Budapest has smaller and bigger Christmas Markets, which usually open around mid November and close at the end of December (December 31) each year. The two city central markets have been attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors, and are the most spectacular.
Christmas Market by St Stephen’s Basilica
Budapest Christmas Market by Basilica
You will find beautiful quality handcrafts, and special Hungarian Delicacies (e.g Chimney Cake) at the Budapest Basilica Christmas Fair.
Location: St Stephen’s Sq, Budapest, District V
Dates: Nov 17, 2024 – Jan 1, 2025
Highlights:
- Free Entry
- Food Stalls
- Handicraft Shops
- Christmas Laser Projection on the Basilica
- Skating Rink with Skate Rental
- Voted among the top European Christmas Markets in the last 4 years
- Celebrate the Advent Candle Lighting
- Charity opportunity
Visit St Stephen Basilica with a Skip the Line Basilica Ticket or as part of a guided tour
or, if you’d prefer a Guide to discover the 2 main Christmas Fairs in Budapest incl. tastings:
Christmas Fair Vorosmarty Square
Budapest Christmas Market Classic Xmas Vorosmarty Budapest Brand Photo
The most beautiful, oldest and internationally acclaimed Budapest Christmas fair is the Christmas Market on Vorosmarty Square in the heart of the city (since 1998).
Location: Vorosmarty Sq, Budapest, District V
Dates: Nov 16, 2024 – Jan 1, 2025
Highlights:
- Free Entry
- Food Stalls (note: in the last few years, these were reviewed overpriced)
- Handicraft Shops (Nov 18 – Dec 28, 2024)
- Santa Claus visits on Dec 6 (Yes, 6th)
- Joins with the richly illuminated Fashion Street
- Ceramic Christmas mugs (or paper)
Visit Budapest City Centre in a guided tour
or, if you’d prefer a City Tour with Parliament
Would you prefer to explore the markets with a knowledgeable guide who tells you about Christmas traditions, culinary joys, takes you to tastings? Book a tour while places are available. December is popular, especially the weekends. Many programmes are already selling out by early November, like the Candlelit Budapest A La Carte Dinner Cruise on Legenda.
Christmas Market Photo Gallery
The festive Christmas markets showcase young and old talents of Hungary, who really make their products with love, care, carrying on traditions of long years in glass blowing, knitting, wood carving, candle making, pottery, leather trade (belt making, bag making, shoe making, etc.), traditional Hungarian embroidery and lace work, etc. Don’t expect dazzling handicrafts, just nice and pleasant gifts, most of which make nice little presents, unassuming lovely gifts.
Budapest Christmas Markets – Traditional & Charming
What makes many of the Christmas markets really enticing and outstanding in Budapest is that there is a real focus on trying to preserve authentic Hungarian folk art, traditions and offer really good quality handcrafts rather than commercialised kitchy Christmas gifts.
Time Travel – Away from Commercial Showiness
So the Xmas fairs in Budapest are more about buying little hand made gifts, drinking mulled wines, nibbling Hungarian pastries (like the chimney shaped cylindrical ‘Kurtos kalacs’), eating traditional street foods (sausages, snacks, a roast chestnut, etc.), and having fun by meeting, mingling, chatting and listening to the nice Christmas concerts on the stages of the markets.
Last updated Nov 8, 2024
how can we apply for the christmas market 2020??
Hello Wassilia, Thank you for your interest in the 2020 market. I’m afraid only local Hungarian crafts are sold at the Christmas market which are judged by a strict jury panel to qualify for vendor space.
If you only wish to visit the Budapest Christmas market there is no need to apply for tourists, you can just turn up and enjoy the festive December fair.
Hello
We visited the lovely Christmas market in Deak Frenac and bought an excellent cotton bread bags. If I remember right it was by the Gerbou caffe. Can you please-please-please help me find the details on the nice person who sell them? I would like to buy few more of them. Thank you!
Hello, Unfortunately we cannot be of help tracking down a past vendor selling cotton bread bags at the Budapest Christmas market. Sorry about that.
Did you perhaps check the label inside the bag? Maybe it shows the brand – it would be very helpful in identifying your preferred vendor.
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