Debrecen flips the switch on Christmas from November 28 to December 23, 2025, turning its downtown into a glowing winter scene. Debrecen Advent is one of Hungary’s biggest and most beautiful holiday celebrations, and this year it’s going big again: grand light installations, quality street food, a wide, distinctive lineup of artisan goods, and a full calendar of music and family programs. Think mulled wine and roasted chestnuts around a towering tree, an ice rink, a children’s mini-train, and early-20th-century-style carolers conjuring a vintage holiday mood across the city center.
Where it all happens
The party spans Kossuth Square (the main stage), Dósa Nádor Square (Fairy-Tale Town [Meseváros] and the Advent Hut), the courtyard of the Old Town Hall, plus side spots like Baltazár Dezső Square and the city ice rink. Expect constant movement between the squares, and regular processions with traditional costumes that lead to the evening candle lightings.
Opening weekend: music, street theater, lights
Friday, November 28 launches on the Advent Stage at Kossuth Square with DuoTrio Street Theater (3:00–3:20 PM), Triolett’s Advent show (5:00–5:40 PM), and Kitti Péter with Marcell Horváth (6:00–6:40 PM). Over at Fairy-Tale Town on Dósa Nádor Square, kindergartners and nursery groups decorate Christmas trees in the morning (9:00 AM–12:00 PM), then DuoTrio (4:00–4:20 PM) and the Sonivius Vappae band (4:30–4:50 PM) keep the vibe lively. Street sets roll through the fair from 3:00–6:00 PM. In the Old Town Hall courtyard, “Advent Silence – Light and Music Experience” runs 5:00–7:00 PM.
Saturday, November 29 brings DuoTrio again at 3:00 PM, the Bokros Band (Bokros Zenekar) (5:00–5:40 PM), and Fruzsi Erdős (6:00–6:40 PM) to Kossuth Square. Fairy-Tale Town features the Lituus Brass Ensemble (4:00–4:40 PM), plus DuoTrio (4:40–5:00 PM). Expect costumed dancers from LESZ DANCE (4:00–5:00 PM), and more light-and-sound immersion at the Old Town Hall (5:00–7:00 PM).
First Advent Sunday: the first flame
Sunday, November 30 opens with a traditional procession (4:30–5:00 PM) from City Hall to the Reformed Great Church. The collective candle lighting “Light of the World” follows on Kossuth Square (5:00–6:00 PM) with church leaders, city officials, artists, and civic groups. Performers include bishops of the historical churches, city leadership, opera singers Klaudia Kuczmog and Norbert Antóni, drama students from Ady High School, the Lautitia Choir Family, and the Svetits Catholic School Children’s Choir. Later, Miklós Bejan, Noémi Korponai-Kiss, and Dániel Szabó (6:30–7:10 PM) close the night. LESZ DANCE appears across the market (4:00–5:00 PM). At the Kölcsey Center: Folk Symphonic – celebrating 75 years of the Debrecen Folk Ensemble (6:00 PM).
Santa arrives (Mikulás)
On Friday, December 5, kids can meet Santa (Mikulás) in the Advent Hut (2:30–5:00 PM), then head to Kossuth Square for Fruzsina Kovácsovics’s Christmas show with Santa (5:00–6:00 PM) and the Christmas Singers (6:15–6:45 PM). “Advent Silence” continues 5:00–7:00 PM in the Old Town Hall courtyard.
Saturday, December 6 ramps up: the University of Debrecen Pop Music Institute Band (5:00–5:40 PM) and Dénes Pál (6:00–6:40 PM) take Kossuth Square. At Fairy-Tale Town, East 4 Brass plays 4:00–4:40 PM. The Advent Hut is open 11:00 AM–9:00 PM with Santa meet-and-greets 11:00 AM–2:30 PM and 3:30–6:00 PM. Across the fair, barrel-organist Zsolt Horváth performs 2:00–6:00 PM, and LESZ DANCE’s costumed dancers pop up 4:00–5:00 PM. Baltazár Dezső Square hosts an Ugly Sweater Run 10:00 AM–12:30 PM with singer Jennifer Szirota and host László Fazekas. At the Kölcsey Center Ballroom: Vilmos Gryllus – Singing Santa (Nótás Mikulás) children’s concert (4:00 PM).
Second Advent Sunday: more music, more light
December 7 features the traditional procession from City Hall to the Advent stage (4:30–5:00 PM), joined by representatives of historical churches, city leaders, Csokonai National Theater actors Zsuzsa Lehőcz and Dániel Takács, singer Fruzsina Erdős-Tóth, the Debrecen Folk Ensemble, Kuckó Művésztanya, and the Tordai Band. The “Light of the World” ceremony runs 5:00–5:45 PM, followed by Gyula Éliás (6:00–6:40 PM). The Lituus Brass Ensemble returns to Fairy-Tale Town (4:00–4:40 PM). The Advent Hut opens 11:00 AM–8:00 PM with Santa sessions 11:00 AM–2:30 PM and 3:30–6:00 PM. Barrel organ and LESZ DANCE continue. At the Kölcsey Center’s Great Hall: Adventissimo, the Debrecen Garrison Band concert (6:00 PM).
Mid-December highlights
Friday, December 12 on Kossuth Square: Intermission (Bérletszünet) – the Csokonai National Theater Orchestra (5:00–5:40 PM) and a trio of Andrea Losonczki, Marcell Horváth, and Boldizsár Kulcsár (6:00–6:40 PM). “Advent Silence” glows 5:00–7:00 PM.
Saturday, December 13 stages the Ice-Flower Carnival parade from Szent Anna Street via Piac Street to Kossuth Square (5:00–5:45 PM). The Orpheum Madams perform (6:00–6:40 PM). Across the market: barrel-organ music 2:00–6:00 PM, LESZ DANCE 5:00–6:00 PM. The rink hosts a Disco on Ice (8:30–10:00 PM).
Third Advent Sunday: dance, folk, voices
December 14 brings the procession (4:30–5:00 PM), supported by church representatives, city leaders, folk singer Ildikó Bárdos, the Hajdú Dance Ensemble, the Debrecen Baptist Church Choir, Kuckó Művésztanya, and the Bürkös Band. “Light of the World” runs 5:00–5:45 PM with the Debrecen Hajdú Dance Ensemble, followed by Adri Nagy (6:00–6:40 PM). The market hums with barrel organ 2:00–6:00 PM and LESZ DANCE 5:00–6:00 PM. At the Kölcsey Center: “Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, descend into my heart!” the festive show of the Debrecen Hajdú Dance Ensemble (6:00 PM).
Final stretch to Christmas
Friday, December 19 brings the bell-loving Szironta Ensemble (5:00–5:40 PM) and the Flóra Kováts Quartet (6:00–6:40 PM) to Kossuth Square, plus “Advent Silence” 5:00–7:00 PM.
Saturday, December 20 serves the Debrecen Dixieland Jazz Band (5:00–5:40 PM) and Orsi Kozma (6:00–6:40 PM) on the main stage. Fairy-Tale Town hosts East 4 Brass (4:00–4:40 PM) and DuoTrio (4:40–5:00 PM). DuoTrio roam the fair 3:00–5:00 PM, LESZ DANCE returns 4:00–5:00 PM, and the Old Town Hall keeps its serene light-and-sound window 5:00–7:00 PM.
Fourth Advent Sunday: closing with a glow
Sunday, December 21 starts with the traditional procession (4:30–5:00 PM), featuring church leaders, city officials, actress Kinga Újhelyi (Csokonai National Theater, Jászai Mari Award), singer Alíz Nyári, the Choir of the Holy Trinity Hungarian Orthodox Church, Énekelj Dance Studio, the Debrecen Folk Ensemble, and Kuckó Művésztanya. The “Light of the World” ceremony (5:00–5:45 PM) includes Alíz Nyári, who then performs her own set (6:00–6:40 PM). Fairy-Tale Town hosts DuoTrio (4:00–4:30 PM), and the fair enjoys more DuoTrio street theater (3:00–5:00 PM) and LESZ DANCE’s costumed crew (4:00–5:00 PM).
Across all dates, Debrecen Advent blends tradition with spectacle. Expect glowing streets, hot drinks in cold hands, and a city leaning fully into holiday joy through December 23 in Debrecen’s downtown.
