A heartfelt journey through Advent awaits — a time to pause, celebrate, and embrace the magic of Christmas together in the heart of Debrecen. 

Explore the festive programs below and immerse yourself in the enchanting spirit of

Debrecen’s second Advent Week.

December 2

Advent lights from the Great Church (Dec 2, 5:00 p.m., Great Church)

Marvel at the magical Advent lights from the panorama walkway of the Great Church, 40 meters high, combined with a guided church visit. During the Advent season, the walkway will open on three evenings.

December 3

Second Advent Weekend Programs (December 5-7)

December 5

Fruzsina Kovácsovics’s Christmas Show with Santa (Dec 5, 5:00 p.m. –6:00 p.m., Kossuth Square)
Interactive children’s concert featuring Santa Claus, with Award‑winning children’s singer and kindergarten teacher Kovácsovics Fruzsina who invites families to a joyful, interactive concert where kids can sing, play, and welcome Santa together.

Christmas Singers (Dec 5, 6:15 p.m.–6:45 p.m., Kossuth Square)
Formed in 2022, the Christmas Singers — Bálint Ferenc, Bejan Miklós, Korponai‑Kiss Noémi, and Márta Szabolcsné Lak Ágnes — bring festive music from Renaissance to modern styles.  

Waiting for  Santa (Dec. 5, 2:30 p.m. –5:00 p.m., Advent Cottage – Dósa Nádor Square)
Santa is coming in person this year to hear children’s Christmas wishes! Family event where children can meet Santa in a festive setting. The Advent Cottage at Dósa Nádor Square will be filled with magic, lights, and festive atmosphere.

“Advent Silence – Light and Music Experience” (Dec. 5, 5:00–7:00 p.m., Old Town Hall Courtyard)
Choir performance of beloved holiday classics, a meditative program combining light installations and music for a peaceful Advent atmosphere.

December 6

Debreceni Egyetem Light Music Institute Band (Dec. 6, 5:00 p.m. –5:40 p.m., Advent Stage – Kossuth Square)
Talented students of the University of Debrecen’s Institute of Light Music present a special Advent concert, featuring Hungarian and English Christmas songs in fresh, creative arrangements, an evening of warmth, harmony, and unforgettable music.”

Pál Dénes (Dec. 6, 6:00 p.m. – 6:40 p.m., Advent Stage – Kossuth Square)
One of the country’s most beloved performers, will enchant audiences with timeless Christmas classics.

East Brass (Dec. 6, 4:00 p.m. – 4:40 p.m., Dósa Nádor Square)
The four‑member brass ensemble, made up of professional musicians, promises unforgettable concerts at the Debrecen Advent Fair on December 6 and 20, featuring festive arrangements of well‑known Christmas melodies.

Waiting for Santa (Dec. 6, 11:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. & 3:30–6:00 p.m., Advent Cottage – Dósa Nádor Square)
Santa is coming in person this year to hear children’s Christmas wishes! Family event where children can meet Santa in a festive setting. The Advent Cottage at Dósa Nádor Square will be filled with magic, lights, and festive atmosphere.

Zsolt Horváth, Barrel Organ Player (Dec. 6, 2:00–6:00 p.m., Advent Fair Area) – Traditional street music with festive charm.
For many years, Horváth Zsolt has delighted audiences by playing the barrel organ, filling events with Christmas tunes, romantic melodies, bittersweet songs, and graceful waltzes. At the Debrecen Advent, visitors can enjoy the charm of the Füredi Barrel Organ on two separate weekends, adding a nostalgic and festive touch to the Christmas fair.

LESZ DANCE Dance & Sports Association (Dec. 6, 4:00–5:00 p.m., Advent Fair Area)
During the Advent weekends, the fair’s visitors can meet the elves and Santa’s helpers of the LESZ DANCE Dance and Sp

Ugly Sweater Run (Dec 6, 10:00 a.m., Baltazár Dezső Square)
A playful community run in quirky Christmas sweaters. Debrecen hosts the Ugly Sweater Run for the fifth time, where charity meets joy and the love of movement. Participants will run 3.5 km or 1 km through the beautiful Advent Fair in the city center.

“Advent Silence – Light and Music Experience” (Dec. 5, 5:00–7:00 p.m., Old Town Hall Courtyard)
Choir performance of beloved holiday classics, a meditative program combining light installations and music for a peaceful Advent atmosphere.

Gryllus Vilmos – “Singing Santa” (Dec 6, 4:00 p.m.,Kölcsey Center Ballroom)
One of Debrecen’s most beloved children’s programs this Advent: Vilmos Gryllus welcomes families to the Kölcsey Center with his ‘Musical Santa’ show. The concert offers shared singing, winter holiday songs, and a truly heartwarming atmosphere for young and old alike—a magical encounter with the joys of winter and the charm of singing together.

Horváth Zsolt, the Füredi Barrel Organ Player (Dec 6-7, 2.00 p.m. – 6.00 p.m., Advent Fair)Traditional street music with festive charm.
For many years, Horváth Zsolt has delighted audiences by playing the barrel organ, filling events with Christmas tunes, romantic melodies, bittersweet songs, and graceful waltzes. At the Debrecen Advent, visitors can enjoy the charm of the Füredi Barrel Organ on two separate weekends, adding a nostalgic and festive touch to the Christmas fair.

December 7

Candle Lighting (Dec 7, 4:30 p.m, – 5:00 p.m.) – Traditional Procession
From the City Hall to the Reformed Great Church of Debrecen.The event will feature contributions from representatives of the historic churches, city leaders, actors Zsuzsa Lehőcz and Dániel Takács from the Csokonai National Theatre, singer Fruzsina Erdős‑Tóth, the Debrecen Folk Ensemble, Kuckó Művésztanya, and the Tordai Band.

“Light of the World” Weekend Candle Lighting, (Dec 7, 5:00 p.m. –6:00 p.m., Advent Stage – Kossuth Square)  
A communal ceremony with representatives of the churches, city leaders, artists, and civil organizations. 

Concert of Gyula Éliás ( Dec 7, 6:00 p.m. – 6:40 p.m., Advent Stage – Kossuth Square)  
“Gyula Éliás Jr., a key figure in Hungarian pop and funk, is celebrated for his versatility as a singer, performer, and composer. His program brings warmth and intimacy to the Advent season.”

Lituus Brass Ensemble (Dec 7, 4:00–4:40 p.m., Dósa Nádor Square)
The five‑member brass ensemble is a returning guest at Debrecen Advent. Their wide repertoire spans classical music, film scores, and light music, while their Advent program features well‑known Christmas melodies from different nations—creating a festive atmosphere that helps audiences embrace the spirit of joyful anticipation.

Waiting for  Santa (Dec. 7, 11.00 a.m.-2.30 p.m.,  3:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Advent Cottage – Dósa Nádor Square)
Santa is coming in person this year to hear children’s Christmas wishes! Family event where children can meet Santa in a festive setting. The Advent Cottage at Dósa Nádor Square will be filled with magic, lights, and festive atmosphere.

Zsolt Horváth , Barrel Organ Player (Dec. 7, 2:00–6:00 p.m., Advent Fair Area) – Traditional street music with festive charm. For many years, Horváth Zsolt has delighted audiences by playing the barrel organ, filling events with Christmas tunes, romantic melodies, bittersweet songs, and graceful waltzes. At the Debrecen Advent, visitors can enjoy the charm of the Füredi Barrel Organ on two separate weekends, adding a nostalgic and festive touch to the Christmas fair.

LESZ DANCE Dance & Sports Association (Dec. 7, 4:00–5:00 p.m., Advent Fair Area) During the Advent weekends, the fair’s visitors can meet the elves and Santa’s helpers of the LESZ DANCE Dance and Sports Association, as well as one of the children’s favorite fairy‑tale characters, Elsa.

Adventissimo  (Dec 7, 6:00 p.m., Kölcsey Center – Grand Hall)
Advent Concert of the Debrecen Garrison Band

For more information about the programs and events please visit Debreceni Advent.

Advent in Debrecen unfolds as a celebration lasting over a month, filled with diverse programs, concerts, family activities, spiritual moments, winter sports, and culinary delights. Throughout the season, the city transforms into a festive wonderland, where tradition, joy, and community spirit come together in a truly enchanting atmosphere.

Date: December 2-7
Location: across Debrecen city centre

Source:debreceniadvent.hu | Photo credit:Facebook Papp László