Tihany heads into late 2025 and early 2026 with a packed calendar of culture, lights, flavors, and family fun across multiple venues. The peninsula’s nature and heritage take center stage: exhibitions, concerts, theater, the famous lavender spirit, foodie programs, seasonal festivals, and both scheduled and optional leisure activities keep things lively all year. It’s not just about events—Tihany and its surroundings are ripe for discovery, with hikes, rambles, and scenic detours within and beyond the village limits. Follow the excitement and discover the natural and cultural treasures of the Tihany Peninsula as you go.
December highlights
On December 20, a Bejgli-making workshop rolls up sleeves in Tihany, just in time to master the festive poppy seed and walnut classic. The same day at dawn, a Candlelight Rorate Mass ushers in the morning for early risers craving calm before celebrations pick up. Later, Advent preparations glow: an Advent Candle Lighting adds a warm note to the countdown.
December 20–January 4 brings Tihany Light Magic (Tihanyi fényvarázs), a festive light experience casting a glow across the village. Expect atmospheric installations and holiday sparkle that transform winter walks into something quietly magical. Meanwhile, December 21 hosts a Gingerbread Workshop for kids—sticky fingers, sweet spices, and handmade decorations included.
At 5:00 p.m. on December 21, Advent’s fourth candle is lit at Ferenc Mádl Square (Mádl Ferenc tér). The candle will be lit by Norbert Jeromos Mihályi, OCist prior, and Mrs. Zoltán Apró (Zoltánné Apró), with the Lavender Choir (Levendula Dalkör) providing music. Visitors are treated to mulled wine, tea, and gingerbread, and if the weather turns, the ceremony moves indoors to the Magtár’s upstairs hall.
Treasure hunts and ferry lights
From December 15–21 and again December 22–28, plus December 29–January 4, an outdoor playful tour called In Search of Tihany’s Hidden Treasures invites teams and families to explore streets, squares, and buildings through a brand-new, unique game. It’s more than a hunt—it’s memory-making for kids and adults alike, packed with teamwork and those small, surprising discoveries that make a place stick with you.
The ferry between Tihany and Szántód gets a luminous upgrade: Travel by Light Ferry runs December 15–21, December 22–28, December 29–31, January 1–4, and again from January 5–31. Crossing the narrowest stretch of Lake Balaton becomes a winter postcard—water, stars, and a floating ribbon of light stitching the shores together.
Between Christmas and New Year
December 23 offers another Candlelight Rorate Mass, and Christmas Eve brings the Christmas Vigil (Szenteste). December 25 is Christmas Day, followed by December 26 honoring Saint Stephen the Protomartyr (Boxing Day in many calendars).
On December 27, a Guitar Mass fills the Tihany Benedictine Abbey Church with strings and hymns, and later the same day, a Retro Xmas Disco with DJ Schneider throws it back with holiday sparkle and a dance-floor glow. December 28 marks the Feast of the Holy Family. Masses continue December 29–30, and on December 31, the community gathers for a Thanksgiving at the End of the Civil Year before the evening flips into revelry.
New Year by the water
New Year’s Eve, billed as New Year above Lake Balaton (Szilveszter a Balaton felett), brings the vibe and views that only this high perch over the water can deliver. On January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (New Year’s Day) begins the year with reflection, and January 2–3 feature the Rosary and Mass. January 4 is the Second Sunday after Christmas, January 5 includes Mass, and January 6 celebrates the Epiphany (Vízkereszt).
Stay a little longer
Accommodation options around Tihany include cozy guesthouses, family-run apartments, and a shoreline guesthouse run by the Balaton Limnological Institute. Several lodgings sit close to the village center with gated parking and lake views; many welcome guests year-round with comfortable rooms, private bathrooms, and well-equipped kitchens. Expect balconies with stunning panoramas across the Inner Lake, the open Balaton, and the Abbey Church’s silhouette. One modern family house accommodates up to 10 people, perfect for groups seeking nature and quiet.
There’s also a hotel named for Aquilo, the Roman god of the north wind, uniquely placed on the north shore with views over Balatonfüred and the rolling hills. Beyond lounging and swimming, the hotel’s active tourism center can kit out your adventure—think sailing trips and small boats to hire for private outings. For science fans and lakeshore dreamers, the institute’s guesthouse sits right on the water, with 17 air-conditioned rooms (two suites, eight doubles, seven triples), baths with tubs or showers, in-room fridges, TVs, and landline phones, plus Wi‑Fi throughout.
Nature and learning
The Balaton Uplands National Park Directorate runs a forest school whose mission is to showcase the natural and cultural history of the Tihany Peninsula, awarded the European Diploma in 2003. Programs bring the peninsula’s volcanic past, echoing hills, lavender fields, and protected habitats into focus, revealing why this compact corner of Balaton is so cherished.
How to plug in
The calendar remains colorful throughout December and rolls into January with liturgy and light ferry rides. Between Mass times, hands-on workshops, treasure hunts, and the Light Magic glow, there’s always a next stop. Keep an eye on local listings for exact venues and any weather-related changes—especially for outdoor ceremonies shifting to the Magtár’s upper hall if clouds gather. Above all, come ready for winter air, warm drinks, and the kind of small-town sparkle that makes holidays by the lake feel big.
