Advent returns to the Royal Palace of Gödöllő across two festive weekends, December 6–7 and December 13–14, 2025. In the 1870s, the royal family loved spending Christmas here; this year, the palace dresses up again for the season and throws open its doors with concerts, theater, crafts, and luminous nights.
Exhibition Opening
From December 6, the temporary exhibition A.E. Köchert, Jewels of Emperors and Kings showcases imperial sparkle inside the palace.
Saturday, December 13 – Advent at the Palace
13:00 Chamber concert by Gödöllő’s young talents, free. Program: Bach: Duet in F major (BWV 803), Schubert: Arpeggione Sonata, Schubert: Impromptu in F minor (Op. 142 No. 4), Fauré: Élégie, F. Poulenc: Sonata. Performers: Péter Ittzés, piano; Flóra Botrágyi, flute; Mátyás Kertész, cello.
15:00 The Lost Golden Jingle Bell, a free show by Holdfű Theater (Holdfű Színház).
19:00 Same Time, Next Year 2 – The Legend Continues by Starlight Productions (Csillagfény Produkció). Tickets: Zone I $22.40, Zone II $19.60, Zone III $16.70.
Sunday, December 14 – Advent at the Palace
11:00 Kolompos Ensemble children’s concert in the Riding Hall, $9.90.
13:00 Anita Polyák: Pearl of My Heart, free theatrical performance supported by the Petőfi Cultural Program.
13:30 Royal Christmases, family museum education program (with admission).
14:00 Dreaming of Christmas, free Lumina concert.
15:00 Tales Beyond the Milky Way, free show by Golden Donkey Theater (Aranyszamár Színház).
All-Day Programs, December 13–14
General Pausa Mixed Choir Christmas concerts; artisans’ Christmas fair; Trilla Elves musical market shows on the afternoons of December 7 and 14; traditional Nativity plays on December 7, 13, and 14.
Family program fees: ages 3–6: $6.30 + $2.80; ages 6–18: $7.70 + $2.80; adult ticket: $15.20 + $2.80.
Gala Nights and Choir
Thursday, December 18, 19:00: Virtuosos Gala Concert with Plácido Domingo, featuring winners and special prize recipients of the classical talent show, in the Riding Hall.
Friday, December 20, 18:00: Gödöllő Cavaletta Women’s Choir holiday concert, $9.90. Zoltán Györe: Missa Intima – Jazz Mass world premiere.
Lights, Garden, Magic
The Sparkling Palace Park – Empress Elisabeth Light Park glows daily 17:00–21:00; tickets available on-site and online. The Palm House unveils a Christmas fairytale world with elegant, colorful ornaments and décor ideas. Visit the palace this winter and soak up the season with your family. Organizers reserve the right to change times and programs.
