23-metre giant from a small town chosen as Hungary’s Christmas tree
Just a few weeks remain until Christmas, and preparations have officially begun: the Office of the National Assembly has once again selected the fir that will become the country’s Christmas tree and stand on Budapest’s Kossuth Square from the first Sunday of Advent until Epiphany. The decision has now been made: the tallest tree in the town of Ibrány, an almost 23-metre silver fir, will become Hungary’s Christmas tree for 2025.
31 trees offered for the honour
According to information shared on the National Assembly’s Instagram and Facebook pages, offers arrived throughout the year from every corner of the country. Out of the 31 submitted trees, 18 were tall enough to be inspected on site – and several candidates from last year’s selection returned to the competition.
The final decision was made after considering multiple factors: in addition to reaching a minimum height of 20 metres, the tree needed to have a well-proportioned shape, dense foliage, safe accessibility, and the resilience to withstand cutting and transport.
A 40-year-old family tree travels to Budapest
The chosen festive tree is special not only because of its impressive size, but also because of its story. The silver fir from the Nyírség region was offered by a local family who requested anonymity. The tree had grown tall over forty years in their garden, and, as Szon.hu reported, it was at the grandchildren’s suggestion on last year’s Christmas Eve that they decided the time had come for it to serve the nation’s celebration.
For the family, it will be an emotional moment to see the tree they planted with its root ball and lovingly cared for over decades shine in festive lights in front of the Hungarian Parliament, announcing the approach of Christmas in one of the busiest squares in the country.
A point of pride for the Nyírség region
The enormous tree is a source of pride not only for the family, but for Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County as well. Locals say it is a special honour that a fir from the Nyírség region has been chosen as the country’s Christmas tree this year. Although candidates from this area have been submitted in previous years, the Ibrány giant has outshone them all in 2025.
Soon to arrive on Kossuth Square
Preparations for transporting the monumental silver fir are already underway, requiring significant logistical planning due to overhead power lines, crane work and the space needed for transport vehicles. The journey of the tree is being documented on video, and according to the National Assembly, the coming days will also showcase the key moments of its decoration and the Advent candlelighting ceremony.
Earlier report – check out 2023’s Christmas tree: