Another astonishing Christmas fair and ice rink opened in Budapest’s downtown

The joke is that the Christmas fair and ice rink was opened by Gergely Karácsony, Budapest’s incumbent mayor. Karácsony in Hungarian means Christmas. Anyway, both the fair and the rink are astonishing and worth a visit for locals and tourists.

According to 24.hu, one of Budapest’s popular Christmas fairs opened on the Deák Ferenc Square, in the city’s downtown. The venue is the City Hall Park (Városháza Park). There is a brand new ice rink, and you can join the Christmas Shoebox Presents campaign of the Hungarians Baptist Aid.

Photo: MTI

Gergely Karácsony, Budapest’s opposition mayor, said they would like to offer the residents the experience of holiday preparations in the city’s heart. That is why they created the Christmas adventure park and the ice rink. He added that there would be decorative lighting due to the end of the energy crisis.

The ice rink will remain open until 7 January. On 3 December, they will organise an Advent candle-lighting celebration. On 6 December, they will welcome Santa Claus at the Deák Square Christmas Fair. He will give presents for the first 300 kids.

Traditional Hungarian chimney cake in the park:

Charity and political conflicts over the new Christmas Fair

Tibor Hári, the CEO of the Hungarians Baptist Aid, said they expected Christmas shoebox presents until 18 December. They will distribute them among children living in difficult socio-economic circumstances. Last year, they collected more than 60 thousand shoeboxes, making the charity campaign Hungary’s biggest. They will expect donations in 400 collection points in Hungary.

As we wrote HERE, Hungary’s world-known Christmas Fair opened on Vörösmarty Square, a few blocks away, last week. However, the prices are very high, so it is not surprising that most people visiting are foreigners.

Here is a video:

Before last year, the Vörösmarty Square was under the operation of Budapest. As a result, its income flew into the municipal budget. However, the government took that away from Budapest and gave it to the Fidesz-led 5th district (we wrote about that action HERE). That is why the Budapest leadership decided to organise another Christmas Fair not far from the Vörösmarty Square. Of course, that is good news for locals and tourists alike.

Read also:

• Chain stores in Hungary announce 24 December closure one after the other – Read more HERE
• Great news for Christmas! A Hungarian favourite may get cheaper – Details in THIS article