Budapest Christmas 2013

The Christmas market on St Stephen’s Square is right in front of the beautiful St Stephen’s Basilica (St Istvan Bazilika), one of the tallest buildings on the Pest side of Budapest, and one of the biggest churches in Hungary. Events, details about the 2012 Budapest Christmas Market at the Basilica here.

Budapest Christmas Market Basilica – photo by MPeti

The first Advent Fair by the St Stephen’s Basilica was held in 2011, organized by the National Association of Folk Artists. The skillful members of the Association of Hungarian Folk Artist are selling their unique and high quality traditional crafts (rated by the panel of the best Hungarian folk artists) in the wooden market stalls of the Basilica Christmas Market.

Entering the giant Advent gate, you will find yourself among a hundred handcrafts stalls, and a big skating rink set up on St Istvan Square (Szent István tér) in the heart of the city of Budapest.

Where is the Budapest Basilica Christmas Market?

Luckily, the location of the Basilica Christmas Fair is very close to the oldest and most well known Christmas Market on Vorosmarty Square, so you can easily visit two of the biggest and most popular Xmas fairs of Budapest during the Christmas holidays.

When is the Budapest Basilica Christmas Market?

November 30, 2012 – January 1, 2013

The Budapest Basilica Xmas Market is in fact a winter festival, which starts in late November, and ends in the New Year. The Christmas Market by the St Stephen’s Basilica opened late November in 2011 (its very first year, started in 2011), a bit later than the fair on Vorosmarty Square (running since 1998).

St Stephens Basilica Budapest in December (Mishpan photography)

Similarly to 2011. in 2012 the St Stephen’s Basilica Xmas market will be open throughout December in 2012.

As for the daily opening Hours of the Christmas Market on St Stephen’s Square:

The Opening ceremony is on November 30, 2012
Opening times between Dec 1 2012 and Jan 1  2013:

Monday – Thursday: 11:30 – 20:00
Friday: 11:30 – 22:00
Saturday: 10:00 – 22:00
Sunday: 10:00 – 20:00

Drinking mulled wine, eating some roasted chestnuts or filling Hungarian snacks attracts hundreds of thousands in Hungary and tourists from many countries.

Budapest, the Perfect Christmas Destination

In fact, Budapest has often been chosen as one of the best Christmas destinations in Europe, and the Christmas markets are warmly recommended by many of the travel books about Europe and (Central) Eastern Europe.

St Stephens Basilica Budapest Candles – Yellow Cat photography

Don’t worry, although some places are closed on Dec24-26, many places remain open, and many of the best places: restaurants, brunches, baths, sightseeing river cruises, etc. There is a lot to do in our cosmopolitan city.

You can be the part of this festive merriment. Come and visit Budapest and listen to the beautiful concerts in the Basilica (Advent Organ concerts, choirs, charity concerts, etc.). You can also attend the masses, light a candle, and be filled with the warmth of Christmas.

Past Christmas markets by the Basilica in Budapest

in 2011

In 2011, the St Stephen Christmas Market was open from Nov 27 to Jan 2. On weekdays, from Monday to Friday the market was open from 11 am, while on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) from 10 am.

The Advent fair closed at about 9-10 pm.

Budapest Christmas Fair at the Basilica

Budapest Christmas Market by St Stephens Cathedral

Tags: Budapest Christmas Market by St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest Christmas Markets, Budapest Christmas Shopping, Budapest December 23, Budapest December 24, Budapest December 31, Budapest January 1