Friday
6pm - 9:30pm: Nightmare Before Christmas at Bem Cinema
In Tim Burton’s stop-motion animated dark fantasy musical, a skeleton named Jack Skellington, aka. the “Pumpkin King”, leads the residents of “Halloween Town” – ghosts, goblins, mummies, vampires – in organizing the annual Halloween holiday. However, bored with his yearly routine, Jack goes for a wander in the woods, where he stumbles across Christmas Town, holding a whole new adventure.
6:30pm - 7pm: The Nutcracker Festival – the concert of the KVV Chamber Choir at the Hungarian State OperaEven though tickets for the iconic Christmastime two-act ballet, The Nutcracker, are sold out in Budapest, revelers can still enjoy the Hungarian State Opera’s Nutcracker Festival that turns the square outside the Opera’s ornate edifice into a true winter wonderland, where small wooden stands tempt everyone with the aroma of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. On December 23rd, this fantastic festival is further enhanced with the live concert of the KVV Chamber Choir. 12am - : Boston 168 - live at A38The psychedelic, acidic and techno tunes of the Italian duo, Sergio and Vincenzo aka. Boston 168, fill the air at A38 on December 23rd. Pop in for an unforgettable party, and dance the night away until there’s no more time to sleep till Christmas.
Saturday
10pm - 2am: Fehér Karácsony (White Christmas) – Nora Matisse&Poli at Mazel TovLast Year on Christmas Eve, Mazel Tov threw an unforgettable party that they plan to repeat this year, so they invited an iconic DJ duo, Nora Matisse and Poli, who will spin records all night, while partygoers can wash down the Christmas feast with delicious drinks amid the company of friends. They await everyone between 10pm-2am. 10pm - 2am:
MIKArácsony w/ DJ Rabbi Williams at Mika Tivadar MulatóIf you’d like to dance even on Christmas Eve, or share this special night with your friends as well as your family, you can pop down to Mika Tivadar Mulató beginning at 10pm, where Dj Rabbi Williams makes mixes all night, while intoxicating drinks entice everyone to the dance floor of Budapest’s beloved new-wave bar. 11:30pm - 4am: “ChrisMukkah” concert by Hagesher at the Auróra community center Celebrating Hanukkah with diverse urban performances, parties, and more, the Negyed7Negyed8 (translating to “Quarter7Quarter8”) Festival takes place during Dec. 22-31 at the Auróra community center. This festival’s numerous events include the free “ChrisMukkah” concert by Hagesher – a local band specializing in klezmer hip-hop laced with Balkan melodies. 12am - : Midnight Mass at St. Stephen’s BasilicaCelebrate the most wonderful night of the year at the high-spirited Midnight Mass of Budapest’s breathtakingly spectacular St. Stephen’s Basilica. The mass can be attended by even those who are not devoted followers of the Christian religion, and even though the Christmas carols and sermon are in Hungarian, the stunning ornaments and the warm atmosphere of this extraordinary venue guarantee an unforgettable experience. A Midnight Mass can also be attended at Budapest’s Rock Chapel. Sunday
6pm - 4am: “Red Christmas” at RedRuinIf you had enough mulled wine and tasteful Christmas treats for the year, you can celebrate the second day of this high-spirited holiday at a less traditional location. At RedRuin a long-bygone era still shines red, but the music is great, the drinks are tasty, and the ambiance is amazing.
10pm - 6am: Anthony Pappa extended Christmas Set at Tesla BudapestUK-based Australian DJ Anthony Pappa’s name is well-known worldwide around the progressive house scene. After winning the DMC mixing championship at the age of 15, he decided to relocate to the UK and conquer a place at the top table of DJs. His house mixes are oftentimes on the top of international charts, and now they’ll fill Tesla Budapest on this special night.
11pm - 5am: Studio54 Tribute Party w/ Nicky Siano at BRKLYNOn December 25th, Budapest’s fanciful cubic club, BRKLYN, launches a weeklong party festival, starting with a Studio54 Tribute Party, where the last living pioneer of New York’s legendary Studio54 Nightclub, Nicky Siano, evokes the best disco parties of the ’70s and ’80s.
