The Nutcracker returns to cast its timeless spell in 2025/2026 with a wave of ballets, film screenings, and concerts across Hungary. The tale still asks whether we can settle for appearances or must believe everything has a soul to find happiness. A plain wooden doll, trapped by a curse. A girl who sees the feeling heart beneath paint and wood—and does everything to break the spell. Children’s faith changes the world; adults relearn how to feel, not just see.
Budapest fills the season
It starts on 2025.12.17 at the Budapest Congress Center (Budapest Kongresszusi Központ). That same day, the Danubia Orchestra performs the full ballet score at 1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc Square (Liszt Ferenc tér) 8. On 2025.12.18, the grand 22 Andrássy Avenue (Andrássy út 22) staging opens, with tickets from 37,400–120,000 HUF. The 17 Nagymező Street (Nagymező utca 17) production runs 2025.12.18–12.21, 12.22–12.23, and 12.25–12.28, with seats priced 12,300–25,200 HUF. 4 József Attila Square (József Attila tér 4) hosts Ékszer Ballet Dance Ensemble: The Nutcracker (Ékszer Balett Táncegyüttes: A diótörő) on 12.19 for 2,000 HUF. A festive concert, The Nutcracker and the Melodies of the Holidays (Diótörő és az ünnep dallamai), plays 12.19 at Liszt Ferenc Square (Liszt Ferenc tér) 8. The Royal Ballet recording screens 12.20 at 2–6 Ybl Miklós Square (Ybl Miklós tér 2–6) for 3,500 HUF. Also on 12.20, a reimagined classic tale–dance show arrives at 18 Csörsz Street (Csörsz u. 18) for 7,900–8,900 HUF. A one-act fairy-tale ballet with the call to “Bring the fairy tale to life!” (Keltsd életre a tündérmesét!) lands 12.21 at 27 Haller Street (Haller u. 27). Budaörs’ ChocoBar // The Nutcracker (Csokibár // Diótörő) arrives 12.22 with 2,000–2,500 HUF tickets. A Christmas ballet plays 12.23 at 1–3 Jagelló Road (Jagelló út 1–3). And the 22 Andrássy Avenue (Andrássy út 22) juggernaut continues 12.23–12.28, then 12.30, and 2026.01.02–01.04, 01.06–01.08, and 01.10–01.11, always 37,400–120,000 HUF. On 2025.12.25, a recorded London broadcast screens at 1088 Budapest, 21 Rákóczi Road (Rákóczi út 21) for 4,900 HUF. On 2026.01.18, 1 Dózsa György Road (Dózsa György út 1) hosts a performance priced 13,000–24,000 HUF.
Across the country
Szeged stages Szeged Contemporary Ballet: The Nutcracker (Szegedi Kortárs Balett: Diótörő) 2025.12.17–12.18 at 1 Vaszy Viktor Square (Vaszy Viktor tér 1) for 3,200–6,800 HUF, then returns 2025.12.20–12.22 in Budapest at 16–20 Little Rókus Street (Kis Rókus u. 16–20). Further south, 2026.01.03 brings Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Csajkovszkij: A diótörő) to 1–3 Upper Tisza Embankment (Felső Tisza-part 1–3) for 12,000–23,000 HUF. Székesfehérvár hosts 2025.12.15–12.17 at 8 Main Street (Fő utca 8) with 1,400–3,000 HUF tickets. Kecskemét (1 Deák Ferenc Square/Deák Ferenc tér 1) runs 12.20–12.21. Győr offers 12.21 at 16 Road of the Martyrs of Arad (Aradi vértanúk útja 16), and 2026.01.17 at 46 Miklós Radnóti Road (Radnóti Miklós út 46) for 10,500–17,500 HUF. Budapest’s 23–25 Carpathian Street (Kárpát utca 23–25) hosts 2025.12.27–12.30 for 7,900–9,900 HUF. Then Szombathely (01.08, 10,500–17,000 HUF), Kaposvár (01.10, 9,800–16,000 HUF), Eger (01.13), Miskolc’s Generali Arena (Generali Aréna) (01.14, 10,500–16,250 HUF), and Veszprém (01.15, 11,250–21,000 HUF).
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
