Celebrate 2026 in Budapest with a majestic New Year Organ Gala at St. Stephen’s Basilica, featuring Bach, Handel, Mozart, and more in an unforgettable evening of sacred classics.
when: 2026.01.02., Friday
where: 1051 Budapest, Szent István tér 1.
The New Year Organ Gala comes to Budapest’s St. Stephen’s Basilica on January 2, 2026, transforming the sanctuary into an intimate concert hall where the audience can savor masterful performances beneath breathtaking frescoes and artwork. The 8:00 p.m. program showcases timeless pieces by Charpentier, Albinoni, Bach, Handel, Mozart, Gounod, Liszt, Purcell, Mascagni, and Charles-Marie Widor, with the Basilica’s grand organ in the spotlight.
Program Highlights
Expect M.-A. Charpentier’s Te Deum with trumpet; Albinoni’s Adagio; Bach’s D minor Toccata, Air, and Fugue on the grand organ; Gounod’s Ave Maria; Mozart’s Ave verum corpus and Benedictus sit Deus for chorus; Handel’s Water Music for trumpet; Franck’s Panis angelicus for solo and choir; Widor’s blazing Toccata from Organ Symphony No. 5; Vivaldi’s Gloria duet; and Handel’s Hallelujah for chorus.
Artists and Tickets
Grand organ and conductor: András Virágh; sanctuary organ: Gábor Szotyori Nagy; chorus: ETUNAM Chamber Choir; trumpet: László Borsódy. Tickets: Category I $33.30, Category II $30.60, Category III $22.20; students/seniors $31.90/$29.20/$20.80. On sale at the Basilica’s main entrance from 10 a.m. on concert day. No children under 6. Organizers reserve the right to change the time and program.
2025, adrienne
Pros
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Family-friendly for older kids and teens who enjoy music; clear rule of no children under 6 helps keep the concert quiet
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Famous composers (Bach, Handel, Mozart, Vivaldi, Widor, Liszt) make the program instantly recognizable to U.S. visitors
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St. Stephen’s Basilica is one of Budapest’s best-known landmarks to foreign tourists, so the venue itself is a draw
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No Hungarian needed—the music and basic ticketing are straightforward for English speakers
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Easy access: central downtown location near metro/tram; taxis and rideshares common; driving and parking possible but not necessary
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Ticket prices are very affordable by U.S. standards, with student/senior discounts
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Compared with organ/choral galas in Europe or U.S. cathedrals, this pairs top-tier repertoire with a spectacular historic interior at a lower cost
Cons
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Not ideal for families with toddlers due to the under-6 restriction and concert etiquette
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Tickets sold day-of at the Basilica entrance only may mean lines or sell-outs; limited advance planning
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Program is sacred/Baroque-heavy; those wanting pop/holiday crossover might find it niche
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Winter travel: cold evenings and possible post-holiday crowds can make logistics a bit less convenient
