Tivoli Halloween – Everything you need to know before you go

Tivoli Halloween in Copenhagen. There has been one thing on our bucket list for the longest time when it comes to Halloween celebrations. And that is visiting Tivoli at Halloween. The second oldest amusement park in the world. We had initially intended on going a couple of years ago but because of the pandemic that was impossible. So I was a little worried that I may have built it up in my head. And that Tivoli at Halloween may not live up to my expectations. However, my fears were unfounded and we had an amazing time it was such a magical experience. In fact, it was the best thing we did during our three-day visit to Copenhagen. If you are travelling to Copenhagen with kids then it really needs to be on the top of your to-do list. 

AD – We were given entry tickets and ride passes

Tivoli Halloween in Copenhagen

This blog post is all about our visit during the Halloween season which normally runs to coincide with the Danish half term and the half term in Sweden. In 2022 this was from the 13th of October to the 6th of November. Before it gets transformed again for the Christmas season. However, if you are visiting Tivoli outside of Halloween then our post – Tips for Visiting Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen may be more relevant for you. 

Where is Tivoli Gardens located?

Tivoli Gardens is located in central Copenhagen close to City Hall. You can even see the back of it from the square and in the evening it is all lit up. The main entrance is down xx which runs off the bottom of the square. You can not miss it. Especially if visiting for Halloween as there is a giant pumpkin hanging from the entranceway.

Can you stay close to Tivoli Gardens?

Yes, we stayed at the Steel House* which is a cheap alternative to a standard hotel. Family rooms are set up to sleep six and come in pod-style bunks. With a private bathroom. Downstairs there is a gym, pool, games rooms and cinema. Plus a bar and plenty of space to sit and chill out. Or if you prefer desks and power points if you want to work. 

There is also a kitchen where you can cook your now and parking (paid for) underneath. From here it is only a five-minute walk to Tivoli. It was the perfect base for us to explore the area as we were within easy reach of the attractions we wanted to visit with our Copenhagen Card.

The Tivoli App

Before you go make sure you download the Tivoli App. As it will give you details of opening times. They do vary slightly depending on the day of the week. With the weekends being open later. When we visited it was open from 11 am to 10.30 pm. We arrived around midday and there was no queue to get in. Although I do think that is partly because of when we visited. However, it does get a lot busier in the evenings. 

The app will also tell you when shows and events are on. As well as having an interactive map and details on each of the rides including their prices. Although not vast the amount that is squeezed into Tivoli is immense. I would encourage you to look at the map and rides in advance if you are only planning on visiting as part of a wider trip. As it is so easy to miss something because it is all on top of each other (but in a good way). 

You can also scan QR codes onto your phone from the ride photos to download at a later date. Depending on the package you brought photos are 25 DKK each which when we visited was the equivalent to £2.91

When is the best time to visit Tivoli for Halloween?

As you would expect early or late in the season are generally the better times. But we like so many families are dependent on half-term. So it is worth checking when the Danish and Swedish half terms are. 

We visited on the 27th of October which was the week in-between the two half terms and a weekday. And consequently didn’t have to queue for anything other than the little boats on the lake. Even into the evening, the queues were moving quickly. The most we queued was for around five minutes. 

The only thing with going midweek is that you will miss things like the monsters’ night which includes a parade. This was on during the Saturday before we visited. But for the boys it was much more important they got on all the rides with they wanted to without queuing for a long time. Plus I am much more of a fan of theme parks with no people in them!

What will you see when you visit Tivoli Gardens for Halloween?

Part of the reason I wanted to visit Tivoli for Halloween is that they really go into it in a big way. The entrance is a mass of hanging pumpkin lights leading the way into the gardens. Where you will find a Halloween display of pumpkin people partying. They also had a range of giant pumpkins on display. The largest of them weighed 868.8kg.

There are specific areas which are created for Halloween. Including a giant witches hat and maze. Everywhere there are pumpkins. But not just your standard jack o lantern types. Instead, squashes and pumpkins of all different shapes and sizes with hay bales are displayed all over the park. Down the shopping streets, Halloween lights are displayed on the floors with black whimsical creatures hanging above your head. That look like giant spiders. Make sure you look up at every opportunity as there are decorations everywhere.

Kid-friendly witches patrol the grounds putting on shows and posing for photos. There are also two more grown-ups (age 12+) rides which are set up specifically for Halloween. These are the Villa Vendetta and the Haunted House. We did not visit either of these on our visit. Purely because the children are aged 10 and 6. However, I am sure we will return and try them out in the future. 

There are many shops on the grounds of Tivoli with many of them selling various Halloween decorations and ceramic pumpkins. I could not resist buying a Halloween decoration to take home. The food stalls also sell some more Autumnal-inspired foods such as raclette, candied nuts, chestnuts and mulled wine. The air is full of spices making your mouth water. 

What food options are there at Tivoli?

Lots! I have not seen so many different options in one place. I wish the UK would pay more attention to theme parks in Europe and follow suit. As well as some bigger named restaurants such as Wagamama’s there are lots of small independent restaurants. These are located near the main entrance along one side and many offer set menus at a special price.

There is also the Tivoli Food Hall which has many different eateries under one roof. if you decide to visit then this is outside of the park itself. But you can get a stamp to reenter.

In Tivoli Village which is located in the centre. There are several little huts selling various types of takeaway food. Think hot dogs, burgers, pork buns, Chinese food and Raclette. Plus we stopped at several different places to pick up both hot drinks and alcoholic ones. For dinner, we stopped in a Bratwurst bar which meant we could sit down under a heater rather than eat on the go. This also helped keep the cost down when compared to a proper sit-down meal. 

There are also plenty of sweet treats to be had. Included candied apples, candy floss, liquorice and hard candy lollies in bright colours. 

Is Tivoli in Copenhagen worth it?

Yes! Even if you do not go on any of the rides it is an amazing place to walk around. Giving you the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful gardens away from Copenhagen’s hustle and bustle. If you are not sure and have a Copenhagen Card then you can enter for free so why not have a look and see if it casts a spell on you as well? As I mentioned above it was the highlight of our visit to Copenhagen. 

As the sun starts to set and starts to get dark the fairy lights come on and it takes on another life. With lots of opportunities to sit and take it all in. It feels as though you are walking around a magical kingdom. It has such a mystical feeling about it. The lights are there all year round and not just on Halloween so you will still get the magical feeling. 

The shows are also available. Including the Halloween light show that runs several times in the evening on Tivoli lake near the pirate ship. 

How much time do you need in Tivoli?

We arrived at midday and left around 9 pm. So in our opinion a whole day! We didn’t stop and there wasn’t any point where we felt we had, had enough. Even at 9 pm, we were reluctant to leave. But the boys were shattered. You can enter and return on the same day by getting a stamp at the entrance. 

How much does it cost to go to Tivoli Gardens?

As I mentioned above it is free to enter with your Copenhagen Card. If you do not have one of these then you will need to pay an entrance fee to visit the gardens. You do need to pay for rides which you can do so individually or buy a ride pass. This can work out considerably cheaper if you are planning on going on lots of rides. 

Entrance fees for individuals cost 145DKK (£16.89) for 8+ and 65DKK (£7.57) for 3-7 years Monday to Friday. Weekend tickets are slightly more expensive at 155DKK (£18.06) for 8+ only. If you want to buy a two-day pass which must be used on consecutive days this costs 225DKK (£26.51) for 8+ and 100DKK (£11.65) for 3-7 years.

Children under the age of 3 have free entrance if accompany a paying adult. 

Do you have to pay for rides in Tivoli Gardens?

Yes. When we visited we had ride passes. Just the standard one which was more than sufficient for us. This meant we could go on the rides as many times as we wanted. These cost 245DKK each (£28.54) and we more than got our money’s worth. They also offer a ride pass plus which includes access to the haunted house and ride photos. As well as other packages which include entrance, ride pass plus and food options. More details of these can be found in the app.

This is how much we saved the rides we went on. Some we went on as a whole family others only two of us went on several times. Which explains why there are odd numbers. This is for our whole party and hopefully gives you a realistic idea of how much you can save by buying a standard ride pass. The boys both love a roller coaster which you can see by how many times they went on it.

How much can you save by buying a ride pass at Tivoli Gardens?

• Astronomer – 5 rides – 60DKK = 300DKK
• Camel Trail – 2 rides – 50DKK = 100DKK
• Classic Carousel – 2 rides – 50DKK = 100DKK
• Demon – 12 rides – 90DKK = 1,080DKK
• Dragon Boats – 4 rides – 60DKK = 240DKK
• Ferris wheel – 4 rides – 60DKK = 240DKK
• Flying Trunk – 6 rides – 60DKK = 360DKK
• Milky Way Express – 10 rides – 90DKK= 900DK
• Mine – 4 rides – 60DKK = 240DKK
• Star Flyer – 4 rides – 60DKK = 240DKK
• Temple Tower – 2 rides – 50DKK = 100DKK
• The Tivoli Aquarium – 4 rides – 50DKK = 200DKK
• Vintage Cars – 2 rides – 50DKK = 100DKK

Which would have had a total cost of 4200DKK (£489.34). Four passes cost 980DKK which is a considerable saving. 

We really enjoyed our first time at the theme park. Hopefully, that answers all your questions but if you have any others please let me know in the comments below and I will update this blog post. 

Have you visited Tivoli for Halloween? I would love to hear about your experiences.

Related Blog posts

If you have enjoyed this blog post about visiting Tivoli at Halloween in Copenhagen. If you are planning on visiting Copenhagen then you may be interested in some of the other blog posts I have written about our visit.

• • Three Days in Copenhagen – an idea for an itinerary for your city break including what we actually did and where we ate.
  • Copenhagen with Kids – there is so much to do for children in the city the challenge will be narrowing it down!
  • Tips for Visiting Tivoli Gardens 
  • The National Aquarium of Denmark – everything you need to know before you visit
  • What will you see on a Copenhagen Cruise – including the Little Mermaid, where to pick a cruise up and whether it is worth doing? 
  • Our visit to the National Museum of Denmark – everything you need to know before you visit. 
  • The Copenhagen Card – is it worth it? – Find out what we did and how much it would have cost us and whether the Copenhagen card is worth the money. 

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