All posts in Xmas Events

Budapest Xmas Events: shows, concerts, markets, etc.

Santa Claus Train Budapest

The Santa Claus Train is a lovely nostalgia train up in the Buda Hills run by the Hungarian Children’s Railway in early December. The Children’s Railway was by the way the former Hungarian Pioneer Railway, which was a huge success during Communism, and managed to survive the change of regime, an absolute family favorite! Now, if you wonder why the Santa Claus comes so early in Hungary, at the beginning of December, rather than as Father Christmas should, at Christmas, the fact is that in Hungary, Santa Claus has a special day, Dec 6 (St Nikolaus’s day), while the Christmas presents in Hungary are brought by the Baby Jesus (or the Little Angel). Don’t ask how kids believe that a baby should be so strong. They do.

Santa Claus Train Budapest

Santa Claus Train Budapest

Santa Claus Train Budapest

Event date: Saturday and Sunday, 1 & 2 December 2018 (changes with the weekend dates yearly).

Hours of Departure of the Santa Claus trains:

Huvosvolgy Train Station at 8:20, 9:20, 10:20, 11:20, 12:20, 13:20, 14:20, 15:20, 16:20, 17:20 hrs

On Saturday, 1st December and Sunday, 2nd December 2018 you can ride the Children’s Railway in the company of Santa Claus again. This is the Advent period, and you can feel that this event for children and parents will be worth every minute.
Tickets can only be purchased in advance!
Santa Claus Specials are going to be operated on both days of the first weekend of December where children and parents can ride the Children’s Railway with Santa Claus and his bogeymen.

The young passengers and Santa’s helpers will be expecting the arrival of Santa Claus together. They will spend the time with signing and reciting poetry until he shows up on the train.

Santa Claus is going to chat away with every child individually before presenting them with the traditional small bag of sweets and fruits.

Santa Claus Specials are going to depart Huvosvolgy Station at 8:20, 9:20, 10:20, 11:20, 12:20, 13:20, 14:20, 15:20, 16:20 and 17:20 hrs. They are not scheduled to call at any station or halting along the route so they can be boarded only at the first station.

Some of Santa Claus’s helpers are going to entertain the children in Huvosvolgy just outside the station with dancing and singing before the departure or after the arrival of the special service.

Santa Claus in Budapest Railway Museum

Santa Claus Train? Yes, another great train program to welcome Santa Claus with the kids, this time in the Hungarian Railway Museum, one of the best museums with children (and train enthusiasts!) in Budapest. Event dates: Dec 7, Dec 8 and Dec 9 in 2018 (early December weekend)

Santa Claus in Budapest Railway Museum

Santa Claus in Budapest Railway Museum

Santa Claus Express Train – Father Christmas is Coming to Town! Right to the cool Train History Park of Hungary.
All Abourd the Santa Claus train in Budapest, Hungary!

Santa Claus Show in Budapest Train Museum

Santa Claus Show in Budapest Train Museum

The steam engine express train will take the children and parents from Nyugati Train Station to the Railway Museum in Budapest. The Orient Hall of the Train Museum turns into a festive party and stage to warmly welcome Santa and his helpers who bring lots of goodies and gifts for the kids. There is usually a show, goodie bags from Santa, etc.
Booking the tickets for the Santa Claus train is from mid October
More info about the special children train, and booking tickets:

Magyar Vasúttörténeti Park (Address: 95 Tatai Way, District XIV, postcode 1142 / Budapest, Tatai út 95.)
Tel./fax: (06-1) 450-1497
Email and booking the Santa Claus train seats: info@vasuttortenetipark.hu

Santa is Coming to Budapest

Santa is Coming to Budapest

And if you should be wondering why the Santa Claus comes so early in Hungary, at the beginning of December (??), rather than as Father Christmas should, at Christmas (!!), the fact is that in Hungary, Santa Claus has a special day, Dec 6 (St Nikolaus’s day), while the Christmas presents in Hungary are brought by the Baby Jesus (or the Little Angel). Don’t ask how kids believe that a baby should be so strong. They do. So a proper Hungarian Santa Claus (Telapo aka Mikulas) should come around Dec 6.

Looking for things to do in Budapest during your Christmas Holiday? We have gathered the best Budapest events for the Christmas and New Year period.

Budapest Christmas Events

Nutcracker Show in Budapest

Enjoy festive Christmas concerts in Budapest, with events in major venues, churches and beautiful buildings.

Christmas in Budapest

Christmas in Budapest

Have the jolliest holiday with our guide to Christmas concerts, events, activities in the Hungarian capital city, as there is nothing more festive as Budapest during Christmas.

Be careful, as there are wonderful performances and concerts, some of the events are already full house months before, so secure your tickets now!

Check the full list of Budapest Christmas Concerts

Christmas Concerts on 24 December

Xmas Eve Buffet Dinner Cruise

Budapest Xmas Eve Dinner with Gypsy Music

Budapest Xmas Eve Dinner with Gypsy Music

Celebrate Christmas Eve in Budapest with a festive Dinner Cruise program with live performance.

Classical Music Concert in the Downtown St Anne’s Church

Concert at St Anne's Church in Budapest

Concert at St Anne’s Church in Budapest

The  Christmas Eve Concert will feature classical music by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Schubert, while admiring St. Anna’s Church, one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings in Hungary.

Address: Szervita Square, District V in Budapest’s city centre.

The Magic Flute

A quest for wisdom, love and light in a world where nothing is what it seems.

Address: Budapest Erkel Theatre,  II. János Pál pápa square 30, District 8, H-1087 Budapest (tickets available from Opera.hu)

 Midnight Masses

Matthias Church Budapest Christmas

Matthias Church Budapest Christmas

Midnight masses are night-time events which are considered to be at the core of a traditional Christmas.

Take part in a Midnight Mass in Budapest in St Stephen’s Basilica, Matthias Church or any other churches of Budapest, where you will be able to join the locals to celebrate Christmas Eve together.

 

 

Christmas Concerts on 25 December

Christmas Day Chamber Concert in Budapest

Christmas Day Chamber Concert in Danube Palace Budapest

Christmas Day Chamber Concert in Danube Palace Budapest

The  Christmas Day Chamber Concert of the Danube Chamber Orchestra is a combination of chamber music and gala concert.

Address: Danube Palace Budapest, Zrinyi utca 5, Budapest 1051, Hungary

Budapest Christmas Day Dinner Cruise with Gypsy Music

Live Gypsy Music on the Budapest Dinner Cruise with Gypsy Music – Dinner Cruise with Gypsy Music and Buffet Dinner (7pm – 9pm)

Piano Music on Budapest Christmas Dinner Cruise

Piano Music on Budapest Christmas Dinner Cruise

Bar Piano Battle Concert

A festive Budapest river cruise with 4-course served dinner and live Piano Music on the Budapest Christmas Dinner Cruise with Piano Music from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.

Budapest Late Night Danube River Cruise

Enjoy the wonderful river side attractions in Budapest late night, from 10pm, on a night Danube river cruise with 2 free drinks or with a nice dinner and drinks on the Late Night Danube River Cruise.

Nutcracker Ballet Show

The Nutcracker Ballet Show in the the Hungarian State Opera House has been performed over 20 years with great success.

Nutcracker Budapest Opera House at Christmas

Nutcracker Budapest Opera House at Christmas

This spectacular ballet show is one of the highlights of any Christmas holidays.

Address: Opera House Budapest, Andrássy út 22, District 6, H-1061 Budapest

Screening of the Nutcracker Ballet

The Royal Ballet’s glorious production of ‘The Nutcracker’, created by Peter Wright 32 years ago, is an all-time ballet favourite.

Screening is from 4 pm in the fascinating building of the Puskin Film Theatre (also on Dec 26 at 2pm)

Address: Kossuth Lajos street 18, District 5, H-1053 Budapest

Free Folk Concerts at Budapest Christmas Market

Budapest Christmas Market Atmosphere TopBudapestOrg

Budapest Christmas Market Atmosphere TopBudapestOrg

Enjoy free Hungarian folk concerts in Budapest on Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market.

Dates in 2023: TBC

Address: Vorosmarty square District 5, Budapest

La Boheme

La Boheme by Puccini is one of opera’s most popular and unforgettable love stories in the Budapest Opera House from 7pm on 25 December.

Address: Opera House Budapest, Andrássy út 22, District 6, H-1061 Budapest

Christmas Concerts on 26 December

Hungarian Folk Music and Dance Show

Budapest Folk Show at Christmas

Budapest Folk Show at Christmas

Hungarian Folk Music and Dance Show on Dec 26.

When the Folk Dance Show ends at 9.30pm, you can opt for a Danube city cruise to continue your beautiful cultural night in Budapest.

Buffet Dinner Cruise with Gypsy Music

Live Gypsy Music on the Budapest Dinner Cruise with Gypsy Music – Dinner Cruise with Gypsy Music and Buffet Dinner (7pm – 9pm)

Bar Piano Battle concert

A festive Budapest river cruise with 4-course served dinner and live Piano Music

Budapest Cruise at Night at Christmas

Budapest Cruise at Night at Christmas

on the Budapest Christmas Dinner Cruise with Piano Music (7.30pm – 10.30pm)

Budapest Candlelit Dinner Cruise – A La Carte Dinner

Live Salon Music on the romantic and candlelit A La Carte Cruise in Budapest on Dec 26 from 7pm to 9.30pm.

Budapest Late Night Danube River Cruise

Enjoy the wonderful river side attractions in Budapest late night, from 10pm, on a night Danube river cruise with 2 free drinks or with a nice dinner and drinks on the Late Night Danube River Cruise.

Christmas Dinner Cruises with Live Music are also available while tickets last.

Budapest Christmas Market Folk Concert Hargittai

Budapest Christmas Market Folk Concert Hargittai

Free Folk Concerts at Budapest Christmas Market

Enjoy free Hungarian folk concerts in Budapest on Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market.

Dates for 2023: TBC

Address: Vorosmarty square District 5, Budapest

More Budapest Christmas Concerts 

Christmas Fair at Vorosmarty Square Budapest

You can choose from many things to do in Budapest on 28 December.

Christmas in Budapest

Christmas in Budapest

If the weather is wet and cold we recommend a visit to one of the world famous thermal baths in the morning, then going on a sightseeing tour on the Danube, followed by a Hungarian Folk music concert for the evening.

Thermal Baths in Budapest on 28 December

Visiting at least one of the thermal baths of Budapest is a must, especially in a cold month like December.

Szechenyi Baths, Gellert Spa, Lukacs Baths, Rudas Baths  are open (with small variations) from 6 am to 10 pm.

Szechenyi Baths Budapest Winter - Miles Actually Photography

Szechenyi Baths Budapest Winter – Miles Actually Photography

Check-in for online reservations: 9 am – 6 pm.

Did you know that you can make your spa visit totally carefree by buying not only a fast track bath ticket but also booking other rentals and services in advance, as well?

It is definitely worth it, as there are almost always huge queues building up in Budapest’s baths even on weekdays.

Hungarian Folk Show in Budapest on 28 December

Hungary has rich folk traditions and folk dancing is still actively practiced nowadays in dance houses.

Hungarian Folk Show Budapest

Hungarian Folk Show Budapest

With award winning Hungarian Folk Dancers, beautiful Hungarian Folk Dresses and a Spectacular Dance Show, the Hungarian Folk Show is a must see event.

When the Folk Dance Show has ended, you go for a Danube city cruise with buffet dinner from 10 pm.

River Danube Cruises on 28 Dec in Budapest

Probably the best and most convenient way to admire the World Heritage UNESCO sites of the capital city on the two riverbanks is to go on a boat trip on river Danube.

The Danube day cruises (either sightseeing or lunch cruises) are available during the day or you can go in the evening and choose a good quality served or buffet meal on any Budapest Dinner Cruises or a late Night Cruise.

Budapest Boat Tour on Danube River

Budapest Boat Tour on Danube – Global Ranger

Castle District Tours on 28 December

The Castle District with the Royal Palace, Matthias Church and the Fishermen’s Bastion is a sight for everyone visiting Budapest.

You can book any kind of Buda Castle District Tour  starting from walking tours, Segway tours to Private tours.

Christmas Markets on 28 December

The holiday Christmas fairs offer cultural programs, a taste of Hungary’s culinary delights (strudels, artisan chocolates, goulash, gingerbread etc), hand-crafted products and a lot more.

Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market

Address: Vorosmarty Ter, District V

Opening hours on Dec 28: 10 am – 7 pm (handicraft shops), 10 am – 8 pm (food stalls)

Christmas Fair at Vorosmarty Square Budapest

Christmas Fair at Vorosmarty Square Budapest

St Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market

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

Opening hours on Dec 28: 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.