Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, this year’s Lumina Park welcomes visitors from Tuesday on Margaret Island, at the Palatinus Baths in Budapest. Featuring more than 200 light installations, the attraction is open until 7 March 2027.
At the park’s official opening ceremony on Monday evening, Ildikó Borosné Szűts, CEO of Budapest Spas and Hot Springs Plc, recalled that the light park first opened in Budapest in 2022. Since then, it has welcomed visitors with a new theme every season. More than half a million people have visited over the past five years, making it one of the Hungarian capital’s major winter attractions.
She explained that one of the main aims behind the project was to balance the seasonal visitor numbers at Palatinus Beach. While the outdoor bathing complex welcomes 6,000–7,000 visitors a day in summer, the figure falls to just 200–300 in winter, making it more difficult to maintain employment for staff throughout the year.
The CEO added that operating the park became particularly challenging at the start of the energy crisis. However, the attraction uses energy-efficient solutions, with its daily energy consumption comparable to that of two pizza ovens.
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Lumina Park becomes a Budapest winter favourite
At the opening ceremony, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony highlighted how Lumina Park has gradually become a major tourist attraction over the past five years. Alongside the Sziget Festival, the city’s thermal baths and its Advent Christmas markets, the light park has become part of Budapest’s diverse range of attractions.
He recalled that when the initiative was first launched, its concept was not yet entirely clear, but the city trusted Ildikó Borosné Szűts and her team – a decision he said had proved worthwhile.
Karácsony added that this year’s Wonderland theme offers visitors a chance to escape everyday life, while also reminding them that ordinary days can be more beautiful and meaningful.
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What can visitors expect at this year’s Lumina Park?
Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s famous novel, this year’s light trail brings the story’s best-known characters and scenes to life.
Among the highlights are a glowing tunnel leading into Wonderland, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts’ castle and a maze. Visitors can also enjoy a musical, interactive animal orchestra.
The park offers plenty of additional attractions, including a hand-powered carousel, a giant slide and a film projected onto water mist above the wave pool.
One of this season’s new features is a Santa Claus mini-train, available for an additional fee, according to the park’s promotional material.
More than one million light sources
Lumina Park was created through a partnership between Budapest Spas and Hot Springs Plc and its Polish partner, Lumina sp. z o.o.
At the opening ceremony, Jan Szagdaj, CEO of the Polish company, said the team had prepared more than one million light sources, 200 light installations, interactive features and special projections for the park’s fifth season in Budapest.
Lumina Park opening hours and visitor information
Visitors can explore the light trail at a leisurely pace in approximately one to one and a half hours.
The park is open from 20 October 2026 to 7 March 2027, every day except Monday, from dusk until 9 PM. During peak periods, opening hours are extended until 10 PM.
For detailed opening hours and further visitor information, check the official Lumina Park website before your visit.
