Tivoli, the traditional amusement park in Copenhagen, is undertaking a significant project development with the redesign of its area, known as Hikari. This venture represents the most ambitious design overhaul since the park's opening in 1843. Completion is scheduled for 15 August 2026, at which point the 2,000 m² area will be accessible as a contemporary Japanese-inspired district. This project reinterprets Tivoli's former Asian area, combining Japanese cultural elements with the Danish capital.
Hikari integrates architecture, scenography, gastronomy, and urban design to create a specific experience. The concept is inspired by Japan, yet it preserves the character of the historic amusement park. As one of the oldest amusement parks worldwide and Denmark's most visited tourist attraction, Tivoli gains an additional urban dimension through this design-oriented project. It also demonstrates how amusement park architecture can achieve design integrity. Tivoli spans 80,000 m² between Copenhagen Central Station and the City Hall and is considered a distinctive public space in the city.
In a metropolis like Copenhagen, which regularly ranks among the most liveable cities, opportunities for spatial expansion are limited. The development of this new area within Tivoli creates an additional urban dimension, enhancing the cultural, social, and spatial value of the park without expanding its footprint. Since 1843, Tivoli has offered people of all generations access to cultural life and continuously develops as a public meeting place and a defining component of Copenhagen's future urban identity. The name Hikari, Japanese for "light", reflects the central role of this element in the design.
The new area includes two rides, catering facilities, retail offerings, covered outdoor spaces, and places for lingering and socialising. The project was developed with expert Japanese guidance and accurately interprets principles of Japanese architecture and landscape design, without merely reproducing them. The result extends Tivoli's tradition of immersive experience worlds and combines them with a globally oriented design language. This is based on design integrity, artisanal quality, and spatial coherence.
A key feature of Hikari is the deliberate use of materiality and light. The buildings are designed for longevity and constructed with original elements from Japan. These include around 60 tonnes of bricks, approximately one hundred solid wood doors and windows, and various traditional artefacts and artworks. The use of authentic materials lends the area substance, tactility, and durability, setting it apart from temporary themed worlds. Light installations have always been defining elements of Tivoli, and in Hikari, light is used not only as a visual motif but as an architectural element that permeates the entire area – from illuminated streetscapes to the overall atmosphere.
The Hikari project development represents a significant investment in Tivoli's future, strengthening its relevance while respecting the amusement park's almost 200-year tradition. As the largest thematic investment to date, Hikari enhances the visitor experience and secures Tivoli's appeal for visitors from Denmark and internationally. This undertaking underscores Tivoli's commitment to continuously investing in its development and experience worlds by combining tradition and innovation. Tivoli was founded in 1843 by Georg Carstensen and is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world. It houses over 30 rides, gardens, concerts, ballet, and restaurants.
