Hopefully, the rain will stop soon and won’t ruin the much-awaited Christmas holidays, giving people the chance to spend some time outside. We collected some of the best programs you can experience in Budapest around Christmastime.
Several Advent Fairs and outdoor Winter Festivals will be open even after Christmas, and not just the one at the Basilica, which has been voted first on the list of Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2020, organized by European Best Destinations.
Advent Feast at the Basilica Wins Best Christmas Market in Europe Title
If you are up for some exercise, heading to one of the ice skating rinks is always a good idea. Perhaps the best ones can be found in Városliget (City Park) and in Csepel’s Szt. Imre Sq. (21st district). What is more, a number of the rinks are free of charge, such as the one at the Bálna, or in Újpest (4th district).
In addition, for the first time, Budapest’s City Hall hosts one too. Fulfilling new mayor Gergely Karácsony’s promise, it replaces a car park there and is free of charge.
Budapest’s City Hall’s ice skating rink. Photo by Attila Kovács/MTI
Until January 5th, the Palace of Arts‘ (MüPa) tent dubbed ‘Kultúr Kültér’- next to a huge ice rink- hosts cultural programs and concerts, many of them for children.
The Adevent Fair at the Town Hall. Image by MTI/Márton Mónus
Duna Palota will host two Christmas Gala Concerts on Christmas day. Starting tonight, the Budapest Congress Center will also see a number of Christmas-themed concerts, including for example Károly Nyári’s on the 27th.
At MüPa too, on the 28th, famed folklore band Muzsikás will perform its Christmas-themed show. On the same day, after last year’s success, Papp László Aréna will again host the Symphonic Concert, performed by Dohnányi Orchestra Budafok.
On the 26th, Parno Graszt, the band who perhaps is the best interpreter of authentic Hungarian Gypsy music, will play a Christmas gig at Akvárium.
Within a short trip from the capital, Hubay House in picturesque Szentendre permanently hosts a Christmas Exhibition and Salon.
Advent Fair in the 3rd district. Image by MTI/Márton Mónus
If you want to spend Christmas on the Danube, several companies organize boat tours with dinner on (and after) the 24th of December.
Just like every year, almost all the churches will host either a Christmas concert or Nativity games on Christmas Eve.
featured image: the ice skating rink in Csepel; MTI/Szilárd Koszticsák