What makes Budapest a great place for New Year’s Eve?
What weather can you expect in Budapest for New Year’s Eve?
Average temperature: 1 °C
- Maximum temperature: 2 °C
- Minimum temperature: -1 °C
Rainfall forecast: Light showers and moderate snowfall are expected throughout the day.
Clothing advice: Wear a thick waterproof jacket or hoodie, a neck scarf, gloves and thick socks to stay comfortable. Snow boots or comfortable walking shoes with good grip are also recommended in Budapest for New Year.
Things to bring: Rain and snow are expected in Budapest around New Year, so take an umbrella or poncho when you go out.
Széchenyi Spa Entry Tickets
Hungarian Parliament Audio Guided Tour
Sparty: Ultimate Late-Night Spa Party in Szechenyi Spa
Budapest Danube River Sightseeing Cruise
13 ways to spend New Year in Budapest
1. See the fireworks and illuminated displays
Walk through Budapest’s decorated streets and watch the midnight fireworks from the city’s main squares on New Year’s Eve.
Where can you see the fireworks and lights?
- See the seasonal decorations along Váci Street and Fashion Street, or visit Lumina Park at Palatinus for its light displays.
- Fireworks can be seen at Vörösmarty Square, Nyugati Square, Oktogon, Duna Korzó and Budapest’s party district.
2. Enjoy seasonal fairs
Budapest’s holiday fairs include Christmas markets, carnival rides, ice rinks, light shows, food trucks and live performances.
Which festivals are on around New Year?
- The Advent Festival runs until New Year at Szent István Square, in front of the Budapest Basilica. It is regarded as one of Europe’s best festive fairs.
- During the holidays, Budapest’s City Park, Varosliget, has an ice rink, decorations, wooden stalls and concert stages.
3. Cruise along the Danube
Take a heated boat along the Danube River to see Budapest’s decorated streets and skyline. Cruises may include a festive dinner, folk performances, live music, wine tasting or a DJ party.
What can you do on a New Year river cruise?
- The New Year's Eve Danube Cruise in Budapest includes cocktails, local snacks, Prosecco at midnight and city views.
- Have a 5-course dinner and dance through the night aboard a New Year’s Eve party boat, with views of the midnight fireworks over the Danube.
- A Danube on New Year’s Day sightseeing cruise lets you see the city from the water. Have drinks or dinner, or listen to instrumental or folk music.
4. Join a square celebration
On New Year’s Eve, people gather in downtown Budapest’s squares to dance the czardas, Hungary’s traditional dance. Crowds head to Vörösmarty Square for the midnight countdown. The main squares also host fairs, fireworks and DJ sets.
What happens at the square celebrations?
- At Vörösmarty Square, browse more than 100 Christmas Fair stalls and watch live music performances and New Year’s Eve fireworks.
- At Oktogon Square or Eiffel Square, crowds dance the Czarda to Hungarian live music in bright outfits, wigs, masks and hats.
5. Mark the occasion at Danube Palace
Each New Year’s Eve, Danube Palace hosts classical music concerts, dance and folk performances, dinner, drinks and a late-night ballroom party.
What can you expect there?
- The Budapest Gala Orchestra, the Budapest Operetta Theatre and bands perform during the evening.
- The event includes a festive 5-course dinner with selected wines, followed by a midnight DJ party with an open bar.
6. Go to a bath party
For New Year’s, relax at one of Budapest’s thermal baths or join a Sparty (spa party) for an all-night celebration before New Year’s Eve.
What are the options?
- The Grand Budapest Bath Party takes place on the 30th of December at Széchenyi Thermal Bath. It is billed as the year’s best Sparty (Spa-Party).
- This year’s pre-NYE party includes EDM, fire dancers, acrobats, aerial artists, a laser and 3D light show, and fireworks.
- For a quieter visit, explore Budapest’s baths in winter. Their naturally warm, therapeutic waters and smaller crowds can make for a relaxing break after a day in the city.
7. Take the family to Aquaworld
Aquaworld is one of Budapest’s largest indoor water theme parks. It has flumes, thermal spas and saunas for visitors of all ages.
What’s on offer?
- Aquaworld’s New Year’s Eve Aqua Party includes DJ music through the night, events, midnight snacks, a glass of champagne and fireworks.
- The programme includes synchronized swimming, robot juggling, an indoor flyboard show and fountain waterworks.
8. Dance at a Tango Marathon
Budapest’s Tango Marathon runs from the 30th of December to the 1st of January, with 250 people dancing to almost 45 hours of live DJ music.
Why take part?
- Join alone or with a partner and dance to DJs from Rome, Paris, Prague, Ankara and Budapest.
- The event at Hölgyválasz Studio includes 6 DJ parties, drinks, snacks and bingo games.
9. Welcome the New Year with swing
The Ice Swing Holiday runs from the 28th to the 31st of December. Its programme includes swing dancing, DJ parties, sightseeing, ice skating, wine tasting and dinner.
What can you do there?
- Learn swing dancing from professionals and find a partner at the Ice Swing Holiday.
- Take a sightseeing tour, try ice skating and attend 4 swing parties.
10. Go on a pub crawl
Spend the last night of the year moving between Budapest pubs, with music, games and drinks.
What do the crawls include?
- The New Year’s Eve Ruin Pub Crawl Budapest visits 3 of the city’s Ruin Bars and their NYE parties, which run until 5 in the morning.
- The Original Budapest New Year’s Eve Pub Crawl returns this year with 5 pubs, DJ parties, drinking games, an hour of unlimited drinks and complimentary champagne at midnight.
11. Go ice skating
City ice rinks, winter wonderlands and outdoor skate parks are options for skating on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day.
Where can you skate?
- Budapest’s largest park, Varosliget, welcomes skaters to its winter wonderland on the morning of New Year’s Eve and the evening of New Year’s Day.
- The lake at Budapest Park becomes an ice rink in winter. It is open until 5 P.M. on New Year’s Eve and throughout the afternoon on New Year’s Day.
13. Celebrate New Year's Eve at Fisherman's Bastion
Locals, expats and tourists gather in Budapest for New Year’s Eve street parties and fireworks along the Danube River. Built in the 1800s, Fisherman's Bastion is one place to view the city. Its lookout towers overlook the Danube, Buda Castle and Castle Hill, with views of fireworks above the river and city.
Where to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Budapest
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at a Hidden Rave
Only ticket holders learn the venue for Supernova Techno’s Szilveszteri Techno Fesztivál, one of Budapest’s exclusive New Year’s Eve events. David Temessi, Gaga, Victoria Franches, Centure, Schiere, Mzperx, Rot, Gabros, DFFI, Janett, DSB96, Technokool, Kamafaka, Barbad, Oblivion, and more are on the bill.
Location: The address is disclosed to attendees.
Ring in New Year’s Eve Aboard a Yacht
Choose between the double-decker party vessels Millennium 1, Millennium 2, Attila, and Halászbástya for an overnight celebration. Guests get a welcome drink, buffet dinner, champagne and snacks at midnight, an international Retro DJ party, plus a Danube-side view of the fireworks.
Location: Port #1, Bp. XIII. ker. Jászai M. tér (150 m from Margaret Bridge, Jászai Mari tér 3, 1137 Hungary) | See map
Join Budapest’s Largest NYE Celebration
Across 7 dance floors, DJs Wayden, Zsolo, ROBOT, LoriPop Dictator, Perpetuum Mobili, CR!D, Niac, Kendo, Axonymus, Dj Andretti, and Tom Tailor play a range of music at Instant-Fogas, Budapest’s largest entertainment venue, for this year’s biggest party.
Location: Instant-Fogas Complex, Budapest, Akácfa u. 51, 1073 Hungary | See map
Spend New Year’s Eve at Danube Palace’s Gala
At Danube Palace, the year closes with a New Year's Eve Gala Concert and Party. Classical music and dance set the scene before guests move on to a Gala Dinner and then the Gala Party.
Location: Budapest, Zrínyi u. 5, 1051 Hungary | See map
Dance to Video Hits at High Five
At BistroPub in the downtown party district, High Five Budapest puts on the VHS Video Disco New Year’s Eve Party. DJs keep disco music going all night, with premium drinks and vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free food on offer.
Location: Budapest, Király u. 15, 1075 Hungary | See map
Electronic Music with Be Massive on New Year’s Eve
A full night of electronic music at the Várkert Bazaar’s Event Hall features the Be Massive team: Metha, Dubecticut, Lenny Lenoks, Blas, Robert Makai, and Secret Factory.
Location: Budapest, Ybl Miklós tér 2-6, 1013 Hungary | See map
Enjoy a Festive Laurel Dinner for New Year’s Eve
For New Year’s Eve, Laurel Budapest offers a modern Hungarian tasting menu accompanied by champagne. Diners can instead choose a fully vegan menu, with an equal number of courses.
Location: Budapest, Kertész u. 29, 1073 Hungary | See map
Make Plans for New Year in Budapest
Getting around
Extended hours or shorter intervals are common for manynight transport services during New Year’s Eve.
On December 31st and January 1st, the holiday/Sunday schedule is used by alldaytime public transport services.
These arrangements have the following exceptions:
Bus: New Year’s Day closures at the large shopping centers mean buses 38, 92, 138, 140B, 162, 204, 218, and 238 do not stop there.
Tram: From service commencement on New Year’s Day, trams 4 and 6 have 3 – 4 minute intervals until 2 A.M.; they run every 5 minutes from then until 5 A.M.
Metro: On New Year’s Day, M2, M3, and M4 finish service at 1 A.M. and resume at 4:30 A.M.
Dining options
Where to dine on New Year’s Eve:
Ideas for a New Year’s Day brunch:
Accommodation choices
Economy-friendly accommodation:
MEININGER Budapest Great Market Hall
ibis Styles Budapest Citywest
Novotel Budapest CentrumHotels in the moderate price range:
Hilton Garden Inn Budapest City Centre
Radisson Blu Beke Hotel
InterContinental Budapest - an IHG HotelLuxury accommodation choices:
Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest by Hyatt
Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest
Aria Hotel Budapest by Library Hotel Collection
Ways to celebrate New Year in Budapest
- Alcohol costs less in Budapest than in most other European cities.
- Many hotels require a minimum stay at this time of year, so you may need to book the same place for at least 2 or 3 days.
- Food and accommodation may cost more around New Year.
- Budapest is almost cashless. You can pay by credit or debit card in most places, including taxis.
- The Hungarian Forint (HUF) is the official currency. Some stores and services accept Euros, US Dollars, and Pound Sterling, but at higher exchange rates.
- Convert money before you travel to get the best rates.
- At midnight, crowds at square parties may recite Hungary’s national anthem. This is a local tradition.
- Book tickets for New Year parties and events well in advance because they sell out soon.
- December in Budapest is chilly, with temperatures from -1 °C to 2 °C and light snow and rain. Bring waterproof jackets, scarves, gloves, and sturdy boots.
Budapest Guided Walking Tour of the Castle District
Budapest: Kazinczy Synagogue Entry Tickets
Budapest: Light Art Museum Entry Tickets
Frequently asked questions about New Year in Budapest
What can you do in Budapest on New Year?
In Budapest, you can watch fireworks, take a boat cruise, attend cultural events, go ice skating, dance, get drunk, and party.
