New Year’s Week Explodes In Zalakaros

Celebrate New Year’s in Zalakaros: spa escapes, DJ Rebell parties, family aquafun, ice skating, concerts, TNT, Balkan Fanatik, and more all December–January. Plan your festive getaway now!

when: 2025.12.27., Saturday - 2025.12.31., Wednesday

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Zalakaros rolls out a packed end-of-year and January lineup across multiple venues, blending spa vibes, concerts, family fun, and late-night parties. From December 27 to 31, the resort town mixes culture, gastronomy, pools, and sports with excursions within and beyond the city limits. Expect exhibitions, concerts, theater, film screenings, festivals, healing and adventure baths, sports events, and plenty of activities for vacationers and day-trippers alike.

Two Parties, One Night: New Year’s Eve

December 31 is an all-out celebration. “One night – two parties!” at the Event Square and Hall: 20:00–02:00 DJ Rebell takes over, while Karos Promenade (Korzó) hosts the All-Inclusive New Year’s Eve Party. “Come ring in 2026 with us, just the way you expect… with a twist!”

Winter Splash: Animated Water Fantasy

From December 27 to 31, the pools turn into a playful world:
– Dec 27: 10:00–10:30 Ball adventures and treasure fishing; 10:30–11:00 Fun family aquafitness; 11:15–11:45 Hit it! Fill it up!; 12:00–12:30 Balloon twisting; 14:00–14:45 Fun aquafitness and club dance; 15:00–15:45 Glitter tattoos; 16:00–16:30 Mini water disco; 16:30–17:00 Face painting.
– Dec 28: repeats with “Ditch the ball!” and a Christmas candy hunt.
– Dec 29: fun diving quests; water bomb and water gun battle.
– Dec 30: water tug-of-war and limbo show; “Shoot, throw, splash!”; New Year’s lucky coin hunt.
– Dec 31: 10:30–10:50 and 15:30–15:50 water gym; 12:00–14:30 creative time – New Year’s party hats.

Star Magic at Karos Promenade (Korzó)

Dec 27: 17:30 Laci Horváth. Dec 28: 18:00 DJ Bony. Dec 29: 18:00 Rezsek–Hervai duo. Dec 30: 18:00 Pre–New Year’s with DJ Czege. Dec 31: 18:00 V.I.P. Dinner & Party (Grand Hall), then 20:00 New Year’s Party with DJ Rebell.

New Year, New Beats

Jan 1, 16:00: the Mayor’s New Year’s greeting. Jan 2: TNT with Ákos Dobrády and Krisztián “Inti” Zuber. Jan 3: Krampus Parade.

Ice, Ice Zalakaros

Skate at the Karos Promenade (Korzó) rink:
– Dec 29–Jan 4
– Jan 5–11
– Jan 12–18
– Jan 19–25
– Jan 26–31

Warm-Up Parties and Big Acts

Jan 9–10: Hütte Party. Jan 24: Balkan Fanatik concert. Jan 31: Men’s Day Charity Ball.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.

2025, adrienne

Pros

Family-friendly lineup with pool games, face painting, skating, and creative time that keeps kids busy while parents hit the spa

Easy to mix chill and party: thermal baths by day, concerts and DJ sets at night, so different age groups all win

Good value versus big-city NYE: smaller crowds, lots of free/low-cost promenade entertainment, and multiple venues in walking distance

No Hungarian required for fun—music, pools, skating, and parties are universally understandable, and tourist staff usually speak some English

Zalakaros is a known spa town in Hungary, so you’re getting an authentic local holiday vibe rather than a tourist trap

Reaching it is straightforward by car from Budapest or Vienna (highways, winter-ready), and there are train/bus combos to nearby Nagykanizsa, then local buses/taxis to town

Compared to other European NYE spa towns, the combo of kid-focused pool activities plus late-night DJ parties is a rare two-for-one - The town and event aren’t internationally famous, so you won’t get big-name headliners or the “bucket list” brag factor

Cons

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Public transport from Budapest requires a rail/bus transfer and some schedule wrangling, especially late at night or on holidays

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English signage and MCing can be limited; specific announcements and jokes will skew Hungarian

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If you want a massive midnight fireworks spectacle like in big capitals, this will feel more low-key and local