Budapest’s first “experience theatre,” the RaM-ArT Színház at 1133 Budapest, Kárpát utca 23–25, rolls out a packed 2025–2026 season mixing plays, symphonic and light-music concerts, and kid-friendly shows. It’s a receiving house that champions quality productions, hosting both Budapest and regional companies, with programming that’s very much a family night out waiting to happen.
Sharp-Edged Comedy Takes on Beauty Ideals
Friday, December 19, 2025, 7:00 PM brings a two-act comedy that digs into the modern obsession with appearance and status. Tom, a rising corporate employee, falls for Helen, a hilariously candid woman who doesn’t fit the slender mold. As office jabs about her body escalate, their relationship gets stress-tested; Tom’s faith and loyalty wobble under pressure. The play skewers a success-oriented, surface-obsessed society while tossing out big questions: Where’s our own happiness compared to what we show others? How much do we swallow what people say about us? Can we hang on to self-belief? And how much does our body shape steer our lives?
Neil LaBute’s satire explores how far people bend to fit the beauty standard to win approval and success. The hit, first staged Off-Broadway in 2004 and Olivier-nominated for Best Comedy, is making its Hungarian stage debut. The lead role brings national favorite Andrea Balázs back with director Árpád Iványi and actor Barnabás Réti, reuniting the team behind the smash Tortúra (Misery). Helen is a role made for Balázs, who pairs comic snap with serious dramatic range.
Cast: Helen — Andrea Balázs; Tom — Tibor Pásztor; Carter — Barnabás Réti; Jeannie — Szilvia Lilla Tóth. Hungarian translation by Barnabás Réti; dramaturgy by Anna Varsányi; set and direction by Árpád Iványi; costumes/makeup/hair by Bálint Katona; props by Zoltán Nyitrai; lighting by Melinda Pálmai; sound mixing by Bánk Csutorás; prompter Gabriella Csizmadia; assistant director Zsófia Tóth.
Waltz Into Christmas With the Budapest Strauss Orchestra
Saturday, December 20, 2025, 7:00 PM: Christmas Waltz Magic (Karácsonyi Keringővarázs) invites you to lean into the season with the RaM-ArT Theatre’s resident ensemble, the Budapest Strauss Orchestra (Budapesti Strauss Zenekar). Continuing their Four Seasons series, they promise melody-rich sparkle with top-tier musicians. No handling fees add to the cheer—grab seats before the sold-out sign goes up.
Program highlights: Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus Overture and Tik-Tak Polka; Julius Fučík’s Entry of the Gladiators; Josef Strauss’s Feuerfest (French Polka) and Ohne Sorgen (Quick Polka); Émile Waldteufel’s The Skaters’ Waltz; Strauss II’s Figaro-Polka, Schatz-Walzer, Champagne-Polka, Wiener Blut (Vienna Blood), and Par Force! (Quick Polka); Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers; plus Emmerich Kálmán’s Countess Maritza (Marica grófnő) Overture; Franz Lehár’s Wild Roses Waltz; and Johann Strauss I’s Sighs Galop. Chief conductor: András Deák; artistic director–concertmaster: Rita Csáky-Bogár.
Menta Orchestra’s Christmas Benefit, With Heart
Sunday, December 21, 2025, 7:00 PM: The Menta Orchestra returns after last year’s sellout with a charity concert built on camaraderie and musical range—from intimate acoustic to full-band warmth. It’s all about shared joy and giving back.
Proceeds support the Veled Vagyok Foundation, whose volunteers work with young people separated from their families and living in children’s homes. The mission: consistent attention, acceptance, safe connections, and tailored programs that help kids discover talent, shape plans, and reach goals year-round. Last year, with Menta Orchestra’s help, the team created a true Christmas for the kids in a charming wooden cottage—cooking stuffed cabbage together, piling gifts under the tree, turning the day into a laughter-filled celebration. Donations are common; what’s rare is personal warmth. This year’s funds aim to recreate that magic and support three more homes and a post-care apartment—anything from building a sandbox to providing vital equipment, depending on needs.
The Grinch Steals the Holidays—Twice
Monday, December 22, 2025, 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas! (Grincs, aki elrabolta a karácsonyt!) by Pesti Művész Színház – Fogi Színház. The Grinch lives alone on Mount Kobak with his loyal dog Max, surrounded by gadgets that keep him comfy. He only ventures down to Whoville (Kifalva) when food runs out. But Whoville’s ever-bigger, brighter, louder Christmas shakes his peace—and when the Whos announce that this year’s Christmas will be triple-sized, he hatches a plan: dress as Santa, snare a whiny reindeer, and wipe out the holiday.
Meanwhile, Cindy-Lou Who (Cindy-Lou Ki), a girl bursting with yuletide cheer, plans to trap Santa to thank him for helping her overworked mom. As the big day nears, her sweet scheme looks set to collide with the Grinch’s mischief. Cast: Grinch — Krisztián Bánhidi / András Borbíró; Brikettbaum bácsi — 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, December 23, 2025, 7:00 PM: The Gödöllő Symphony Orchestra (Gödöllői Szimfonikus Zenekar) teams up with the Gábriel Farkas Band. Conducted by Márton Rácz, with vocals by Gábriel Farkas, piano by Attila Juhász, drums by Tamás Berdisz, bass by Péter “Bubu” Farkas. Gábriel first staged a holiday concert in 2002 at the Budapest Moulin Rouge, often selling out four shows annually. Now in its 23rd year—and its second at RaM-ArT—the tradition expands with a fresh setlist, the symphony’s lush backing, and a spellbinding female voice. Expect Sinatra staples, heartwarming holiday standards, surprises, and Hungarian pop classics you’ll want to sing along to—like the Piramis hit from their Gift (Ajándék) album. Think hot cocoa, pine scent, and twinkling décor guiding you into the winter solstice’s glow. Gábriel, a born entertainer, strings the songs with stories both moving and hilarious. You’ll head out smiling and humming.
Nutcracker, Reimagined as a Dance Spectacle
Saturday, December 27, 2025: 2:30 PM and 6:00 PM; Sunday, December 28: 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM; Monday, December 29: 2:30 PM and 6:00 PM; Tuesday, December 30: 2:30 PM and 6:00 PM. The Nutcracker (Diótörő) becomes a lavish dance show. We meet three siblings—Masa, Mása, and Lujza—who sneak out of their children’s home on Christmas to watch the city prepare. When the streets empty and they slip back inside, angels led by Chief Angel Drosselmeier deliver gifts to the great hall beneath a dazzling tree. Drosselmeier enchants the kids with a magical performance and unveils a special Nutcracker figure—setting the stage for wonder to unfold.
