All posts in Budapest Christmas

The very first day of 2019 offers a lot in Budapest for people who does not want a quiet day or does not need to recover from the excesses of the night before. There are some special Hungarian traditions (such as eating lentils on 1 January will lead to wealth), and for many, it is the last day of the Christmas holiday before they return to work, therefore try to live this day as much as possible.

New Year’s Day River Cruises in Budapest

Budapest Winter Cruise – Marta Troicka Photography

Welcome the New Year of 2019 on a wonderful NY Day Budapest River Cruise on the Danube with live music. Sightseeing, lunch cruises are available throughout the day and in the evening you can choose from a la carte, or buffet style dinner cruises most of them featuring live music. Make your New Year’s Day truly special!

Thermal Baths in Budapest on 1 January

Szechenyi Bath Winter – Phil Calvert Photography

The main thermal baths of Budapest (Szechenyi Baths, Gellert Spa, Lukacs Baths, Rudas Baths and all their facilities are open from 10 am to 6 pm. Check-in for online reservations: 10 am – 6 pm.

Please note that massage appointments and private baths are subject to availability as massage hours are limited. New Year’s Day is expected to be very busy in the Baths, so advance booking is highly recommended.

Please note that the ticket & massage prices will possibly change from Jan 8.

Budapest Concerts on Jan 1

New Year’s Day Gala Concert

Gala Concert in Budapest on NYD

New Years’s Day Gala Concert in Budapest Danube Palace, performed by the Danube Symphony Orchestra on 1st January, 2018 from 8.00 pm. You can also book tickets with a 10pm Late Night Dinner Cruise included after the Gala Concert.

New Year’s Gala at the Opera House

The audience will be greeted by the entire company of the Hungarian State Opera with a New Year’s Gala at the Erkel Theater with poetry, ballet and classical music.  The greeting will also go out to Hungarians living abroad by way of Duna Television. The young students of the Ballet Institute of the Opera will also step out on the stage for the first time.

Haydn: The Creation in Palace of Arts Budapest

Joseph Haydn’s The Creation in Palace of Arts Budapest proclaims the greatness and incredible richness of earthly existence delivered courtesy of a host of excellent performers and conducted by the world-renowned Adam Fischer.

More concerts for the New Year on Budapest January Concerts.

Budapest Tours on Jan 1

Budapest Chain Bridge in Snow – Mispahn Photography

Buda Castle Tours on 1 January

The Castle District in Budapest inevitably attracts tourists all year round, whether it is the first or the last day of the year The 2-hour-long Buda Castle Guided Walking Tour provodes a perfect opportunity to see some of the top tourist attractions.

Budapest Winter Buda Castle Hill – Rachel Titiriga Photography

Christmas Markets on January 1 in Budapest

Come and visit Budapest’s Christmas Fairs if you want to buy something unique and original in either the heart of the city at the end of Vaci utca, right in front of the prestigious Gerbeaud Coffee House or by the magnificent Basilica Building, near Deak square.

Budapest Christmas Market Foods Sausage

Smell the scent of traditional honey cookies, mulled wine, cinnamon, sausages and take the rich fragrant with you home.

1, Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market on Jan 1

Address: Vorosmarty Ter, District V

Opening hours on Jan 1: 2 pm – 10 pm (food stalls only as the handicraft shops are closed)

 2, St Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market on Jan 1

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

Opening hours on Jan 1: 11 am – 8 pm (food stalls and handicraft shops) with laser show every half an hour between 4.30 pm and 8 pm on the Basilica’s facade.

Budapest Christmas Market Xmas Concerts TopBudapestOrg

Dec 24 is a quieter day in Budapest, but there are still many things to do. We have picked some of the best activities and programs for you in our Budapest Christmas Guide.

Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market

For many, Christmas is about presents, spending more time with the family, eating delicious meals, but more and more people would like to enjoy this festive period as an experience, getting the vibe of the real festive atmosphere Budapest can offer. Apart from many ideas on how to make your Christmas holidays more memorable please find our essential guide when planning these days ahead.

Christmas Markets on Dec 24 in Budapest

Basilica Christmas Market Budapest

There will be not one, but two traditional Christmas markets in Budapest, both are in the city centre, and both are a must do for visitors:

1, Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market on Dec 24

Address: Vorosmarty Ter, District V

Opening hours on Dec 24: 10 am – 2 pm (handicraft shops), 10 am – 3 pm (food stalls)

2, St Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market on Dec 24

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

Opening hours on Dec 24: 10 am – 2 pm (food stalls and handicraft shops). Please note that on Dec 24 there will be no laser light show on the facade of the cathedral as it starts after 4 pm, and the market will close at 2 pm on Dec 24.

Budapest Christmas Eve Cruise & Gypsy Music

Christmas Cruises in Budapest on Dec 24

Why not go for a cruise on Dec 24? There are daytime sightseeing cruises on the Danube, including a Lunch Cruise. For a more wintery boat tour, hold a mug of mulled wine or grog in your hand on a heated boat on the Budapest Mulled Wine Cruise.

Budapest Cruise at Night at Christmas

For a truly special way to spend the evening of Dec 24, you can enjoy various dining cruises (with served or buffet dinners) on the river Danube on beautiful boats cruising along the UNESCO World Heritage of Hungary: Budapest Christmas Eve Cruises are a truly special way to spend the evening of Dec 24. Hurry up to make a booking as the Christmas nights are an absolute sell out.

Christmas Eve Church Concert in Budapest

St Anne’s Church Budapest

Christmas Eve 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. Anne’s Church in Budapest’s city centre.

Just a walk away from most major hotels in Budapest from 6 pm on Christmas Eve.

Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in Budapest

Perhaps the most awaited Christmas event by thousands of religious Hungarians is the Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Visiting any of the Christmas masses in Budapest is free, and they all start at midnight. There are many churches you can choose from, but some of them are also worth a visit for their own exceptional beauty too.

Budapest Basilica – Neil Howard Photography

The Midnight Mass at the St. Stephen’s Basilica is a truly special and unmissable experience with a stunningly beautiful interior, a sacred atmosphere and a beautifully sounding pipe organ even for non-religious tourists.

Another option is to go to Matthias Church in the Buda Castle, one of the top tourist attractions of Budapest.

If you decide to attend any Midnight Mass in Hungary, get dressed well to avoid catching a cold and organize a taxi transfer as the Budapest public transport is very sparse on Christmas Eve.

Buda Castle Tours on Dec 24

Should you be interested in discovering the Castle District and the beautiful attractions and sights of the Buda Castle during your Christmas holiday via a guided tour, you can choose a 2h Guided Walking Tour.

Public Transport in Budapest on Dec 24

During Christmas there are some changes to public transport schedules and opening hours.

On 24 December (Sunday), until 4pm, the Saturday schedule will apply for all public transport services. After 4pm, metros, trams, trolley buses stop and are replaced by night bus networks.

Christmas Tram in Budapest

But don’t forget about the Christmas trams that are decorated with nearly 30,000 blue and white lights and will surely put you in a festive mood. You can usually catch this glowing streetcar on line 2 and 2A. Schedules have not been updated for this year yet.

Opening Hours of Shops on Christmas Eve

On 24 December, everything is open until 2pm when most shops close their doors. Useful tip for shopaholics: the Christmas sales in Hungary usually start on the 26th and 27th of December, you can get many great things for a reduced price, but be prepared for long queues as everyone is up for a bargain!

Thermal Baths in Budapest on Dec 24

The main thermal baths of Budapest (Szechenyi Baths, Gellert Spa, Lukacs Baths, Rudas Baths)

Winter Szechenyi Bath – Adrian Miller Photo

and all their facilities are open from 6am to 2pm. Check-in for online reservations: 9 am – 1 pm. Kiraly Bath is closed on this day.

Please note that massage appointments and private baths are subject to availability and the massage hours are limited.

Should you wish to enjoy a nice and relaxing massage or to soak in the private bath of Gellert Spa during the Christmas holidays, we advise you to book it well in advance.

Chimney Cake

December 25, Christmas Day is the second day of the Christmas holidays in Budapest

Christmas Market Vorosmarty Square, Budapest (photo: krefiti.hu)

when several top attractions, such as museums, shops, markets are still closed, but many of the best places remain open such as restaurants, baths etc or fantastic river cruises are also available. There is a lot to do in Budapest on 25 December.

Christmas Markets on Dec 25 in Budapest

The two tarditional Christmas markets in Budapest are both excellent places to find traditional gifts and sample seasonal, wintery goods for you and your family.

1, Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market on Dec 25

Address: Vorosmarty Ter, District V

Opening hours on Dec 25: 12 pm – 6 pm (handicraft shops), 10 am – 6 pm (food stalls)

 2, St Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market on Dec 25

Budapest Christmas Market by Basilica – Tunde Lovei

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

Opening hours on Dec 25: 10 am – 10 pm (food stalls and handicraft shops) with laser show every half an hour between 4.30 pm and 8 pm on the Basilica’s facade.

Christmas Day Cruises in Budapest

The early sunset on Dec 25 is around 4 pm, so you can practically see the night lights from a late afternoon

Winter Budapest Cruises – Dan Heap Photography

cruise on the Danube. Celebrate 25 December on a romantic and festive Christmas Day Dinner Cruise with either a la carte, served or buffet style dinner, or on a leisurely afternoon sightseeing boat tour on the river Danube or on a lovely and rich buffet style Lunch Cruise. Pamper yourself and your family on this day, you deserve it.

Tickets for this day are often sold out weeks before, so make your reservation today!

Christmas Chamber Concert on 25 December in Budapest

Spend Christmas Day evening with our festive Christmas Chamber Concert organised in the beautiful neobaroque Danube Palace while listening to a special program compiled just for this evening: beautiful classical melodies by Mozart, Liszt or Gershwin performed by the Danube Chamber Orchestra and learn the unique sound of Hungary’s traditional instrument, the cimbalom (ducimel hammer).

Buda Castle Tours on Dec 25

Budapest Buda Castle Hill – Philippe Clabots Photography

Should you be interested in discovering the Castle District and the beautiful attractions and sights of the Buda Castle during your Christmas holiday via a guided tour, you can choose a 2h Guided Walking Tour.

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  Christmas Tram & Trolley Duo Budapest – Photo from hamster.blog.hu

Public Transport in Budapest on Dec 25

During Christmas there are some changes to public transport schedules and opening hours.

On 25 December public holiday (Sunday) schedules apply for public transport services.

But don’t forget about the Christmas trams that are decorated with nearly 30,000 blue and white lights and will surely put you in a festive mood. You can usually catch this glowing streetcar on line 2 and 2A and tram 4.

Gellert Spa Photo Collage Budapest

The special holiday services are planned to operate between 4 December 2018 and 6 January 2019 (except for December 24-25-26 and 31). Note: Dates are not finalized yet!

Opening Hours of Shops on 25 December

Budapest Westend Christmas

On Christmas Day the shopping malls are open, but only the entertainment facilities are permitted to stay open, i.e. movies and cinemas, restaurants, cafes, bars.

Only two days till the Christmas sales!

Thermal Baths in Budapest on Dec 25

Budapest Szechenyi Baths in Winter – Natalie Wilson Photography

The main thermal baths of Budapest (Szechenyi Baths, Gellert Spa, Lukacs Baths, Rudas Baths and all their facilities are open from 6 am to 10 pm (Gellert Spa until 8pm). Check-in for online reservations: 9 am – 5 pm.

Please note that massage appointments and private baths are subject to availability and the massage hours are limited.

Should you wish to enjoy a nice and relaxing massage or to dip in the private bath of Gellert Spa during the Christmas holidays, we advise you to book it well in advance.

If you are in Budapest during the festive winter season, you will enjoy tasting various sweet delicacies, most important of all, chocolates made in Hungary.

The traditional Hungarian sweets of the winter season is the Hungarian Christmas candy, which comes in many varieties, mostly covered in chocolate. It goes on the Christmas tree, under the Christmas tree, in the pocket, even into the boots of children on Santa Claus day. Cafe Szamos is selling high quality Hungarian Christmas candies right at the Budapest Christmas Market (near Hard Rock Cafe, at Vaci Street)

Budapest Christmas Market Szamos Marzipan Candy TopBudapestOrg

One of the best ways to get to know Hungarian chocolates is to visit the Chocolate Museum in Budapest (quite off the centre). Especially if you are with kids and wish to treat them for a Santa Claus event.

Santa Claus in Budapest Chocolate Museum

Artisan chocolates have been enjoying more and more attention in Hungary, so if you want to taste some contemporary hand made chocolates, go ahead and visit some of the nice Chocolate Vendors in Budapest, several of whom are at the Budapest Christmas Market. If you want to grab the high end of Hungarian artisan chocolates, pop into the Cafe Gerbeaud building bordering the Budapest Christmas Market on Vorosmarty Square, and buy a gift box of chocolates. Yummy scrummy gift for all ages, with love from Budapest.

Artisan Chocolate from Budapest Hungary Cafe Gerbeaud