The History of Tivoli Gardens
Join us on a tour of Tivoli Gardens’ history, from its founding in 1843 and the construction of Nimb and the Tivoli Concert Hall to the introduction of the Christmas in Tivoli opening season and Friday Rock concerts.
Tivoli opens
1843
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.
The Tivoli Youth Guard
1844
Georg Carstensen constantly sought new ways to maintain public interest. In 1844, he established the Tivoli Youth Guard. Initially intended to merely add colour and amusement, the Tivoli Youth Guard grew into a popular cultural institution with one of Denmark’s best music education programs for children. Today, the Guard welcomes both boys and girls as members.
Subscription Cards
1845
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.
Georg Carstensen dies
1857
Tivoli Gardens’ founder, Georg Carstensen, held the position of director for only five years. In 1848, he joined the troops fighting in the First Schleswig War, a decision that led to his dismissal by Tivoli’s board for breach of contract. Though he initially left Denmark, Carstensen eventually returned, driven by a vision to create a rival entertainment venue – the Alhambra in Frederiksberg. Tragically, he wouldn’t live to see its opening in the summer of 1857, succumbing to pneumonia that January at the young age of 44.
The Current Pantomime Theatre – H.C. Lumbye Dies
1874
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.”
The Ferris Wheel
1884
Tivoli Gardens’ first Ferris Wheel, a steam-powered attraction with six gondolas, debuted in 1884. Reflecting the era’s fascination with ballooning, the large gondolas were a popular attraction. Today’s Ferris Wheel, the third iteration of this iconic ride, was inaugurated in 1943 for Tivoli’s 100th anniversary. It was initially located where Rasmus Klump World now stands.
Tivoli Lake
1887
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.
The Current Main Entrance - Wivel/Wivex
1890
Tivoli Gardens’ original entrance was a modest wooden gate flanked by ticket booths. In 1890, the grand main entrance and its adjacent buildings we see today were inaugurated. These façades were initially more expansive, featuring the Apollo Theatre to the east and Restaurant Wivel – later renamed Wivex – prominently positioned on the corner of Vesterbrogade and extending along Bernstorffsgade. During World War I, the restaurant became a popular haunt for so-called “goulash barons,” i.e. businessmen who profited by selling food products of often questionable quality to the warring nations’ troops. Later, it served as the venue for live radio broadcasts before eventually closing its doors in the early 1960s.
Det japanske Pagoda
1900
Designed in 1900 by Tivoli’s then-director and architect, Knud Arne Petersen, the Japanese Pagoda originally served as an illuminated tower. Its 2,800 colourful, ornate glass lamps illuminate the night, casting a beautiful reflection on Tivoli Lake. Inspired by Eastern aesthetics, the pagoda’s architecture blends elements of Japanese and Chinese pagodas and temples. Once known as the Chinese Pagoda, it first housed a tearoom, later offering both Danish and Asian cuisine. Today, the Japanese Pagoda hosts a rotating series of pop-up restaurants where renowned chefs serve Michelin-starred cuisine from around the world.
Nimb
1909
The Nimb family, who managed Divan 2, were offered the grand restaurant in the newly constructed bazaar building after the street, Bernstorffsgade, was relocated westward. This oriental-style palace is now known as Nimb, named after the restaurateur who established its esteemed reputation. Following extensive renovations, the building reopened in 2008, housing a hotel and several restaurants.
