Celebrate 2026 in Kecskemét with a dazzling New Year’s Concert: waltzes, opera hits, and symphonic favorites led by Huba Hollókői. Online tickets available—don’t miss the gala magic.
when: 2026.01.01., Thursday
where: 6000 Kecskemét, Deák Ferenc tér 1.
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The New Year’s Concert arrives in Kecskemét on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at 7:00 PM, at 6000, Deák Ferenc Square (Deák Ferenc tér) 1. Hírös Agóra teams up with the Kecskemét Symphony Orchestra for their beloved annual gala packed with opera and operetta hits, waltzes, and overtures. Online tickets are available. Price: $34.50. Organizers reserve the right to change the time and program.
The Stars and the Soundtrack
On the podium: chief conductor Huba Hollókői, leading the Kecskemét Symphony. Soprano Eszter Zavaros and bass-baritone Gábor Bretz headline as soloists. The program ranges from Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 2 to Brahms’s Hungarian Dances Nos. 5 and 6, Suppé’s Light Cavalry Overture, and Tchaikovsky’s Waltz from Swan Lake. Operatic highlights include Mozart’s La ci darem la mano (Don Giovanni) and the Papageno–Papagena duet (The Magic Flute), Figaro’s Non più andrai, Puccini’s Musetta’s Waltz and the Coat Aria (La bohème), Nicolai’s Falstaff aria (The Merry Wives of Windsor), along with Lehár’s Danilo’s entrance and Kálmán’s Countess Maritza (Gräfin Mariza) overture and entrance. Rarities appear too: Imre Széchenyi’s Leopoldinen-Polka.
Essential Details
Running time: about 120 minutes with one intermission. Date: 2026.01.01. City: Kecskemét. Online ticket purchase available.
2025, adrienne
Pros
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Affordable for a classy New Year’s gala ($34.50) with big-name composers you’ll recognize like Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Mozart
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Family-friendly vibe: two-hour runtime with an intermission, tuneful waltzes and operetta hits that work for mixed ages
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No Hungarian required—the music is universal and opera highlights are well-known; you can buy tickets online in English-friendly browsers
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A chance to see rising and established Hungarian talent (Kecskemét Symphony, conductor Huba Hollókői, star soloists) in an authentic local setting
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Easy day trip from Budapest: Kecskemét is on the main rail line (about 1–1.5 hours), and driving the M5 is straightforward with ample city parking
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Great value compared to New Year’s concerts in Vienna or major U.S. cities, with a similarly festive Strauss/operetta flavor
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Nice cultural add-on if you’re exploring Hungary beyond Budapest—Kecskemét’s center is compact and walkable around Deák Ferenc Square
Cons
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Kecskemét isn’t widely known to U.S. tourists, so you’ll need to plan logistics and possibly miss big-city holiday buzz
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Opera/operetta focus may feel niche if you prefer pop/rock New Year’s events; program changes are reserved by organizers
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Limited late-night transit after the 7 PM show on a holiday—returning to Budapest the same night can be tricky
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Some local announcements/signage may be in Hungarian only, which can complicate on-the-spot questions without a translation app
