Budapest’s RaM-ArT Theatre, the city’s first “experience theatre,” rolls out a packed 2025–2026 program at its venue on 23–25 Kárpát Street (Kárpát utca) in District 13. Operating as a receiving house, it stages high-quality productions from Budapest and regional companies, weaving together comedy and drama, classical and light music, and family shows. It’s designed as an easy win for a full-family night out—and ticketing happens without handling fees, which means faster buying before the dreaded “sold out” sign goes up.
A Sharp, Modern Comedy Takes Aim at Beauty Ideals
Friday, 19 December 2025, 19:00 — A two-act comedy directed by Árpád Iványi arrives with a punchy cast: Andrea Balázs as Helen, Tibor Pásztor as Tom, Barnabás Réti as Carter, and Szilvia Lilla Tóth as Jeannie. Translation by Barnabás Réti; dramaturgy by Anna Varsányi; visuals by Árpád Iványi; costumes, makeup, hair by Bálint Katona; set/props by Zoltán Nyitrai; lighting by Melinda Pálmai; sound mix by Bánk Csutorás; prompter Gabriella Csizmadia; assistant director Zsófia Tóth.
Tom, an ambitious employee at a big firm, falls for the irreverent, wickedly funny Helen, whose fuller figure defies prevailing beauty standards. As their bond deepens, office jokes and body-shaming chip away at their peace, testing Tom’s faith and loyalty. The piece skewers a success-obsessed culture that prizes appearances, asking where personal happiness ends and public performance begins. How much do we absorb the stories told about us? Can we keep faith in ourselves? And how much does appearance shape life’s outcomes?
This is Neil LaBute’s razor-edged satire about modern beauty ideals and the compromises people make to chase success and acceptance. Premiered Off-Broadway in 2004 and Olivier-nominated for Best Comedy, it now gets its first Hungarian staging. Andrea Balázs reunites with director Árpád Iványi and Barnabás Réti—the team behind the hit Tortúra (Misery)—promising a blend of comedy and tough emotional notes tailor-made for Helen.
Christmas Waltz Magic with the Budapest Strauss Orchestra (Budapesti Strauss Zenekar)
Saturday, 20 December 2025, 19:00 — Ring in the season with the resident orchestra, the Budapest Strauss Orchestra (Budapesti Strauss Zenekar), as they continue their Four Seasons concert series with Christmas Waltz Magic (Karácsonyi keringővarázs). Expect a fragrant, twinkling, pine-scented evening of waltz bliss—an invitation to settle into holiday mode with music and warmth.
Program highlights glide from Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus – Overture, Tik-Tak Polka, Figaro – Polka, Treasure Waltz, Champagne Polka, Wiener Blut – Waltz, and Par force! – Quick Polka, to Josef Strauss’s Feuerfest – French Polka and Without a Care – Quick Polka, Émile Waldteufel’s The Skaters’ Waltz, Julius Fučík’s Entry of the Gladiators, Johann Strauss I’s Sighs Galop, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers. Chief Conductor: András Deák. Artistic Director–Concertmaster: Rita Csáky-Bogár.
Menta Orchestra’s Christmas Charity Concert
Sunday, 21 December 2025, 19:00 — Back by demand after last year’s success, Menta Orchestra returns with an uplifting charity show. Born from a circle of friends, the ensemble shifts fluidly from acoustic formats to full-band power, delivering a varied program to match every listener’s heart-song. It’s about music, togetherness, good vibes—and giving back.
Proceeds support the I’m With You Foundation (Veled Vagyok Alapítvány), whose volunteers accompany young people living in children’s homes, providing steady presence, acceptance, and safe connection. The foundation helps kids discover their talents and interests, offering year-round, age- and personality-tailored programs that shape a sense of future and goals. Last year, with Menta Orchestra’s help, they created a true, intimate Christmas: cooking stuffed cabbage together in a charming wooden cottage, tucking presents beneath the tree, and celebrating with laughter and play. Donations are common; what’s rare is that deep, personal attention. This year’s funds will again build a real Christmas for the kids and also support three more children’s homes plus one aftercare apartment—whether that means building a sandbox or supplying essential materials, depending on need.
The Grinch (Grincs) Swipes Christmas—Twice in One Day
Monday, 22 December 2025, 11:00 and 14:00 — The Pest Artists’ Theatre – Fogi Theatre (Pesti Művész Színház – Fogi Színház) brings The Grinch Who Stole Christmas! (Grincs, aki elrabolta a karácsonyt!). The Grinch lives alone in his cave on Mount Crumpit with his loyal dog, Max, surrounded by gadgets that keep him snug and reclusive. He only ventures to Whoville when supplies run low, but every year the Whos’ Christmas gets louder and brighter. When they announce this year’s celebration will triple in size, he decides there’s one way to reclaim peace: steal Christmas. He disguises himself as Santa and even snares a whiny reindeer to pull his sleigh. Down in Whoville, Cindy-Lou Who, bubbling over with holiday cheer, plots with friends to trap the real Santa to thank him for helping her overworked mom. As Christmas nears, her sweet plan is on a collision course with the Grinch’s mischief.
Cast: Grinch — Krisztián Bánhidi / András Borbíró; Uncle Brikettbaum — András Fogarassy / András Borbíró; Ikk-Mikk-Fikk — Dorina Pintér; Ikk-Mikk-Fikk’s mother — Andrea Dóka; Vendor/Townsman — Gergő Fogarassy / Milán Decsi; Max the dog — Bálint Tóth.
Symphonic Christmas Concert Show with Gábriel
Tuesday, 23 December 2025, 19:00 — The Gödöllő Symphony Orchestra (Gödöllői Szimfonikus Zenekar) teams up with the Farkas Gábriel Band for a sumptuous holiday concert. Conductor: Márton Rácz. Vocals: Gábriel Farkas. Piano: Attila Juhász. Drums: Tamás Berdisz. Bass: Péter “Bubu” Farkas. Gábriel launched his first holiday concert in 2002 at the Budapest Moulin Rouge; since then, the tradition often drew four sold-out shows a year. Continuing for a second year at RaM-ArT, he unveils a fresh set list with his jazz trio, joined by the symphony and a magical female voice.
Expect Sinatra favorites alongside heartwarming holiday standards. Audience singalong moments include a beloved Piramis classic from their Hungarian-language album Gift (Ajándék). Wrapped in hot cocoa and the scent of pine, the night ushers in the winter solstice glow. Gábriel, a true entertainer, threads songs with stories—moving and hilarious—and sends everyone home humming into the final festive prep.
The Nutcracker (Diótörő): A Dazzling Dance Show
Saturday, 27 December 2025, 14:30 and 18:00; Sunday, 28 December, 10:30 and 14:30; Monday, 29 December, 14:30 and 18:00; Tuesday, 30 December, 14:30 and 18:00 — A fairy-tale dance spectacle reframes the classic. Three siblings—Martha (Masa), Masha (Mása), and Louisa (Lujza)—sneak out of their institution on Christmas to watch the city’s preparations. When the streets empty and the kids return, angels led by Chief Angel Drosselmeier gather gifts for the home and conjure a glowing Christmas tree in the great hall. Drosselmeier dazzles with magic and presents a special Nutcracker figure, setting the stage for wonder to unfold.
