Budapest Christmas Markets

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Hungary’s capital and most important city of the country, Budapest was founded at the end of the nineteenth century by the merger of the towns of Buda, located on the western shore of the Danube, and Pest, situated on the eastern shore.

Founded by the Romans under the name of Aquincum, as a legionary fortress. In the sixteenth century it was occupied by the Turks, who lost the city only in 1686. From thet time it was part of the Habsburg Empire until the Austrian defeat of the First World War.

Budapest is Hungary’s main center of tourist attraction, the city overlooking the Danube, it is bounded by the hills of Buda and the Pannonian Plain.

BUDAPEST CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Dates of the Christmas Market:
Usually end of November – December

1) Christmas Market of the Basilica of St. Stephen (Adventi Ünnep a Bazilikánál). This Christmas market – one of the loveliest of Budapest – takes place in the square of St. Stephen (Szent István tér) in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica (Szent István Bazilika) and also along the Zrínyi street. At the center of the market is a large Christmas tree, will also feature an ice skating rink for children of 200 square meters. Every night the Basilica will be illuminated by a spectacular light show. Will also be organized numerous artistic and cultural manifestations. This year’s special attraction will be a 3D projection on the Basilica, that can be viewed from all corners of St. Stephen’s square with 3D glasses. With its picturesque scenery, dozens of vendors in charming booths, regional food delicacies, and diverse entertainment, Budapest’s Advent Feast is increasingly regarded as one of Europe’s must-see Christmas time events.

Organization: Adventi Ünnep a Bazilikánál, 1051 Budapest, Szent István tér. Peller Ágnes+36 20 430 3957. E-mail: . Gál Boglárka +36 20 454 3164. E-mail: 

2) Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market (Budapesti Adventi- és Karácsonyi Vásáron). Housed in the Vörösmarty square, the market of Budapest is characterized by the presence of over a hundred wooden chalets, similar to mountain chalets, which will host typical objects of Hungarian handicrafts.

Extensive and sophisticated is also the choice of Hungarian specialties: fresh Hungarian bread (lángos), grilled sausages (Kolbasz), grilled meat (Pecsenye), sweet caramel, the Bejgli (typical Christmas sweets stuffed with seeds poppy or walnuts and raisins), the Szalon cukor (chocolates to hang on to the tree filled with marzipan, fruit jelly or vanilla custard), Hungarian strudel (Rétes), ginger cookies, roasted chestnuts, Tocai wine, apricot brandy and mulled wine (Forralt bor) flavored with honey, cinnamon, cloves or sugar cane of which you can retain the cup, different every year.

In the square there are also a huge Christmas tree and a great Advent calendar that is formed on the windows of the pastry Gerbaud palace. In the center of the Vörösmarty square is a huge Advent wreath and every Sunday, of the 4 Sundays before Christmas, lights a candle. The ceremony is announced to the public in the square by the “angels”. In the square there is also a wooden crib entirely hand carved. There are also numerous events of popular music, dancers, choirs, musicians and puppet shows are present in Vörösmarty Square.

Organization: BFTK Budapesti Fesztivál- és Turisztikai Központ Nonprofit Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság, 1052 Budapest, Városház u. 9-11. Tel.: 486 3300 • Fax: 486 3310. E-mail:

3) Christmas Market in the Park Town Hall of New Pest (Újpest) (Advent Budapesten – Téli Fesztivál a Városháza Parkban). Market located in Városháza Parkban – just east of the Vörösmarty square (Vörösmarty tér) – made up of artisans and gastronomy stalls presenting Hungarian products of high quality.

Organization: Szabad Tér Színház Nonprofit Kft. (székhely: 1122 Budapest, Városmajor 6835/17 hrsz.). E-mail: 

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This post is also available in: Portuguese (Portugal)