Debrecen Advent awaits visitors between the 29th of November and the 23rd of December 2024 throughout the city. The list of the programs is at the end of the article.
Novelties in the city center
The Dósa nádor square is embellished with a fabled world and light park, where families, children and adults can experience the miracles of Christmas. In the fabled town, the field table of our childhood comes to life, with a tunnel, a church, pine trees, a watchman’s house, a light railway and a merry-go-round. For the first time, there will also be Christmas dwarves at the fair, who come to life every night and can be found in a new location in the morning. This time, Debrecen Advent is enriched with a new spectacular attraction: with the cooperation of downtown shops, the advent calendar comes to life from the 1st of December, which can be discovered in a new shop window every day. The festive lights not only decorate the city, but also a starry sky appears above the ice rink, which guests can use until Epiphany, the 6th of January. An inter-holiday fair awaits everyone between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Social initiatives
During the Advent period this year, more than 7,000 children can use the skating rink for free, which not only provides a social experience, but also sports opportunities. In keeping with the classic Christmas tradition, in addition to the selected, high-quality craft and gastronomic exhibitors, visitors will also be welcomed with a HUF 1,500 one-course meal among the delicacies.
During the Advent fair, from Monday to Friday, elementary school children can take part in free chimney cake making. Additional crafts are available in the Advent Kucko for children and families, who can make holiday decorations with their very own hands.
Musical specialties
From Thursday to Sunday, those who interested are welcomed with free programs in the fair area and on the stage. In several productions in the city center, the audience of the Advent fair can choose from children’s concerts to productions evoking the intimate atmosphere of the holiday, from street theater to spectacular dance performances.
The internationally recognized Animus Csengettyű Ensemble, the Bordó Sárkány Band, the Szironta Ensemble, and the audience favorite musical duo will perform, Viki Békefi and Feng Ya OU. Among others, the Eszter-Lánc fabled orchestra, the popular Debrecen Garrison Band, the Four Fathers Song Group, Viki Singh, and Kata Csondor, who became known for her Christmas hit, also gave a concert. At this year’s Advent fair, we will also find János Vágó, i.e. Mr. Piano, as well as the spectacular worklist, János Horváth. In the meantime, the Kölcsey Center will be continuously tuning in to Christmas with festive programs, where you can see and hear, among others, the Valcer Táncstúdió, the Adventissimo and the StEFREM choir with Sára Bolyki.
With the power of spirituality and traditions
Every Advent Sunday, visitors can tune in to the holiday by lighting a candle together in front of the Debrecen Reformed Great Church. Traditional processions starting from the Old Town Hall bring the charm of Advent to downtown Debrecen. (The time for the first candle lighting is at 5 p.m. on the 1st of December, while those interested are expected at 4 p.m. on subsequent Sundays.)
Betlehem revives old customs that bring people of all ages closer to the celebration of love.
This year’s programs also include the charity Ugly Hoodie Run on the 7th of December between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., making the Christmas of disadvantaged families and children more beautiful.
Advent Soul Garden
The Garden of Remembrance will be transformed into a Garden of Spirits for Advent, courtesy of the Reformed Parish of Debrecen-Nagytemplomi and the Charitable Board, where light installations, a soul walk and fundraising will take place.
Living Betlehem
At 3 p.m. on the 20th, 21st and 22nd of December, the Christmas story will be brought to life in the manger set up in the Memorial Garden with the participation of real characters.
Debrecen says goodbye to the Year with a street ball
We can welcome the new year in Debrecen with a large-scale New Year’s Eve Street party: BÚÉK Debrecen is returning to Kossuth Square on the 31st of December, New Year’s Eve. The musical and dancing fun starts at 8 pm with the participation of a DJ, followed by the live music concert of Abrakazabra with Jenifer Szirota and Máté Gudics from 9:15 pm. In the last hour of the new year, Abrakazbra plays with Tamás Vastag. At the New Year’s Eve Street party, from midnight until 2 am, Erős vs Spigiboy will provide the best-known hits.
Program:
The 29th of November:
- Dósa nádor Square
9 am-12 pm: Kindergarteners decorate the Christmas tree - Kossuth Square
3:30 pm-4 pm DuoTrio Street Theater
5 pm-5:40 pm Bordó Sárkány Band
6:30 pm-7:10 pm Péter Kitti, Adél Lieli and Marcell Horváth - Advent Fair
3 pm-5 pm DuoTrio Street Theater
The 30th of November:
- Kossuth Square
3 pm-3:30 pm DuoTrio Street Theater
4 pm-4:15 pm Kenguru Dance Sport Club
5 pm-5:40 pm Szironta Ensemble
6:30 pm-7:10 pm Viki Békefi and Feng Ya OU - Advent Fair
3 pm-5 pm DuoTrio Street Theater
4 pm-5 pm LESZ DANCE Dance- and Sport Club’s dancers in costume - ‘Adventi Kuckó’
Opening hours: 11 am-9 pm - Ice ring
8:30 pm-10 pm Skate disco – Dew Tailor
The 1st of December:
4:30 pm-5 pm A traditional procession from the Old Town Hall to the Debrecen Reformed Church
5 pm-6 pm First Advent candle lighting
- Kossuth Square
4 pm-4:30 pm Zsuzsa Lehőcz and Dániel Takács
6:30 pm-7:10 pm Orpheum Madams Band - Dósa nádor tér
3 pm-3:40 pm East 4 Brass - Advent Fair
4 pm-5 pm LESZ DANCE Dance- and Sport Club’s dancers in costume - ‘Adventi Kuckó’
Opening hours: 11 am-8 pm
The 5th of December:
- Kossuth Square
5-6 pm Eszter-lánc fabled band and the Santa Claus - ‘Adventi Kuckó’
2:30 pm-5 pm Meet the Santa Claus
The 6th of December:
- Kossuth Square
5 pm-5:50 pm Éva Bolba Éva and JAZZterlánc
6:10 pm-6:25 pm Debrecen Majorette Club
The 7th of December:
- Baltazár Dezső Square
10 am-12:30 pm Christmas Ugly Hoodie Run. Contribute: Fruzsi Erdős. - Kossuth Square
3 pm-4:45 pm Betlehem meeting
5 pm-5:30 pm Debrecen Garrison Band
6 pm-6:40 pm Four Fathers Song Group - Dósa nádor Square
2:30 pm-3:15 pm Garagulya Stilt-walker Comedy Company
5:45 pm-6 pm Debrecen Garrison Band - Advent Fair
2 pm-4 pm Zsolt Horváth organ-grinder
4 pm-5 pm LESZ DANCE Dance- and Sport Club’s dancers in costume - ‘Adventi Kuckó’
Opening hours: 11 am-9 pm
11 am-2:30 pm, 3:30 pm-6 pm Meet the Santa Claus - Ice ring
8:30 pm-10 pm Skate disco – István Vilmos Balogh
The 8th of December:
3 pm-4 pm A traditional procession from the Old Town Hall to the Debrecen Reformed Church
4 pm-5 pm Second Advent candle lighting
- Kossuth Square
4 pm-4:15 pm Dance Universe Dance Sport Club
5 pm-5:40 pm Animus Bell Ensemble
6 pm-6:40 pm Gabi Völgyesi - Dósa nádor Square
2:30 pm-3:15 pm Hoppers Stunt Gang
3:30 pm-4 pm György Reschofsky - Advent Fair
2 pm-4 pm Zsolt Horváth organ-grinder
4 pm-5 pm LESZ DANCE Dance- and Sport Club’s dancers in costume - ‘Adventi Kuckó’
Opening hours: 11 am-8 pm
11 am-2:30 pm, 3:30 pm-6:30 pm Meet the Santa Claus - Kölcsey Center
6 pm Adventissimo! – Debrecen Garrison Band
The 10th of December:
- Kölcsey Center
6 pm Christmas Valceremony – Valcer Táncstúdió festive gala
The 13th of December:
- Kossuth Square
5 pm-5:40 pm Dongó Ensemble
6 pm-6:20 pm Crimson Snails Fire juggler Team
The 14th of December:
- Kossuth Square
3:15 pm-3:45 pm Christmas Singers
4:30 pm-5:10 pm “Season ticket break – Orchestra of the Csokonai National Theater”
6 pm-6:40 pm Viki Singh - Dósa nádor Square
3 pm-3:45 pm Langaléta Garabonciások
4.15 pm-4:45 pm Christmas Singers - Advent Fair
2 pm-4 pm Zsolt Horváth organ-grinder, János Vágó Mr. Piano
4 pm-5 pm LESZ DANCE Dance- and Sport Club’s dancers in costume - ‘Adventi Kuckó’
Opening hours: 11 am-9 pm - Ice ring
8:30 pm-10 pm Skate disco – Dew Tailor
The 15th of December:
3:30 pm-4 pm A traditional procession from the Old Town Hall to the Debrecen Reformed Church
4 pm-5 pm Third Advent candle lighting
- Kossuth Square
4 pm-4:15 pm LESZ DANCE Dance- and Sport Club’s dancers in costume
5 pm-5:30 pm Christmas program of the Department of Classical Music, University of Debrecen
6 pm-7 pm Debrecen Dixieland Jazz Band - Dósa nádor Square
2 pm-2:40 pm East 4 Brass
3 pm-3:45 pm Hoppers Stunt Gang - Advent Fair
2 pm-6 pm Zsolt Horváth organ-grinder, János Vágó Mr. Piano
4 pm-5 pm LESZ DANCE Dance- and Sport Club’s dancers in costume - ‘Adventi Kuckó’
Opening hours: 11 am-8 pm
The 20th of December:
- Kossuth Square
5 pm-5:40 pm Vivien Csakmag
6 pm-6:40 pm Kitti Péter and Marcell Horváth
The 21st of December:
- Kossuth Square
4:15 pm-4:45 pm Lituus Rézfúvós Együttes
5 pm-5:40 pm Sándor Nagy
6 pm-6:40 pm The King’s Men - Dósa nádor Square
3:30 pm-4 pm Lituus Rézfúvós Együttes - Advent Fair
2 pm-6 pm János Vágó Mr. Piano
3 pm-5 pm DuoTrio Street Theater
4 pm-5 pm LESZ DANCE Dance- and Sport Club’s dancers in costume - ‘Adventi Kuckó’
Opening hours: 11 am-9 pm - Ice ring
8:30 pm-10 pm Skate disco – István Vilmos Balogh
The 22nd of December:
3:30 pm-4:30 pm A traditional procession from the Old Town Hall to the Debrecen Reformed Church
4 pm-5 pm Fourth Advent candle lighting
- Kossuth Square
5:15 pm-5:45 pm Klaudia Kuczmog, Norbert Antóni, Marcell Horváth
6 pm-6:40 pm Kata Csondor - Dósa nádor Square
3 pm-3:30 pm DuoTro Street Theater - Advent Fair
2 pm-6 pm János Vágó Mr. Piano
3 pm-5 pm DuoTrio Street Theater
4 pm-5 pm LESZ DANCE Dance- and Sport Club’s dancers in costume - ‘Adventi Kuckó’
Opening hours: 11 am-8 pm
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