Halloween in Tivoli is, without exaggeration, one of the best ways to experience Copenhagen in autumn. We stayed fifteen nights in the city in mid-October and enjoyed the festivities up close, so in this guide we share from our own experience what there is in the park, how much it costs, what the weather is like, how to get there and where to stay, plus a map with all the must-sees.
| Key fact | Halloween in Tivoli 2026 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 2 October to 1 November 2026 |
| Best time | On a weekday, arriving mid-afternoon to see the light change |
| Recommended time | A full afternoon and evening (4 to 6 hours) |
| Rough budget | Entry from DKK 180 (€24) depending on the date; Ride Pass from DKK 309 |
| Language and currency | Danish, and English is no problem; Danish krone (DKK), you can pay for everything by card |
| Weather | 7-13 °C during the day, frequent rain; layers and a waterproof jacket |
| Daylight hours | From 11.5 h in early October to 9.5 h at the end of the month (it gets dark around 17:00 by then) |
| Location | Vesterbrogade 3, next to Copenhagen Central Station |
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What Halloween in Tivoli is and why it’s so worth it
Tivoli is the oldest amusement park in central Copenhagen and one of the oldest in the world. It opened in 1843, sits right next to the Central Station and runs by seasons: summer, Halloween, Christmas and winter. In autumn it closes for a few weeks after the summer and reopens completely transformed for the Halloween season.
And what does “transformed” mean? More than 20,000 pumpkins spread all over the gardens, straw bales, autumn flowers, giant cobwebs, witches walking among the crowds and seasonal food stalls. The park’s first Halloween season was in 2006 and lasted only ten days. Today it is one of the biggest autumn events in Europe and draws around half a million visitors every year.
What we liked most is that it isn’t a horror park. It’s Halloween the Danish way: cozy, with warm lights, lots of detail and a touch of mystery. If you want real scares, they’re there, but they’re optional. That’s why it works so well for couples, families and solo travelers.
Halloween in Tivoli 2026: dates, opening hours and prices
The Halloween season in Tivoli 2026 runs from Friday 2 October to Sunday 1 November. Opening hours change depending on the day: on weekdays the park opens at 11:00 and closes around 22:00, and on Fridays and Saturdays it usually closes later. Tivoli recommends checking the exact opening hours for your chosen date before you go, and we say the same, because the last days of October are the busiest.
As for prices, Tivoli uses date-based pricing: a Tuesday in early October doesn’t cost the same as the Saturday before Halloween. In 2026, entry to the gardens starts at DKK 180 and is bought separately from the Ride Pass, which gives unlimited access to the rides. Children under 3 get in free with a paying adult. An important detail many people don’t know: the two haunted houses are not included in the Ride Pass and are paid for separately inside the park.
Halloween in Tivoli 2026 prices
| Ticket | Price from (2026) | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult ticket (8+) | DKK 180 (about €24) | Park entry, decorations, shows and parades |
| Children aged 3-7 | DKK 90 (about €12) | The same as the adult ticket |
| Under 3 | Free | With a paying adult |
| Ride Pass | DKK 309 (about €41) | Unlimited rides, haunted houses not included |
| Ticket + Ride Pass | DKK 469 (about €63) | The most common combo for a full day |
| Haunted houses | Paid separately | Villa Vendetta and the haunted hospital |
These are starting prices: with dynamic pricing, a Saturday at the end of October costs more than a Tuesday at the start of the month. The good news is that almost everything specific to Halloween (witches, Rasmus Klump, the monster parade, the Illuminations) is included with the basic ticket.
Which ticket to buy
- Entry only: if you’re going for the atmosphere, the decorations and the food. That’s what we did the first time and we didn’t miss a thing.
- Ticket + Ride Pass: if you want to go on several rides. It pays off from three or four rides.
- Haunted houses: bought inside the park, at the ticket points or at the self-service machines.
You can buy dated tickets on the official Tivoli website. For weekends and for 31 October we recommend booking ahead, because they sell out.
🎟️ Buy your Tivoli ticket online and skip the queues
Civitatis and GetYourGuide prices and ratings as of 21 October 2026; they may change. Affiliate links.
1. Halloween in Tivoli’s more than 20,000 pumpkins
The first thing you see when you walk in from Vesterbrogade is pumpkins. Thousands of them. They’re on the stairs, on the bridges, hanging from the lampposts, stacked in towers and carved with faces that range from sweet to quite unsettling. Tivoli sets out more than 20,000 every season and combines them with straw, dried corn and autumn flowers.
We went in during the day and found it beautiful, but when the sun goes down it becomes something else. The pumpkins light up from inside and the garden paths look like something out of a movie.
Our tip: go in around 16:00, explore everything in daylight and stay until it gets dark. It’s really worth seeing it at both times.
2. Halloween Illuminations on Tivoli’s lake
When it gets dark, the park’s lake becomes the stage for the season’s light show. It’s a show of about eight minutes that mixes lasers, fire, smoke, lighting and music over the water, with the trees and the Chinese pagoda in the background. It runs several times a night, is included with your ticket and is one of the must-sees of Tivoli at Halloween.
We didn’t manage to see it; it’s best to arrive ten minutes early because it fills up fast. If you’d rather have something quieter, the shore on the Nimb restaurant side also has a good view and fewer people. Watch out for the clock change: on the last Sunday of October Denmark turns its clocks back, so in the last week it gets dark around 17:00 and the shows start earlier than at the beginning of the month. Check the day’s schedule on the Tivoli website.
3. Villa Vendetta, the most famous haunted house
Villa Vendetta is the haunted mansion next to Tivoli Castle and the park’s most award-winning Halloween attraction. It’s about 150 meters of dark corridors and twelve rooms where the Vendetta family welcomes anyone brave enough to enter. There are actors, effects and real scares, so it isn’t for young children or the easily frightened.
It’s paid for separately from the ticket and the Ride Pass. Many travelers say the queues on weekend nights can exceed half an hour, so if it’s your priority, head there as soon as you enter the park.
4. The haunted hospital under the Rutschebanen
The second haunted house is hidden under the Rutschebanen, the wooden roller coaster from 1914. It’s set in an old abandoned hospital, with restless spirits and the remains of rather disturbing medical experiments. It’s more claustrophobic than Villa Vendetta and many people find it even more intense.
Like the mansion, it has its own separate ticket. If you have time and want scares, many visitors do both back to back; if you only want to try one, Villa Vendetta is the classic.
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5. The witches of the herb garden and the giant cauldron
One of the things to do in Tivoli at Halloween with little ones is to go looking for the witches. They have their own corner in the herb garden, where they brew potions in a huge cauldron and invite children to join in. There are also “roaming” witches who wander all over the park, dance and pose for photos with anyone who asks.
We were really amused by how many kids were in costume on weekdays. Danes take this very seriously and many come with the whole family dressed up. If you’re traveling with children, a simple costume in your backpack makes a big difference.
6. Carve your own pumpkin at the Mill
Next to the Mill there’s a workshop where you can carve a pumpkin with your own hands. They give you the tools, there are templates for anyone who doesn’t feel like improvising, and you can take the result home. It’s a very popular activity with families and is usually quite busy on weekend afternoons.
If you’re traveling with limited luggage, like us, taking the pumpkin back to your accommodation doesn’t make much sense, but the time you spend there is great fun. Ideally go early, when there are fewer people and more space at the tables.
7. The Danish Giant Pumpkin Championship
On the opening weekend of the season, Tivoli hosts the Danish Giant Pumpkin Championship, which in 2026 celebrates its 19th edition. Growers arrive with pumpkins of more than 500 kilos and they are weighed in public. The best part comes afterwards: those monstrous pumpkins are carved into giant figures that stay on display in the park throughout the season.
We arrived when they had already been carved and came across monsters, dragons and huge faces all along the paths. They’re one of the most popular photo spots in the park.
8. Rasmus Klump on the Open-Air Stage
Rasmus Klump is Denmark’s most famous little bear, a comic-strip character every Dane has known since childhood. During the season he has his own mischief show on the Open-Air Stage, with songs and plenty of humor. It’s free with your ticket and lasts about 20 minutes.
Around the stage you’ll find the most autumnal stalls in the park: straw, pumpkins, scarecrows and sweets. Even if you’re not traveling with children, the square is a lovely place to sit for a while with something hot.
9. The Halloween maze
Near the children’s area there’s a themed maze where you play among the seasonal decorations. It’s simple, suitable for all ages and one of those activities you think you won’t do and end up doing anyway.
10. The classic rides with autumn decorations
During the Halloween season all the park’s rides are open. The star is the Rutschebanen, the wooden roller coaster from 1914 that still has an operator braking each train by hand.
Dæmonen, the roller coaster with loops, is also running, as is the Himmelskibet, 80 meters high with views over all of Copenhagen, and classics like the Flying Trunk, a ride through Andersen’s fairy tales that we loved.
Riding the Himmelskibet at night, with the park lit up below and the city all around, is one of the best views of the Danish capital. If you’re only going to buy one single ride, make it that one.
11. The Ghost Train and the Witch’s Carousel for little ones
For the little ones there are two special seasonal rides: the Little Ghost Train and the Witch’s Carousel. They’re gentle, with no real scares, and are designed for children from 2 or 3 years old. Children under 3 get into the park for free, but they need a Ride Pass if they want to go on the rides.
12. Eating in Tivoli at Halloween: stalls and seasonal menus
The food is part of the plan. At the stalls there are candy apples, æbleskiver (Danish pancake balls) with jam and sugar, churros, hot chocolate, gløgg and all kinds of sweets shaped like pumpkins or ghosts. There are also restaurants inside the park with special Halloween menus, and in 2026 the Michelin COME once again set up its pop-up in the Japanese Tower during the season.
We ate dinner at the stalls a couple of times and didn’t regret it. Keep in mind that prices in Denmark are high in general, so budget about DKK 60-90 for a dish from a stall and DKK 40-50 for a hot chocolate. Everything is paid by card, you don’t need cash.
13. Hikari, Tivoli’s new Japanese area
In September 2026 Tivoli opened Hikari, a new area inspired by a colorful Japanese street, with atmospheric lighting, gardens, its own architecture and street food stalls. It’s the biggest themed project in the park’s almost 200 years, and during Halloween it sits alongside the autumn decorations in the rest of the gardens.
It’s the newest part and one of the most photogenic at night. If you already knew Tivoli from previous years, this corner will surprise you.
14. Decoration stalls and the autumn market
Spread around the park there are stalls with Halloween decorations, candles, small pumpkins, pranks for kids and Danish crafts. It isn’t a huge market like the Christmas one, but it has charm and it’s a good place to buy a souvenir that isn’t the typical magnet. If you’re interested in the winter version, here’s our guide on things to do in Copenhagen at Christmas, the park’s other big season.
15. Tivoli at night: the illuminated entrance and the evening atmosphere
We left for last what we liked most: staying late. From 19:00 the park changes completely, the crowds thin out, the pumpkin lights multiply and the main entrance on Vesterbrogade becomes one of the prettiest postcards in Copenhagen.
Even without going in, walking past at night is worth it.
If you want to enjoy the festivities calmly, choose a Tuesday or Wednesday and stay until closing. Weekends are livelier, but there are queues for everything.
16. Monsters Night Out, the monster parade
On one night of the season, Saturday 24 October 2026 at 18:00, Tivoli teams up with the Copenhagen Zombie Crawl for a parade of zombies, ghosts and movie monsters that starts at the main entrance, winds through the whole garden and ends in the Hikari area. After the parade, the monsters “take over” some classic rides for half an hour each: the Rutschebanen, the Galley Ships and the Milky Way.
It’s included with your ticket and you don’t need to book anything, but it’s a one-off event, not a daily one. If your trip coincides with that Saturday, it’s the liveliest night of the whole Halloween in Tivoli; if not, don’t worry, the rest of the evening program runs every day. We recommend checking the official program before you go, because the dates of events like this change every year.
What the weather is like in Copenhagen in October and what to pack
We learned this firsthand during our two weeks: October in Copenhagen is cool, gray at times and very Nordic. Highs are around 11-13 °C at the start of the month and drop to 8-10 °C by the end, with nights below 7 °C. It rains about 10-13 days a month, almost always as steady drizzle rather than storms, so a waterproof jacket is more useful than an umbrella.
- Layers: a thermal top, a fleece or sweater and a waterproof jacket. During the day it’s pleasant in the park; from 18:00 you’ll feel the cold.
- Footwear: comfortable and with some grip, because the garden paths get slippery with wet leaves.
- Hat and gloves: for the Illuminations and the end of the night, especially in the last week of October.
- Daylight hours: they go from 11.5 to 9.5 over the month. Leave museums and indoor plans for the morning and Tivoli for the afternoon and evening.
A bonus we didn’t expect: October is shoulder season in Copenhagen. There are far fewer people than in summer in Nyhavn or Rosenborg, and hotel prices drop, except on the busy Halloween weekends.
Where to stay near Tivoli in Copenhagen
Tivoli is right in the center, between the Central Station and City Hall, so any accommodation in Indre By, Vesterbro or around the station leaves you less than 15 minutes’ walk away. We stayed fifteen nights in an apartment and found the Vesterbro area ideal: quiet, with good cafés and very well connected.
Copenhagen is expensive for accommodation, although in October rates drop quite a bit compared to summer. Even so, book ahead, especially for the Halloween Saturdays and if your trip coincides with the Danish autumn holidays (week 42, in mid-October), when the park and the hotels fill up with local families. If you’re traveling for longer, an apartment with a kitchen will save you quite a bit.
Where to stay in Copenhagen: Map and Prices
On the map below you can move around, zoom in and filter by your dates to see real accommodation prices in Copenhagen:
How to get to Tivoli Copenhagen
You can’t get lost. The main entrance is at Vesterbrogade 3, opposite Copenhagen Central Station (København H). From Kastrup airport you get there by train in about 15 minutes and get off right next to it. You can also take the metro to København H or Rådhuspladsen, a five-minute walk away.
- From the airport: regional train from Terminal 3 straight to the Central Station in about 15 minutes, or the metro (line M2) with a connection. A public transport ticket costs around DKK 36 (about €5); it’s worth checking the current fare.
- Taxi or app: Uber doesn’t operate in the usual way in Denmark; the usual options are Bolt or local taxi apps.
- From the historic center: walking along Strøget you’ll get there in 10-15 minutes.
- By bike: there’s bike parking at every entrance, Danish style.
If you arrive at night or with lots of luggage, you can book an airport transfer and forget about timetables. To have internet from the moment you land, we used a Holafly eSIM and it worked perfectly all over Denmark.
Travel insurance for Denmark
Denmark is a safe country, but healthcare for foreigners is very expensive and the European Health Insurance Card doesn’t cover everything or repatriate you. We always travel with IATI, the insurance we’ve used for years and the one we recommend for trips to Europe in our travel insurance guide. It covers medical assistance without paying upfront, lost luggage, cancellation and leisure activities like the park’s rides.
Tours and day trips from Tivoli
If you’re spending several days in the city, Tivoli combines really well with the rest of Copenhagen. Nyhavn, Christiansborg Palace and the Christianshavn neighborhood are a 20-minute walk away. To go further, Kronborg Castle (Hamlet’s castle) in Helsingør and the towns of North Zealand are very popular day trips. You can find tours and free tours on Civitatis, and if you want to explore the rest of the country, here’s our guide to Denmark.
➜ COPENHAGEN GUIDED TOUR IN ENGLISH + TIVOLI TICKET (CLICK HERE)
Halloween in Tivoli map
On this map we’ve marked the 16 things to do from this guide inside the park, plus the main entrance, the Central Station and the nearest public transport stops. You can save it to your Google Maps and use it on the day of your visit.
Frequently asked questions about Halloween in Tivoli
When is Halloween in Tivoli 2026?
The Halloween season in Tivoli 2026 runs from 2 October to 1 November. The park closes for a few weeks after the summer and reopens fully decorated for Halloween.
How much does a Tivoli ticket cost at Halloween?
Entry to the gardens starts at DKK 180 (about €24) and varies by date. The Ride Pass for the rides is bought separately from DKK 309, and the two haunted houses have their own separate tickets inside the park.
Are the haunted houses included in the Ride Pass?
No. Villa Vendetta and the haunted hospital are paid for separately inside the park, even if you have an unlimited Ride Pass.
Is Halloween in Tivoli suitable for children?
Yes. Most of the park is cozy and scare-free: witches, pumpkins, the Rasmus Klump show, the children’s ghost train and the witch’s carousel. Only the two haunted houses are for adults and teenagers.
What is the best day to visit Tivoli at Halloween?
A Tuesday or Wednesday, arriving around 16:00 and staying until closing. Weekends and week 42 (the Danish autumn holidays) are the busiest days, with the longest queues.
Do you need to buy your ticket in advance?
For weekdays you can buy it on the same day, but for weekends, 31 October and the opening weekend it’s best to book online in advance because they sell out. You can buy your Tivoli ticket online here.
Is Halloween in Tivoli worth it for adults without children?
Yes. The haunted houses, the Monsters Night Out parade, the lake Illuminations and the rides at night are designed for an adult audience. We went as a couple and enjoyed it enormously.
What should you wear to Tivoli in October?
Layers, a waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes. During the day it’s 8-13 °C and at night it drops below 7 °C, with frequent drizzle. Bring a hat and gloves for the evening shows in the last week of October.
Conclusion: why Halloween in Tivoli is a Copenhagen must
This festival was one of the best surprises of our two weeks in Copenhagen. It’s the perfect combination of a historic park, decorations cared for down to the last detail, a family atmosphere and an optional touch of horror. If you’re going to be in the city between 2 October and 1 November 2026, set aside a whole afternoon and evening for these 16 things to do, go in while it’s still light and stay until the 20,000 pumpkins light up. You won’t regret it.
To plan the rest of your trip, our guide on how to plan your trip (in Spanish) and our packing checklist (in Spanish) may help; in October in Denmark that means a warm coat, an umbrella and comfortable shoes. And if you have any questions, leave us a comment: we’ll answer from our own experience.
And if you’re staying longer, take a look at our guide on things to do in Copenhagen and, if you come back in December, Copenhagen at Christmas.
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