mechanical elves are busy preparing for Christmas and they might even get the opportunity to meet Santa himself. After a short stroll you will be drawn to the warming fires, where people gather for a hot cup of chocolate and a traditional ‘klejne’ pastry. At the end of the evening, enjoy the spectacular show of light, music, water, smoke, fire and lasers above the Tivoli Lake. If you were trying to find out the meaning of the famous Danish word ‘hygge’ after a visit to Tivoli you will definitely know what it means.

However, it is not only Tivoli celebrating and decorating before Christmas; Nyhavn canal side is another atmospheric area to discover. From 12 November until 22 December, this is a lovely area to walk along, taking in the view of the wooden ships moored in the canal. Nyhavn restaurants welcome you with traditional delicious Danish Christmas food, such as roast duck stuffed with prunes and apples, pork loin with crackling, caramelised potatoes and red cabbage, followed by traditional Danish rice pudding with almonds and hot cherry gravy as dessert.

The tradition began in 1963 and is very popular. This year the Christmas tables will be on display from the 19th of November. The theme for 2009 was ‘The Nutcracker’ and the tables were decorated by six actors and ballet dancers from The Royal Danish Theatre. On the second floor "seconds" are sold for 20 to 50 percent below the retail price, a true value and an opportunity to stock up on gifts that will be treasured for years to come.
For Christmas snacks look no further than the new Royal Café facing a small cobble stoned courtyard with an open air Christmas market serving traditional holiday sweets, such as ‘brunkager’ ginger cookies - ideal with a steaming cup of hot chocolate or ‘glögg’.

Danish breweries add to the spirit of Christmas in their own inimitable ways...

As early as an afternoon in mid November, you may see horse-drawn Tuborg or Carlsberg wagons decked out with garlands and Danish flags delivering the year's specially brewed ‘Julebryg’, or 'Christmas Brew', with Santa capped staff handing out free samples. ‘J-day’ (from the Danish word for Christmas beer: ‘Juleøl’) is normally the first Friday in November. At exactly 8.59pm the Christmas beer is launched, and you will find that practically every bar, café or pub in every town or city in Denmark will be buzzing with young people enjoying the first Christmas beer of the year.
This is truly a great way of getting into the Christmas spirit!

Merry Christmas and Glaedelig Jul.