Winter Party Season In Zalakaros: Baths, Ice, Beats

Discover Zalakaros’s winter: thermal baths, ice rink, concerts, family splash days, VIP New Year’s Eve parties, and big-name gigs. Explore culture, gastronomy, hikes, and festive nightlife December–January.
when: 2025.12.27., Saturday - 2025.12.31., Wednesday

Zalakaros rolls out a packed winter lineup from December 27, 2025, to January 31, 2026, spreading the fun across multiple venues in the spa town and beyond. Expect a full mix of culture, gastronomy, cinema, theater, sports, and—of course—thermal bliss. Between concerts, exhibitions, and guided or optional leisure programs, the region begs to be explored, with hiking routes in and beyond the resort’s borders.

Snowy Bath Party and Family Splash Days

December 29 brings the magical Snow Bath Party (Havas Fürdőparty) at Zalakaros Spa (Zalakarosi Fürdő), combining snowfall, steaming thermal pools, festive lights and décor, plus a live concert by the Decsi Brothers (Decsi Fivérek) from 17:00. It’s your cue to warm up winter in hot mineral water under the open sky.
From December 27–31, the Winter Splash (Téli Csobbanás) animated water wonderland packs daily family fun: ball quests, treasure fishing, aquafitness, club dance, glitter tattoos, balloon twisting, face painting, water limbo, New Year’s lucky-coin hunt, and mini discos. Highlights include water aerobics on December 31 at 10:30–10:50 and 15:30–15:50, plus creative hours making New Year’s party hats from 12:00–14:30.

Ice Rink and Korzó Nights

Lace up at the Karos Promenade (Karos Korzó) ice rink for Everyone on the Ice! (Jégre mindenki!) December 29, 2025–January 4, 2026, then again January 5–11, 12–18, 19–25, and 26–31. Evening vibes light up the Promenade with Star Magic (Csillagvarázs): Laci Horváth (Horváth Laci) on December 27 (17:30), DJ Bony on December 28 (18:00), the Rezsek–Hervai duo on December 29 (18:00), and an Early New Year’s Eve (Előszilveszter) with DJ Czege on December 30 (18:00). New Year’s Eve turns premium with a VIP Dinner & Party in the Grand Hall from 18:00, then DJ Rebell kicks off the New Year’s Eve Party (Szilveszteri Party) at 20:00.

Two Parties, One Night

On December 31, New Year’s Eve in Zalakaros (Szilveszter Zalakaroson) delivers One Night – Two Parties: DJ Rebell spins 20:00–02:00 at the Event Space, and the All-Inclusive New Year’s Party takes over the Karos Promenade (Karos Korzó). “Let’s greet 2026 together… a little differently!” the hosts tease.

New Year, Big Names, Local Flair

On January 1 at 16:00, the Mayor delivers a New Year’s greeting. January 2 brings TNT with Ákos Dobrády (Dobrády Ákos) and Krisztián “Inti” Zuber (TNT Inti Zuber Krisztián). January 3 features a Krampus Parade (Krampusz), while January 9–10 heats up with a Hut Party (Hütte). Balkan Fanatik lands on January 24. The season closes January 31 with a Men’s Day Charity Ball.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.

2025, adminboss

Pros
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Packed, family-friendly mix—water games, mini discos, crafts, face painting, and ice skating keep kids and parents happy
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Snowy Bath Party in hot thermal pools is a unique winter experience you won’t easily find in the U.S.
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Lots of dates across a full month, so you can fit it into a broader Central Europe trip
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Big-name Hungarian acts and DJs give you authentic local flavor without feeling too insider-only
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No Hungarian required—signage at spas and promenades is usually multilingual, and staff in tourist areas speak basic English
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Easy to reach by car from Budapest or Lake Balaton; parking at spa towns is generally straightforward
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Public transport workable via train/bus to nearby towns, then short taxi or local bus to Zalakaros
Cons
Zalakaros itself isn’t a globally famous destination, so first-timers may need extra planning vs. Budapest or Vienna
International name recognition of performers is low; music appeal may depend on how much you enjoy discovering local acts
Crowds and VIP dinner/party pricing on New Year’s Eve can feel pricey and hectic compared with smaller U.S. town events
Public transport at night and on holidays is limited, so late parties might require taxis or driving yourself

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