Date: February 7, 2026
Venue: Gundel Restaurant, City Park
Tickets: Available via Cooltix
The Gundel Ball is back, and this year’s edition might be the most ambitious yet.
What Is the Gundel Ball?
For 130 years, Gundel has been Budapest’s most storied restaurant — a place where royalty, politicians, artists, and anyone with taste and means came to eat, drink, and be seen. The ball translates that legacy into one night of gastronomy, music, dance, and social connection.
Think of it as a traditional Hungarian ball, updated for people who actually want to attend.
2026 Theme: “Among the Stars”
This year’s concept: “Among the stars — at the Gundel Ball, everyone can be the star of the evening.”
The guests of honour are Tibor Kapu, Gyula Cserényi, and Bertalan Farkas — three figures representing different eras of Hungarian space research.
The space theme extends to the wine selection: Etyeki Kúria will debut their 2024 Chardonnay, made from grapes whose seeds literally traveled to space as part of a mission with the Orion Space Generation Foundation. Available exclusively to Diamond ticket holders.
The Opening Dance
14 debutante couples will perform a Viennese waltz choreographed by dancer Andrea Keleti. The choreography is classic but contemporary, and includes — notably — a young woman in a wheelchair and her partner, in cooperation with the Budapest Association of People with Physical Disabilities.
Charity Component
This isn’t just a fancy party. The ball supports:
– SINOSZ (National Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
– Lámpás ’92 Public Foundation
A donation installation inside Gundel allows guests to contribute — “One ball, one smile.”
Ticket Information
Tickets are available in limited numbers via Cooltix. Multiple tiers exist, from general admission to Diamond packages with exclusive wine access.
Book: gundel.hu/gundel-bal
Also Coming: Pope John Paul II Menu
From February 17, Gundel introduces the Pope John Paul II Dignitaries’ Menu — a four-course contemporary reimagining of the meal served to the Pope during his 1996 Hungary visit. Available for 10 days during dinner service; reservations required.
