The Nutcracker is back in a big way for the 2025/26 season, lighting up Budapest and cities nationwide with ballets, screenings, and concerts. The timeless tale still asks the same haunting question: Is the glittering surface enough, or do we need to believe that everything has a soul to find happiness? A clumsy wooden figure, trapped by a cruel curse. A brave girl who sees the feeling heart behind the paint and fights to break the spell. It’s the story that lets children change the world—and teaches adults to feel, not just look.
Budapest Highlights
Budapest kicks off a packed run December 18–21, with multiple venues joining in. The Congress Center hosts performances on December 21. Over in Terézváros at 17 Nagymező Street (Nagymező utca 17), The Nutcracker plays December 18–21, December 22–23, and December 25–28, with tickets priced at approximately 82 USD. The grand stage at 22 Andrássy Avenue (Andrássy út 22) presents The Nutcracker (A diótörő) December 23–28, December 30, January 2–4, and January 6–8, with tickets from about 140 USD. A special “The Royal Ballet 2025/26 – Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (A diótörő)” recorded broadcast from London screens December 25 at 21 Rákóczi Road (Rákóczi út 21), with tickets around 13 USD.
Look for a one-act fairy-tale ballet, “Bring the Fairy Tale to Life!” in Ferencváros (Haller u. 27) December 20–21. The Szeged Contemporary Ballet (Szegedi Kortárs Balett) brings its rendition to the Millenáris area (Kis Rókus u. 16–20) December 20–22, with tickets near 23 USD. A holiday performance, “The Nutcracker – Christmas Ballet,” appears December 23 in Hegyvidék (Jagelló út 1–3). In Zugló (Dózsa György út 1), Tchaikovsky’s classic lands January 18, with tickets about 35–65 USD.
Beyond the Capital
Győr stages The Nutcracker December 21 on 16 Aradi vértanúk Road (Aradi vértanúk útja 16), and again January 17 on 46 Miklós Radnóti Road (Radnóti Miklós út 46), roughly 29–49 USD. Kecskemét hosts December 18–21 at 1 Ferenc Deák Square (Deák Ferenc tér 1). Budaörs mixes sweets and story with “Chocolate Bar // The Nutcracker (Csokibár // Diótörő)” on December 22 (about 5.40–6.80 USD). Szeged welcomes Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker January 3 at 1–3 Upper Tisza Embankment (Felső Tisza-part 1–3), about 33–63 USD. Szombathely’s date is January 8 at 18 Sugár Street (Sugár u. 18), around 29–46 USD. Kaposvár follows January 10 at 97 János Arany Street (Arany János u. 97), about 27–43 USD. Eger joins January 13 at 4 Hatvani Gate Square (Hatvani kapu tér 4). Miskolc’s Generali Arena (Generali Aréna) hosts January 14, about 29–45 USD. Veszprém’s show arrives January 15 at 5 Outer Kádárta Road (Külső-kádártai út 5), about 31–58 USD.
Tickets and Notes
Prices across the season range from roughly 5.40 USD to 140 USD, depending on venue and date. Events span December 2025 through mid-January 2026, with additional calendar browsing available by week or range. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs, so keep your plans flexible—and your holiday spirit ready.
