Tihany is packing the calendar with color from mid-December through early January, with outdoor games, candlelit Masses, family workshops, a twinkling light experience, and even a lit-up ferry gliding across Lake Balaton. Multiple venues around the 8237 postal area host the wave of programs, and visitors can add stays, food-and-drink stops, and day trips across the peninsula’s natural and cultural landmarks. Expect exhibitions, concerts, theater, the beloved lavender spirit woven through the season, and plenty of free-time activities—both scheduled and optional—designed to get you exploring on foot and as a team. If the weather turns, some events shift indoors without losing the vibe. Phone contacts and direct booking links are provided by organizers.
Handmade Holidays
On December 20, a bejgli-making workshop rolls out the dough in Tihany, keeping the traditional Christmas poppy seed and walnut loaves alive in the tastiest way. The same day, a candlelit dawn Mass sets a reflective tone for early risers, while an Advent candle-lighting taps into the classic ritual that’s been the heartbeat of the season.
December 21 is for families: a gingerbread workshop for kids invites small hands to cut, bake, and decorate. At 5:00 p.m., the fourth Advent candle is lit on Ferenc Mádl Square by Jeromos Norbert Mihályi, Prior, and Mrs. Zoltán Apró (Apróné Zoltán), with the Lavender Choir (Levendula Dalkör) lending their voices. Guests are greeted with mulled wine, tea, and gingerbread; in case of bad weather, the lighting moves upstairs into the Magtár Hall. Betlehemezés, the traditional nativity play, runs December 21–22, carrying local theatrical flair into the heart of Christmas week.
Lights, Lake, Action
From December 20 to January 4, Tihany Light Magic (Tihany Fénytvarázs) casts the village in a glow—expect festive illuminations and photogenic corners to wander through after dark. Meanwhile, the signature “travel by light ferry” service runs in multiple stretches: December 15–21; December 22–28; December 29–31; January 1–4; and January 5–31. The illuminated crossing between Tihany and Szántód transforms a simple hop across Balaton into a mood-lifting spectacle on winter waters.
Play Outside, Find the Hidden
“Outdoor playful tour: in search of Tihany’s hidden treasures” runs December 15–21, again December 22–28, and once more December 29–January 4. It’s not just a game: you’ll explore streets, squares, and buildings, hunting clues and uncovering the village’s layers as a group. It’s billed as thrilling and unforgettable for kids and adults alike—part treasure hunt, part team adventure, and a full-on way to get the blood pumping and the camera roll filled.
Mass, Music, and Midnight
December 27 brings a guitar Mass at the Tihany Benedictine Abbey Church, blending devotional tradition with warm acoustic energy. If you’re in a more dance-floor mood, the same day hosts Retro Xmas Disco with DJ Schneider—sequins, classics, and a late-night swirl.
Tihany celebrates New Year’s Eve over the lake on December 31 with “New Year’s Eve over Lake Balaton” (Szilveszter a Balaton felett), one of the season’s marquee moments. The run-up and aftermath are shaped by sacred milestones too: candlelit dawn Masses on December 20 and 23 set a contemplative rhythm; Christmas Vigil (Szenteste) on December 24 leads into Christmas Day on December 25 and St. Stephen the First Martyr on December 26. December 27 is the eve of the Feast of the Holy Family, marked with a guitar Mass; December 28 celebrates the Feast of the Holy Family; December 29–30 sees daily Mass; and December 31 closes the civic year with a thanksgiving service.
Into January
The new year opens with January 1 as the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Újév), followed by Rosary and Mass on January 2–3. January 4 is the Second Sunday after Christmas; January 5 continues with Mass; and January 6 celebrates Epiphany (Vízkereszt). The illuminated ferry keeps running through January 31, a winter constant linking Tihany and Szántód with glowing crossings that are both practical and poetic.
Where to Stay
Accommodation options come thick and friendly. Several guesthouses welcome you in the attics of private homes with two-room apartments or standalone rooms, and they can host larger groups too. All three SZÉP cards are accepted. One new family house near nature offers year-round comfort with en-suite rooms or apartments, a lounge with satellite TV, and a well-equipped kitchen. Balconies open onto grand panoramas of the Inner Lake, Lake Balaton, and the Abbey Church. Capacity: 10 guests.
Another cozy guesthouse on the picture-perfect Tihany Peninsula sits close to the village center, with enclosed parking to keep cars safe. A lakeside standout is the Balaton Limnological Institute’s guesthouse, directly on the water in a scenic setting. It features 17 air-conditioned rooms—two suites, eight doubles, and seven triples—with space for 42 guests. Suites have bathtubs; rooms have showers. Expect in-room fridges, TVs, and landline phones, plus Wi‑Fi throughout.
For a hotel with a view, a uniquely placed north-shore property looks out toward Balatonfüred, the rolling Füred Hills, and the northern shore, named for Aquilo, the Roman god of the north wind. Beyond the beach, the hotel’s active tourism center lines up memorable outings, including a sailboat and rentable small boats waiting for your crew.
Why Now
Tihany’s winter season blends ritual and revelry: candlelight and choir, gingerbread and bejgli, disco and dawn Mass, ferry lights skimming the lake. It’s a reason to wander the peninsula’s trails, dig into its heritage, and let the year turn with warmth, wonder, and a little Balaton sparkle.
