Ultimate New Year's Eve Guide Hungary
BUDAPEST
Street Parties: The last day of the years is usually quite cold in Hungary, so dress up warm and get ready for friendly party people and lovely street concerts with fireworks. All street happenings are free to visit. Mainly Vörösmarty Square, Oktogon and Nyugati Square are the hot spots (article will be updated as soon as we get detailed programmes.)
Club Parties & Concerts: Every better music club organises a New Years Eve party. The only problem with discos and indoor events is that you have to buy your ticket in advance, otherwise you will need a huge amount of luck to get into one these parties, because they are always full.
A large electronic music event (MNML Madness) will take place in Syma Hall with international guest djs, like Joe Maker (IT) and Marco Bailey (BEL), along with the Hungarians. Tickets: 6,000-25,000 HUF.
Another techno party expecting thousands of party people will take place in Hungexpo, Budapest. The mainstream Hungarian techno djs will be responsible for the beats that keep you up all night. Ticket: 3500 HUF in advance.
Irie Maffia will bring the best Hungarian reggae-ska mood to Barba Negra Music Club from 9 p.m.
Budapest Jazz Club offers a classy jazz event for 31 December with Veronika Harcsa, Szakcsi-Lakatos Trio, Elsa Valle y sus Hermanos, Árpád Tztumo & János Egri. Ticket includes champagne and buffet dinner, costs 21,900 HUF.
At A38 Ship bar there will be a 3-room electronic party with drum and bass, breakbeat and house music. Guest dj: Alix Perez (UK). Tickets available from 3000 HUF.
The famous Experidance Group will give a best of show in 100 minutes from 3p.m. at Ram Colosseum and then dinner, music and dance along with the artists until the break of dawn. Tickets from 4900 HUF.
The popular dance clubs offer smaller but not worse parties with international hits all night. Look for the official pages of the clubs: Symbol, Ötkert, Minyon, Trafiq, Morrisons Clubs, Moulin Rouge, Akvárium, Instant and Gödör club.
Gödör Club offers folktronica (electro Balkan and Hungarian beats) concerts and then dance music by dj Ramses (NL). Ticket: 2000 HUF in advance.
On aboard: 25 member of the Operetta Ship Group will give a special show on Operetta Ship. Guest can enjoy delicious dishes, champagne and stunning panorama view to the banks of the Danube. Tickets: 45,000 HUF
Panorama Deck Event Ship will have a Hungarian New Years Eve too, but in another way. The program is Folklore show, Hungária Ensemble's concert and dj. Ticket includes dinner, champagne and the ship cruise on the Danube. Price: 45,000 HUF
Exclusive events: All the excellent hotels organise New Years Eve party in a classy way. Special dishes, exclusive concerts and elegant ambience will welcome you whichever you choose. And if you also the guest of the hotel, nothing is better than visit the spa on the 1st of January.
Transportation: Please note that driving on New Year's Eve is not a good idea. There are always downtown traffic restrictions, and the blood alcohol level must be 0.0 % in Hungary. Public transport usually well prepared for this night. You can reach every part of Budapest by bus or tram all night long. Getting a taxi is a tough task too, especially close to midnight and right after that. Save several numbers to your phone, or try your luck on the streets. Here's some help!
Special offer: Extend your stay to 3-4 days and you can get extra discounts and 1 extra night in Budapest. Click here for our Winter Invitation Offer. Make sure you book your trip in time!
OUTSIDE BUDAPEST
Every larger city (ilcuding Debrecen, Eger, Hévíz, Zalakaros, Pécs) will organise a street party for NYE, and you can join for free. These are maybe smaller than the ones in the capital but not less intimate and noisy. There will be fireworks everywhere for sure.
Countryside hotels also welcome you with special packages. Choose any of them and you won't be disappointed. Now let's look for some special events around Hungary!
Aqua Palace of Hajduszoboszló (pr. hay-doo-sob-oslo) awaits you with a huge foam-party for the first time. Ticket price: 6500 HUF, includes food and welcome drink, champagne at midnight. Dresscode: swimsuit.
Just in case, save this number: Tourinform Call Center 0-24h +36 1 438 80 80 or +800 36 000 000.
Happy New Year: Boldog Új Évet (pr. bold-ogg ooy e-wet), short form: B.U.É.K. (pr. boo-eck).
(Photo: MTI / Nádorfi Tamás)