect crowds after 17:00 and at weekends.
• Rides operate weather permitting.
• Entrance starts at 210 DKK for adults (prices vary by date).
• Book restaurants ahead for sit-down dining.

To discover more of the city’s Christmas traditions, take our Unlock Christmas in Copenhagen audio walk – it starts right by Tivoli.

Featured Christmas Walk: Unlock Christmas in Copenhagen

Make your visit to Tivoli part of a bigger Christmas outing. Our Unlock Christmas in Copenhagen audio walk (99 DKK) takes you through the city’s festive streets and tells the stories behind Copenhagen’s Christmas traditions along the way – the perfect thing to do before or after the market.

And when the Christmas lights are switched off, you can keep exploring: all of StoryHunt’s stories about Copenhagen are in the StoryHunt app – download it from the App Store or Google Play.