Christmas Markets: Budapest and Hungary

From Hungary, a series of proposals to get closer to Advent, the Christmas atmosphere, the holidays, the markets, tasting typical foods and breathing in the air of magic. Let’s discover together the Hungarian traditions and the charm of Christmas in Budapest, one of the most fascinating destinations to experience the magic of the holidays.

Lights and scents of the Christmas markets Budapest in Vörösmarty Square

Known for its vocation for relaxation and wellness, the city of Budapest enhances its offer during the holidays, creating highly suggestive atmospheres for example in the historic center, where the colorful Budapest Christmas markets take place. A delightful walk among the stalls, for example after a relaxing day spent in the numerous Budapest thermal baths, which remain open even during the Christmas period. In anticipation of Christmas, Budapest renews its charm and throughout Advent light plays, squares and characteristic corners illuminate with a special warmth.

Also this year, the traditional Budapest Christmas market will enchant the entire Vörösmarty Square, wrapped in the colorful lights of the large Christmas tree and populated by the characters and scenes of the nativity, while a traditional oven will prepare the typical seasonal delicacies, including for example the “langos”, a kind of oven-baked pizza, and the typical sweet Kürtőskalács. At the market, you can also buy original gifts, choosing among numerous artisanal products rigorously made with natural materials, and taste the best of Hungarian Christmas gastronomy, including the famous goulash.

Also planned are evocative live nativity scenes and reenactments of ancient Hungarian folk traditions, with performances by folk groups and traditional dances. The scents of mulled wine, freshly baked typical sweets, roasted chestnuts and richly decorated fir trees blend with the sounds and lights of Christmas, creating a festive atmosphere, delightful also for children, who will receive a visit from a generous Santa Claus right in Vörösmarty Square.

Ancient traditions and craft fair in Óbuda: Fő Square, December 1 – January 2

Óbuda hosts its traditional Christmas market in the charming main square, where there is also a live nativity scene, reenactment of ancient folk traditions, craft fair, programs for children, gastronomic tastings and the unmissable mulled wine. For the whole month, also in Fő Square, there is a free outdoor ice rink available to enthusiasts.

Christmas at Nagytétény Castle: Budapest, December 6 – January 4

In December, the beautiful baroque castle of Nagytétény (on the outskirts of Budapest), with its furniture museum – about 300 masterpieces made between the 15th and 19th centuries – provides the backdrop for the Christmas market, during which concerts and programs for children are also held.

Christmas concerts and dances: Szentendre, December 4-31

Several concerts enliven, during Advent, the churches of this splendid art town on the Danube Bend, together with the live nativity scene in Rab Ráby Square, Christmas events at the Arts Mill and, on New Year’s Eve, a public ball in Fő Square.

Advent festivities at the Royal Castle of Gödöllő: December 6-7, 13-14

Gödöllő was the favorite place of Princess Sissi also to spend Christmas holidays. Typical Christmas atmospheres now welcome visitors, in particular with traditional Christmas music performed in the concert hall. At the Baroque Theater of the Castle, on December 13, 14, 27, and 28, Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” is scheduled. Moreover, during Advent, the castle hosts a craft fair, an international gathering of groups representing the Nativity, puppet theater, participatory workshops for preparing the typical Christmas sweet. The palm greenhouse hosts workshops for making candles and Christmas decorations from natural materials, an exhibition and an Advent wreath fair. In the café, the monarchs’ favorite cakes will be served, and it will be possible to take souvenir photos wearing period costumes evoking the Belle Époque atmosphere.

EGER – Grand outdoor toast

One of the most beautiful baroque cities in Hungary, Eger (130 km east of Budapest) offers excellent reasons to visit in every season, starting with its wine and its centuries-old internationally renowned cellars. In the period preceding Christmas, various artisans set up their stalls in Dobó Square, the heart of the historic center, thus offering an excellent opportunity to discover this city located in a sunny valley between the Mátra and Bükk mountains, with a glorious history symbolized by the imposing castle. Noteworthy are the festivities of winegrowers on December 29 and 30, during which, at the Eger Wine Hall, the most renowned wineries in the area present the new vintage wines for a unique wine tasting.

SOPRON – Every evening a party with the Advent calendar

Just 70 km from Vienna and embraced by hills covered with vineyards, Sopron enjoys a mild subalpine climate. Its historic center, never devastated in history for example by Mongols or Turks, preserves intact its medieval layout (with original Gothic and baroque contributions) characterized by a unique horseshoe shape and still partially surrounded by ancient walls. In the main square of the city, Hungarian artisans display and sell their traditional products, and every evening during Advent at 7 pm the opening ceremony of the little windows of the typical calendar takes place, with a festive show of lights and the sound of bells. From Friday to Sunday, moreover, a “nostalgic little train” dedicated to children takes the little ones on a ride through the city center, with numerous games and entertainment appointments for them. In the main square of Sopron, children and adults can also meet Santa Claus and admire a typical nativity scene. Also planned is an original presentation of ancient crafts now close to disappearing at the House of Crafts.

GYŐR – Appointment with traditional Hungarian craftsmanship

Also nicknamed “the city of rivers,” because here the Danube crosses two other important waterways, the city of Győr is the Arabona of the ancient Romans, today renowned especially for its historic center and its baroque palaces. It is precisely in this context, especially in the old town on Káptalan hill, that the Christmas markets are held: Christmas trees, stands for tasting mulled wine and local typical products, stalls with Christmas tree decorations, small wooden gifts, toys, candles, glass, Hungarian ceramics, and traditional fabrics are the colorful spectacle of Advent in Győr. In Széchenyi Square, there are also scheduled live concerts by orchestras and folk bands, along with folk dance shows. The appointment with authentic Hungarian craftsmanship is held every year in the Town Hall Square (Megyeháza), Széchenyi Square, and Baross Street.

VESZPRÉM – The Christmas market of the “city of queens”

Also known as “the city of queens” – because it was the local bishop’s duty to crown Hungarian queens – Veszprém rises on the ridge of a high hill, with a splendid fortress and beautiful bourgeois houses that recall the glorious times when the city was the seat of a royal fortress. Today, Veszprém’s main street (pedestrian area) comes alive during Advent with many wooden stalls where exhibitors offer characteristic decorations, gift ideas inspired by the most genuine artisanal tradition, gastronomic specialties, and delicious Christmas sweets. A kaleidoscope of music and colors, flavors, and scents makes the Christmas market event unique every year, animated by a truly characteristic spirit.

Budapest: see also

PÉCS – Mediterranean Christmas

The Christmas market of Pécs can boast, as its environmental backdrop, two thousand years of history and an extraordinary artistic heritage. The events related to the Advent and Christmas period indeed enjoy an extraordinarily rich context here: ancient Roman tombs, a large Turkish mosque, museums of great painters like Csontváry, production centers of fine ceramics (the Zsolnay manufactory), characteristic restaurants and cafés… All this is Pécs, a city at the foot of the Mecsek mountains, with a uniquely Mediterranean climate and atmosphere. The market’s offer, set up in the very historic center, ranges from crafts to clothing to pastries. Beautiful handmade wool sweaters, artisanal wood creations, delicious sweets, and fine local wines are some of the original gift ideas made in Pécs and offered by the stalls set up for the occasion in the city designated as the “European Capital of Culture 2010”.

SZEGED – Christmas delicacies in the city of paprika

Christmas literally shines with a special light in the historic center of Szeged, a city at the mouth of the Tisza and Maros rivers, where the sun shines for much of the year (so much so that all over Hungary Szeged is known as “the city of the sun”) and where a lively intellectual atmosphere and highly prestigious schools have produced important Hungarian writers and men of science. World-famous products originate in Szeged, starting with the inimitable Pick salami and paprika, indispensable in traditional Hungarian dishes and abundant in the local fisherman’s soup. During the Christmas period, typical atmospheres vibrate in the evocative Cathedral Square, where the inviting scent of mulled wine spreads and local crafts products, gastronomic delights, roasted chestnuts, hazelnuts, and roasted almonds are displayed. Daily appointments are also scheduled for children at the Puppet Theater, set up for the occasion. During the entire Advent period, traditional stalls are accompanied by an interesting antiques market on Saturdays and Sundays. On December 24, on the Tisza embankment, near the Cathedral, the fish soup fair, a typical local dish, is held.

KŐSZEG – Christmas atmospheres and artistic suggestions

The city of Kőszeg boasts in Jurisics Square one of the most beautiful sites in Hungary, with ancient houses now elevated to the status of protected monuments. In this splendid setting, the Christmas market and the live nativity scene are set up, and a craft fair is also present. Of great interest during the Christmas period is a visit to the city’s historical sites: in the Tábornok-ház, an original late Renaissance house, exhibitions recalling the activity of city guilds are set up, with ancient crafts like the watchmaker, butcher, comb maker, blacksmith, weaver, etc. The “Golden Unicorn Pharmacy” Museum, moreover, has housed the town hall for 500 years in a unique palace featuring a great variety of architectural styles.

Concert of the Orchestra of 100 Gypsies – Budapest, Congress Center, December 30

The famous Gypsy Orchestra, composed of 100 musicians, will perform folk music and classical music. During the evening, it will also be possible to taste renowned Hungarian wines and typical Hungarian dishes, including the famous spiced sausages.

Grand Ball at the Opera House – Budapest, December 31

The New Year’s Eve ball organized at the Budapest Opera House, one of the most beautiful theaters in Europe, now has a tradition of decades. All those wishing to spend the last day of the year in a refined environment are invited and expected, with a high-level musical program, enjoying Hungarian culinary delicacies between dances.

New Year’s Eve in music: Budapest, December 30-31

Music in the squares of the capital from December 30 to 31 waiting for the new year. In Vörösmarty, Oktogon, and Nyugati squares, there is scheduled an extraordinary musical fantasy including all genres, from rock to jazz, from Latin-American to ballroom, from disco music to Gypsy music, to dance all night waiting for 2009. Fireworks will welcome the new year.

For those visiting Budapest in December, besides the Christmas markets, a visit to the majestic St. Stephen’s Basilica, beautifully illuminated for the holidays, or a ride on the Budapest Eye Ferris wheel to admire the city from above is a must. A romantic cruise on the Danube is the perfect way to conclude a day of exploration of the markets and Christmas attractions of the city. Don’t forget to taste the traditional Hungarian Christmas sweet and exchange wishes with a warm “Boldog karácsonyt!”, which means “Merry Christmas in Hungarian“.

The Budapest Christmas markets are part of the larger Advent & Winter Festival, which transforms the city into a true Christmas village. Whether you are interested in Hungarian traditions, local gastronomy, or simply wish to immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere, Budapest during the Christmas period offers an unforgettable experience for all visitors.