SlowXmas in Budapest – a five-time award-winning advent event that this year offers an even richer program lineup.

SlowXmas started in 2017 with the collaboration of three thematic streets (Art&Antiques Street (Falk Miksa Street), Bartók Béla Boulevard, Ráday Soho), but has now grown into a city-wide cultural and tourism movement. In addition to the founders, Fashion Street, the Margit Quarter, the Palace Quarter, Tompa Street–Ferenc Square, and Víziváros in District I have joined the initiative, along with nearly a hundred local businesses. Furthermore, this year a new partner has arrived: thanks to Hello Miskolc, several featured rural programs will also appear on the site.

This year, local values and festive creativity are in the spotlight in the thematic streets.
• Art&Antiques Street: Advent walks, exhibitions, auctions, artistic specialties, and discounted delicacies await visitors. – noted Judit Tar, one of the founders of Art&Antiques Street.
• Bartók Béla Boulevard: exhibitions, workshops, theater performances, children's programs, Christmas caroling, and the popular window display competition enliven the festive season. Two key dates are December 6 and 13, when we can slow down at every corner. – said Mónika Jáki, vice president of the Bartók Boulevard Association.
• Fashion Street: amidst enchanting lights, Santa will arrive on Santa Day on December 6, and every day we can warm up with divine tea in the Kempinski Hotel Living Room. Their own Fashion app has also been launched – a true digital urban fashion experience.
• Margit Quarter: an Advent fair, style consultations, exhibitions, puppet shows, and theater performances (Dante, Jurányi, Manyi) provide vibrant cultural experiences.
• Palace Quarter: exhibitions, stand-up comedy nights, and community quizzes await visitors.
• Ráday Street: alongside performances from special small theaters – MáSzínház, Stúdió K, Ferencvárosi Pince Színház – sweet treats (MyChoccy, Bonbonier) ensure the festive spirit. – lured us Edina Makrai, who, as one of the owners of MyChoccy, strives to activate the entrepreneurs in the street.
• Tompa Street–Ferenc Square: fish soup cooking, classical music nativity plays, gluten-free cake fairs, and Sicilian Advent will surely welcome guests on Tompa, where even Christmas tables will be filled with home flavors. – invited us Dániel Bezerics representing Tompa Street and Ferenc Square.
• Víziváros: craft activities, concerts, dance houses, and numerous family programs await both young and old (thanks to the House of Traditions and Monastery Boutique Hotel).

The goal of SlowXmas remains unchanged: to offer an alternative to crowded shopping malls and to bring back the essence of Advent – personal connections, attentiveness to one another, and support for local communities. Last year, over 1000 programs awaited interested participants, and the audience can expect a similarly colorful offer this year: artistic presentations, charitable actions, urban walks, concerts, theater performances, gastronomic experiences, and family activities. – noted Gabriella Király, manager of the BUM shopping street.

SlowXmas is thus both a city marketing success and a community-building initiative, as well as a cultural network – proof that the Christmas season can be slower, more humane, and memorable. Right here in Budapest.

The event concluded with some Christmas carols performed by the 10-year-old Újbudai Ezüstkar choir, who together with the organizers wished everyone a Blessed Christmas! Join us, let’s slow down together this Advent and enrich ourselves with special experiences.

Details and programs are available at: bevasarloutca.hu