Because You deserve a great New Year's Eve time, and an even better New Year's Day.

All posts tagged New Years Day Budapest

Budapest Fishermans Bastion Night 2019 2020

The Fisherman’s Bastion in the Buda Castle Quarter is one of the few Budapest attractions that are open all year round, even on public holidays like New Year. You can also take night photos of the city celebrations from the Bastion. The even greater news is that it is free to visit the Fisherman’s Bastion from Oct 15 to March 15, including New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day too.

Fishermans Bastion at Xmas

Fisherman’s Bastion at Xmas – Ben G Hancock Photography

There will be a smaller Fireworks show in Budapest on the Pest side, which you can enjoy from the bastion terraces. You may also consider a beautiful winter dinner on the Budapest dinner cruise on the Danube, enjoying the same city sights from a boat. Or even better, book a whole night program on the Budapest New Year Cruise boats.

Both on Dec 31 and on Jan 1, the Fisherman’s Bastion (Halaszbastya) viewing terraces are open all day and all night, from Monday to Sunday, which makes it one of the easiest attractions to fit in any Budapest itinerary, especially among your New Year Budapest break or among your Budapest Christmas things to do list. From the Bastion you can see the ship of the Budapest New Year’s Cruises passing by under the many historical bridges, past beautiful attractions.

The Fisherman’s Bastion is one of the best lookout towers in Budapest. No doubt, this is the place to take a sweeping look at the UNESCO World Heritage site and the modest New Year’s Eve fireworks. Indeed, the NYE Fireworks are humbled by the big summer fireworks on August 20 (best seen from the Budapest Fireworks Cruise), which is sort of the birthday party of Hungary.

Budapest Fishermans Bastion Snow in Winter

Budapest Fisherman’s Bastion Snow – Philippe Clabots Photography

On Fisherman’s Bastion you can take fantastic panoramic photos to capture the December sights of the Pest side, the city with its Christmassy and New Year decorations and her “regular” beauties like the Hungarian Parliament, the Gresham Palace, the domes of the St Stephen’s Basilica, the Chain Bridge over the river Danube, the Great Market Hall of Budapest, etc.

On New Year’s Day, or even at Christmas, the Fisherman’s Bastion can seem slightly deserted, which is ideal for those who do not like crowds of tourists flocking around a beautiful sight.

Generally speaking, the Buda Castle hill is not a party place on NYE, but there are some restaurants in the Castle District (including a restaurant in the Fisherman’s Bastion), which will serve NYE dinner menus. Most parties are, however, taking place on the more eventful and exciting Pest side of BudaPest, there are also some clubs on the Obuda Island, etc. but typically the Buda Castle Quarter, including the Fisherman’s Bastion (Halaszbastya), is a calm place, and an excellent venue to take great Budapest riverfront photos from (just like the cruising boats on the river where going up to the upper decks or side balconies offers a captain feeling and viewpoint).

Budapest Winter

Budapest Winter – Marta Troicka Photography

If you look at the photo, you can imagine easily what the Fisherman’s Bastion look like: 7 turrets, several romantic arcades and ramparts. Not a real fortification, not a “boring” museum. It is an open air attraction, with some closed spaces and roofed balconies.

Budapest Cruise on New Year's Eve 2019 2020

Say Hello to the New Year on the Budapest New Year Cruise. In fact, there will be more of them, parties, shows or simply an elegant dinner on the Danube.

Danube Cruise & Dinner in Budapest on New Year’s Eve, 2023 / 2024

NY Dinner Cruise & Bar Piano Battle – Limited availability

Chic and entertaining NY Dinner Cruise with Piano Show in Budapest.

The inclusions are generous at the price: 4 course gala dinner, Bar Piano Battle, plus unlimited drinks of wines, beers, juices, fizzy drinks and hot drinks.

A popular dinner program with Magician show, Folk Dance and DJ will be the NYE Dinner and Show.

Booking in advance needed, no seats will remain for drop ins.

Cruise Party with Gypsy Music, Dinner and Folk Show SOLD OUT

Budapest New Year Party 2018 2019

Budapest New Year Party

Dinner Cruise on Budapest New Year Party Cruise with Folk Show: all night boat party event with live salon music of the Hungaria Folk Ensemble & Orchestra (former Rajko Gypsy) band, Hungarian folk dance show, sightseeing cruising on the river Danube, and lots of drinks and foods (Gala Dinner served to each Guest, plus a special Midnight Dinner of Hungarian specialty Stuffed Cabbage served in buffet style).

The price of the NYE cruise includes an Open Bar throughout the whole program (drink as much as you wish).

Hotel drop off after the NYE Cruise Party & Folk Show is included in the price, buses will take guests home after 1 am (the buses run every hour).

Budapest Night Cruise New Year's Eve

Budapest Night Cruise New Year’s Eve Party Boat

 

Elegant Cruise and Dinner with Salon Music

SOLD OUT

Dinner Cruise with A La Carte Menu in Budapest: 2.5 hour cruise from 7 pm to 9:30 pm with dinner you choose from the menu. Music: salon music with 1-3 musicians on board.

This beautiful dinner cruise is priced as on any other night, there is no NYE surcharge. The cruise is guaranteed to run with full house, so booking is essential.

Live Music Candlelit Dinner Cruise Legenda Ship Budapest

Live Music Candlelit Dinner Cruise Legenda Ship Budapest

Live band is playing pleasant, and for some guests, slightly cheesy salon music. It does blend nicely into the backdrop of Budapest illuminated attractions along the river Danube. Party: NO. It is a dinner cruise, and a great way to start the night on December 31, but there is no party on this dinner cruise.

Plan your Budapest New Year’s Day Cruise too to avoid missing out on boat tours and lively dinners in Budapest on January the 1st. Great pre-booking deals starting from 49 Euros.

New Year’s Eve Boat Cruises

Check out all the available NYE cruise programs on this link: NYE Boat Cruises.

New Year’s Eve Boat Party

Booze Cruise Budapest Dec 31

Booze Cruise Budapest Dec 31

Enjoy an unforgettable Party Cruise on Dec 31 from 10.30pm to 3 am with Live DJ, dancing and unlimited drinks to say goodbye to 2019! Book your NYE Boat Party tickets as soon as you can, and don’t miss one of the biggest parties of NYE.

Limited availability

Vajdahunyad Castle and Ice Rink Budapest 2019 2020

The enormous and lovely open air Ice Rink of Budapest is an ideal New Year attraction. Skating on the ice rink paired with a night bath in Szechenyi Bath is one of the best winter things to do in Budapest!

Ice Skating Rink Budapest

Ice Skating Rink Budapest – James Guppy Photography

It is also on the top 10 list of Lonely Planet as one of the best places in Europe in winter time, paired with a warm bath in the Budapest baths, and a visit to the cool and hip ruin bars, some of the best bars in Budapest.

The open air Ice Rink is a truly popular venue for skating, skiing, skating classes, ice hockey and even ice parties.

Opposite the Ice Rink Palace you can find the Vajdahunyad Castle (the home of Vajdahunyad Castle Christmas Market in December, and the venue of the permanent and temporary exhibitions of the Hungarian Agricultural Museum all year round)

In the Outdoor Ice Rink Palace you can rent skates, drink some hot drinks, get changed, get warmed up etc.

Address: Varosliget Budapest, near Heroes Square (Hosok tere)

Opening Hours Varosligeti Mujegpalya

The opening hours of the Budapest Ice Rink can change day by day in the winter season, so the following hours are an average general guide for the opening times. After the summer and autumn season, the Ice Rink re-opens from mid November (definitely open from late November!)
Monday – Friday from 9 am to 1 pm, break, then reopens from 5 pm to 9 pm
Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm, break, then reopens from 4 pm to 9 pm
Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm, break, then reopens from 4 pm to 8 pm

Vajdahunyad Castle and Ice Rink Budapest New Year

Vajdahunyad Castle and Ice Rink Budapest – Gabriel Hess Photography

New Year Opening Hours – planned

December 31: open from 10 am to 2 pm, closed in the afternoon
January 1: open from 4 pm to 8 pm, closed in the morning

Tickets / Prices at Budapest Skating Rink

Full Day Ticket on Weekdays approx. HUF 1200 (including the price of the Cloakroom storage and the Insurance)
Full Day Ticket on Weekends approx. HUF 1500 (including the price of the Cloakroom storage and the Insurance)
Entrance is Free for children under 6 years of age.

Rental of Skates at Budapest Ice Rink

Skate rental prices for the Ice Rink (in HUF or Ft, short for Hungarian Forint, the currency in Budapest, Hungary). The prices are approximate prices, City Park Skating Rink reserves the right to change the prices.
1 Pair of Skates Rental fee: HUF 1,500
Deposit: 5,000 HUF / skates (or you need to leave an ID document, like your passport as the deposit)

There are many fun winter things to do in Budapest, but one of the best ones is surely the popular Budapest Outdoor Ice Rink in the City Park, aka Varosligeti Mujegpalya.

Lonely Planet
about Varosligeti Mujegpalya

Check the current opening hours on the official website here.

Related in Top Budapest Travel Guide
Budapest Things to Do November
Budapest Things to Do December
Budapest Things to Do January
Budapest Things to Do February
Fun Attractions in Budapest
Romantic things to do in Budapest
Budapest Children Activities

Budapest Skating Rink Video

Last updated info about Budapest Skate Rink in the City Park:

December, 2016

White Angel Club Budapest

White Angel Club, the club of elegance: although only open biweekly in the winter season, White Angel is a hot night club in Budapest with two end of December parties related to the New Year’s Eve: party on Dec 29 and party on Dec 31, 2012, dancing into the Budapest dawn of Jan 1 2013.
White Angel New Year Party Budapest 2012

How to book / buy in advance (worth it as it is the top house club in Budapest): booking online is not available yet, but once you are in Budapest (hopefully before Dec 31), head to one of these places to buy your regular NYE or VIP tickets:

Nyugati Nonstop Ticket Office at Nyugati Train Station by Eiffel Square, Budapest. This place is about 10 – 15 min from the city center of Budapest, take M3 blue metro line, and get off at Nyugati Railway Station.
Westend Karma Restaurant, i.e. Karma Cafe and Restaurant in WestEnd Shopping Mall – top floor with panorama over the city, during the opening hours of the cafe. (note: there are two Karma Cafes, one on Liszt Ferenc square. But the one you need to buy NYE tickets in advance is in the Westend Mall. This shopping mall is right next to the Nyugati Train Station, about 10 – 15 min from downtown Budapest, take M3 blue metro line, and get off at Nyugati Railway Station.
Club Studio, reception all day on Obuda Island

WHITE ANGEL Club, the queen of Budapest House Parties and Clubbing: New Year’s Eve Party Video shot in 2012 -New Year Dj Goldhand

Budapest Christmas Market Advent Days TopBudapestOrg 2019 2020

Budapest has several fantastic Christmas markets. One of them, which stands out as the top, is the Budapest Christmas Market by the Basilica (aka St Stephen’s Cathedral), see the photo below.

Basilica Christmas Market Budapest

Basilica Christmas Market Budapest – Ildiko Kardos Photography

In 2019 / 2020, the Budapest Christmas market is open on Dec 31 and Jan 1 too. There are two nice markets next to each other and despite the Christmas holidays, the markets reopen on Dec 27 to keep open until Jan 1.

Budapest Christmas Market Vorosmarty Square

Budapest Advent Market St Stephen’s Basilica
On Dec 31 besides the usual nice programs, there is usually a charity event.

If you are enjoying your New Year break in Budapest, Hungary, visit the last days of the festive Budapest Christmas Market in the city center of Budapest on St Istvan Square. You can see the domes of the Basilica from far away on the flat Pest side of Budapest.

St Stephen’s Basilica is one of the top Budapest attractions.

 

Opera House Budapest in Winter 2019 2020

The Budapest Opera House is open through the New Year holidays, offering high quality opera performances and New Year concerts, as well as tours inside the building of the Hungarian State Opera House.

The New Year performances are, understandably, very popular among locals and is a favorite of tourists too. Consider yourself  lucky if you manage to grab some tickets for the New Year Opera shows in Budapest, Hungary. Tickets can be bought in advance online, try to book your tickets several weeks before the actual date of the opera or NYE concert.

Budapest Opera Christmas - Ben G Hancock Photography

Budapest Opera Christmas – Ben G Hancock Photography

The opening hours of the Budapest Opera during the New Year holidays is as follows.

New Year Opening Hours 2019 – 2020

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.

See the Budapest Opera Tours information in details on Top Budapest travel guide.