January in Budapest

Budapest doesn’t sleep in January even if it’s the coldest month of the year.

The Christmas and New Year festivities have ended and the Hungarian capital is packed with energy and ready for 2024.

We’ve listed some exciting indoor and outdoor programs to help you plan an awesome winter holiday in Budapest.

January is the coldest and drearest month in Hungary with an average temperature of cc. 0.5 Celsius degree in Budapest (minimum: -1.6 C, maximum: 2.9 C).

But this shouldn’t keep you from having fun and being active during your visit.

Here are some tips and advice:

• Make sure you dress in layers – (sweaters, sweatshirts, comfortable coat and boots, winter cap, scarf, gloves)Plan indoor and outdoor programs according to the weather forecast. Do your walking/sightseeing when it’s sunny and there’s no snow or drizzle/rain.If it’s very cold include more indoor programs.

For a fun outdoor program head for Margaret Island late afternoon to take a look around the striking series of light installations.

The creative display will take you back to eveyone’s favourite movie worlds in this outdoor exhibtion located on the premises of the Palatinus Bath on Margitsziget.

A pleasant way to unwind on a late winter afternoon!

Pig slaughters (called disznótor in Hungarian) are essential part of winter traditions in Hungray.

Traditionally, January and February are the season for pig slaughters in the countryside.

Unfortunately the Mangalica Pork Festival is no longer held but luckily we have two other foodie events focusing on this tradition and characteristic meals one can taste on a pig slaughter.

The first one is a three-day weekend event near the Petőfi Bridge.

A feast of sausages, blood sausages, hams, pork knuckles, and all kinds of pork delicacies of course the jellied pork (kocsonya) awaits visitors!

You’ll also find chimney cakes, waffles, marzipan sweets, churros, lollipops, and handmade crafts

Sip fragrant mulled wine, beer, pálinka, and hot tea with various flavors

Entry to the event is free, and dogs are welcome.

Location:

• Egry József utca 2, Bp 1111. Next to Goldmann Square in the 11th district, near Petőfi Bridge, Buda side (See on Map)

The last weekend of January offers another festival evoking the traditions of pig slaughter.

The Market in Fény Street (next to the Mammut Shopping Centre) will host a Disznótor on January 26th for the 2nd time.

This lovely food market in the Buda side will organize a pig slaughter aiming to bring the countryside winter tradition right in the heart of Budapest.

You can experience the traditional processing of a slaughtered pig, see how paprika sausage, black pudding, pork crackles and other delicacies are made.

Of course you can savor the wide range of food and drinks prepared both by the participants and the usual vendors of the market.

Entry is FREE.

Venue:

• Gozsdu Court
• Address: Király utca 13. Dob utca 16., Budapest 1075, district VII. (close to Deák Square metro hub, see on Google Maps)

Dates in January 2025:

• Every Friday Saturday and Sunday

Opening Hours:

• 10.00 – 17.00

Venue:

• Szimpla Kert Ruin Bar, Budapest, Kazinczy u. 14, 1075 (View on Map)

Dates In January 2025:

• January 06: Craft Jewelry Fair, January 20: Kraft Fair

Opening Hours:

• 12.00 – 17.30 for both events

The most famous of Budapest’s ruin bars, Szimlakert regularly hosts farmers’ markets and handicraft fairs usually on Saturdays.

Unwind with a glass of cocktail or a shot of aged rum in Budapest’s latest rooftop bar on top of the 5-star Kimpton BEM Hotel in Buda.

Enjoy the winter chalet atmosphere a nd get into mood for the weeken.

Location:

• Bem József tér 3, Bp 1027 (View on Google Maps)

Opening Hours:

• Every Friday: 18.00 – 21.00

The historic temple in downtown Budapest is a perfect place for a lovely winter concert.

The largest church of the city, St. Stephen’s Basilica gives home to a fantastic organ recital on January 03, Thursday at 20.00 and classical music performances on most Sundays and Tuesdays (see dates below).

Pick from 3 concerts and 4 seating categories based on your preferences and budget. The concert schedule varies by day as you can see here.

The Matthias Church in Buda Castle also hosts concerts on January 02 and 03 featuring classical favorites from Mozart, Bach, Saint-Saens, and more

02 – JAN 2025

05,07,12,19,26- JAN 2025

03 – JAN 2025

The Hungarian State Opera House, located on the classy Andrássy Boulevard, is a real gem for music and architecture enthusiasts alike.

It’s a neo-Renaissance masterpiece that opened its doors in 1884, and let me tell you, it’s a feast for the eyes.

From the intricate details on the facade to the opulent interior, every nook and cranny is dripping with history and artistic flair.

Guided tours are the way to go to get the inside scoop on the Opera House’s rich history, the stunning auditorium, and the behind-the-scenes magic that brings performances to life.

The Zoo & Botanical Garden is open all year round though with shorter opening hours in winter. It’s a great outdoor program espesially if you visit Budapest with kids.

The Zoo is located in the City Park offering a range of other fun activities as well as places to eat. Try Buja Disznók for giant breaded Winer Schnietzel, or Pántlika for burger.

TIP: Most restaurants with open-air terraces in summer time have set up cozy igloos in winter where you can enjoy your food in comfort.

Both Buja Disznók and Pántlika have igloo but Pavilon Kert too offers this comfort feature.

Sit by a mug of hot chocolate and kürtöskalács while contemplating the winter world outside.

January Opening Hours of The Zoo:

• Every day: 09.00 -16.00 (last entry at 15.00), the animal houses are open: 10.00 – 15.30

Have fun and get some outdoor excercising in Budapest’s most panoramic ice rink park in Csepel, at a 10-minute train ride form the city centre (Boráros tér, trams 4, 6 stop).

Address & Getting There:

• II. Rákóczi Ferenc út 89-91, Budapest 1211 (View on Map)
• Take suburban train H7 from Boráros tér, get off at Szent Imre tér station (3rd stop), 1 min walk from there

Opening Hours:

• Every day till February 28, 2025: 08.00 – 21.00

Tickets:

• 2 500 HUF, free for kids under 3 years

The fantastic, panoramic rink, spanning over 2000 m², consists of an

• 800 m² main rink,
• a smaller 300 m² rink, and a
• 200 m² learning rink, connected by
• 250 meters of ice corridor.

Address & Getting There:

• Károly krt., Bp 1052 district V (See on Map)

Opening Hours:

• Mon – Wed: 08.00 – 20.00
• Thurs – Sun: 08.00 – 21.00

Tickets:

• 2 500 HUF/7 EUR

We highly recommend visiting the latest exhibition: The Kingdom of Gods and Demons at the Museum of Fine Arts offers, a great opportunity to delve into the world of ancient Mesopotamia.

With over 150 artifacts borrowed from various European museums, the exhibition showcases the art, culture, and history of one of the earliest civilizations. The

Why is it worth seeing?

• An ancient world comes alive: The exhibition allows visitors to learn about Mesopotamian gods, demons, kings, and everyday life.
• Rare artifacts: On display are reliefs, statues, jewelry, and cuneiform tablets.
• Interactive elements: The exhibition is enriched with interactive elements, making the visit even more enjoyable.
• Unique atmosphere: The whole dsiplay evokes a special atmosphere that transports visitors to ancient Mesopotamia.

Venue, Address:

• Olof Palme stny. 3, Bp 1146, City park/Városliget (View on map)

Opening Hours:

• Tue – Sun: 10.00 – 18.00
• Sound Dome opening hours: Tue, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun: 10.00 – 18.00, Fri: 10.00 – 20.00. The Dome is closed on Mondays and the first Tuesday and Wednesday of each month.

Tickets:

• Permanent exhibit: 3 400 HUF
• Sound Dome: 2 000 HUF

Housed in a stunning, award-winner building at the edge of City Park the House of Music is an excellent program for the whole family.

Devote a couple of hours to the permanent exhibition masterfully illustrates the evolution of music, making it a highly recommended adventure for all.

Multimedia presentations help you absorb the information in ahighly entertaining way.

We highly recommend this amazing exhibition to learn about thousands of years of history in a unique but exciting way – through jewellery and ornaments.

The The Shine! – Time For Jewellery temporary exhibition presents a selection of the most extraordinary jewelry from the rich collection of the Hungarian National Museum.

The exhibition takes visitors on a journey from 40,000-year-old prehistoric artifacts to the ornate creations of the Baroque era and contemporary jewelry, offering insights into the historical and cultural significance behind these pieces.

• The oldest items on display are the 40,000-year-old mammoth ivory pendants
• Discover the priceless treasure from the settlement of Kölked,
• Probably the most uncomfortable pieces are the iron age Celtic anklets, and the unique “Lover’s Eye” necklace.
• You can also learn about the tragic loss of the Sárázsád hoard and marvel at a ring made from a horseshoe nail.
• Explore the fascinating story of the Székesfehérvár bracelet, repurposed from a 12th-century royal tomb.
• The largest piece in the exhibition is the nearly half-kilogram, Late Bronze Age Gyermely-Szomori fibula pair, while the smallest is a axe-shaped Sarmatian pendant, common among the Jazyges who lived between 1 and 5 AD.