Learn about the special opening hours at New Year in Budapest, on Dec 31 and Jan 1 to plan your NY holiday ahead in Hungary for NYE and NYD.
There are many programs on offer for both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, so we hope you will find your way to spend a great end of the year in Budapest.
There are many parties, cruises, and other programs, but booking for most events and attractions is essential.
Opening Hours at New Year in 2023
Budapest Baths New Year Opening Hours
Szechenyi Bath New Year – by James Guppy
Dec 30 planned opening hours: as usual on Dec 30, with the exception of Szechenyi Baths, which will feature a very special pool party to prepare folks for the big NYE parties on Dec 31. On Dec 30, the bath will re-open its gates at 10.30 pm, and you can enjoy an amazing futuristic thermal bath party until 3 am in the morning of Dec 31. Pre-NYE Party in Szechenyi Bath and booking tickets online on the link.
Dec 31 planned opening hours: from 6am to 6pm in all the facilities in Szechenyi Baths. Check-in for online reservations: 9 am – 5 pm. The rest of the major thermal baths in Budapest like Gellert Spa, Rudas Bath, etc. are usually open from 6am to 6pm. Kiraly Bath is closed on this day.
Jan 1 planned opening hours: from 10am to 6pm in all 3 outdoor pools, and most of the thermal section with 15 pools, saunas, etc. in Szechenyi Baths. Check-in for online reservations: 10 am – 6 pm.
Buda Castle – New Year Opening Hours
Winter Buda Castle – Photo by Neil Howard
The open air historical courts of the Buda Castle are open all year round. You can find the NY opening hours of the and buildings: Buda Castle December Holiday Opening Hours
There are many winter tours in the Buda Castle District on the Castle Hill, so make sure to book one as the New Year events in Budapest are attracting many tourists to Hungary.
Museums
Museum of Ethnography Budapest
Many of the museum buildings in Budapest are worth a visit just for their architecture, even if you are usually bored by museum displays, they can be a treat. 2019 planned opening hours:
Budapest History Museum: December 31: 10am – 6pm
Hungarian National Museum: December 31: 10am – 2pm
Hungarian National Gallery: December 31: Open 10 am – 4 pm (latest entry at 3 pm)
Museum of Ethnography: Closed until 2020
Hungarian Agricultural Museum: December 31: 10am – 5pm
More information about Budapest Attractions at New Year.
Parliament Tours & Opening Hours at Christmas
Hungarian Parliament Budapest in Winter
The House of Parliament in Budapest will be closed during Christmas Days (Dec 24, 25 and 26) but will be open again from Dec 27. More information: Parliament Opening Hours.
Booking a Parliament Tour in Budapest in advance is warmly recommended.
Fisherman’s Bastion in Buda Castle
Budapest Fishermans Bastion Winter – Philippe Clabots Photography
The Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the best places to take a view of the winter landscape of Budapest and the river Danube. An all day, any hour alternative for a winter holiday in Budapest.
Dec 31: from 0-24
Jan 01: from 0-24
Don’t miss the New Year’s Fireworks Show on the Fisherman’s Bastion.
More info on Fisherman’s Bastion Christmas Opening Hours.
Restaurants Opening Hours
NYE Party with Latin and RocknRoll Music
Budapest Restaurants usually have special opening hours for the Christmas holiday. You can check them on the following page: Budapest Restaurants Christmas Opening Hours Many of the restaurants will offer Christmassy dinners or lunches with traditional Hungarian and international delicacies. Special NYE Dinner Programs are available for booking online.
Andrassy Avenue
Andrassy Avenue features beautiful 19th century – Paris style – buildings, a long line of trees decorated with festive lights, and a range of luxury shops with the big brands putting their winter offers throughout the New Year period.
Andrassy Avenue Christmas – Krisztian Bodis Photography
There are several attractions along the avenue, like the Opera House, Miniversum (mini city), the Kodaly House in Budapest or the Heroes’ Square with the Millennial Monument.
Christmas Attractions and Sights in Andrassy Avenue
Ice Rink in the City Park Budapest
Skating Rink by Vajdahunyad Castle – Ben G Hancock Photography
Although the weather is chilly, the City Park is a great place to mix relaxation with fresh air activities. Just pop in Szechenyi Thermal Baths to get soaked up in hot spring waters after a refreshing walk around the Vajdahunyad Castle and the Ice Rink.
Enjoy the warm thermal water of Szechenyi Baths near the City Park. Book your Szechenyi Baths Massage in advance for a full relaxation.
For a cup of coffee or a hot soup with nice meals take a visit to the restaurant residing in the Ice Rink Palace. Great
Christmas Opening Hours of the Ice Rink
Discover the attractions of the City Park on a guided City Park Budapest Segway Tour.
Budapest Christmas Markets Opening Hours
Budapest Christmas Market by Basilica – Tunde Lovei
The 2019 Opening hours are the following:
Hungary’s capital is famous for her fascinating Christmas events, including the Budapest Christmas Markets in various parts of the city. On Dec 31 and Jan 1, most of the craft stalls are already closed, but food stalls will be open as the opening hours below shows:
Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market planned opening hours of the oldest and most central Christmas Market in Budapest:
St. Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market planned opening hours of the amazing, also centrally located Christmas Market in Budapest:
Budapest Christmas Streetcar Schedule
Budapest Christmas Streetcar
Taking the public transportation in Budapest at winter is an easy way to get around the city and go past the most important landmarks. But you can do more than that. You can even take a special Christmas Streetcar to enjoy the city views from the tram in a festive, somewhat vintage vehicle. But what is the Budapest Christmas Street Schedule?
December 31: TBC
January 01: TBC
You can find the full Christmas Streetcar Schedule here.
Traditionally, the Christmas Tram of Budapest runs along the river Danube after sunset (Tram 2 and 19), which is 4 pm in winter time. The last trams / streetcars leave at about 9pm.
Normally, regular fares are charged, there is no need to buy a special Christmas Streetcar ticket.
Shopping at New Year in Budapest
Budapest Mammut Christmas
Should you wish to go on a shopping spree, or just buying some necessities in the city of Budapest, we have good news.
Budapest has several groceries, boutiques, and shopping malls, which we call Plazas. Some of the most popular ones are located close to the city centre, like Mammut Shopping Mall, or West End City Shopping mall. Groceries are scattered all over the city, you will definitely find some in the vicinity of your hotel / accommodation.
Dec 31 – usually open until 2pm
Jan 1 – closed
Most importantly, shops tend close earlier on December 31 at about 2 – 4 – 6pm (depending on places), and open later in the afternoon, or not at all on January 1. In Shopping malls, Jan 1 is the day when only catering units (restaurants, bars) and bowling bars or cinemas are open.
24/7 shops (in the city centre too) are absolutely open even on the night of New Year’s Eve, and at dawn of Jan 1, while normal stores stop to operate. These shops get busy with buyers aiming for the 18+ shelves of alcoholic drinks, and a wide range of sparkling wines and chips.
Budapest Opera House New Year Shows
Nutcracker in Hungarian Opera House at Budapest Christmas
Although the Opera House will soon undergo a major architectural and structural change, the 2019 / 2020 opera season will not be ruined by the scheduled construction works. Booking is essential.
Dec 31 in the Opera House: Not announced yet.
Dec 31 in Erkel Theater: Not announced yet.
Jan 1 in the Opera House: Not announced yet.
Jan 1 in Erkel Theater: Not announced yet.
If you did not get into the Opera House, and you wish to book a nice New Year’s Eve Concert in Budapest or New Year’s Day Concert in Budapest, visit Budapest Concert guide for more updated details.
Budapest Card Tourism Office Opening Hours
Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport Terminal 2A
December 31: 8.00 am-6.00 pm
January 01: 10.00 am-10.00 pm
Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport Terminal 2B
December 31: 10.00 am-6.00 pm
January 01: 10.00 am-10.00 pm
Budapest Card Office Budapest Deak Square
Deák Ferenc Square
2 Suto str., Budapest H-1052
December 31: 8.00 am-8.00 pm
January 01: 10.00 am-6.00 pm
Ice rink building
5 Olof Palme promenade, Budapest H-1146
December 31: 9.00 am-7.00 pm
January 01: 12.00 pm-7.00 pm
Budavár (Holy Trinity square pavilion)
15 Tarnok str, Budapest H-1014
December 31: 9.00 am-6.00 pm
January 01: 11.00 am-6.00 pm
Top Museums in Budapest at New Year
December 31: Closed
January 01: 10am – 4pm
December 31: Closed
January 01: Closed
Vajdahunyad Castle Budapest in Winter
December 31: 10am – 5pm
January 01: Closed
More info about Vajdahunyad Castle Budapest
December 31: 10am – 4pm
January 01: Closed
December 31: Closed
January 01: Closed
Underground Railway Museum Budapest
December 31: Closed
January 01: Closed
December 31: Closed
January 01: Closed
Hungarian National Jewish Museum
December 31: 10am – 4pm
January 01: 10am – 4pm
Santa Claus in Budapest Railway Museum
December 31: Closed
January 01: Closed
December 31: Closed
January 01: Closed
Hungarian Natural History Museum
December 31: Closed
January 01: Closed
Pinball Museum Budapest
December 31: Closed
January 01: Closed
December 31: 9am – 5pm
January 01: 12pm – 5pm
December 31: Closed
January 01: 10am – 7pm
Poster in House of Houdini Museu
December 31: Closed
January 01: Closed
Also check the Concerts in Budapest Liszt Music Academy.
Art Galleries & Museums in Budapest at New Year
Dec 31: Open 10 am – 4 pm (latest entry at 3 pm)
Jan 1: Open 12 pm – 6 pm (latest entry at 5 pm)
December 31: Closed (until 2020)
January 01: Closed (until 2020)
Further Hungarian Folk programs in Budapest: Budapest Hungarian Folk
Ludwig Museum Budapest
Palace of Exhibitions (Kunsthalle)
December 31: Closed
January 01: Closed
December 31: Closed due to renovations
January 01: Closed due to renovations
December 31: Closed
January 01: Closed
Outdoor Attractions at New Year Budapest
Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market
Budapest Christmas Market by Basilica
December 31: 10 am – 4 pm (food stalls only)
January 01: 2 pm – 10 pm (food stalls only)
Christmas Fair at St Stephen’s Basilica
December 31: 10:00 – 22:00
January 01: 10:00 – 20:00
December 31: 10am – 4pm
January 01: 10am – 4pm
Fisherman’s Bastion Budapest by Night
December 31: 0-24
January 01: 0-24
December 31: Operates as usual (7.30 am – 10 pm)
January 01: Operates as usual (7.30 am – 10 pm)
December 31: TBC
January 01: TBC
Tasting Attractions – Foods & Drinks
Wine Tasting Cruise (Danube side attractions of the UNESCO World Heritage):
New Year Cruises Budapest
December 31: 2pm
January 01: 2pm, 4pm and 7pm
Craft Beer Cruise (Danube side attractions of the UNESCO World Heritage):
December 31: 2pm
January 01: 2pm, 4pm and 7pm
December 31: 6am – 3pm
January 01: Closed
Great Market Hall Budapest
December 31: Closed
January 01: Closed
December 31: Closed
January 01: Closed
