Zalakaros lights up December 27–31 with DJs, live music, and a two-party New Year’s Eve featuring an all-inclusive dinner ball and outdoor DJ bash. Toast 2026 in style.
when: 2025.12.31., Wednesday
where: 8749 Zalakaros,
Zalakaros turns the gap between the holidays into a nightly musical run-up to New Year’s Eve, with live acts and DJs from December 27–30 and a blowout pre–New Year’s bash. Each evening brings a different vibe to keep the city festive, then New Year’s Eve arrives with One Night – Two Parties: a dawn-tilt DJ blowout on the event square and a ticketed dinner ball in the event hall.
Countdown Lineup
Dec 27: 17:30–22:00 László Horváth (Horváth László)
Dec 28: 18:00–22:00 DJ Bony
Dec 29: 18:00–22:00 Zsolt Rezsek – Gábor Hervai (Rezsek Zsolt – Hervai Gábor) duo
Dec 30 (Pre-NYE): 18:00–22:00 DJ Czege
Dec 31: One Night – Two Parties!
Event Square: 20:00–02:00 DJ Rebell
Event Hall: New Year’s Party – All-Inclusive, Karos Promenade (Karos Korzó). Come toast 2026 the way you loved it this year… with a twist! Music: Deluxe Party Music. Extra decorations, extra vibe.
Dinner & Drinks
Buffet: creamy surprise soup; New Year’s puff “canapés”; BBQ pork ribs with parsley potatoes; game stew with homemade dumplings; creamy gnocchi with wild mushrooms; fresh salads; assorted desserts; midnight buffet.
Drinks: unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks; welcome drink on arrival; sparkling wine at midnight.
Tickets
Price: $52.90 per person. On sale at the Zalakaros Tourinform Office. Organizers reserve the right to change times and programs.
2025, adrienne
Pros
+
Family-friendly vibes: early evening sets most nights and a split option on NYE so adults can party while kids enjoy the square’s open-air scene
+
Easy on the wallet: the all-inclusive dinner ball at about $53 is a steal by U.S. standards for buffet, unlimited drinks, and entertainment
+
No Hungarian required: set times, DJs, and buffet format are straightforward; staff in tourist offices usually speak basic English
+
Simple logistics once in town: events centered on the Event Square and Event Hall near Karos Promenade make it walkable
+
Good public-transport access from larger hubs via train to Nagykanizsa then bus/taxi to Zalakaros; driving from Budapest is a straight shot on the M7
+
Strong comparison value: similar NYE dinner-dance packages in Western Europe or U.S. ski towns cost 2–4x more
+
Chill alternative to Budapest crowds: smaller city means shorter lines, easier seating, and a more local feel
- Lesser-known destination: Zalakaros isn’t a household name for U.S. travelers, so planning takes extra research
Cons
–
Lineup skews local: performers won’t be internationally famous, which may lessen the “bucket list” factor
–
English signage/info may be limited on-site; buying tickets at the Tourinform office could require patience
–
Getting there isn’t direct: no airport in town, so you’ll likely connect via Budapest and transfer by train/bus or rent a car
