All posts in Budapest Christmas with Kids

Children activities at Christmas in Budapest

Gingerbread City Budapest

Every year around Christmas time in Budapest there is a charming, festive Gingerbread City built by local Hungarians, families, friends, businesses, engineers, architects, and thousands of other volunteers. You can visit the exhibition, a fascinating city of tiny creations made all from gingerbread.

Gingerbread City Budapest (photo by Agnesz Duszka)

Gingerbread City Budapest (photo by Agnesz Duszka)

The city of Budapest Gingerbread features hand sized homes, local landmarks, as well as beautiful vehicles, trains, cars, boats, and cityscape scenes. Walk through the city and enjoy the aromatic wafts of the gingerbread as well as the enchanting sights of the mini city.

Opening Hours

Days: December 22, 2018 – February 23, 2019
Hours:
Dec 22, 2018:  11am – 2pm, 4-8pm
Dec 23, 2018:  11am – 2pm, 4-8pm
Dec 24, 2018: Closed
Dec 25, 2018: Closed
Dec 26, 2018: Closed
Dec 31, 2018: Closed
Jan 1, 2019: Closed
Jan 2, 2019: 11am – 2pm, 4-8pm
Jan 3 – Feb 23: 4-8pm (every day except Sundays and Mondays)
Venue: Budapest Whale (Balna)

Entry Fee

Visiting the Gingerbread City is free of charge.

Budapest Gingerbread City (photo by Zsolt Madarasz)

Budapest Gingerbread City (photo by Zsolt Madarasz)

The innovative display with its magically lit gingerbread art pieces connects well with the holiday spirits in December.

 It’s one of the off the beaten path programmes in our Budapest things to do guide for the winter holiday season. The community effort is mostly visited by locals (not only children, but adults too can enjoy it), but tourists are welcome to enjoy walking through a miniature Christmas fairy tale in a utopian familial town, where peace and harmony exceeds our every days.

Gingerbread cities have mushroomed all over Europe, including the V&A Museum in London, or Pepperkakebyen in Bergen, where apparently the biggest Gingerbread City is built every year at Christmas time.

 

Gingerbread City Budapest (photo by Zsolt Madarasz)

Gingerbread City Budapest (photo by Zsolt Madarasz)


Related programmes in Budapest Christmas:
featured photo by Zsolt Madarasz

Gingerbread City in Budapest – Christmas Exhibition

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Budapest Christmas Market by St Stephen's Basilica

Things to do in Budapest on 29 December

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Things to do in Budapest on 27 December

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The Russian Dance in Nutcracker puppet show Budapest

Nutcracker Shows in Budapest Palace of Arts

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Budapest Christmas Market by St Stephen's Basilica

Spending 29 December in Budapest can easily be fun with many interesting things to do.

Let us give you some ideas of the seasonal festivals, performances, special concerts and other holiday season events on how to spend this day in the capital city.

Thermal Baths in Budapest on 29 December

Szechenyi Baths Budapest in Winter

Szechenyi Baths Budapest in Winter

Want to get ready for the New Year’s Eve party and chill out before the big event? Maybe longing for a game of water chess? Or just want to relax after the busy Christmas holiday? Just take a dip in one of Budapest’s many famous spas.

Budapest has a number of great spas and outdoor pools worth visiting, but  Szechenyi Baths, Gellert Spa, Lukacs Baths, or Rudas Baths are the most known ones.

They are open every day, all year, opening hours might vary, please check the websites.

Hungarian Folk Show in Budapest on 29 December

Folk Cruise Dinner Budapest - Balancing Bottles

Folk Cruise Dinner Budapest – Balancing Bottles

One of the most prestigious folk ensemble, the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, will perform in the beautiful Danube Palace (Duna Palota) by the Four Seasons Hotel in Budapest on 29 December.

The Hungarian Folk Show events are extremely popular, booking in advance is highly suggested.

Would like to have more Hungarian folk experience?

Enjoy an amazing Hungarian Folk Music and Dance Show on a boat tour in Budapest while cruising on the Danube. The Folk Show on Dinner Cruise program includes an evening with either a Danube Cruise and 5 Drinks or a 4-Course Served Dinner. This evening offers a bit of fun too, with a bit of folk dance learning opportunity!

River Danube Cruises on 29 December in Budapest

Go on a boat trip on the Danube and admire the top attractions of Budapest.

Night on Hungarian Folk Boat - Budapest Parliament

Night on Hungarian Folk Boat

If you are interested in a lunch cruise or a cruise with only drinks, maybe even with an audio guide, please choose from several day cruise options.

There is a wide range of dinner cruises with either either a la carte, served dinner, or buffet style with all kinds of live music on board.

Hungarian and international dishes, meat and vegetarian options await you on the Budapest Dinner Cruises.

New Year Church Concert in Budapest

Concert at St Anne's Church in Budapest

Concert at St Anne’s Church in Budapest

New Year’s Church Concert in Budapest in St Anne’s Church in the city centre. Listen to the wonderfully evocative works by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi while enjoying the baroque architecture of the recently restored St. Anna’s Church in Budapest’s city centre.

Just a walk away from most major hotels in Budapest from 7 pm on 29 December.

Buda Castle Tours on 29 December

The Buda Castle District in Budapest attracts tourists every day, all year round. With different winter Castle tours in the Buda Castle District, or a 2h Budget Buda Castle Walking Tour, everyone finds the perfect option.

Segway Tours in Budapest on Dec 29 in Budapest

Winter Segway Tours Budapest

Winter Segway Tours Budapest

Have you tried a Segway tour before? If not, do not miss the 1 or 2 hour long guided Segway Tours in Budapest as they are fun for everybody.

You can choose from different Segway Tours in Budapest on December 29:

Christmas Markets on Dec 29 in Budapest

Spend some hours in one of Europe’s best Christmas markets while sipping mulled wine, buying authentic handmade souvenirs or listening free concerts.

Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market

Christmas Market at Vorosmarty Square Budapest

Christmas Market at Vorosmarty Square Budapest

Address: Vorosmarty Ter, District V

Opening hours on Dec 29: 10 am – 7 pm (handicraft shops), 10 am – 8 pm (food stalls)

St Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market

Address: Szent Istvan Ter, in front of the Budapest Basilica building, District V

Opening hours on Dec 29: 10 am – 10 pm (food and handicraft stalls) with laser show every half an hour between 4.30 pm and 8 pm on the Basilica’s facade.

 

 

Looking for things to do once Christmas is out of the way? Not sure what is open between 26 December and New Year? Or just want to get out of the house? Here are some useful tips on where to go and what to visit on 27 December in Budapest.

Thermal Baths in Budapest on 27 December

Budapest Szechenyi Baths in Winter Dec 26

Budapest Szechenyi Baths in Winter – Natalie Wilson Photography

Burn off those excess calories by visiting one of the main thermal baths of Budapest (Szechenyi Baths, Gellert Spa, Lukacs Baths, Rudas Baths) as they are open from 6 am to 9 pm, with small alterations are in the different thermal baths (the outdoor pools in Szechenyi and Rudas Baths are open until 10 pm, while Gellert Spa closes at 8 pm). Check-in for online reservations: 9 am – 6 pm.

Everyone wants to have a relaxed day at Szechenyi and Gellert Spa enjoying a nice massage or trying Gellert Spa’s private bath, therefore early booking is highly suggested.

River Danube Cruises in Budapest on 27 Dec

Enjoy the wonderful Budapest in winter on either a day cruise or admire the night lit river side attractions on a night river cruise.

River Danube Cruise Budapest in Winter

River Danube Cruise Budapest in Winter

The dinner cruises are either a la carte, served, or buffet style dinners with live music (from Bar Piano to gypsy music): Budapest Dinner Cruises

As many people are on holiday and not working between Christmas and the New Year, tickets to these cruises sell out in advance, so book early to avoid any disappointment.

Budapest Gala Concert in the Danube Palace Budapest on 27 December

With a very wide range of repertoire from gipsy music and operetta to classical music featuring a special Hungarian instrument, the cimbalom (hammered ducimel), this Budapest Gala Concert is for everyone. Performing the Danube Symphony Orchestra, the soloists of the world-famous Budapest Operetta Theatre and other great talents from the national “Virtuosos” talent show.

Budapest Gala Concerts

Budapest Gala Concerts

You can even enjoy an unforgettable cruise with dinner, drinks and great views of the city right after the concert.

Buda Castle Tours on Dec 27

Buda Castle and its District is one of the top attractions of Budapest. With different winter Castle tours in the Buda Castle District, you can choose the perfect one for you and the loved ones. Please, dress well for these outdoor tours, as the weather in Budapest can be really freezing on the last days of December.

Segway Tours on 27 December in Budapest

While walking tours are mainly for families or the elderly, a Segway Tour in Budapest is for the brave and open minded souls!

Book your Segway Tour in advance as its popularity is rising, even in the cold winter months.

Christmas Markets on 27 December

Christmas Fair on Vorosmarty Square Budapest

Christmas Fair on Vorosmarty Square Budapest

The Christmas Fairs are still open. Head there for food stalls (like you need any more food after Christmas), mulled wines, unique products and more. Free entry.

1, Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market on Dec 27

Address: Vorosmarty Ter, District V

Opening hours on Dec 27: 10 am – 8 pm (handicraft shops), 10 am – 9 pm (food stalls)

2, St Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market on Dec 27

Address: Szent Istvan Ter, in front of the Budapest Basilica building, District V

Opening hours on Dec 27: 10 am – 9 pm (food and handicraft stalls) with laser show every half an hour between 4.30 pm and 8 pm on the Basilica’s facade.

 

The Russian Dance in Nutcracker puppet show Budapest

Nutcracker is one of the most awaited shows every year in Budapest, whether you wish to see the classical ballet of Nutcracker story in the Hungarian Opera House and National Ballet Institute (the Opera House is home of both the operas and ballets), or the more contemporary ballet and theatre shows in the Palace of Arts in Budapest (MUPA for short).

Nutcracker Budapest Szeged Contemporary Ballet Dance

Nutcracker Budapest Szeged Contemporary Ballet Dance

The Palace of Arts invites various companies to put up an annual Nutcracker Show, or stages an in house production. In recent years Budapest MUPA has presented a vast array of Nutcracker performances, e.g.  the renowned ballet company of Szeged town in Hungary visited MUPA to perform the ballet in a modern interpretation.

Tickets for Nutcracker shows are on purchase from about September / October onwards. Please check the upcoming shows for December on the official website of MUPA on Mupa.hu.

Dates: Dec 19, 2018 and Dec 20, 2018

Gingerbread City Budapest

Gingerbread City in Budapest – Christmas Exhibition

Every year around Christmas time in Budapest there is a charming, festive Gingerbread City built Read more

Budapest Christmas Market by St Stephen's Basilica

Things to do in Budapest on 29 December

Spending 29 December in Budapest can easily be fun with many interesting things to do. Read more

Things to do in Budapest on 27 December

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Nutcracker Puppet Show in the National Puppet Theater in Budapest: officially called the ‘Budapest Puppet Theater’ but it is a national institution with many of the best puppet performances in Hungary. The Nutcracker puppet show is a Christmas tradition, and has been running for many decades with great success. To boot, the ticket prices are ridiculously low for a foreign family (HUF 1,300 per ticket), so it is one of the best deals you can get at Xmas in Budapest if you are visiting the city with children in winter. Besides the Nutcracker, there are several more puppet shows running all through November, December and January, so do check the event calendar of the Puppet Theater for more shows, and details.

Nutcracker Puppet Show in Budapest Puppet Theater

Nutcracker Puppet Show in Budapest Puppet Theater

Venue: Puppet Theater (Budapest Bábszínház) at 69 Andrassy Avenue, Budapest, District VI (post code: 1062, Andrássy út 69.)

Dates of the Nutcracker Puppet Show

Friday, December 1 2017 10:00
Tuesday, December 12 2017 10:00 and 15:00
Wednesday, December 13 2017 10:00 and 15:00
Sunday, December 24 2017 10:30 and 14:00
Monday, December 25 2017 10:30

There will be puppet shows on Dec 26 too, although not the Nutcracker. The shows are in Hungarian language, which may not bother your little one at all, so it might be worth giving a try:
December 26
10:30 am Misi Mokus vandoruton at Budapest Bábszínház – Színházterem

Tickets to the Nutcracker Puppet Show

Tickets can be purchased online or on the premises at the Budapest Puppet Theater on Andrassy Avenue. You can book your tickets in advance for the puppet show online. The official ticket vendor of the Budapest Puppet Theater is Jegy.hu.

Booking