Debrecen4U November 24, 2025

Debrecen’s Advent Highlights: From the Ice Rink to the Ice Flower Carnival

Several new features await Debrecen residents and visitors to the city during the Advent period.

The most intimate time of the year has arrived, when Debrecen’s festive lights once again illuminate the heart of the city. Kossuth Square, Dósa Nádor Square, and the courtyard of the Old Town Hall will be transformed into a magical Advent fairy tale world, where the harmony of lights, music, love, and community experiences fills the space. Mayor László Papp provided information about the details on Saturday on the occasion of the opening of the ice rink in the main square. As stated, the Debrecen Advent invites the city to celebrate together with more than a hundred programs, nearly five hundred contributors, and two hundred performers every year. Mayor László Papp highlighted that this year the lights will have an even more prominent role, which is why the motto of the Advent period is a quote from Magda Szabó, according to which “all of us receive from its light.”

Ice Flower Carnival and Advent Bridge

This year, lights will play an even more prominent role, as 10,000 lights will decorate Kossuth Square next to the city’s Christmas tree, making Kossuth Square even more magical with a light net. The new Advent Bridge will also be dressed in lights, and lights will also play a major role in the evening Ice Flower Carnival. On December 13, the Ice Flower Carnival will be held for the first time, filling Debrecen with a magical, fairy-tale atmosphere. The ice will sparkle, music will play, and the scent of Christmas will fill the air. A day when even the snowflakes will dance, brass bands and children’s laughter will mingle with the scent of “kürtőskalács” (chimney cake), and every moment will bring back a little of the wonder of childhood.

It was noted that the Debrecen Advent invites the city to celebrate together every year with more than a hundred programs, nearly five hundred contributors, and two hundred performers. Mayor László Papp highlighted that this year, lights will play an even more prominent role, which is why the motto of the Advent period is a quote from Magda Szabó, according to which “all of us will receive from its light.” In keeping with the classic Christmas tradition, in addition to the selected, quality craft and gastronomic exhibitors, visitors will also be welcomed by a HUF 1,500 single-dish meal among the delicacies, and during the Advent fair from Monday to Friday, primary school children can take part in free chimney cake making.

Every year, the Debrecen Advent invites the city to celebrate together with more than a hundred programs, nearly five hundred contributors, and two hundred performers. The candlelightings are particularly intimate moments when the heart of the city beats to the same rhythm, and we can experience the miracle of waiting together.

Weekend program summary at the Debrecen Advent

1st Advent weekend (Nov. 28–30.)

• Triolett – Advent program

• Kitti Péter and Marcell Horváth 

• Bokros Orchestra

• Fruzsi Erdős 

• Miklós Bejan, Noémi Korponai-Kiss, and Dániel Szabó 

• Advent Silence – Light and music experience

• Candle lighting, “Light of the World”

The following will be present on the occasion: Reformed Bishop Károly Fekete, Greek Catholic Archbishop Metropolitan Fülöp Kocsis, Roman Catholic Bishop Ferenc Palánki, Mayor László Papp, opera singers Klaudia Kuczmog and Norbert Antóni, students of Ady Endre Grammar School, Lautitia Choir Family, Svetits Catholic Primary School Children’s Choir, and Lituus Brass Ensemble.
Read more:https://debreceniadvent.hu/programs/i-adventi-hetvege/

2nd Advent Weekend (Dec. 5–7)

• Fruzsina Kovácsovics – Santa Claus Waiting Program

• Christmas Singers

• University of Debrecen Institute of Pop Music Orchestra

• Dénes Pál

• Gyula Éliás Jr.

• Dezső Baltazár Square – Ugly Sweater Run

• Candlelighting, “Light of the World”

The following will be present on the occasion: Evangelical pastor Richárd Asztalos, Deputy Mayor Lajos Barcsa, Zsuzsa Lehőcz and Dániel Takács—actors of the Csokonai National Theatre, singer Fruzsina Erdős-Tóth, Debrecen Folk Ensemble, Kuckó Art Farm, and Bíró Orchestra.
Read more:https://debreceniadvent.hu/programs/ii-adventi-hetvege/

3rd Advent Weekend (Dec. 12–14)

• “Bérletszünet” – Csokonai National Theatre Orchestra

• Andrea Losonczki, Marcell Horváth, and Boldizsár Kulcsár

• Orpheum Madams

• Adri Nagy

• Ice Flower Carnival: ice sculpture presentation, parade, Ice Disco

• Advent Silence – Light and Music Experience

• Candle Lighting, “Light of the World”

The following will be present on the occasion: Baptist Pastor János Kiss, Deputy Mayor Diána Széles, folk singer Ildikó Bárdosi, Debrecen Hajdú Dance Ensemble, Debrecen Baptist Church Choir, Kuckó Art Farm, and Bürkös Band.
Read more:https://debreceniadvent.hu/programs/iii-adventi-hetvege/

4th Advent Weekend (Dec. 19–21)

• Szironta Ensemble

• Flóra Kováts Quartet

• Debrecen Dixieland Jazz Band

• Orsi Kozma

• Aliz Nyári

• Advent Silence – Light and Music Experience

• Candlelighting, “Light of the World”

The following will be present on the occasion: Orthodox parish priest Barnabás Sipos, Deputy Mayor Ákos Balázs, the Choir of the Holy Trinity Hungarian Orthodox Church, singer Aliz Nyári, and “Énekelj! Énekstúdió (Sing! Voice Studio), Debrecen Folk Ensemble, Kuckó Art Farm, Bíró Orchestra.
Read more:https://debreceniadvent.hu/programs/iv-adventi-hetvege/

Kölcsey Center—more than 20 holiday programs

Culture lovers can count on the rich Advent offer of the Kölcsey Center this year as well: more than 20 concerts, exhibitions, and holiday programs will tune everyone into the Christmas spirit. Among the performers will be Vilmos Gryllus, the Debrecen Big Band, Gabi Szűcs, Éva Csepregi, and Charlie.

The city’s Advent venues will offer unique experiences this year as well for all those who would like to stop for a moment and experience the magic of holiday preparations.

Let Debrecen be Europe’s best Christmas market!

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 will take place between November 20 and 27, 2025, with one vote per day—without registration.

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

Source and photo credit:debrecen.hu