The Festival of Lights is back to chase away winter gloom with candles, music, doughnuts, and even LED jugglers. Across Budapest, Miskolc, and Szentendre, communities gather to spark hope, dance the hora (hóra), and turn city nights into glowing celebrations.
Miskolc kicks off with fire and LEDs
2025.12.14. Miskolc goes luminous downtown as Hanukkah flames carry optimism through the dark. Between the hanukkiah’s candles and the LED jugglers’ torches, the city center becomes a stage of light. Venue: Miskolc Centrum, 3525 Miskolc, Széchenyi István Road (Széchenyi István út) 111.
Szentendre: outdoor candles, escape room, and nightly lightings
2025.12.14. 16:00 Szentendre sets the tone: outdoor candle lighting with prayer, doughnuts, hot chocolate, mulled wine, and pure fun at Flowers and Wishes Square (Virágok és Kívánságok Tere). At 16:45, a candlelit stroll continues to the synagogue, where a Hanukkah-themed escape room opens at 17:00. Program ends at 18:30, doors close at 19:00. Base: Jewish House Szentendre (Zsidóház Szentendre), 2000 Szentendre, Pátriarka St. (Pátriarka u.) 6. The city keeps shining every evening from 12.14 to 12.21 at the square with songs, doughnuts, and hora (hóra) dancing. Times: 12.14. 16:00; 12.15.–12.18., 12.20.–12.21. at 17:30. Address: Jewish House Szentendre (Zsidóház Szentendre), 2000 Szentendre, Pátriarka St. (Pátriarka u.) 6.
Budapest glows: rink night, party robot, gifts, and more
2025.12.15. 18:00 Hello Buda – Hello Hanukkah. The energetic Hegyvidék community takes over Hello Buda with skating, kosher hot chocolate, tea, mulled wine, sweet doughnuts, and the Hanukkah menorah. Venue: Hello Buda, 1025 Budapest, Törökvész Road (Törökvész út) 93/A.
2025.12.16. 18:00 Hanukaparty with Party Robot at Móricz Zsigmond Square (Móricz Zsigmond körtér). Expect candles, the triumphant Hanukkah story, doughnuts, cocoa, tea, and serious dancing—plus a special guest who looks like they rolled in from the future.
2025.12.16.–12.21. Hanukkah gift stand at Nyugati Square (Nyugati tér). Opening hours: 12.14 Sun 12:00–19:00; 12.15 Mon 12:00–19:00; 12.16 Tue 12:00–19:00; 12.17 Wed 12:00–19:00; 12.18 Thu 12:00–19:00; 12.19 Fri 10:00–14:00; 12.20 Sat 17:00–19:00; 12.21 Sun 12:00–19:00. Venue: Nyugati Square (Nyugati tér).
Kids bake and craft on Óbuda’s side
2025.12.17. 16:00 Let’s bake and create together! KiddieTime’s first Hanukkah bash blends favorite kids’ activities with the coziest winter holiday: making Moroccan doughnuts, sfenj, and crafting a menorah—hanukkiah—too. Free, but registration required: titkarsag@zsidogimnazium.hu. Venue: Maimonides Elementary and High School (Maimonidész Általános Iskola és Gimnázium), 1036 Budapest, Tímár Street (Tímár utca) 16.
Hanukkah Caravan: a rolling menorah lights the city
2025.12.20. Bring your car to Óbuda, Galagonya St. (Galagonya u.) 8 (parking lot), and in minutes it becomes a glowing, rolling hanukkiah. The convoy cruises through Budapest as the Hanukkah Caravan, arriving at the central hanukkiah at Nyugati Square (Nyugati tér) for the ceremonial lighting of the first flame. Start: Óbuda, Galagonya St. (Galagonya u.) 8. Arrival: Nyugati Square (Nyugati tér). Organizer: EMIH office, Óbuda, Galagonya St. (Galagonya u.) 8.
Miskolc hands-on: pour-your-own candles
2025.12.21. Candle-pouring workshop in Miskolc. Make your own candles to brighten the holiday. Register by email: zsidohaz.miskolc@zsido.com. Limited spots. Ticket: $5.45 per person. Venue: Jewish House Miskolc (Zsidóház Miskolc), 3525 Miskolc, Kazinczy Ferenc St. (Kazinczy Ferenc u.) 12.
Buda Castle shines, then skate the solstice night
2025.12.21. 16:00 Light up Buda Castle! Join us for Hanukkah candle lighting at Kapisztrán Square (Kapisztrán tér)—eat doughnuts, dance, and lift your spirits by the hanukkiah’s glow. Location: Budapest, Buda Castle (Budavár), Kapisztrán Square (Kapisztrán tér).
2025.12.21. 21:00 Hanukkah Skating at City Park Ice Rink (Városligeti Műjégpálya), on the longest night of the year. The ice is ours, the doughnuts are ours, and there’s a bonus: blazing hot tea. The Festival of Lights brings a blazing mood; lace up and glide. Prizes for the boldest Hanukkah outfits. Free admission up to age 6. Venue: 1146 Budapest, Olof Palme Promenade (Olof Palme sétány) 5.
Note
Organizers reserve the right to change times and programs.
