Debrecen Advent awaits visitors between the 29^th of November and the 23^rd of December 2025 throughout the city.

The city’s Christmas tree, the 14-meter-high silver fir, was donated to the city by Zsolt Pápai. Kossuth Square will be decorated with 10,000 lights, making Kossuth Square even more magical with a light net. The new Advent Bridge will also be decorated in lights, and the lights will also play a major role in the evening Ice Flower Carnival.

On the 13^th of December, the Ice Flower Carnival will be organized for the first time, and its fairytale atmosphere will envelop Debrecen.

Another novelty is being prepared, the Advent Bridge, which spans over the ice rink like a gate.

Programs at the Ice Flower Carnival:

• 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Family cinema morning and craft program at the Apollo Cinema
• 10:00 a.m. – Ice Magic 1st film screening – Apollo Cinema (in Hungarian)
• 12:30 p.m. – Ice Magic 2nd film screening – Apollo Cinema (in Hungarian)
• 10:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Ice sculpture demonstration at Kossuth Square
• 5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. – Ice Flower Carnival parade (Szent Anna Street – Piac Street – Kossuth Square)
• 8:30 –10:00 p.m. – Ice skating disco at the Ice Rink

This year, charity will also play a central role: with the donations collected at the city’s Christmas tree, we can help those who need it most.

The Ugly Hoodie Run will be held again on the 6^th of December, where a cloudless atmosphere and a charitable cause go hand in hand.

Santa Claus will be welcoming children at the Advent Kuckó on the 5^th of December from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on the 6^th and 7^th of December from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Visitors will also be treated to a meal priced at 1,500 HUF, and during the Advent market from Monday to Friday, elementary school children can participate in free chimney cake making.

Ice Rink

School groups from Debrecen can skate for free on the 800 square meter ice rink in Kossuth Square.

Opening hours

November 22, 2025 – December 23, 2025

Weekdays: 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

Weekends: 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

December 24, 2025: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

December 25–30, 2025: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

December 31, 2025 – January 1, 2026

(December 31) 9:00 a.m. to (January 1) 1:00 a.m.

January 1, 2026: 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

January 2–4, 2026: 9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

• Ticket: 2,000 HUF/person/visit
• Accompanying ticket: 500 HUF/person/occasion
• Penguin rental: 1,000 HUF/piece/hour
• Skate sharpening: 2,500 HUF/pair/occasion
• Skate rental: 2,000 HUF/pair/occasion

A photo ID must be presented, or a deposit (10,000 HUF / pair / occasion) must be paid for skate rental.

Tickets are valid for one-time entry. Admission is free for children under 3 years of age.

Payment methods: Cash, credit card

Please indicate your invoice request in advance!

Programs

First advent weekend (nov. 28–30.)

• Triolett
• Kitti Péter and Marcell Horváth
• Bokros Band
• Fruzsi Erdős
• Miklós Bejan, Noémi Korponai-Kiss and Dániel Szabó
• Advent Silence – Light and Music Experience
• Candle lighting

The ceremony will feature Károly Fekete, Reformed Bishop; Fülöp Kocsis, Greek Catholic Archbishop-Metropolitan; Ferenc Palánki, Roman Catholic Bishop; László Papp, Mayor; opera singers Klaudia Kuczmog and Norbert Antóni; students of Ady Endre High School; Lautitia Choir Family; Little Choir of Svetits Catholic Primary School; Lituus Brass Ensemble.

Second advent weekend (dec. 5–7.)

• Fruzsina Kovácsovics Christmas show with Santa Claus
• Christmas Singers
• University of Debrecen Institute of Pop Music
• Dénes Pál
• Gyula Éliás Jr.
• Baltazár Dezső Square – Ugly Hoodie Run
• Candle lighting

The ceremony will feature: Richárd Asztalos, Lutheran pastor; Lajos Barcsa, Deputy Mayor; Zsuzsa Lehőcz and Dániel Takács – actors from the Csokonai National Theatre; singer Fruzsina Erdős-Tóth; Debrecen Folk Ensemble; Kuckó Artist’s Workshop; Bíró Band

Third advent weekend (dec. 12–14.)

• “Bérletszünet” – the band of the Csokonai National Theater
• Andrea Losonczki, Marcell Horváth and Boldizsár Kulcsár
• Orpheum Madams
• Adri Nagy
• Ice Flower Carnival
• Advent Silence – Light and Music Experience
• Candle lighting

The ceremony will feature János Kiss, Baptist pastor; Diána Széles, Deputy Mayor; folk singer Ildikó Bárdosi; Debrecen Hajdú Folk Ensemble; Debrecen Baptist Church Choir; Kuckó Artist’s Workshop; Bürkös Band

Fourth advent weekend (dec. 19–21.)

• Szironta Együttes
• Flóra Kováts quartet
• Debrecen Dixieland Jazz Band
• Orsi Kozma
• Nyári Aliz
• Advent Silence – Light and Music Experience
• Candle lighting

Performers at the event include Sipos Barnabás, Orthodox parish priest; Balázs Ákos, Deputy Mayor; the Choir of the Holy Trinity Hungarian Orthodox Church; singer Aliz Nyári; Énekelj! Singing Studio; Debrecen Folk Ensemble; Kuckó Art Studio; Bíró Band.

Culture lovers can also count on the rich Advent offer of the Kölcsey Center this year: we can tune in to Christmas with more than 20 concerts, exhibitions and festive programs. Among the performers will be Vilmos Gryllus, the Debrecen Big Band, Gabi Szűcs, Éva Csepregi and Charlie.

Vote!

Debrecen is the only Hungarian city to be included in the TOP 20 Christmas markets in Europe in the European Best Destinations selection. The public vote takes place between the 20^th and 27^th of November 2025, with one vote per day – without registration.

The official voting platform and further information can be found here: https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/christmas-markets

DKV

DKV’s festive light trams will set off on November 30^th to bring a magical atmosphere to the city’s everyday life.

Light tram traffic schedule:

Light trams will run between the 30^th of November 2025 and the 6^th of January 2026.

Light KCSV tram departure times from Nagyállomás on line 1:

During school periods, on weekdays:

4:50 am, 5:38 am, 6:28 am, 7:16 am, 8:06 am, 9:02 am, 9:58 am, 10:54 am, 11:50 am, 12:46 pm, 1:34 pm, 2:22 pm, 3:12 pm, 4:02 pm, 4:46 pm, 5:44 pm, 6:44 pm, 7:28 pm, 8:16 pm, 9:04 pm, 9:52 pm, 10:50 pm

During school breaks on weekdays:

4:50 am, 5:38 am, 6:26 am, 7:04 am, 8:00 am, 8:48 am, 9:36 am, 10:24 am, 11:12 am, 12:00 pm, 12:48 pm, 1:44 pm, 2:40 pm, 3:36 pm, 4:32 pm, 5:34 pm, 6:14 pm, 6:54 pm, 7:40 pm, 8:28 pm, 9:16 pm, 10:06 pm, 10:50  pm

On weekends and holidays:

4:50 am, 5:38 am, 6:26 am, 7:14 am, 8:02 am, 8:50 am, 9:38 am, 10:26 am, 11:14 am, 12:02 pm, 12:50 pm, 1:38 pm, 2:26 pm, 3:14 pm, 4:02 pm, 4:50 pm, 5:38 pm, 6:26 pm, 7:14 pm, 8:02 pm, 8:50 pm, 9:38 pm, 10:36 pm

Light CAF tram departure times from the Nagyállomás on line 2:

During school periods, on weekdays:

4:48 am, 5:44 am, 6:38 am, 7:28 am, 8:26 am, 9:22 am, 10:18 am, 11:14 am, 12:10 pm, 1:06 pm, 1:54 pm, 2:48 pm, 3:52 pm, 4:54 pm, 5:58 pm, 6:48 pm, 7:46 pm, 8:46 pm, 9:46 pm, 10:44 pm

During school breaks on weekdays:

4:48 am, 5:56 am, 6:44 am, 7:40 am, 8:36 am, 9:32 am, 10:28 am, 11:24 am, 12:20 pm, 1:16 pm, 2:12 pm, 3:08 pm, 4:04 pm, 5:00 pm, 6:08 pm, 6:58 pm, 7:58 pm, 8:58 pm, 10:00 pm

On weekends and holidays:

4:48 am, 5:44 am, 6:44 am, 7:44 am, 8:44 am, 9:44 am, 10:44 am, 11:44 am, 12:44 pm, 1:44 pm, 2:44 pm, 3:44 pm, 4:44 pm, 5:44 pm, 6:44 pm, 7:44 pm, 8:44 pm, 9:44 pm, 10:44 pm

Advent express departure times from the Nagyállomás on line 1:

The special Advent FVV tram only runs on the following days during the holiday period:

• November 30
• December 6
• December 7
• December 14
• December 20
• December 21
• December 25
• December 26
• January 1
• January 3
• January 4

On weekends and holidays:

9:34 am, 10:22 am, 11:10 am, 11:58 am, 1:34 pm, 2:22 pm, 3:10 pm, 3:58 pm, 5:34 pm, 6:22 pm, 7:10 pm, 7:58 pm

On the 7^th, 14^th and 21^st of December:

9:34 am, 10:22 am, 11:10 am, 11:58 am, 1:34 pm, 2:22 pm, 3:10 pm, 6:22 pm, 7:10 pm, 7:58 pm