Christmas in Freedom celebrates 9 years of Christmas magic and events

For 9 years, Friheden has opened its doors for Christmas in Friheden, and they still manage to impress with Christmas decorations and lights that can take your breath away. Year after year, they have made it a tradition to create a magical atmosphere where Christmas meets light art, and 2024 is certainly no exception.

We visited Friheden on a Saturday, when the snow and frost from the day before had wrapped Aarhus in a wintry blanket. It was simply the perfect backdrop for the many Christmas impressions that the park offers. The combination of the clear cold of the frost and the twinkling lights gave a feeling that Christmas had come very close.

The lights take the stage at dusk

The best time to experience Christmas in Friheden is, without a doubt, when darkness begins to fall. Be sure to come while it's still daylight so you can feel the change as dusk settles over the park and the lights begin to twinkle in earnest. When darkness takes over, the many thousands of Christmas lights come on and transform Friheden into a wonderland where everything feels magical.

Every corner of the park is wrapped in light. The paths are decorated with sparkling strings of lights, and trees and buildings radiate in warm and cool shades. There is something very special about walking around the park as dusk creates an anticipatory mood and the lights take over the scene. It is precisely at that moment that the magic really sets in, and it is impossible not to get carried away.

Get the complete guide for everyone events of the year and seasonal events in Tivoli Freedom.

For the whole family - and more

Christmas in Freedom is for everyone. Families with children can take a trip past Santa's Town, where the children can meet Santa and tell him their wishes. Santa Claus has his living room by the stage, where Fat Friday concerts are held in the summer. The queue of excited children and their parents testify to how popular he is – and he takes his time with each one, even the little ones who are just getting used to standing in front of Santa Claus himself.

But it's not just for the kids. For couples, Jul i Friheden is the perfect place for a cozy and romantic walk. Here you can enjoy the lights, the atmosphere and perhaps end with a good dinner at one of the park's restaurants. And for friends, it's an obvious opportunity to explore the small stalls, take pictures of the beautiful light installations and just enjoy yourself together in the beautiful surroundings.

What is it like to be Santa Claus at Tivoli Friheden?

Being Santa Claus in Friheden is something very special. The families enter Santa's Room one at a time, and this creates a calm and cozy atmosphere where the children can feel safe. "It's about creating security in the living room," says Santa Claus, who always makes sure that the children relax and feel welcome.

The meetings with the children are both fun and touching. Some children make wishes and talk that make an impression, like a boy who told that his brother had cancer. He likes to talk to the children about little things they can do to help at home. Like putting away the plate or emptying the dishwasher. "Christmas isn't just about getting - it's also about giving," says Santa Claus. One boy, however, had a good answer ready: "Santa, I'm only 4 years old!"

The children react differently when they meet Santa Claus. "I can tell if the children have met me before, they seem more secure, for children who have not met me before, I take my time to build trust". And Santa emphasizes that he never uses the phrase "If you don't behave properly, you don't get any presents." "With me, the shoulders must be lowered and there must be room for joy. The children should not feel that they are in front of a judge.”

When Santa is not sitting in his living room, he enjoys walking around Friheden. “I love the area by the lake where people are sailing in boats. I usually ask if they have caught anything, and when they say no, I reply: 'Then you have to catch some Christmas spirit instead, and the children laugh and say yes.'

This year, some of the most popular wishes are pianos and live animals. "I try to help the parents a bit by explaining that Rudolf does not fly with live animals," Santa Claus laughs.

And what does he love most about Christmas? "Getting all the presents delivered correctly and then an extra big pat of butter afterwards," he says with a twinkle in his eye. "Christmas is a time when we make room for both small and big joys, and that's what I like the most."

In the 9 years that Tivoli Friheden has held Christmas in Friheden, it has been the same Santa who has welcomed us - both in Santa's Room and around the park.

New this year – Firefly Field

One of the big news this year is the Firefly Field, which you will find on the slope in front of Restaurant Skovpavillonen. It is an enchanting experience to see the little lights that float across the grass and look like fireflies dancing in the dark. It is almost hypnotic to stand and look at them, and it is undoubtedly a new favorite among the many beautiful light installations. I really hope that it will become a fixed tradition for Christmas in Friheden.

My favorite is still The Magic Candle Tree

While Firefly Field is a great new addition, nothing can beat my favorite – The Magic Candle Tree. The 8 meter high tree, which is decorated with over 76.000 LED lights in all the colors of the rainbow, is a sight for gods. The changing colors that light up in the dark are simply breathtaking. I can stand in front of it for a long time and just enjoy the sight. For me, it is the Light Tree that really captures the essence of Christmas in Freedom.

Sky Tower and the majesty of light

Sky Tower, the park's 65 meter high free-fall ride, is transformed into a giant Christmas tree at Christmas. Adorned with twinkling lights in blue and clear tones, it stands as a luminous centerpiece that can be seen from all corners of the park. It gives a fantastic sense of grandeur and ties the entire park's Christmas decorations together in the most beautiful way.

Time for a break - and something to eat

After walking around the park and enjoying the many impressions, you can take a well-deserved break in one of the park's restaurants. We chose Spis, a buffet restaurant with large windows, overlooking the twinkling lights outside. Here we got a delicious Christmas menu with everything you could want - tartlets, roast pork, browned potatoes and medister. The food tasted like a real home-cooked Christmas dinner, and it was really a pleasant surprise that drinks such as wine, beer and soft drinks were included in the price.

A recommendation for your visit

If you want to make the most of your visit, get there a little early and start trying out some of the rides while it's still light. Then take a break and have something warm to eat as darkness falls. When you've had your fill and warmed up again, you can go out and experience the park again - because now it's dark and the lights shine even more beautifully.

Christmas in Friheden is a place that impresses every year with light, coziness and atmosphere. Regardless of whether you come with family, friends or your partner, it's an experience that creates memories - and the Christmas spirit - for everyone.

Christmas in Freedom

Date: 16 November – 30 December 

Opening hours: See website for opening hours

Prices:
Entrance ticket: DKK 175
Tour band: DKK 120

Free entrance for children under 90 cm.

Special offer:
If you keep your tour band on after your visit, you can revisit the park one extra time during Christmas in Friheden.

Season ticket:
If you have a season ticket, you have free access to Christmas in the Freedom.