Enjoy a festive Christmas evening on the river Danube in the heart of Budapest, taking in the beautifully illuminated riverside attractions on the Budapest Christmas Holiday Cruise with Live Music and Folk Dance Show. The spectacular panorama along the Danube is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
Spend Christmas in Budapest aboard the charming Count Széchenyi heritage event boat, departing from the city centre near the iconic Chain Bridge. This relaxed 90-minute Christmas cruise combines the magical Budapest night panorama with a festive tasting platter, Christmas cakes, unlimited wine, beer and soft drinks, as well as live entertainment.
Budapest Christmas Holiday Cruise & Live Music
Inclusions in the Budapest Christmas Holiday Cruise are as follows:
- Sightseeing on the Danube in Budapest
- Evening Panorama Programme
- Festive Savoury Grazing Platter – Pork-Free
- Selection of Christmas Cakes presented Buffet-Style
- Unlimited Wine, Beer & Soft Drinks
- Live Music & Folk Dance Show
- 1.5-hour Scenic Cruise in the heart of Budapest
- Central Dock by the iconic Chain Bridge
- Heated Nostalgia Event Boat
- E-Ticket via email – no printing needed
- Seating on a first-come, first-served basis
Please note: This special Christmas programme offers a cold festive grazing platter and Christmas cakes rather than a traditional hot or served dinner. Spirits are not included in the unlimited drinks package.
Prices of Budapest Christmas Holiday Cruise & Live Music
€76 per person
A single festive rate applies to adults, students and children.
Dates & Hours – Budapest Christmas Holiday Cruise
Available: December 25 & 26, 2026
Budapest Christmas Holiday Cruise & Live Music Band
Early Evening Cruise
Cruise: 19:00 – 20:30
Boarding: from 18:30
Late Evening Cruise
Cruise: 21:30 – 23:00
Boarding: from 21:00
Cruise duration: 90 minutes
Holiday Tasting Menu on Budapest Christmas Cruise
Settle in for a relaxed Christmas evening with a festive savoury grazing platter, served at your table and designed for casual tasting while enjoying the illuminated Budapest panorama.
The savoury platter is pork-free and is accompanied by a selection of Christmas cakes presented on a buffet table, where guests can help themselves during the programme.
Please note that this is a festive tasting cruise rather than a traditional dinner cruise. No hot meal or multi-course dinner is served.
Christmas Holiday Tasting Board – Grazing Board Includes:
- Selection of 2–3 cheeses
- Selection of cold cuts
- Dips, such as aubergine cream and beetroot hummus
- Selection of fresh and dried fruits
- Nuts and seeds
- Bread served separately in baskets
Dietary options: A vegetarian option and gluten-free bread can be provided upon advance request. Please note that lactose-free, gluten-free, nut-free and vegan grazing boards cannot be provided. Some dried fruits and cold cuts may contain gluten or traces of gluten.
The platters will feature a selection of 2–3 cheeses and cold cuts, accompanied by a variety of dips, such as aubergine cream and beetroot hummus. A small selection of fresh and dried fruits, as well as nuts and seeds, will also be included. Bread will be served separately in baskets. Please note that vegetables will not be included on the platters.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide individually prepared lactose-free, gluten-free, nut-free or vegan platters. A vegetarian option can be arranged, and gluten-free bread can be provided upon advance request. Please note, however, that some of the dried fruits and cold cuts may contain gluten or traces of gluten.
Unlimited Drinks on the Christmas Cruise
Throughout the 90-minute programme, guests can enjoy an unlimited selection of:
- Wine
- Beer
- Soft drinks
Please note that spirits are not included.
Christmas Cruise, Live Music & Folk Dance Show – Budapest
Folk Dancers On Budapest Christmas Holiday Cruise & Live Music
The Christmas Holiday Cruise combines the atmospheric Budapest night panorama with live entertainment aboard the Count Széchenyi.
During the evening, enjoy live music and a traditional Hungarian folk dance performance, adding a touch of Hungarian culture and festive atmosphere to your Christmas celebration on the Danube.
Christmas on the Danube in Budapest
Picture Budapest during the Christmas holidays, with the city’s historic riverfront illuminated against the winter night. From the Danube, some of the capital’s most famous landmarks unfold on both banks, including the Hungarian Parliament, Buda Castle and Castle Hill, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Gellért Hill and Budapest’s beautifully illuminated bridges.
A Christmas cruise offers a particularly atmospheric way to experience the city. From the warmth of the boat, watch the lights of Budapest reflect across the Danube while enjoying festive flavours, drinks and live entertainment in one of the most memorable settings of the Hungarian capital.
Count Széchenyi Nostalgia Boat
The Christmas cruise takes place aboard the Count Széchenyi, a spacious heritage-style event boat offering the nostalgic atmosphere of a traditional Danube vessel.
The boat is heated during the winter months, providing a comfortable setting for sightseeing during the Christmas holidays while Budapest’s illuminated panorama passes by outside.
Count Széchenyi Ship – Christmas Danube Cruise Route
Departing from the central dock near the Chain Bridge, the Count Széchenyi cruises through the heart of Budapest between Buda and Pest.
Along the route, guests can enjoy views of many of Budapest’s best-known riverside landmarks, including the Hungarian Parliament, Margaret Bridge, Buda Castle Royal Palace, Fisherman’s Bastion, Matthias Church, Castle Garden Bazaar, Elizabeth Bridge, Liberty Bridge and Gellért Hill.
The vessel then turns and makes its way back through the illuminated city centre, returning to its departure point near the Chain Bridge.
Booking the Budapest Christmas Holiday Cruise Online
The Budapest Christmas Holiday Cruise is a special festive programme available on December 25 and 26, 2026, with two evening departures.
Advance booking is strongly recommended for the Christmas period as places are limited. Reservations can be made online and are confirmed following successful payment. Guests receive an e-ticket by email, so no printing is required.
Last updated Oct, 2026
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