Tihany is gearing up for a packed 2025–2026 winter season with concerts, talks, outdoor adventures, and shimmering ferry rides across Lake Balaton. The peninsula’s cultural calendar runs all year: exhibitions, concerts, theater, the famous lavender festival, food-focused weekends, and a full slate of guaranteed and optional leisure activities. Beyond the events, the village and its surroundings are made for exploring—think hiking trails within and beyond the town limits, plus panoramic views and history at every turn. Dive into the peninsula’s natural and cultural wonders by following the experiences on offer.
Advent Sundays in Tihany
Advent in Tihany leans into community, music, and tradition. On December 14, the afternoon kicks off at 3:00 p.m. with Decorate Your Own Cookie!, a gingerbread-decorating workshop in the upstairs hall of the Magtár. At 4:00 p.m., an Advent musical devotion fills the Benedictine Abbey with candlelit calm. Then at 5:30 p.m., the third candle is lit in Mádl Ferenc Square by notary Tamás Jurics and kindergarten director Judit Leidlné Szabó, joined by the children of Tihany’s kindergarten.
Talks, Music, and Abbey Moments
On December 12, Brother and author Richárd Korzenszky OSB speaks in the popular Attic Evenings series in Tihany, bringing thoughtful reflection to the season. On December 27, the Tihany Benedictine Abbey Church hosts a guitar-accompanied Mass, marking the eve of the Feast of the Holy Family with intimate music and a quiet, festive mood.
Light Ferry: Sail the Glow Between Tihany and Szántód
This winter, don’t just cross the lake—glide through it in lights. The special light ferry runs for multiple weeks:
– December 8–14, 2025
– December 15–21, 2025
– December 22–28, 2025
– December 29–31, 2025
– January 1–4, 2026
– January 5–31, 2026
Even locals make time for a crossing. It’s a fresh way to see Lake Balaton in winter, with the shoreline twinkling and the abbey silhouetted above.
Outdoor Adventure: The Hidden Treasures of Tihany
Game meets guided discovery in a new outdoor playful tour running across several festive weeks:
– December 8–14, 2025
– December 15–21, 2025
– December 22–28, 2025
– December 29, 2025–January 4, 2026
This self-guided treasure hunt is designed for everyone—families, friends, couples. Explore Tihany’s streets, squares, and iconic buildings while solving clues and working as a team. It’s not just a game; it’s a big experience that’s just as exciting for adults as it is for kids. Gear up, go hunting, and enjoy the shared wins.
The Fourth Candle: Community Lights the Way
On December 21 at 5:00 p.m., the fourth Advent candle is lit in Mádl Ferenc Square by Prior Norbert Jeromos Mihályi and Zoltánné Apró. The Levendula Dalkör choir provides the music, bringing a local flourish to the season’s last Sunday.
More December Picks
– December 12, 2025: Attic Evenings at Porta Pacis with Richárd Korzenszky OSB.
– December 14, 2025: Advent musical devotion at the Benedictine Abbey.
– December 27, 2025: Eve of the Feast of the Holy Family – Guitar Mass in the Abbey Church.
Several listings extend through late December into January, keeping the holiday energy going well past Christmas.
Stay in Tihany: Where to Check In
If you’re lingering for a few days, Tihany’s guesthouses and hotels cover all bases. Many small guesthouses are open year-round, some accepting all three SZÉP cards for payment. A recurring option: private homes with loft apartments and additional separate rooms ideal for small groups; several hosts note they can accommodate larger parties. These often feature private parking, good for peace of mind in the village center.
If you want a nature-adjacent base, look for new family houses offering en-suite rooms or apartments, lounge areas with satellite TV, and well-equipped kitchens. Balconies come with show-stopping panoramas: the Inner Lake, the stretch of Lake Balaton, and the Abbey Church. Typical capacity is around 10 people—perfect for a small family takeover.
Prefer hotel polish? One standout on the north shore faces Balatonfüred and the rolling Füred hills. Named after Aquilo, the Roman god of the north wind, the hotel brings lake leisure and sport together. Beyond the beach, its active tourism center can kit you out for an eye-opening day: sailboats, rental motorboats, and tailored adventures await.
Science by the Water, Learning in the Park
Right on the lakeshore, the Balaton Limnological Institute Guesthouse gives you a front-row seat to Balaton’s natural theater. The property has 17 air-conditioned rooms—two suites, eight doubles, and seven triples—for a total capacity of 42. Suites come with bathtubs; other rooms have showers. Expect in-room fridges, TVs, and landline phones, plus Wi-Fi throughout the guesthouse.
For deeper dives into landscape and heritage, the Balaton Uplands National Park Directorate’s forest school introduces the natural and cultural history of the Tihany Peninsula, which received the European Diploma in 2003. It’s a chance to understand why the region is so fiercely loved: geyser cones, lavender fields, volcanic echoes, and centuries of monastic life woven together.
January Notes
As the new year settles in, events continue into January 2026, including the light ferry across Lake Balaton and further cultural listings. Mark January 17, 2026, as a date to watch, with program details released closer to the day.
Why Winter Works in Tihany
Winter strips Tihany back to essentials: light on water, bells in the Abbey, village squares glowing at dusk. Whether you come for a candle lighting, a ferry crossing, a quiet Mass, or an all-ages treasure hunt, it all points to the same thing—Tihany knows how to turn the cold season into something warm. Pack a thermos, bring your people, and let the peninsula do the rest.
