Discover the Magic of Christmas in Hungary: A Comprehensive Guide to Festive Markets and More

Thursday, Nov 16, 2023 0

Experience enchanting Christmas markets and warm festivities across Hungary. From the renowned Advent Basilica in Budapest, a three-time “Best Christmas Market in Europe” winner to Debrecen, discover treasures, enjoy thermal spas, and celebrate the season. Don’t miss Hungary’s holiday charm!

Must see: St. Stephen’s Basilica Advent Festival and Christmas Market

According to European Best Destinations and based on the votes of over 374,000 worldwide travelers, the Advent Basilica has been elected the Best Christmas Market in Europe for the third consecutive time. As the winner of the Best Christmas Market in Europe award for 2020, 2021, and 2022, the Advent Basilica is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Christmas fairs in Europe.

Where love takes your hand – with this slogan, the Advent Basilica, Budapest’s uniquely beautiful Christmas fair, opens its doors again. From 17th November to 1st January 2024 in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica in one of the most impressive, beautiful, and breathtaking squares of the Hungarian capital.

True to the tradition of this year’s 12-year-old Advent Basilica, it promises a unique festive atmosphere around 120 domestic craft exhibitors, real gastronomic adventures, and heart-warming programs with so many more surprises. The real, authentic Christmas spirit will move again into the heart of Budapest into St. Stephen Square!

Dates: November 17, 2023, to January 1, 2024.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, Sunday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Special Hours: December 24: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, December 25-26: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, December 31: Craft vendors 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, food & drinks 11:00 AM to 3:00 AM, January 1, 2024: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Location: Szt. István Square in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Highlights: A spacious square with an ice-skating rink, artisan gifts, and an expanded food selection, including lángos, burgers, grilled sausages, and more.

Other notable Christmas markets in Budapest:

Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market:

Dates: November 17, 2023, to January 1, 2024.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Friday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, Sunday: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Special Hours: December 24: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, December 25-26: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, December 31/New Year’s Eve: 11:00 AM to 5:00 AM, January 1, 2024: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Location: Vörösmarty tér, District V.
Highlights: Central location, around 100 stalls, concerts, craft and playhouse for children, visit from Santa Claus on December 6, and a wide array of Hungarian foods and mulled wine.

Christmas Fair in Óbuda (Fő tér):

Dates: December 1 to 23, 2023.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday: 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Friday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Admission: Free.
Location: Fő tér, District III.
Highlights: Charming main square with a tall Christmas tree, genuine handmade artifacts, traditional Hungarian dishes, children’s activities, and Christmas drinks like mulled wine.

Fashion Street Christmas Market (Deák Ferenc Street):

Location: Fashion Street (Deák Ferenc utca) intersecting Vörösmarty Square.
Highlights: This market features a Christmas tree installation in front of the Kempinski Hotel Corvinus, offering food, pastries, pottery, ceramics, and folk textiles.

Erzsébet Square Christmas Market:

Location: Along the western side of Erzsébet tér.
Highlights: Offers chimney cake (kürtőskalács), pancakes, donuts, beigli, and local cakes. Also, you can buy fur hats, scarves, and postcards.

Whale (Bálna) Building Advent Festival and Ice Rink:

Dates: To Be Announced Later.
Location: Fővám tér 11-12, Pest side of the Danube.
Highlights: Offers jazz & blues concerts, merchant stalls, and a 450 sqm ice rink with a stunning view of the Danube.

Castle Garden Bazaar Advent Programs (Buda):

Dates: Sundays in December 2023.
Location: Ybl Miklós tér 2-6, District I., between Elizabeth Bridge and the Chain Bridge.
Highlights: Features a folk craft fair, concerts, food trucks, a small ice rink, and free children’s programs each Sunday.

City Park (Városliget) Christmas Market:

Opening Hours: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM every day, including holidays.
Location: Városliget/City Park (next to Heroes’ Square).
Highlights: Decked out for the holidays with a craft market, food and drinks, family programs, and special surprises for children. Also features a 3D light show.

Christmas Fair at Allee Shopping Centre:

Dates: November 20 to December 24, 2023.
Opening Hours: Every day from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Location: Small pedestrian street next to the Allee Shopping Mall.
Highlights: Features various vendors offering clothing, accessories, gifts, and Hungarian specialties like honey, jams, pálinka, and mulled wine.

More info: https://www.budapestbylocals.com/christmas-markets-in-budapest/

Christmas markets in the countryside

Eger

In Hungary besides Budapest, the countryside also offers you a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the festive mood. Eger Christmas market is held every year on the Dobó Square and presents the most visited program series during Advent. The market opens on November 25 and ends on the 24th of December. Stalls are stuffed with mouth-watering sweets and handcrafted goods. You can even meet with the artisans and have a short conversation with them about their products to complete the authentic experience. The aroma of mulled wine and gingerbread wafts through the air and all you need is just a mug of wine to warm yourself up!

Veszprém

Veszprém, the European Capital of Culture in 2023, awaits visitors with concerts, gastronomic experiences and a lovely Christmas market over the four Advent weekends. The Christmas fair is located in the old town and it has a wide offer of Hungarian cuisine such as traditional fish soup, fried sausage, goulash soup, lángos and chimney cake. The market invites visitors to a magical world where everything is around Christmas.

Pécs

The time of Advent is always special in the capital of Baranya County. The kith and kin of the city come together at the fair to taste the Christmas spirit. The scent of mulled wine, chimney cake, and roast chestnut pervades Széchenyi Square, together with the melodies of choral musicians and the lights, making the main square of the city a real casket. The smallest members of the family can visit the house of Santa Claus, admire the light paintings, and watch the candle-lighting ceremonies on Sundays with their parents. Széchenyi Square turns into a fairy tale for the time of the Advent fair which opens on the last day of November.

Szeged

Szeged celebrates Christmas Weeks at Dóm Square between 24 November and 24 December. There will be light painting, fire jugglers, and a huge ice rink. Szeged also prepared a special selfie box where visitors can commemorate their favourite Advent moments.

Vác

The Christmas market (20 November – 31 December) at the main square of Vác awaits visitors with a human-sized Bethlehem, an ice rink, and a unique Advent wreath.

Debrecen

Debrecen’s Christmas Market is a magical destination for visitors and locals alike. Set against the backdrop of the city’s historic center, this year’s market promises an array of festive delights and heartwarming experiences. From November 25th to December 23rd, the market comes alive with the spirit of the season. Through a unique building mural project, it will also feature selected photos and stories of individuals connected to Debrecen who quietly contribute to the city’s life.