This year the square in front of
St. Stephen’s Basilica
will be transformed for the fourth time into the most spectacular and experience-filled meeting place of the
Advent
season. The opening ceremony will feature the lighting of the first candle, and this is when the decorative Christmas lights installed downtown will be turned on as well. At night the monumental façade of the Basilica will be covered in
Christmas
-themed light painting. For the first time, Zrínyi Street will host rows of booths selling hot and fragrant delicacies. The angels of the bazaar will distribute presents among the visitors, and neat
gifts
, an
ice rink
, entertainment, and charity
events
will help to get you in a festive mood.
St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest awaits visitors during the Advent season with the most elaborate and spectacular visual experience nationwide. Light-painting projections start every 30 minutes after dark: colourful Christmas-inspired short films will come to life on the huge façade.
To the delight of kids, a 200-square-meter free ice rink and a giant Christmas tree decked out in lights will serve as the centerpiece of the market, just like in previous years. Weekend programs will include a skating school and a dance house, and the little ones can also join in the handcrafts programs organized by Tisztelet Társasága. The festive lights of the square and downtown provide a magical backdrop for a winter walk: evoking images of the Alpine landscape, the Hütte awaits everyone looking for somewhere to get warm or relax for a while, while the light gate at the square’s entrance, which is more spectacular than ever, is the perfect spot for group photos and making new memories with friends and family.
Visitors to the bazaar can browse among the wares of around 60 vendors: the high-quality handmade gifts, the most popular Christmas delicacies, spicy hot drinks, and new
street-food
creations. Along with the fairy-tale wooden houses of the square, Zrínyi Street also has steaming, delicious dishes and drinks in store for families and groups of friends. Volunteers of the Hungarian Interchurch Aid will reward those donating to the Advent fund raising with love and gingerbread hearts. Everyone is welcome to participate in baking “love.hunger” gingerbread cookies in their bakery. In the framework of the Angels by the Basilica program, the angels of the bazaar will distribute thoughtful surprises to remind visitors that Advent is the season of caring and paying attention to each other.
