Every New Year’s Eve sees a wildly expensive and lavish Grand Ball at the State Opera House, and this year is no exception. The highlight of the evening will be a gala concert with big names from the world of classical music (no one has been confirmed yet but they generally get some international stars), but there’ll also be cocktails, a rendition of the Hungarian National Anthem at midnight, a dinner in the state rooms, a dance show, ballroom dancing, a piano bar – the works. Think of an ocean liner in the era of F.Scott Fitzgerald and you’ll get some idea of what to expect. Tickets cost from HUF54,000 to HUF 79,000 (£140-£205).