Dec

Budapest Christmas Eve Concerts

Categories: Budapest Christmas, Xmas Events

Tags: Budapest Christmas Concerts, Budapest Christmas Sights, Budapest Things To Do Winter

Budapest Christmas Eve Concerts are not numerous compared to the rest of the December events when you can choose from dozens of good and affordable concerts.

Budapest Christmas Evening Concerts – Norman Walsh Photography

As most Hungarians tend to spend the evening with their families, there are a lot fewer people going out in Budapest, so the available concerts and events are few and far between.

Basically, what we know about on offer in for Christmas Eve as concerts in the various genres are the following:

Classical Music Concert in Budapest on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Concert in the Inner City St Anna Church Budapest – St Anna Church is a fascinating Neo-renaissance Church with Baroque Elements (18th century). The church is the home of elevating music concerts throughout the year. Note: there are more St Anna churches in Budapest, the venue is the Inner City St Anne’s Church on Szervita Sq District V. Please check availability before attending the concert. Booking tickets online on this page.

Live Music on Budapest Cruises

Bar Piano Battle on the Christmas Eve Cruise

Piano Music on Budapest Christmas Dinner Cruise

Live bar piano music will provide the background ambient of the Christmas Eve Piano Cruise in Budapest on a 3 hour festive cruise. The bar piano music will be also accompanied with songs of international greatest hits (Girl from Ipanema, etc.) and local songs. The duo at the pianos will compete with each other, and take turns in championing the stage. Tables for couples, families, or friends are separated, offering privacy.

Gypsy and Salon Music Concert in Budapest on Christmas Eve

Budapest Xmas Eve Dinner with Gypsy Music

As part of the Christmas Eve night river cruise with buffet dinner, you can listen to a live concert played by the popular Hungarian Gypsy Trio on the Budapest Christmas Eve Cruise with Gypsy Music. The cruise goes twice in the evening of December 24. Tables are shared round tables of 10, offering a night of getting to know other guests.

Music of the Midnight Masses in Budapest

Participate in the Midnight Mass in Budapest in St Stephen’s Basilica or Matthias Church. True, it is not a concert event, but Christmas music will fill the century old halls of the churches, and the hearts of the participants.

Alternative Music Concert in Budapest on Christmas Eve

In 2015 we have not been informed about upcoming concert on Dec 24, but there may be an alternative music concert in Mika Tivadar club, or in another ruin pub of Budapest.

Nov

Budapest Christmas Eve Church Concerts

Categories: Budapest Christmas, Xmas Deals, Xmas Events

Tags: Budapest Christmas Concerts, Budapest Christmas Eve, Budapest St Anne's Church, Budapest Things To Do Winter

Comments: No

Listening to a beautiful classical music concert in an 18th century Neo-Renaissance & Baroque church in Budapest sounds perfect for a really elevated Christmas evening.

Budapest Inner City St Anne’s Church – Photo by MTI/Csaba Jaszai

The concert in St Anne’s Church in the city centre of Budapest will surely let you feel the innermost joy only classical music can convey in a church environment, each note touching the spine and skin. The program is subject to change each year.

Budapest Inner City St Anne Church Concert (Belvarosi Szent Anna Templom):

December 24 Christmas Eve

More classical concerts in St Anne’s Church throughout December, for instance:

December 25 Christmas Day

December 31 Christmas

The Christmas concerts start approx. 6 pm and 8 pm depending on the date. But one thing is sure, it will be a beautiful festive concert to take part in with the music of Bach, Handel, Gounod, Albinoni, Schubert and more. The classical concert is a perfect program for Christmas Eve, and a nice gift to enjoy together for music lovers. Booking tickets online in advance is warmly recommended as there are very few events in Budapest on Dec 24.

Venue: St Anne Church Budapest
Address: 6 Szervita Square, Budapest, District V

Seats in the Main Hall: 100 seats
Date: Dec 24

Tickets: from approx. Euro 28
Booking online

How to get to St Anne Church?
As St Anne Church is very close to the city center near Vaci utca shopping street, there are many ways to get to the church easily. Except for Dec 24, Christmas Eve, as this is the time when the public transportation gets infrequent (with buses running every half an hour or so) after 4 pm on Dec 24.
Metro: the closest metro station is on the M3 blue metro line at Ferenciek tere (Franciscan Square) metro station in Budapest downtown (quite close to the white Elisabeth Bridge over the river Danube). The last metros leave at around 4pm, and then buses replace the metro cars for the rest of the day.
Bus: there are many buses stopping on Ferenciek tere Square, the bus stop that is very close to St Anne Church, like bus number 7, 173, etc. Again, while these buses run very often on other days, on Dec 24 you may have to wait long minutes in the cold weather of Budapest winters. Make sure you get info about the details of the public transport from your hotel reception or from BKV.hu the public transport website.
Budapest taxis: there are many taxis on Christmas Evening, So if you want to make sure that you get to the Xmas concert in time, you may wish to book a Budapest taxi in advance. At any rate, do not just hail down a cab if you do not want to pay 3-4x more than the usual market price for a taxi ride. Here is a list of some of the most reliable, established Budapest taxis, taxi companies.

See the recording of an earlier concert at the Inner city St Anne Church in Budapest- recorded concert of Mozart K299, Concerto for Flute and Harp

Nov

2012 Budapest Christmas Market at the St Stephen’s Basilica

Categories: Budapest Christmas, Opening Hours, Xmas Events, Xmas Fairs

Tags: Budapest Christmas 2012, Budapest Christmas 2013, Budapest Christmas Market by St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest Christmas Markets, Budapest Christmas Videos, Budapest Things To Do Winter, Christmas Shows in Budapest, Hungarian Christmas Gifts

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The Budapest Basilica Christmas Market only launched in 2011, but in 2012 the fantastic Advent fair and Christmas market is making a spectacular return in 2012. The fair is not to be missed, and it is conveniently located in the city center!

Budapest Christmas Market 2012 Basilica

You don’t have to be a gift hunter for traditional Hungarian Christmas gifts to fully enjoy the wonderful Christmas market atmosphere right in front of the biggest cathedral of Budapest, the 96 meter tall St Stephen’s Basilica.

Just take a mug of mulled wine, roasted chestnut, grab some warm, juicy and hearty street foods (well beyond sausages), and enjoy the winter festival of Budapest: Budapest Christmas!

Similarly to the displays on the nearby – and more famous – Budapest Christmas Market on Vorosmarty Square, the items for sale are beautiful handcrafted, high quality goods, which can make a perfect souvenir or special Christmas gifts for your loved ones.

Budapest Christmas Market 2012 by the Basilica

Events and Programs on the St Stephen’s Square (Szent Istvan ter):

Opening Hours of the 2012 Basilica Christmas Market

Location of Budapest Basilica Christmas Market

December 1, 2012 – January 1, 2013:

Monday – Thursday: 11:30am – 8:00pm
Friday: 11:30am – 10:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am – 8:00pm

24 December, 2012: 10:00am – 2:00pm
25 December: Closed
26 December: Closed

Light Ray Painting on the Basilica in Budapest

from December 1 to January 1, 2012:

at half past 5 from Monday to Sunday, every day (exceptions below!) festive lights are projected on the walls of the St Istvan Basilica with accompanying melodies. Be there on the Christmas market at 5:30 and enjoy the Christmas sights.

There will be no light painting on the following days (when the market is temporarily closed for the Christmas holidays):

24 December, 2012: 10:00am – 2:00pm
25 December: Closed
26 December: Closed

Gourmet Weekends at the Basilica Christmas Market 2012

Food & Drinks Programs at the Xmas Fair of Szent István Bazilika:

December 14., Friday, 12:00:
Tamás Bereznay – Pumpkin fried with ham, mush samp and beetroot salad dressed with goat cheese

December 14., Friday, 04:00 pm:
Tamás Bereznay – Roast duck with red cabbage and apple stewed with thyme

December 15., Saturday, 11:00 am:
Dóra Havas – Home made Christmas candies and other sweets

December 15., Saturday, 04:00 pm:
Eszter Horváth – Christmas muffins, crèmes, hot chocolate

December 16., Sunday, 05:00 pm:
Zsolt Serényi – Christmas menu

Shows and Performances at the Basilica Christmas Fair 2012

“Birds”

Birds at the Basilica Xmas market in Budapest

Flags or Birds? What are these flying dancers with poles and huge sheets of silky sheets? A special performance at the Budapest Basilica Christmas show is the “angel dance” of Middle-East origin. It has great traditions in many European countries too, but it is new to Hungary. The dancers have huge wings on sticks and with the colorful swirling of them they can tell you beautiful stories. They put you in a special mood merging components of classical ballet and that of belly dance. The impact is similar to the show of “flag throwers”.

Juggler Play House

Children and adults can test their reflexes, adroitness, endurance and balancing skills. Many juggler tools are presented to the visitors like simple balls, maces, poi, devil’s stick, long stick, yo-yo, diablo or contact ball. These tools, exercises and techniques can develop the general movement coordination, sense of balance and physical condition not even to mention the joy of playing and experience of success.

Skate Rink by the Budapest Basilica

Skate Rink by Budapest Basilica

Skating rink in the heart of the city? In front of the Cathedral? On a Christmas fair? You are right. Budapest is a unique place with unique ideas. And why not? On weekends from Friday to Sunday children under 14 years old can skate free of charge.

Trainers will help and teach your little ones how to skate.

No skates with you? You can rent them on the spot (rental fee is charged).

Is it an ice rink? Sort of artificial ice rink? Yes and no. The skating rink resembles the ice rinks, but is made of a special plastic (the SummericeTM is a US made plastic skate surface that does not need cooling)

Fresh Photos from the 2012 Budapest Christmas Market near St Istvan Basilica:

Ildiko Kardos Photography:

Santa Clause painted with ray lights on the walls of the St Stephen’s Cathedral, Budapest:

St Stephen’s Cathedral, Budapest Christmas – Ildiko Kardos Photography

Budapest Christmas Szent Istvan Bazilika 2012

Szt Istvan Bazilika Christmas, Budapest 2012 – Ildiko Kardos Photography

Active Aging Charity Program

Society of Respect presents active elderly at the Christmas market in Budapest at the St Stephen Basilica. After all, 2012 is the year of “active aging” and the solidarity among generations in Europe. In this spirit Hungarian pensioners over the age of 60 show us how it is possible to live an active life in an elderly age. Please donate: the incoming donations are forwarded to Árpád Ódry Home of Artists that helps elder people.

November 30, 2012 – Ilona Bartis and – Márta Bedőné Kovács (60) painters
December 1-2, 2012 – Ilona Bartis and – Márta Bedőné Kovács (60) painters
December 3, 2012 – Ilona Béresi (74) clay sculptor painter
December 4., 2012 – Antalné Bellényi (79) needlework
December 5., 2012 – Ilona Rómer (64) landscape painter
December 6. – Erzsi Mohácsi (94) doll maker
December 7-8., 2012 – Györgyné Fanta (67) dolls and embroidery from Kalocsa
December 9-10., 2012 – Gyula Nyári (65) photographer
December 11., 2012 – Erzsi Mohácsi (94) doll maker
December 12-13, 2012 – Zsigmondné Zsurka (63) pearls and flowers
December 14., 2012 – Kamilla Villányi Kockásné (63) patchwork and pearl maker
December 15., 2012 – Gábor Szalka ceramist
December 16. – Ferenc Markovics (78) photographer
December 17-18-19., 2012 – Juilanna Nábrádi (74) glass painter
December 20., 2012 – Márta Dósa (62) silk painter
December 21., 2012 – Veronika N. Simon (65) painter
December 22 -23-24., 2012 – Tünde Gulyásné Tokaji (61) paper miller
December 27-28-29-30., 2012 – paintings of Lászlóné Bilcsik, László Buhnényi, Tamás Márk, Gábor Tóth, Zoltán Bende, Katalin Csomós
December 31., 2012 – Exhibition of new year’s eve piglets, petting piglets that bring good luck.

St Stephen Square Budapest in December

Also the children can enjoy an unequalled experience in the wooden hut of Society of Respect after 5 pm every day because they can encounter with Santa Claus personally!

Budapest is a multicultural city with many thousands of Jewish residents who will celebrate Hanukkah in Budapest. Don’t be surprised that you can also try Raj Rachel’s gorgeous Flodni at the Advent Market. Do try this rich Jewish cake at the market. And give Palinka a chance to heat you up a bit, a tiny bit on the chilly days. The best fruit palinkas will be sold at the market, so here is a chance to test the Hungarian spirit (carefully, its alcohol content is very high).

Budapest Christmas Light Painting / Building Mapping on the St Istvan Cathedral:

The 2013 Budapest Christmas market dates have not been finalized yet, but will be around the same time as the fair in 2012 (from Nov 30 to Jan 1)

Nov

Christmas Market on Budapest Erzsebet Square

Categories: Budapest Christmas, Xmas Events, Xmas Fairs

Tags: Budapest Christmas Markets, Budapest Christmas Shopping, Budapest Elisabeth Square, Budapest Things To Do Winter

Comments: No

Christmas Markets are all over Budapest, and even though the most visited is the Christmas market on Vorosmarty Square (the oldest fair), there are multiple venues to see some more Budapest Christmas markets. We encourage you to take a look at more of them, such as the Xmas at the Basilica, or the fair on the courtyard of Vajdahunyad Castle, etc., and the Christmas fair on Budapest Erzsebet Ter (Elisabeth Square).

“Christmas Racket” on Elisabeth Square Budapest 2012

Christmas Market Elisabeth Square Budapest 2012

The name of the fair in 2012 is Karacsonyi Zsivaj (Christmas Racket). There will be many retro things as well as fire jugglers, concerts, and more. You can take a look at the many goods made by Hungarian toy makers, crafts of Hungarian designers, etc.

Venue: Erzsebet square downtown Budapest (right near Deak Square, and 5 min walk from two major Christmas markets in Budapest, the one on Vorosmarty square and the other on St Stephen’s Square by the Cathedral)

Date: December 8, 2012 (sorry, it is just a one day event as opposed to the rest of the Budapest Christmas markets)

Organizers: Szeretem Budapestet (SzeBu)

The organizers and supporters of SzeBu aim to get rid of the many – low level – graffiti signatures you can see in Budapest (amazingly a lot, and mostly no artistic value – we have nothing against Banksy!) :)

Nov

Budapest Christmas Streetcar Schedule

Categories: Budapest Christmas, Budapest Christmas with Kids, Opening Hours, Xmas Events

Tags: Budapest Christmas Children Activities, Budapest Christmas Tram, Budapest Christmas Vehicles, Budapest Deak Square, Budapest Things To Do Winter

Comments: 2

Budapest Christmas Tram (photo by MTI : Zoltan Balogh)

Budapest Christmas would not be complete without a bit of public transport in a Xmas mood: the Christmas streetcar / tram. One of the loveliest Budapest Christmas sights is the Budapest Christmas Streetcar number 2, and some more Budapest trams turned into a festive sight with many thousands of lights (approx. 39,200 white and blue LED lights).

Schedule in 2018

Dates: Nov 29, 2018 – Jan 6, 2019 (exceptions Dec 24, 31)

Budapest Christmas Streetcar – Mark Mervai Photography

There is no surcharge to travel on the Budapest Christmas Streetcar, you can use your Budapest Card or public transport travel pass, tickets as on any vehicles of the BKV company in Budapest. However, there will be special Christmas tram rides too (see details below). The trams are not well heated, so do get dressed well for the rides!

Buy Budapest Card

2018 Schedule of Christmas Trams in Budapest

The complete 2018 schedule of the Budapest Christmas trams has already been issued by the official Budapest public transportation company (BKK for short). The number 2 Tram – the scenic, award winning tram along the river Danube – will run daily during the Christmas holiday, beautifully lit.

Number 2 Tram – occasional Christmas Trams

Number 4 Tram – occasional Christmas Trams

Number 14 Tram – occasional Christmas Trams

Number 47 Tram – occasional Christmas Trams

Trolleys lit up for Christmas are also scheduled for 2018!

Please take a look at the schedule below to get a rough idea of what to expect in 2018.

Schedule in 2018

Budapest Christmas Streetcars

2 Streetcar in Budapest at Christmas

Christmas Tram and Trolley Duo Budapest hamster

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

There are streetcars bearing number 2 or 2A on their cars. Some of the trams 2A have been dressed up for Christmas. Tram 2A is running along the river Danube as if it was a land based Budapest river cruise.

Tram 2A leaves from Boraros square (Boráros tér) by Petofi Bridge (on the Pest side), which is the terminal of the 2A streetcar line. The other terminal of the 2A tram is Jaszai Mari Square (Jászai Mari tér) by the Margaret Bridge, where the Christmas streetcars await those waiting for a special journey.

Days in 2018:

December 2, from 5 pm until late evening
December 3, from 5 pm until late evening
December 4, from 5 pm until late evening
December 10, from 5 pm until late evening
December 11, from 5 pm until late evening
December 16, from 5 pm until late evening
December 17, from 5 pm until late evening
December 18, from 5 pm until late evening
December 23, from 5 pm until late evening
December 25, from 5 pm until late evening
December 30, from 5 pm until late evening
January 1, from 5 pm until late evening
January 6, from 5 pm until late evening

47 Streetcar in Budapest at Christmas

Budapest Christmas Tram – Mark Mervai Photography

The route of streetcar number 47 is from Deak Square, calling at Astoria stop, Kalvin Square stop (National Museum), Fovam Square (Budapest Market Hall: Central Market Hall), St Gellert Square (Gellert Bath, Gellert Hill), Bartok Bela Way (Cafe Hadik), Moricz Square. Tram number 47 leaves Deak Square (Deák Ferenc tér), while the trams will also run from the southern termainl in Budafok – in the south of Budapest (Torley Champagne Museum)

19 Streetcar in Budapest at Christmas

In addition to the Pest side ‘sightseeing streetcar’number 2A – 2A and 2 trams chosen as the most beautiful scenic streetcar routes in Europe by National Geographic magazine – you can also get a Christmassy ride on the Buda side, parallel with the river Danube promenade. The tram is number 19, whose scenic route starts from the Liberty Bridge (by Gellert Baths and Hotel Gellert), up until Batthyany Square, which is just opposite the Hungarian Parliament. Although the full route of tram 19 in Budapest is much longer, the most scenic part is between the Danube bridges.
You can take a festive tram trip 19 in December from the two terminals or at any of the tram stops. The Christmas trams will leave Batthyany Square (Batthyány tér) and the other terminal Kelenfold Train Station (Kelenföldi pályaudvar)

Schedule in 2018

Christmas Streetcar Tram Fenyvillamos Budapest 2015

Christmas Tram Budapest Tibor Illyes / MTI Photo

Special Budapest Christmas Tram Rides

The special rides are longer and special fees are charged for them by Budapest BKV company.

Two festive Christmas Light Trams will leave Boraros Square (Petofi Bridge) on certain days in December with a special fare. For instance, the Christmas Light Tram will take a ride to the Buda hills on a designated day (Huvosvolgy, Farkasret, Kamaraerdo), and another to the outskirts of Pest side of Budapest (Pesterzsebet, Kispest and Pestlorinc). Both night Light Trams leave at 9 pm and will wander about in the night (tram fans in Hungary love these night rides).

Please note that there are no Christmas trams on Dec 24 (Szenteste / Holy Night), and on New Year’s Eve in Budapest (Dec 31).

Schedule in 2018

Related:

Budapest Christmas Cruises (Dec 24, 25, 26)

Budapest New Year Cruise (Dec 31)

Mark Mervai Photography (beautiful Budapest photos)

Source for 2018: Budapest BKK Facebook page

general information waited to be published by Source: BKV.hu Christmas news. BKV is the official public transport company in Budapest, Hungary.

All posts tagged Budapest Things To Do Winter

Budapest Christmas Eve Concerts

Classical Music Concert in Budapest on Christmas Eve

Live Music on Budapest Cruises

Bar Piano Battle on the Christmas Eve Cruise

Gypsy and Salon Music Concert in Budapest on Christmas Eve

Music of the Midnight Masses in Budapest

Alternative Music Concert in Budapest on Christmas Eve

Budapest Christmas Eve Church Concerts

2012 Budapest Christmas Market at the St Stephen’s Basilica

Budapest Christmas Market 2012 by the Basilica

Opening Hours of the 2012 Basilica Christmas Market

Light Ray Painting on the Basilica in Budapest

Gourmet Weekends at the Basilica Christmas Market 2012

Shows and Performances at the Basilica Christmas Fair 2012

Juggler Play House

Skate Rink by the Budapest Basilica

Active Aging Charity Program

Christmas Market on Budapest Erzsebet Square

“Christmas Racket” on Elisabeth Square Budapest 2012

Budapest Christmas Streetcar Schedule

2018 Schedule of Christmas Trams in Budapest

Budapest Christmas Streetcars

2 Streetcar in Budapest at Christmas

47 Streetcar in Budapest at Christmas

19 Streetcar in Budapest at Christmas

Special Budapest Christmas Tram Rides