What else could the last month of the year be about than Christmas and New Year’s Eve?
In addition to the legendary Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market, all major cities prepare for the holidays with Christmas Markets lifting the spirits of everyone visiting. Culinary diversity only adds to this great atmosphere.
Due to cold weather, there are only a few other outdoor programs, but this is understandable as everyone is already busy preparing for the holidays.
The best programs in Budapest in December 2022
Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market
- Date of the event:
- Venue: 1051 Budapest, Vörösmarty Square
- Free
Vörösmarty Square Advent and Christmas Market presenting visitors with a truly intimate and festive atmosphere is listed among the ten most beautiful markets in Europe.
At the center of the fair, there is a Christmas tree decorated with hundreds of Christmas ornaments and lights, but the whole square is adorned in a very decorative way. It is also worth a visit if you only want to take a nice walk.
The several-week event awaits visitors with countless programs while culinary specialties also attract visitors to Vörösmarty Square. In addition to musical programs, contemporary writers are also introduced at the market, but you can also gain insight into the secrets of making chocolate and sweets.
During the event, the youngest can play at an arts and crafts children’s playhouse, where they can take part in various creative activities under the supervision of teachers.
Esoteric Christmas Fest
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: N/A
- Paid
The Esoteric Christmas Fest is a truly unique event and is a must for everyone interested in naturopathy.
In addition to the thematic Christmas Market, there is an organic buffet and visitors may receive free health checks and advice if they visit the event in Villányi Road.
The best specialists in the field also attend the fest and provide professional lectures and advice to those interested in the topic. The program is made complete with special art performances and oriental music, but Hungarian performers are also invited to the event.
Advent weekends in the open-air-museum – Szentendre
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: N/A
- Free
The scenic environment is the perfect setting for a Christmas event.
Old Advent traditions come to life in the open-air-museum with a cheerful nativity play and Luca-day festivities and you can take part in various arts and crafts activities as well if you visit Szentendre during one of the Advent weekends.
People of all ages can join in and make advent wreaths, wool lambs, Christmas tree decorations, and many more. Ladies can take part in special Christmas cookie-baking or even make artisan Christmas fondants which can be taken home.
Programs and events in the countryside in December 2022
Gyulai Méz és Mézeskalács Fesztivál (Honey and Gingerbread Festival in Gyula)
- Date of the event: December 9-11, 2022
- Venue: 5700 Gyula, downtown
- Free
The Honey and Gingerbread Festival is organized in the small border town of Gyula known for its picturesque beauty.
The event takes place at the center of Gyula, so in addition to tasting delicacies, you may also take part in a pleasant sightseeing tour. Taste different types of honey, gingerbread, and culinary delights and join interesting programs, like the beekeeping exhibition and fair.
But it is only the beginning, as there is also a honey-knight inauguration in Gyula Castle and a honey sauna magic in the Gyula Castle Baths. Basically, it is an event you should experience at least once in your lifetime.
Accompanying programs include music and dance performances. Last but not least, you can enjoy Luca-day programs and a Christmas Market in the spirit of Christmas.
Nemzetközi Betlehemes Találkozó (International Nativity Play Meeting) – Debrecen
- Date of the event: December 9-11, 2022
- Venue: 4024 Debrecen, Kossuth u. 1
- Paid
The International Nativity Play Meeting is an annual event held in Debrecen to preserve tradition and culture.
Fold dance and folk music ensembles arrive at the two-day event from every part of the Carpathian Basin. In addition to Hungarian bands, there are performers from Transylvania, Transcarpathia, Upper Hungary and Vojvodina presenting their nativity plays as the aim of the event is to keep nativity scenes alive.
Children can take part in arts and crafts activities where they make different folk toys.
Szent János napi boráldás (St. John’s Day – Blessing of Wine Ceremony) – Pannonhalma
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: N/A
- Free
The tradition of blessing wine goes back to medieval times. At the time, it was thought that those who consumed blessed wine before going on a long journey or to war would have a lucky journey.
This tradition has only recently been revived in the historic town of Pannonhalma with the current archbishop blessing new wine. The spectacular ceremony is attended by the region’s wine producers, and the viewing of the ceremony is now open to the general public as well.
Adventi Kastélynapok (Advent Castle Days) – Gödöllő
- Date of the event: December 10-11, 2022
- Venue: 2100 Gödöllő, Grassalkovich-kastély
- Paid
As Christmas approaches, the Royal Castle of Gödöllő is also decorated in wonderful colors and becomes even more magnificent.
Staying true to its past of being a former royal residence, it awaits visitors with large-scale Advent programs every year. In winter, classical music lovers can attend classical music concerts and opera performances, and there are a number of Advent programs for families as well.
Unconventional guided tours and museum pedagogical lectures add to the diversity of the event, but children can also take part in fun arts and crafts activities.
Christmas Markets – Eger, Győr, Pécs, and Szeged
- Date of the event: December 5-23, 2022
- Venue: Eger, Szeged, Győr, and Pécs
- Free
As Christmas approaches, Christmas Markets open in every city of the country turning the streets into a festive mood. Cities decorated with Christmas lights with an arts and crafts fair and the amazing smell of spicy mulled wine, chimney cake, and gingerbread await visitors.
Pig slaughter dishes, delicious meals that go well with a good fruit brandy are also attractive parts of the event. There are concerts, nativity plays, and programs aiming to preserve traditions in Győr, Szeged, and several other rural cities.
These accompanying programs elevate the atmosphere of Christmas preparations.
Diósgyőri Mikulásvonat (St. Nicholas train in Diósgyőr)
- Date of the event: November 21-December 13, 2022 (planned!)
- Venue: 3534 Miskolc, Dorottya utca 1.
- Paid
Saint Nicholas train in Diósgyőr rumbles on for weeks at the end of each year offering an unforgettable experience to kids and adults alike.
Traveling by a well-decorated, heated, and –in the evening – illuminated train in a truly amazing setting feels like going on a fairy-tale journey. Mean elves (krampusz) entertain children until the arrival at the gates of Fairy-tale Land where you are welcomed by none other than Saint Nicholas.
In Lillafüred, the final stop, travelers can take part in a 75-minute interactive open-air fairy-tale play with Christmas games taking place in beautiful scenery.
In addition to St Nicholas, children can meet Snow White and many other well-known fairy-tale figures. The St Nicholas Train runs exclusively between Dorottya Street in Miskolc and Lillafüred and does not have any stops in between.
Illatos Advent (Scented Advent) – Veszprém
- Date of the event: November 28-December 24, 2022
- Venue: 8200 Veszprém, Vár utca
- Free
Scented Advent is the official name of the Christmas Market held in Veszprém every year. But what kind of scent is it all about?
Of course, it’s the sweet aroma of gingerbread! But you can also smell roasted chestnut, spicy mulled wine, and countless excellent roasts in the hustle and bustle of the market.
Enjoy a dish of knuckle, fish soup, grilled sausage, stuffed fried scone to name just a few of the huge selection.
However, there is much more to this event than culinary delights –nativity plays, festive games, concerts, and stage performances are also part of the program. Plus, there is a playhouse, arts and crafts activities and a petting zoo for children.
Magyarok Karácsonya (Christmas of Hungarians) – Ópusztaszer
- Date of the event: December 18, 2022
- Venue: 6767 Ópusztaszer, Szoborkert tanya 68.
- Paid
Each year Ópusztaszer National Heritage Park hosts the Christmas of Hungarians offering several exciting historical programs to visitors.
There are nativity plays, educational lectures, and exciting, interactive programs to boot. The ‘Become Prince Árpád’ multimedia playground entertains kids and adults as well.
If you are the adventurous type, you can also take part in finding Géza Gárdonyi’s message to the Hungarians.
Various handicraft jobs are introduced, but there are also film screenings, folk dance performances, and a number of interesting, traditional programs that are definitely worth seeing at least once.
Mikulás futás (St Nicholas run) – Alsóörs
- Date of the event: December 5, 2022
- Venue: 8226 Alsóörs
- Paid
No matter what the weather is like, ‘Mikulás futás’ is organized in Alsóörs every year. Nothing is impossible for a real sportsman, be it snow, wind, or extreme cold.
Typically, however, the weather is nicer than that, so even children can test their stamina at different distances. Distances are between 400 and 4,700 meters and the starter pistol is shot at 10 am, right after the musical warm-up.
Kindergarten children can run with grandparents, but lower and higher primary school children may also start in different categories at this family event.
Everyone receives a well-deserved ‘mikuláscsomag’ (present from St Nicholas) after completing the distance.
Városi Szilveszter (New Year’s Eve in Sopron) – Sopron
- Date of the event: December 31, 2022
- Venue: 9400 Sopron, downtown
- Free
Each year, the city of Sopron says farewell to the old year and welcomes the New Year in style. The organizers of the event welcome everyone to the Most Loyal City to celebrate New Year’s Eve together.
The program series traditionally starts with a Pre-New-Year’s-Eve concert by the City Wind Orchestra on 30th December followed by star guests and New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Moreover, there are also other entertaining programs further boosting the mood at the event.
Óévbúcsúztató Operettgála (New Year’s Eve Operetta Gala) – Aggtelek
- Date of the event: December 31, 2022
- Venue: 3759 Aggtelek, Baradla Cave
- Paid
The annual New Year’s Eve Operetta Gala is organized in the World Heritage site – Baradla Cave.
Even the acoustics are perfect for large-scale music performances there. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the one-and-a-half-hour St Martin concert offering an unforgettable experience –the music is amazing and the Aggtelek Stalactite Cave is a unique attraction in the world.
However, due to the huge interest in the event, I recommend that you buy tickets for the concert in time.
