How Christmas is celebrated in Hungary – And how it differs from the UK and the US

Spending Christmas in Hungary can feel both familiar and surprisingly different for visitors from the United Kingdom or the United States. While decorated trees, festive meals and family gatherings are universal, the timing, traditions and even who brings the presents follow a distinct Hungarian rhythm.

Here is how Christmas is actually celebrated in Hungary, and what may surprise foreigners experiencing it for the first time.

Christmas Eve is the main event

One of the biggest differences is when Christmas really happens. In Hungary, 24 December (Christmas Eve) is the most important day of the entire holiday season.

Families typically gather in the late afternoon or early evening. Dinner, gift-giving and the unveiling of the Christmas tree all take place on the 24th, not on Christmas morning, as in the UK or US.

By the time 25 December arrives, many Hungarians consider the “main” celebrations already over.

Who brings the presents? Not Santa

In Hungary, Santa Claus does not bring Christmas presents.

Gifts are traditionally brought by the Baby Jesus (Jézuska), an invisible, symbolic figure. Children are often sent out of the room while the tree is “decorated by Jézuska”, and a bell signals when it is time to return.

Saint Nicholas (Mikulás) does appear in Hungarian culture, but on 6 December, when children receive small treats, not Christmas gifts.

The Christmas tree appears late

Unlike in many UK and US households, where trees go up weeks in advance, Hungarian Christmas trees usually appear only on 24 December.

Decorating the tree is often part of the evening ritual rather than a long-term decoration. Traditional ornaments include glass baubles, tinsel, candles (now mostly electric), and wrapped sweets (szaloncukor) hung directly on the branches.

A quiet, family-centred evening

Christmas Eve is typically calm and intimate. Restaurants close early, cities become noticeably quieter, and the focus shifts firmly to family.

After dinner and gift-giving, many families attend midnight Mass, even if they are not regular churchgoers. Others spend the evening talking, eating dessert, or watching classic Hungarian films.

• Discover the story of Christmas Eve and Hungarian holiday traditions!

Traditional Christmas foods look different too

Hungarian Christmas meals differ significantly from the roast dinners common in the UK or US.

On Christmas Eve, many families avoid meat and instead serve dishes such as:

• fish soup (halászlé),
• breaded carp or hake,
• poppy-seed or walnut-based desserts.

Heavier meat dishes are more common on 25 and 26 December, when extended family visits take place.

25–26 December: Visiting and resting

While Christmas Eve is private, Christmas Day and Boxing Day are more social. Families visit relatives, exchange leftovers, and spend long hours eating and talking.

For foreigners, it is worth noting that shops are closed, public transport runs on a reduced schedule, and planning ahead is essential.

A slower, more symbolic Christmas

Compared to the UK and US, Christmas in Hungary is:

• less commercial,
• more symbolic,
• and more tightly centred on family rituals.

There is less emphasis on large-scale entertainment and more focus on shared meals, traditions passed down through generations, and quiet time together.

For expats and visitors, understanding these differences can make spending Christmas in Hungary not only easier, but far more meaningful.