The History of Tivoli Gardens

Inspired by amusement parks he had seen abroad, founder Georg Carstensen received royal permission to open Tivoli Gardens. On 15 August 1843, the Gardens opened its gates to an enthralled public, captivated by the elegant and exotic design. Among the visitors was Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, who found inspiration for his fairytale The Nightingale.

Tivoli Gardens has always charged an entrance fee. Originally, a ticket cost 1 Mark. To encourage guest loyalty, Tivoli introduced a subscription program in 1845, known as the Tivoli Pass. These early passes were tailored to different types of visitors, with options for a single gentleman, a gentleman and a lady, or a gentleman accompanied by two ladies. The passes cost 8, 12, and 16 Rigsbankdaler, respectively. At that time, one Rigsbankdaler was equivalent to 6 Marks.

Pantomimes in the commedia dell’arte tradition have been an integral part of Tivoli Gardens from the very beginning. The current Pantomime Theatre, constructed in 1874, is Tivoli’s oldest standing building and is now a heritage landmark. The maxim “Med Folket Fælles Glæde” (“Shared Joy with the People”), inscribed in Chinese above the stage, perfectly embodies the spirit of Tivoli Gardens.

From the opening of Tivoli Gardens in 1843, the music performances were led by the renowned H.C. Lumbye. A talented violinist and prolific composer, he penned nearly 800 polkas, waltzes, and gallops, many specifically for Tivoli, including the celebrated “Champagne Gallop.” During the winter months, Lumbye and his orchestra toured extensively throughout Europe, achieving particular acclaim in Germany, where he earned the moniker “Strauss of the North.”

Tivoli Lake was created in 1887 when the western ramparts of Copenhagen’s fortifications were demolished. The lake was originally part of the city’s moat, as Tivoli Gardens was built outside the city walls in 1843. In those early days, guests enjoyed gondola rides, watched tightrope walkers perform over the water, and saw ships sail into Tivoli Gardens from Kalvebod Beach. From 1887 to the 1930s, Tivoli Lake hosted several major events with lifelike open-air stage sets. In 1887, the theme was Italy, in 1911 Egypt, and in 1933 a village from Java. Starting in 1908, guests could also experience a water coaster that ended with a big splash into the lake.

After Copenhagen Central Station opened in its current location in 1911, Tivoli Gardens added an additional entrance facing the station the following year, providing convenient access for arriving passengers. The original gate featured an oriental design, complementing the aesthetic of Nimb’s façade facing the street. However, both were later modernised in the 1920s at the request of the Copenhagen Municipality.

Færgekroen (Ferry Inn) was built as part of the "Fishing Village" event, an idyllic recreation of a fishing village along the shores of Tivoli Lake. It quickly became the most popular attraction in this miniature village. Although the event was initially planned to last only one year, Færgekroen remained a beloved fixture. The watermill next to the inn was a later addition, designed to oxygenate the water in Tivoli Lake. In 2021, the original building was replaced with a new, identical structure.

The Glass Hall Theatre was designed by Poul Henningsen and his son, Simon Henningsen. This historic venue has hosted legendary performers like Ella Fitzgerald, Marlene Dietrich, and Josephine Baker. In 1943, Poul Henningsen restored the octagonal building to its original 1863 design, albeit a simplified version. However, on the night of 24-25 June 1944, the Glass Hall Theatre was destroyed by Nazi sympathisers. The current Glass Hall Theatre is therefore a replica of the 1943 version. Today, the Glass Hall Theatre is a vibrant hub for the performing arts, hosting a diverse program of variety shows, revues, jazz concerts, musicals, and plays.

Captivated by the unique atmosphere and charm of Tivoli Gardens, Walt Disney visited the Gardens both before and after the 1955 opening of Disneyland in California. He was eager to understand the secrets behind Tivoli’s enchanting ambiance, hoping to recreate that magic in his own amusement park.

The 1944 attack on Tivoli Gardens by Nazi sympathisers tragically destroyed the original Tivoli Concert Hall, which dated back to 1902. Music performances found a temporary home in the Glass Hall Theatre until 1956, when the new Tivoli Concert Hall was inaugurated. At the time of its opening, it was the largest concert hall in the Nordic region, boasting a capacity of nearly 2,000 seats. In 2005, the Tivoli Concert Hall underwent renovations, adding the Rotunda and the spacious Lumbye Hall, a dedicated rehearsal space.

Originally inaugurated in 1893 as Denmark’s first Museum of Decorative Art, the building in Tivoli’s northeast corner has had a varied history. Tivoli acquired the property in 1978, transforming it into a headquarters for the Tivoli Youth Guard. Over the years, it has also served as a museum, tourist information centre, and private residences. Today, in addition to housing the Tivoli Youth Guard, the building accommodates offices for Tivoli’s administration and function rooms.

Tivoli Gardens was originally established on military grounds just outside Copenhagen’s historic city ramparts. When the military relocated its defences, the land was transferred to the Copenhagen Municipality. Tivoli operated on this leased land until 1992, when Tivoli A/S purchased the site outright. The purchase agreement stipulates that the land must be used for amusement park activities, preserving Tivoli’s cherished traditions while allowing for the evolution of the entertainment industry.

By the mid-1990s, Tivoli Gardens had experienced a period of stagnation, leading to a decline in younger visitors. With limited appeal to those aged under 40, Tivoli needed a change. The introduction of Friday Rock concerts revitalised the Gardens, attracting a new generation of visitors. Friday Rock has become a major draw, offering a compelling reason to purchase a Tivoli Pass. The inaugural Friday Rock concert featured Danish rappers Den Gale Pose and Hvid Sjokolade.

After nearly a century of majority ownership, Carlsberg A/S decided to sell its shares in Tivoli Gardens. Rumours of potential buyers ran rampant, with names like Disney and Michael Jackson circulating, and some even suggesting a public offering. Ultimately, however, Skandinavisk Tobakskompagni A/S and Chr. Augustinus Fabrikker Aktieselskab acquired the shares, ensuring Tivoli Gardens remained under Danish ownership.

Tivoli Gardens is renowned for its stunning visual appeal, transforming with each season, from the vibrant blooms of summer to the twinkling lights of Christmas. To create a similarly captivating experience for the autumn season, a compelling theme with its own unique visual identity was needed. Thus, Halloween in Tivoli was born, celebrating not only the traditional spooky icons like black cats, skeletons, and ghosts, but also the rich autumnal harvest of pumpkins, corn, grains, and other seasonal flora.

With a long and proud tradition of ballet, Tivoli Gardens opened the Tivoli Ballet School in 2012 to train young dancers. Many students perform in both pantomimes and ballets at the historic Pantomime Theatre and the Tivoli Concert Hall.

In anticipation of Tivoli Gardens’ 175th anniversary the following year, Frederiksberg Municipality honoured the park’s founder by naming a nearby square on Allégade “Georg Carstensen’s Square.”

Tivoli Food Hall
November 2017 saw the grand opening of Tivoli’s expanded Nimb Hotel and the Tivoli Food Hall, providing a new year-round gathering place and a fresh facade on Bernstorffsgade.

Since opening in Tivoli Castle in 2021, Villa Vendetta, Tivoli Gardens’ award-winning haunted house, has been thrilling guests with its eerie charm. Visitors brave a 150-meter journey through 12 fright-filled rooms, encountering chilling performers throughout the 800 square meters of darkened space. This immersive experience makes Villa Vendetta Denmark’s largest permanent haunted house.