Denver International Airport officials are preparing for an expected over 600,000 passengers going through airport checkpoints this Christmas week.

Between Monday, Dec. 18, and the day after Christmas, the airport expects 608,000 passengers to travel through TSA checkpoints at DIA, according to a Monday news release, an 8% increase over last year. The busiest days will be Friday and next Tuesday.

Travelers will be greeted by carolers and piano performances in the Great Hall of Jeppesen Terminal through Saturday, and the airport offers several tips for passengers to make their trips better for the holidays.

For standard security travelers, the South Security Checkpoint is open 24/7, and the A-Bridge Security Checkpoint is open from 4:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

The bridge checkpoint is also where passengers can reserve a security time slot with DEN Reserve.

TSA PreCheck passengers can use one of four PreCheck lanes at the South Security Checkpoint open from 4 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. or the North Security Checkpoint dedicated to PreCheck passengers.

That checkpoint is open until 7:45 p.m.

For real-time security wait times and to help select the best checkpoint, passengers can check FlyDenver.com.

To help make security screenings go smoother, TSA advises passengers traveling with gifts to keep them unwrapped in case they need to be opened if an alarm is triggered.

Passengers arriving to the airport can park in any airport lot until Friday, when the Pikes Peak shuttle lot will close at 2 a.m. All other lots, including the East Economy Lot that was closed earlier this year due to repaving, will be open.

Passengers can also utilize the RTD A-Line train that travels from Union Station to the airport.

Check real-time parking availability at www.flydenver.com/parking_transit/parking.

Family and friends picking up passengers arriving at the airport can check arrival times on the airport’s website and can wait for arrivals at Final Approach, the airport’s cell phone waiting lot, west of Jeppesen Terminal.