Are you going to celebrate Christmas in Budapest with Hungarian friends? I tell you some essential information about opening hours, public transport and some interesting Hungarian Christmas traditions.
In mid-November Budapest starts to prepare for Christmas. Streets are decorated with colourful lights, shop-windows are adorned to lure in customers hunting for gifts. More and more people set out to look for the ideal Christmas presents in shops or in the markets. If you’re looking for a unique Hungarian gift and want to get away from the all alike shops visit the Budapest Christmas Fair at Vörösmarty Square.
Opening Hours at Christmas in Budapest
Shops are open for the Bronze, Silver and Gold Sundays on the three weekends before Christmas. Shops close around early afternoon on 24th December and open only on 27th December. Some larger shopping malls might stay open until early evening on 24th December. On Christmas Day and Boxing Day all shops, supermarkets are closed in Budapest. Many shops do not open between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Life gets back to normal after 1st January.
Restaurants are also closed on Christmas Eve (24th Decemeber), but most of them open on 25th-26th December. Budapest is a popular tourist destination even in winter and restaurant owners are well aware of that. Don’t worry you’ll definitely find several good restaurants open during Christmas in Budapest
Public Transport at Christmas in Budapest
Public transport vehicles run until around 15.00-16.00. After 16.00 night services carry passangers. On 25th-26th December vehicles run according to holiday schedule. Between 27th and 1st January, vehicles run less frequently than they do on usual weekdays. It’s also holiday at schools, all public transport vehicles run according to schedules valid during school holidays.
Some Hungarian Christmas Traditions
At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in Hungary. The main celebration is on Christmas Eve (it’s Szenteste in Hungarian, meaning Holy Night) Familiy members get together in the afternoon on 24th December and decorate the Christmas tree. Grandparents or elder brothers and sisiters look after the little ones, so they won’t see their presents placed under the tree. The fragrant fir is adorned with colourful paper decorations and a special Hungarian Christmas candy (szaloncukor) wrapped in shinny coloured papers. Housewives cook traditional Hungarian Chrismas dishes in the kitchen. We usually have fish soup, stuffed cabbage, pastry rolls stuffed with poppy seed, walnut or chestnut stuffings (it’s called bejgli in Hungarian). Family members exchange gifts in the evening on 24th December while listening to tradtitional Christmas songs. In Hungary baby Jesus brings the presents, not Santa. We celebrate the arrival of Santa on 6th December, St. Nicholas Day. At midnight people go to the midnight mass. Organ music and pine scent fill the air in churches where people sing together classical Christmas songs. Even non-religious people attend this mass beacuse of its festive and uplifting atmosphere. On the following two days relatives and friends visit it each other at their homes, have traditional Christmas dishes and desserts.
Weather Around Christmas in Budapest
When I was a little kid there was always thick snow around Christmas. The first snowflakes fell usually at the end of November. The temperatures were around zero or below. Today it is hard to tell what will be the weather like around Christmas. Due to global warming we have not see any snow in the past couple of years. The weather around Christmas is sometimes rather mild and dull, with some rain, and it’s crispy and sunny with crystal blue sky at times. I prefer the latter, though I long for white Christmas every year.
Programs at Christmas in Budapest
The world famous 100-member Gypsy Orchestra performs a concert on 30th December, at 6 pm in teh Budapest Congress Centre. They’ll play both clasical and traditional folk music.
The whole city calms down for a couple of days. You can only hear the sound of Christmas concerts and Advent songs in Budapest’s churches. After the hectic shopping it’s a real realxation to listen to the organ works and contemplate about the meaning of Advent and Christmas. I recommend the Lights of Christmas Festival in Matthias Church on Castle Hill.
Merry Christmas in Budapest!
Erzsebet Dobos
© Copyright http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com All Rights Reserved
Erzsebet lives in Budapest with her husband and son. She loves the Hungarian capital very much. Erzsebet’s goal is to share her insider knowledge about Budapest with tourists visiting the city. Visit her website at http://www.budapest-tourist-guide.com/index.html to find out more about Budapest.
Disney Christmas 2008
|
|
DISNEY PRINCESS SNOW WHITE’S KITCHEN P5373 NEW (SHIPS FAST) 1 LEFT IN STOCK NIP $27.99 |
|
|
Vintage Disney’s Snow White Tin Kitchen Sink In Box by Wolverine $275.00 |
|
|
Walt Disneys Snow White Play Sink Metal Kitchen Toy $18.25 |
|
|
NEW Disney Princess SNOW WHITE Kitchen Playset $31.50 |
|
|
VINTAGE Disney SNOW WHITE Tin Kitchen COMPLETE SET Refridgerator, Oven, & Sink $29.99 |
|
|
Disney Princess Snow White and Kitchen $36.54 |
|
|
Disney Princess – Snow White Doll and Kitchen Playset – Mattel $52.88 |
|
|
Disney Princess Snow White’s Kitchen with Doll NEW $23.99 |
|
|
Mattel Disney Snow White’s Kitchen Doll Play Set 3+ NIB $29.95 |
|
|
DISNEY PRINCESS === Snow White Doll and Kitchen Playset === MATTEL $39.46 |
|
|
Disney Princess Snow White Doll Kitchen Playset Gift Set Toy in WINDOW BOX NEW $29.95 |
|
|
Disney Princess SNOW WHITE KITCHEN Playset NEW! $24.50 |
|
|
NEW Disney Princess Snow White’s Kitchen & The Seven Dwarfs Set Doll Playset NIB $19.99 |
|
|
Disney Princess SPARKLING SNOW WHITE DOLL Kitchen Playset Barbie Sz Seven Dwarfs $21.99 |
|
|
DISNEY PRINCESS SNOW WHITE KITCHEN PLAYSET *NEW $22.99 |
|
|
Disney by International Artist Romero Britto for Enesco Grumpy Mug 4.25 IN $14.39 World renowned for his bold patterns, optimistic design, and colorful palettes, famed artist Romero Britto’s iconographic pop art comes to life in this pop interpretation of iconic Disney characters. 4 1/4″ high ceramic mug…. |
|
|
Snow White Teapot 48oz By Paul Cardew Design $59.99 Mirror, Mirror on the wall who has the most beautiful Tea Sets of all? Cardew does! Their “Snow White” Tea Set pieces are detailed with bright, vivid colors and tell the story in pictures from piece to piece. So, collect your complete “Snow White” Tea Set and re-live one of the greatest fairy tale love stories of all time!… |
|
|
Disney Grumpy Relief Text 14oz Mug $17.89 This red ceramic mug features the classic Grumpy character from the Seven Dwarfs. The mug shows Grumpy making his trademark grimace, and next to him is the text “Cleverly Disguised as Someone who Cares.” Mug holds 14 oz of liquid…. |
|
|
Magnificent Peel & Stick By RoomMates Disney Princess – Snow White Giant Wall Decal $16.96 What are RoomMates? RoomMates are removable, repositionable, and reusable wall decals. They feature your favorite designs and popular characters, and can be applied to any smooth surface.How do they work? Our wall decals are easy to use: simply peel & stick! The special adhesive is strong enough to keep your decor on the wall, but delicate enough to allow endless repositioning without damaging the… |
|
|
Ek Success Disney Movie Title Stickers, Snow White/Mirror, Mirror On The Wall $2.05 Each sticker sheet is approximately 2 1/2 x 8…. |
|
|
Snow White 1/2X2 Marble Tiles Cracked Joint Classic Brick Layout $14.99 Consists Of Polished Snow White Marble. Each Chip Is 1/2″ X 2″, And Is Arrayed On A Mesh Backing 1 Square Foot In Size…. |
|
|
Disney Princess Jewel Ring Cupcake Topper (24 pcs) !! $5.99 Cinderella, Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, Snow White and Belle… |
|
|
Princess and Dwarves Cake Kit $10.95 … |
|
|
Disney Princess Party Plates – Disney Princess Square Dinner Plates – 8 Count $2.05 This great new collection from the Disney Princess line includes all the new princesses; Snow White, Rapunzel, The little Mermaid, Belle, Aurora, Cinderella, and Tianna. Each of the Disney princesses are featured on several pieces of the pattern. All of the Disney Princesses are featured wearing thier ball gowns. This tableware set will make and princess themed party a hit with all the little prin… |
|
|
Disney Cinderella and Snow White Princess Christmas Santa Hat $10.95 Disney ~ Princess ~ Cinderella & Snow White ~ Christmas Stocking… |