Visiting the Hungarian Parliament at Christmas and New Year 2026
Updated:
Planning to see the Parliament and the Holy Crown of Hungary over the holidays? The building closes for Christmas, December sells out early, and returned tickets are your best chance. Here is what to know.
We check the official shop every few minutes and email you when a slot opens. Free, no account.
Days with no visits
- 24, 25 and 26 December 2026: no visits (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the second day of Christmas).
- Saturday 19 December 2026: no visits.
- 31 December 2026: visits run, but with fewer time slots than usual.
On other December days there are usually 8 to 15 audio-guided visits, roughly from 8:15 to 16:00. This is what the official ticket shop showed on 7 November 2026. Times can change, so always check there before you travel.
Live status for the holidays
Our watcher checks the official shop every few minutes. This is what it saw most recently:
Loading the latest status…
December sells out early
The weeks around Christmas are the busiest of the year in Budapest, with the Christmas markets on Vörösmarty tér and at St. Stephen's Basilica. Most December days at the Parliament sell out weeks ahead. Sold out is rarely final, though: people cancel, groups return places, and those tickets go straight back on sale at random times of the day. Read our guide to sold-out Parliament tickets for how to catch one, and visiting with children if you travel as a family.
Tips for a holiday visit
- Pick several possible days. Any time slot works, because you choose the audio language on site.
- Set a free alert. We email you within minutes when one of your dates gets a free slot. Be ready to book straight away.
- Arrive early. Visits start at the Visitor Centre on Kossuth Lajos tér, and there is a security check.
- Plan B. Guided tours from tour companies include entry and often still have places: tours on GetYourGuide, tours on Viator. These are affiliate links: we get a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. See official tickets vs guided tours.
Questions
Is the Hungarian Parliament open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?
No. There are no visits on 24, 25 and 26 December 2026. The days just before and after Christmas do have visits.
Can I visit on New Year's Eve (31 December 2026)?
Yes. The official shop lists visits on 31 December, but fewer time slots than on a normal day, so it fills up quickly.
Are there other days without visits in December?
Yes. Saturday 19 December 2026 has no public visits either. The Parliament can close for official events at short notice, so always check the calendar on jegymester.hu.
Can I still get tickets for the Christmas week?
Most December days sell out weeks ahead, but returned and cancelled tickets come back on sale every day and sell out again within minutes. A free alert from Budapest Parliament Ticket Alerts emails you the moment your date has a free slot.
Can I book January dates yet?
On 7 November 2026 the official shop only listed dates up to 31 December 2026. January dates are added later. You can already pick January dates for a free alert, and we email you when tickets for them appear.