New Year’s Day Budapest Gala Concert with Optional Danube River Dinner Cruise

Make your own way to the Danube Palace in central Budapest and take your seat in the beautiful neo-Baroque theater for your New Year’s Day evening concert.

Welcome the musicians of the Danube Symphony Orchestra on stage and lose yourself in classical melodies by Mozart, Strauss and other famous composers. The music is lent extra resonance by the Hungarian cimbalom, a stringed musical sound box beloved by Hungarian folk musicians. Played by striking two soft mallets on the strings, the cimbalom was first used by Middle Eastern nomads before being adopted by Hungarian gypsies and becoming central to Hungary’s folk music.

The cimbalom’s shimmering chords add texture to the music, creating a distinctive sound rarely heard outside Eastern Europe. What’s more, the musical program is specially compiled just for this New Year’s concert — making it truly special.

When the hour-long concert ends, leave the theater and head back to your hotel. Alternatively, if you’ve upgraded to enjoy the Danube River cruise, join your nearby cruise boat. Relax in the candlelit atmosphere as you glide past Budapest’s most distinctive landmarks, including the Buda Castle District, Mount Gellert and Chain Bridge, all spectacularly illuminated. Enjoy a glass of Sparkling wine, wine, beer, water or a soft drink and savor a hot buffet of Hungarian dishes as you sail. See the Itinerary for a sample menu. As you eat, enjoy live music from members of the Rajkó Folk Orchestra, a lovely added touch to your evening.

After around 1.5 hours, your concert-and-cruise experience ends when you ship returns to its original start point.