I had all these great plans about how many brilliant Copenhagen posts I would have written by now, how they would all be lined up waiting to post as I overdosed on episodes of new series of The Crown, and hopefully many mince pies. Sadly, the reality is, I just have a stack of half edited photos. These last few days of school (with brain overload on everything to remember) are killing me. The icing on the cake was today’s lovely Christmas service, which (after an interesting journey there involving a downpour and a bike accidentally knocked over on to me as I walked past) I had hoped would be a lovely quiet affair, so I could actually listen to my older two sing. Their little brother had other ideas. He had picked up a little transformable car in the “play corner” and I had made the mistake of telling him it could turn into a robot, without having a clue how to actually transform the thing myself. The first few minutes of the service involved him shouting “robot, robot, robot” in the hope that his brother would appear from the stage and convert the thing for him. We watched the second part from the (beautifully tiled) porch of the church, through the little window at the back. We could at least hear what was going on as it had a speaker piping the proceedings in. Oh well, last day tomorrow. Time to relax and unwind after that…
Perhaps I need to be a bit more Danish about things – you know those Happiest Country in the World awards they constantly win? It’s probably because as a nation they don’t really have that many unrealistic expectations about stuff, so when things do go well, of course everyone’s super happy!
Talking of super happy Danish places, I thought you might like to see what a Christmassy Tivoli looks like (just while we wrap up the end of the school year here!). As you might expect for one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, it wears Christmas very well, taking a month to get ready after the Halloween spectacular (or should that be spooktacular!).
Halloween is personally my favourite time to visit by the way, not that you shouldn’t see it at Christmas time too, it encapsulates the festive season in as much as it’s everything you hope it to be – beautifully lit with plenty of traditional foods to enjoy, lots of fun to be had with family and friends, and plenty of happy memories made… I think it ticks all the boxes anyway!
Mr R and I had a fun anniversary evening reminiscing about the many many hours we spent here over the years. It was the very first place we visited in Copenhagen whilst we waited for the shipping container to arrive.
Although it felt very weird visiting without the children, for old time’s sake we managed to revisit all of our favourite rides (quite a few times – the wooden roller coaster is a must here, it’s one of the oldest in the world and it’s just brilliant fun!) and of course managed a few of our favourite Danish Christmas foods too (don’t throw any drinks cups away whilst you are wandering by the way, the little machines dotted about the place give you deposit money back once you have fed the cup in)…
If you do visit at this time of year, be aware that Christmas season opening evening is Tivoli’s busiest of the entire year (we had forgotten that!!), but beyond 9.00 it started to clear out a bit (it’s open until midnight on a weekend) and we could walk comfortably without too many crowds. If you are planning on eating at any of Tivoli’s main restaurants, you should definitely book ahead (most restaurants here have an easy to decipher online booking system anyway) to save disappointment.
Finally, as a little ex-insider tip – if you happen to be in Copenhagen for New Year, the best time to visit Tivoli out of the entire calendar in my experience is the evening of the 30th December, as everyone’s saving themselves for the big night the following evening…
We’re the same with our travel posts and still have to edit footage from our Dubrovnik trip from October!! This looks like a wonderfully festive place to visit!
That makes me feel better, thank you! :D
I have never been but it looks super Christmassy!! Will have to add it to our places to visit for next year for sure x
It’s really lovely. Thanks Kira! (:
That looks amazing. Copenhagen isn’t a destination I’ve ever considered. Not sure why – you’re totally changing my mind!
It’s great for a weekend, but there’s plenty to do if you stay for longer too. I would really recommend it Sinead! :)
Copenhagen is on my bucket list of places I want to visit and boy does it look pretty at Christmas!
It really is. Thanks Ali! (:
It looks like a really festive place to visit. There’s some great tips here too. I like to enjoy places without the crowds of people sometimes
Thank you Zena. It’s good to know that it is quiet at times! :D
That sounds a great place to visit someday. And just look at that amazing view especially during night time.
Thanks Angela! (:
It looks so Christmassy and warming with the lights. I would love to travel more! It’s great to know inside tips like booking ahead especially with restaurants
Thank you Kirsty. Yes, that walking in to a restaurant and asking for a table that we take for granted here, just really isn’t done in so many other places! :)
It sounds like you had a lovely time, even if it was strange without the kids to begin with. It looks like such a magical place to visit!
Thank you Sam. They were super jealous when we told them where we had been! :D
Wow what an absolutely beautiful and magical place at Christmas time! I can imagine the festive period being so much fun here
It really is. They do Christmas so well! :)
wow this place looks stunning especially with all the christmas decorations! I need to visit here
It is lovely at any time of year! Thanks Melissa! (:
Oh this looks so idyllic. What a stunning place to visit for Christmas. I love the conservation with reusing the cups too :)
Thanks Becky! Yes, it’s full of good little things like that! :)
These shots are beautiful! I’ve wanted to visit Copenhagen ever since I was a kid, I’m glad it was everything you’ve hoped.
Thanks so much Rhiannon! :)
This looks super magical and wonderful, I love the Christmas markets and fair, so festive and fun x
Thank you Melanie! (: x
I went to Copenhagen for a single day last Christmas just to see Tivoli at that time of the year and it was so festive. You have to go back for Halloween as their decorations are insane x
Thanks Rhian. Yes, they used to let us have lots of the pumpkins for our school celebrations after their Halloween season finished! :D x
What a beautiful place to visit! So festive and stunning! I had a little chuckle about your youngest shouting robot during the performance; kids, eh?! Wishing you all the best for the festive period and for 2018!
Thanks so much Elizabeth! You too, have a really love time! :) x
Wow, Tivoli looks utterly stunning. I love all of the Christmas lights and that whale cafe looks very cute. The robot story made me laugh too. I hope that you have a wonderful Christmas xx
Thanks Emma! Have a really lovely Christmas! :) xx
Wow those pictures are so beautiful! These are really great tips, especially for visiting and being able to stay later and even go on December 30th, I’d never think of that!
Thank you Ali! (: x
I would love to visit Copenhagen. It looks fabulously festive from the lovely photos that you’ve shared with us. I love the sound of a wooden rollercoaster too. I’ll definitely be reading this post again when I’ve booked a trip to Copenhagen!
That is the BEST rollercoaster I have ever been on. Each train has a brake man, someone who sits on the train and operates the brake, it’s really really fun…
Oh how lovely! It looks like you had the best time and Tivoli at Christmas is just beautiful. I love all of the pretty lights!
Thank you. We really did! x
I totally feel you about planning lots of posts but then watching too much tv and not posting them yet!! Trivoli looks so beautiful at night – I love the old fashioned looking lamps.
Thanks Rachel! (:
Wow it looks so festive and pretty…..I’m eyeing up the food and drink and drooling
Thank you. Yes, lots to drool over here – post coming up! :D x
Wow, it looks utterly magical there! Next year i WILL go somewhere as beautiful as this for new years eve x
New Years Eve in the centre of CPH is fun, but also quite dodgy as the crowds just let hundreds of fireworks off. Not the most relaxing start to the New Year! :D
Those photos of Tivoli are stunning. It was Easter when we visited and not too busy. Such a pretty place and I can see why it’s such a draw at Christmas and New Year. x
ps – sorry about Transformergate! Did the school video it for you?
Thank you Trish. No, it wasn’t filmed sadly, but now the Toddler is a bit of a celebrity with all of their school friends who all thought it highly amusing!!!
This is a place I’ve always wanted to visit and after reading you post it’s definitely something I need to make happen in the new year!
Thanks Mayah! That’s a big compliment! :)
Those evening photos are beautiful with all the pretty lights. It’s a real Christmas feel. :)
Thank you Lorelle! (: x