Experience festive magic at Thury Castle, Várpalota: Christmas Craft Market, Advent programs, Rolling Stars parade, and Janklovics Péter’s comedy night. History, lights, and family fun in a storied setting.
when: 2025.11.29., Saturday - 2025.12.21., Sunday
where: 8100 Várpalota, Hunyadi M. tér 1.
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Centuries of history, today’s sparkle. Thury Castle in Várpalota offers immersive exhibitions, castle experiences, and crowd-pleasing events for every age and interest. Perfect for families, friends, history buffs, and anyone curious about what our shared past and centuries-old traditions can teach us. Location: 8100, Hunyadi M. Square (Hunyadi M. tér) 1.
Christmas Craft Market
December 6–21, 2025: Christmas Craft Market (Karácsonyi Kézműves Vásár) fills the castle with handmade gifts and seasonal treats. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00–17:00. Come for unique crafts, stay for the historic atmosphere.
Advent in Várpalota
November 29–December 21, 2025: Advent Magic – Várpalota Advent (Adventi varázslat – Várpalotai Advent) brings cozy lights, programs, and community vibes throughout the season. A warm-up to the holidays in a storied setting.
Rolling Stars Parade
December 23, 2025, 17:00: Rolling Stars (Guruló Csillagok), the Christmas car parade from Pétfürdő to Várpalota, turns the road into a glowing procession just before Christmas Eve.
Comedy Night
January 28, 2026: Duty Calls – Life Is Different (A bér kötelez – Az élet máshogy van), Janklovics Péter’s solo evening. Tickets: $18.10. Expect sharp stand-up in a dramatic venue.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
2025, adrienne
Pros
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Family-friendly vibe: castle setting, craft market, lights, and parade keep kids and adults happy
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Easy seasonal timing: late Nov–Dec dates line up with typical holiday travel, plus one January comedy night for shoulder-season visitors
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No deep background needed: Christmas markets and castle tours are universally understandable, great even if you’re new to Hungarian history
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Location has charm: a real medieval castle beats a generic mall market and gives great photo ops
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Budget-friendly: market entry typically low/free and the stand-up ticket price (~$18) is affordable
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Public transport doable: Várpalota sits between Budapest and the Balaton region with rail and road links; renting a car makes it even easier
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Less touristy than Budapest’s big markets, so you’ll get local flavor without heavy crowds - Várpalota and Thury Castle aren’t internationally famous, so planning takes more research than Budapest’s marquee events
Cons
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Limited English at smaller-town markets and a Hungarian-language stand-up show means non-speakers may miss nuances
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Market hours are short (11:00–17:00, Tue–Sun), which can clash with day trips and winter daylight
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Compared with iconic markets in Vienna, Prague, or Budapest, this one is smaller and has fewer food/drink stalls and evening programs
