Advent in Debrecen will open its doors on 26th November at 9:00 a.m. and will be open for 4 weeks until 23rd December at 8:00 p.m. During this period, visitors can enjoy a fair, gastronomy, open-air concerts, family and children’s activities, and an ice rink.
The downtown fairgrounds will feature both modern and traditional products: carpets, weavings, handmade ceramics, wooden toys, gingerbread, herbs, teas, scones, and sumptuous Christmas decorations. More than 90 Christmas-themed stalls will offer a wide range of products, including a selection of special culinary delicacies.
Outdoor programs await the public on weekends
On each Advent weekend, you will be able to enjoy outdoor activities and listen to local and nationally known speakers, and families with children can enjoy numerous children’s programs available – including a playhouse and craft activities in the Advent ‘Kuckó’ House dreamed up together with DEMKI – on the downtown pedestrian streets. On the weekends of the magical fair, the audience will also be treated to a rolling pianist, dressed-up cartoon characters, fairytale creatures, stilt walkers, and carnival runners. The concerts will also showcase Bethlehem, Hungarian and Celtic traditions, as well as nostalgic Christmas elements.
The period between the 3rd-5th December is all about Santa Claus: Santa welcomes the little ones in the Advent House, and then on the 5th from 5:30 p.m. he takes part in the program of the band Kiskalász on the Dósa Palatín Square stage and invites them to sing and have fun together the little ones.
The stage at Dósa nádor square will feature performances by Boglárka Csemer “Boggie”, Ádám Szabó accordionist, Dénes Pál, the Vintage Dolls, the Debrecen Dixieland Jazz Band, the Debrecen Big Band with Gábor Majsai, the Jazz Five, the Orpheum Madams, The kidney stones, Nurmag Vivien and her band. The stage programme will include renowned representatives of Debrecen’s gastronomy, including a gastro show with Christmas-inspired dishes, drinks and desserts, presented by Debrecziner Gourmet.
Ice skating rink and Disco
This year, too, a 750-square-meter ice skating rink serves as entertainment for winter sports lovers from November 26th to January 8th, which can be used with an entrance ticket of only HUF 1,000. On school days, students from pre-registered schools can skate for free between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. It is possible to inquire about free dates by e-mail in a message to kozosseg@fonixinfo.hu, specifying the number of employees, age group, and age. The skating rink is made possible thanks to the support of the BMW Group. Every Saturday – November 26th, December 3rd, 10th, and 17th – domestic DJ Dew Taylor welcomes visitors to the corridor disco with a live DJ set with different themes, trendy but with a Christmas atmosphere – surprise visual elements and skaters in light clothes are expected.
Community building, sports, and charity
An important element of Advent is living a shared experience and building community. One of the program elements is the discovery game of the Havervagy team: the group of friends takes possession of the Advent House for a short time: they try to create an Advent atmosphere among old and new friends through exploratory and treasure-hunting puzzles.
The element of Advent in Debrecen promoting a sporty lifestyle and serving noble purposes is the charity Ronda Pulcsis Run on December 10th, organized together with the head of Bakancslista Hungary, Regina Galambos-Parti, which will be held simultaneously in Budapest, Városliget and Debrecen, starting from Baltazár Dezső tér. After warming up together with athletes and well-known people at the gathering station, you can run the 5 km distance individually or in relays, with a stroller or puppy, with family or colleagues, naturally in ugly sweaters. Those who take part in the run can join a charity initiative, the organizers are waiting for material donations on the spot.
Candle lighting and the lights of Debrecen
The main attraction of Advent Sundays is the candle lighting, a symbolic ceremonial event that shows the light towards the holidays. On the first Sunday, 27th November, a magical procession will start at 4:30 p.m. from the Debrecen Town Hall and will take the audience to the candle-lighting ceremony in front of the Great Church. On this Sunday, the main square is also worth a visit because the decorative lights and installations will be illuminated.
This year, the giant live Christmas tree on Kossuth Square comes from Józsa, thanks to a young couple, while the children’s 24 little Christmas trees – live fir trees dressed in decorations made by the kindergarteners – will be placed next to the bright, fabulous miniature town silhouette built around the Advent House.
The Christmas market in front of the Reformed Church of Debrecen and in the city centre is an unforgettable highlight for those who are looking for a festive atmosphere. Visitors can enter into a magical Christmas atmosphere, with the unique backdrop of Debrecen’s beautiful downtown buildings. The promenade’s lights, its old and new light installations – the globe, the deer, the sleigh or the tree of lights, and the huge live pine tree – help visitors to escape from their everyday lives and get in the mood for the upcoming, intimate festive season.
PROGRAMMES
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26th
Kossuth Square / Ice Rink
8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. the ’60s, ’70s Ice Party
Dósa Palatin Square
5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Vintage Dolls
6:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Főnix Fire Juggling Group
6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Debrecen Big Band – Guest: Gábor Majsai
Advent fair
4:00 p.m. Fair opening whirlwind
Adventi Kuckó
4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Opening hours
4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. DEMKI Advent Playhouse
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Havervagy – Discovery game
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 27th
Reformed Small Church
10.00 Shepherd’s Advent
Kölcsey Center – Great Hall
7:00 p.m. HoneyBeast
Dósa Palatine Square
15.00-15.30 Panificio il Basilico gastro show
16.00-16.30 DE-Monteverdi Choir
18.00-18.45 Dénes Pál: Nostalgic Advent
19.00-19.45 The kidney stones
Adventi Kuckó
10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.Opening hours
4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. DEMKI Advent playhouse
Great Reformed Church of Debrecen
First Advent candle lighting
Meeting – “I, the Lord, am your God.” (2 Mózes 20,2)
4:45 a.m. p.m. Traditional singing procession from the Old Town Hall to the Great Church
5:00 a.m. p.m. First Advent candle lighting
Speeches: Mayor Dr. László Papp, Fülöp Kocsis, Archbishop-Metropolitan of Hajdúdorog Archdiocese, Lajos Püski, Chief Clerk of Tiszántúli Reformed Church District and Ferenc Palánki, county bishop of the Diocese of Debrecen-Nyíregyházi.
Festive square play with the participation of the stilt group Szárnyas Sárkánok and Fruzsina Erdős-Tóth, singer who won the Csokonai award.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1st
Bényi Gallery, Kölcsey Center
6:00 p.m. Mózes Incze and Alexandra Nádas exhibition opening
The exhibition can be visited: December 1st-31st, 2022. between.
DECEMBER 2nd
Kölcsey Center – Great Hall
6:00 p.m. Waltz Ceremony
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3rd
Kossuth Square / Ice Rink
8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Santa’s Disco
Dósa Palatine Square
3:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Kangaroo TSE
4:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Bokros Trio: Betlehem, Betlehem
5:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. LESZ DANCE Dance and Sports Association
6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. M.É.Z. Ensemble: Celtic Advent
7:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Flaming Snails Fire Juggling Team
7:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Rocksuli Debrecen
Adventi Kuckó
10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Waiting for Santa Claus
10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Opening hours
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4th
Kölcsey Center
5:00 p.m. Sunday Music (Ballroom)
7:00 p.m. Debrecen Garrison Band concert (Great Hall)
Dósa Palatín Square
3:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Ikon cooking
demonstration 4:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Jazz Five: Advent experience concert
6:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Ádám Szabó
7:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Kanguru TSE
7:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. R&B Dance Hip Hop Dance School Kanguru TSE
Advent House
10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Meeting with Santa Claus
10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Opening hours
Great Reformed Church of Debrecen
Second Advent candle lighting
Light – “I am the light of the world” (János 8, 12)
4:00 p.m. Traditional singing procession from the Old Town Hall to the Great Church
5:00 p.m. Second Advent candle lighting
Speech: Deputy Mayor of the city of Debrecen, Richárd Asztalos, evangelical director of the Debrecen Evangelical Parish, and Barnabás Sipos, vicar of the Hungarian Orthodox Parish of the Holy Trinity in Debrecen. Artistic collaboration with the child and adult actors of
the Csokonai Theater ‘s play Für Elise.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 5
Dósa Palatín Square
5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Santa Claus – Christmas Eve concert with the Kiskalász band
Adventi Kuckó
3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Opening hours
3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Waiting for Santa Claus
Reformed Great Church
Advent Concerts in the Great Church:
4:00 p.m. Musical Family Santa Claus Waiting with Eva Csepregi
7:00 p.m. Kökény Attila and Rakonczai Viktor – Awakening
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6th
Kölcsey Center – Great Hall
7:00 p.m. Budapest Bar concert
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7th
Bényi Gallery
6:00 p.m. Angels on Leashes – Book presentation
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10th
Kossuth Square / Ice Rink
8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Ronda Pulcsis Disco
Dósa palátin tér
3:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Debrecen Ady Endre High School show
4:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Animus Csengettyű Együttes
5:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Mákvirág gastro show
6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Debrecen Dixieland Jazz Band
7:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Flaming Snails Fire Juggling Team
Advent House
10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Opening hours
10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Greenbox Christmas photography
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Havervagy
Other location
10.30-12.00 Ronda Sweater Run
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11th
Dósa Palatín Square
3:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Debrecen Majorette Ensemble
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Debreceni Ady Endre High School show
6:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Vivien Csakmag and her band 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
DJ. Dew Tailor
Reformed Small Church of Debrecen
6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Sára Tímár and her band: “Now that star has risen”
Great Reformed Church of Debrecen
Third Advent candle lighting
Love – “God is love.” (1 János 4, 8)
4:45 p.m. Singing traditional procession from the Old Town Hall to the Great Church
5:00 p.m. Third Advent candle lighting
Speeches: Zoltán Krakomperger, deputy mayor of the city of Debrecen, vicar general of the Diocese of Debrecen-Nyíregyházi, and Sándor Komlósi, pastor of the Szappanos Street Baptist Church.
Artistic contribution with the cast of the musical The Sky Holds the Earth .
6:00 p.m. Presentation of the book The Heaven Holds the King in the Karakter Café.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 12
Reformed Great Church
7:00 p.m. Great Church Advent Concerts: Hallelujah – Festive concert of Attila Dolhai
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13th
Kölcsey Center – Great Hall
7:00 p.m. Kodály Philharmonic Debrecen
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14th
Kölcsey Center – Great Hall
7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. – Szent Efrem Men’s Choir – Guest: István Pál “Szalonna” and his band
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16th
Kölcsey Center – Great Hall
7:00 p.m. Lautitia choir family
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17th
Kossuth Square / Ice Rink
8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. ALL-IN Xmas Disco
Dósa palátin tér
3:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Small Eggplant gastronomic presentation
4:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Szétlóló Együtte
5:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Márkus Luca’s Advent show
6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Sironta Ensemble’s bell
game 7:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Cocktail Theater – Christmas cocktail presentation
Advent House
10.00-20.00 Opening hours
16.00-18.00 DEMKI Advent Playhouse
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18
Dósa palátin tér
3:00 p.m.-3:20 p.m. Debrecen Hajdú Dance Group
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Orpheum Madams 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Csemer Boglárka “Boggie” acoustic Christmas concert
7:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Debrecen Helyőrségi Zenekar
Adventi Kuckó
10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Opening hours
4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. DEMKI Advent Playhouse
Reformed Great Church
Fourth Advent candle lighting
Peace – “Let there be salt in you and live in peace with one another!” (Márk 9, 50)
4:00 p.m. Musical traditional procession from the Old Town Hall to the Great Church
5:00 p.m. Fourth Advent candle lighting
Speeches: István Oláh, deputy mayor of the city of Debrecen, pastor of the Reformed Great Church of Debrecen and dr. Gergely Szarka, vicar of the Greek Catholic Cathedral in Debrecen.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19th
Református Nagytemplom
7:00 p.m. Advent concerts in the Great Temple: Vera Tóth and the concert of the Budapest Jazz Orchestra
Star guest: Erika Miklósa
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20th
Kölcsey Center – Great Hall
7:00 p.m. Kodály Philharmonic Debrecen Christmas concert
