Traditionally, the first month of the year was a time for well-wishing and predictions. It also heralds the start of the carnival season. These days, it is the month of New Year’s resolutions, with not just bitter cold but also a new beginning on the horizon. Let’s see the events best suited to kick off the new year in Budapest! WINTERFEST BUDAPEST: THE WINTER BEER FESTIVAL / 18-20 January, DUNA PALOTA This is the biggest wintertime beer festival of the year, with a selection of Hungarian and international breweries, concerts, as well as professional presentations and workshops, awaiting visitors. You can also sample Hungarian beers especially crafted for the winter season. This year, the event focuses on beer gastronomy, highlighted by dishes specifically prepared for the festival by well-known restaurants, carefully paired with the just the right ales. PHOENIX, CIRCUS OF FIRE / 20 January to 12 March, FŐVÁROSI NAGYCIRKUSZ Year after year, the Capital Circus of Budapest continues to amaze the young and old with one lavish production after another. The new show brings alive a world born of fire, featuring world-famous Hungarian circus artists, fire jugglers and fire acrobats recognised by numerous Circus Festival awards. The breathtaking visual world promises excellent entertainment for the entire family. Phoenix: Circus of Fire is on from 19 January to 12 March 2019. ENNIO MORRICONE – 90TH CELEBRATION CONCERT / 23 January, PAPP LÁSZLÓ ARÉNA Celebrating his 90th birthday this year, Ennio Morricone plays an exceptionally grand concert in Budapest. Despite earlier plans to retire from touring, the two-time Oscar winning, Grammy and Golden Globe award winner composer is back on stage with a short series of exclusive concerts. The maestro will be accompanied by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, and play a selection of his best pieces at the Papp László Sportaréna at 8 p.m. on 23 January. +1 WINTER PICNIC IN ETYEK / 19 January, ETYEK Located just a few kilometers outside Budapest, Etyek surprises the visitors with a full-on carnival atmosphere. The village’s gastro avenue will have everything to delight the palate, from cheese specialties, mulled wine, a chocolate workshop, BBQ and sparkling wine, to cevapcici from south of the border. There will be plenty of Hungarian specialties, too: try the pancakes, kocsonya (pig in aspic), sausages, bean stew, or dishes from the pig-slaughter, but you can also expect a spot of pig roasting and some home-made strudel for good measure. Finally, the best way to keep warm in the January cold will be with a glass of Hungarian pálinka. Photo: Pexels.com