Make your transition from 2008 to 2009 fun with a crawl through Budapest popular drinking spots. You may start your celebrations on Váci utca, the heart of Budapest capital and busy pedestrian area crowded on New Year’s Eve with revelers.

Then head for Kafana, the homely Serbian cafe that attracts locals, tourists and expats with great grilled meat, bar buzz and parties that may involve dancing on the tables.

Another place worth dropping in is Csiga (VIII. Vásár utca, 2), an arty bar that plans for the New Year’s night the buffet, DJs, dancing and fireworks.

Cinetrip parties parties are back. Held in Rudas Bath House these parties are mixture of sound, light and video you enjoy while soaking in the thermal healing waters.

The next Cinetrip party called Glow Ball will take place on 20th December 2008 starting from 21:00.

Entrance is 5000 Ft. (app. 20 Euros), and you can get them in advance from Merlin Theatre (4 Gerlóczy street, Budapest).

Christmas Fair on Vörösmarty Square is one of the most attractive Christmas destinations in Budapest. This is a place for you to choose some special gifts among many handcrafted items – from teddy bears to brooms, to warm up with the hot wine, to enjoy the air of festivity.

650 commercials from 120 countries: that is the Night of the Ad Eaters to be held in Budapest Congress and World Trade Center (XII. Jagelló út, 1-3) on November 29.

This event held for the first time 28 years ago is celebrated today in 170 cities all over the world to present the latest trends in advertising, to show case true masterpieces and controversial commercials.

The afternoon of the Ad Eaters will take place at 2 pm, while Night will start at 7 pm.

This year the seventh Contemporary Drama Festival Budapest will take place during November 21-30, aiming at presenting the newest of European playwriting and theatre to Hungarian and foreign audiences. This year’s guest of honour will be Slovenia with theatre performances, dance theatre, read-outs, concerts and cinema.

Via Negativa will bring two performances, both dealing with one of the seven deadly sins: Would Would Not takes a fresh Slovenian look at lust and Out deals with the subject of pride. The award-winning Fragile! staged by Mladinsko Theatre deals with an up to date subject for all Central Europeans: trying one’s luck in London. The dance performance Expensive Darlings, choreographed by Maja Delak is a good example of Slovenian political theatre. Simona Semenic brings her one woman show I, Victim to Budapest. The festival also intends to provide an opportunity for contemporary theatrical thinking and discourses. Thus a conference will take place to discuss the current situation of Slovenian theatre and alternative ways of producing theatre in Slovenia. The theatre program will be accompanied by a selection of new Slovenian films and a concert by Fake Orchestra which mixes Slavic folk elements with Latin jazz and African tribal music.

This is your opportunity to learn more about pálinka, to taste all the types of this drink out there.

In a festival devoted to Hungarian specialty, fruity brandy called pálinka 14 distilleries are presenting their produce made from plums, pears, and apricots. The experts will teach you how to taste this strong drink and answer your questions about it.

In addition to pálinka the guests will also be offered Hungarian wine and traditional Hungarian food, all that accompanied by the music program and performances. That’s just an entertainment to fight your autumn gloom.