Budapest Christmas Markets: a full 2023 guide

things to do
November 7, 2023

Unwrap the enchantment of Budapest’s Christmas markets in 2023/2024. with this comprehensive guide to all four of the city’s magical markets. From the twinkling lights to delectable treats, we’ll reveal the dates, dishes, and distinctive features that make each fair special. Happy readings!

QUICK LINKS

• Best Budapest Christmas Markets in 2023:
1. Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market
2. St. Stephen’s Basilica Christmas fair
3. Deák Ferenc/Fashion Street Christmas fair
4. Erzsébet Square Christmas fair
5. Castle Garden Bazaar (Várkert Bazár) market
6. Advent In Óbuda Main Square
7. Bálna Christmas Festival & Ice Rink
8. Vajdahunyad Castle and City Park Advent
9. Christmas Advent in Gozsdu Court
10. Ujbuda Christmas market
11. Etele Square Advent
• Which Christmas market should I visit?
• Tips for Visiting the Christmas Markets in Budapest
• Budapest Christmas Markets food: what to eat and drink
• What dates are the Christmas market in Budapest?
• Budapest Christmas markets – Frequent Questions

Best Budapest Christmas Markets in 2023

1. Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market

The 2023 Vörösmarty Square Christmas Fair in Budapest assures around 100 stalls encircling the beautifully adorned Christmas tree, as well as activities like concerts, a children’s craft and playhouse, and a special visit from Santa Claus on December 6th.

It’s also important to note the culinary choices – dishes like stuffed cabbage, goulash, grilled meats, and sweets like strudels and beigli are always there, asking to be complemented with winter classic drinks like mulled wine. Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market features a diverse musical lineup, offering some folk, jazz, world music, blues performances (and more). While weekdays bring entertainment from 17:00 to 20:00, weekends have it from 16:00 to 20:00.

INFOBOX | Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market:

Dates: 17. November 2023 – 1. January 2024
Opening hours:
• Monday – Thursday: 11am – 9pm
• Friday – Saturday: 11am – 10pm
• Sunday: 11am – 9pm
• 24. December: 10am – 2pm
• 25 – 26. December: 10am – 6pm
• 31. December: 11am – 5am
• 1. January 2024: 11am – 5pm
Location: Budapest, Vörösmarty tér 3, 1051 Hungary

2. St. Stephen’s Basilica Christmas fair

Nestled in the spacious Szent István Tér (in front of the magnificent St. Stephen’s Basilica), the Advent Festival and Christmas Market provides a festive downtown Budapest experience. Spanning four and a half weeks, it offers artisan gifts and family-friendly entertainment. A 200 sqm ice skating rink delights children, while stalls showcase local treasures, including chocolate bonbons, handmade leather accessories, designer jewelry, strawberry wine, Pálinka, and much, much more. As day transitions into night, the market aglow in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica creates a magical Budapest atmosphere – and a light painting on the Basilica’s facade can be seen in the evenings.

INFOBOX | Christmas fair at St. Stephen’s Basilica

Dates: 17. November 2023 – 1. January 2024
Opening hours:
• Monday – Thursday: 11am – 9pm
• Friday – Saturday: 11am – 11pm
• Sunday: 11am – 9pm
• 24. December: 10am – 3pm
• 25 – 26. December: 10am – 8pm
• 31. December: 11am – 3am
• 1. January 2024: 11am – 6pm
Location: Budapest, Szent István tér 1, 1051 Hungary

3. Christmas fair at Deák Ferenc/Fashion Street

This market is, in fact, an overspill from the nearby Varoshaza Park Christmas Market. The Fashion Street, or Deák Ferenc utca, hosts a festive Christmas market featuring a commanding Christmas tree at its center. Here, you can enjoy the street – full of lights and lined with renowned designer shops – while savoring kürtös kalács, or a strudel. As you explore, you can wrap up your visit with a hot Gingerbread latte at the Starbucks cafe located at the street’s end.

4. Erzsébet Square Christmas Market

Embark on a festive journey at Erzsébet Square Christmas Market, an extension of Fashion Street’s market. You can stroll and enjoy the magical lights and decorations lining the square, while exploring the market and savor traditional flavours. But the great attraction is the 65 meters high “Ferris Wheel of Budapest” (or Budapest Eye), which gains some extra lights for the season. For the best view of an illuminated downtown Budapest, you can take a ride.

Tip: Vörösmarty Square, Erzsébet Square and Deák Ferenc Street markets are in close proximity, with the latter in the middle. This convenient layout makes it effortless to visit all three markets in one outing.

INFOBOX | Erzsébet tér Christmas fair

5. Castle Garden Bazaar (Várkert Bazár) market

Celebrate Advent in Budapest’s Castle Garden Bazaar, nestled at the foot of Castle Hill, with breathtaking views of the Danube and Pest. Sundays in December feature a Folk Craft Fair, free children’s programs, concerts, and a small ice rink. All this besides the craft market’s offerings and the local delights. This is a must see destination anyway – and the Christmas season is definitely a great time to take the best out of it.

INFOBOX | Várkert Bazár Christmas advent

Dates: 2 – 23. December 2023
Location: Budapest, Szent György tér 2, 1014 Hungary
Program:
• 2. December, 7:00 p.m: Honvéd Men’s Band concert
• 3. December, Holiday: Bagossy Brothers Company
• 3. December: Royal Opera House – Film screening (Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker)
• 9. December: Dancing in the snow – Christmas concert
• 10. December: Barcelona Gipsy Balkan Orchestra
• 10. December: Film screening – Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker
• 12. December: “Angel’s Music, Candlelight” with Castle Garden Literature
• 16. December: Irie Mafia concert
• 16. December: Arts for Kids
• 17. December, 16:00: Budapest Bar (concert)
• 17. December, 20:00: Budapest Bar (party)
• 17. December: Film screening – Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker
• 23. December: Saint Ephrem men’s club concert

6. Advent In Óbuda Main Square

Nestled in Budapest’s historic Óbuda district, in the main square (Fo tér), the Óbuda Christmas Market offers a distinctive and local holiday experience. With free admission, this gem invites you to its charming Main Square, adorned with a towering Christmas tree as the centerpiece.

As you explore the market stalls, you’ll discover genuine handmade artifacts, indulge in fragrant Christmas drinks like mulled wine, and savor traditional Hungarian dishes. The market also features street food, including the iconic langós. The rich cultural tapestry unfolds with concerts, folk performances, and an array of activities for children, such as an ice rink and a Santa Adventure Park. Surely a great Christmas fair and winter festival in Budapest – just a more local one.

INFOBOX | Advent In Óbuda Main Square

Dates: 1-23st December 2023
Location: Budapest, 1033 Hungary
Opening hours:
• Monday – Thursday: 2 – 9pm
• Friday – Sunday: 10am – 10pm
Program:
• Dec. 1: Mayor’s Greeting, Switching on Decorative Lighting, Opening of the Ice Rink with Ice Dancers, Cymbal Band
• Dec. 2: Kaláka Children’s Concert, Péter Huzella, Széll Cultural Association, Chalga
• Dec. 3: Bergengóc-Zenegóc Ensemble, Koris Santa Claus, Advent Musical Gala, Eleven Light Dance Show, Advent Candle Lighting, Concert by Károly Summer and His Daughters
• Dec. 8: Romengo
• Dec. 9: Kolompos Orchestra, Majorca Theatre, FolkEmbassy and Szilvia Bognár
• Dec. 10: Oat Straw Ensemble, Nikolas Takács, Eleven Light Dance Show, Advent Candle Lighting, St. Ephrem Men’s Choir
• Dec. 15: Mistral
• Dec. 16: William Gryllus, Ester Chain, Musical
• Dec. 17: Pom-Pom Ensemble, Tamás Hevesi, Eleven Light Dance Show, Advent Candle Lighting, Kaláka: Is it allowed to come in here with a nativity scene?
• Dec. 22: Downtown Outlaws, Makám, György Ferenczi and the 1st Pesti Rackák
• Dec. 23: Tímea Kecskés and Dávid Sándor – Ice Cream Fun, Janicsák Veca, Veronaki and Fischer Annie Music School Choir, Andrea Szulák and His Orchestra

7. Bálna Christmas Festival & Ice Rink

The Bálna Christmas Market and Ice Rink, housed in Bálna building, provides an exceptional Budapest winter experience. Visitors can explore a diverse range of goods, indulge in delicious food, and discover unique gifts. The venue’s terrace offers breathtaking views of the Danube and the Buda side, allowing visitors to relish jazz and blues concerts (free) and enjoy a warm glass of mulled wine while exploring merchant stalls. And for the younger ones, Santa will be at Bálna building on December 3rd and 4th, and the festivities will commence at 3pm.

WAMP fair – on November 12 from 10 am to 6 pm, the WAMP fair – Sunday Design Market – takes place, providing an opportunity to peruse thousands of unique, handcrafted designs, from leather bags and homemade jams to charming dolls, crafted chocolates, and more.

INFOBOX | Bálna market

Opening hours (ice rink):
• Monday – Thursday: 10am – 2pm ; 3-10
• Fri-Sat: 10am – 2pm ; 3pm – 12am
• Sun: 10am – 2pm ; 3-10pm
Location: Budapest, Fővám tér 11-12, 1093

8. Vajdahunyad Castle and City Park Advent

A little farther away from the Budapest city center you’ll find another beautiful Christmas market located in the City Park, next to Heroes’ Square. The popular leisure park, Városliget, also dresses up for the Holidays and welcomes everyone with crafts, foods and drinks, as well as some programs and an ice skating rink.

To get to the City Park from the city center you can either take the Milennium( line M1) to Hősök tere. Or you can take the bus lines 20E, 30, 30A, 105 or 230.

INFOBOX | Vajdahunyad Castle and City Park Advent

Opening hours: every day from 9 am to 9 pm, even on December 24th, 25th, 26th, and January 1st.

Location: Budapest, Olof Palme stny. 5, 1146

9. Christmas Advent in Gozsdu Court

A delightful hidden gem awaits within the Gozsdu Udvar, nestled in the heart of Budapest’s historic former Jewish ghetto. You can access this charming market through its primary entrance on Király Street, or alternatively, you can make your way there from Dob Utca. The two streets are seamlessly connected by the vibrant Gozsdu, a lively complex of streets and courtyards filled with bars, restaurants, and other stores, that gains a special colour during Christmas.

INFOBOX | Christmas Advent in Gozsdu Court

Dates: 6-24 December
Opening hours:
• Monday – Friday: 12 – 7pm
• Saturday – Sunday: 10am – 7pm
• 24. December: 10am – 5pm
Location: Budapest, Gozsdu udvar, 1075

10. Ujbuda Christmas market

If you happen to be on the Buda side of Budapest, there are a couple of hidden gems you should explore during the holiday season. One is nestled near the Allee shopping mall, in Budapest 11th district, providing a quaint and festive atmosphere, with a charming little Christmas market located at Moricz Zsigmond Korter. Expect a smaller but local experience, where you can try local delicacies like chimney cake and mulled wine, or buy the products directly from local artisans.

INFOBOX | Ujbuda Advent

Dates: 1-24 December 2023
Opening hours: Every day: 10am – 8pm
Location: Móricz Zsigmond körtér

11. Etele Square Christmas market

Also in Budapest’s 11th district, at the Etele Square (right next to Etele mall), lies another small advent – the Etele Square Christmas market. Conveniently located near the Kelenföld railway station and metro stop, this charming market offers a variety of seasonal attractions, including an ice skating rink.

INFOBOX | Ujbuda Advent

Dates (likely): from 17 November
Location: Etele tér

Read more:
• Budapest Christmas FAQ
• Best things to do in Budapest at Christmas
• Budapest in Winter (guide)
• Budapest in January (guide)

Which Christmas market should I visit?

For a Grand Experience: The Vörösmarty tér Market is the go-to choice. It’s the most famous, largest, and located in the heart of Budapest. You can also explore the beautiful surroundings by walking from Deák Ferenc utca to Erzsébet Square, with everything in the same Christmas charm. Another fantastic option is the Christmas market in front of the Basilica, not far from these spots. In fact, going from Vörösmarty tér to St. Stephen’s Basilica is a great Christmas route.

For a Cozy, Local Vibe: If you prefer a smaller, more local, and less crowded experience, consider the Gozsdu Udvar Market on the Pest side, or Újbuda and Óbuda on the Buda side. These markets offer a unique, intimate atmosphere and a higher chance to mingle with locals.

For Ice Skating Enthusiasts: Head to the Vajdahunyad Castle for a delightful ice skating experience. That’s the most popular one, and once you get there – and see the view to the rink in front of castle – you’ll understand why. Alternatively, Bálna’s Christmas Market is also a very picturesque and popular spot for skating.

Tips for Visiting the Christmas Markets in Budapest

In order to have the best experience when you visit Budapest Christmas markets, consider the following tips:

Bundle up warmly, as Budapest experiences chilly winter nights, even when it doesn’t snow.
Carry some Hungarian Forint (HUF) with you. While most places take card, some might not accept it.
If you do pay with card, consider taking a multi-currency card like Wise, that lets you pay in the local currency with a small conversion fee.
Otherwise, if you use your bank card, you’ll probably get hidden costs in the exchange rate besides the conversion fees. Oh, and always choose HUF in the ATM and terminals.
Leave your valuables at the hotel; though Budapest is generally safe, watch out for pickpockets.
If you’re taking public transport, trams and buses are pretty efficient and cheap. However, should you want to call a taxi, use Bolt to make sure you pay a fair price (there’s no Uber).

Budapest Christmas Markets food: what to eat and drink

There are plenty of local dishes to try in Hungary, so if you’re wondering about what to buy in Budapest Christmas markets, here’s a few ideas of what you can eat:

Lángos: a Hungarian favorite, Lángos is a deep-fried dough adorned with toppings like garlic, sour cream, cheese, and ham or sausage. Don’t miss the sweet version with jam or chocolate
Goulash Soup: a hearty Hungarian classic, perfect for cold weather, this soup features meat, vegetables, and paprika. You can even savor it in a bread bowl.
Halászlé: the fisherman’s soup, Halászlé combines freshwater fish, onions, and paprika.
Hungarian Sausage: there’s a big variety of Hungarian sausages, bursting with flavors and spices. A popular one in Christmas fairs.
Töltött Káposzta: this stuffed cabbage, served with pork chop and paprika, accompanied by cream, veggies, and bread.
Rooster-Testicle Stew: for the adventurous, there’s usually a rooster-testicle stew, a surprising dish with creamy textures and rich flavors.
Kürtőskalács (chimney cake): don’t miss this a sweet spiral pastry cooked over an open flame, boasting a caramelized exterior and a soft, doughy interior.
Rétes: strudel filled with apples, cherries, poppies, or cottage cheese, often garnished with dried fruits.
Bejgli: traditional Christmas roll cake, available in walnut or poppy seed variations.
Szalon Cukor (Parlor Candy): Adorn your tree with these traditional Hungarian candies, each hiding marzipan filled with various flavors like coconut, rum, and chocolate.
Roasted Chestnut: nutty goodness of roasted chestnuts.
Mulled Wine: sip on aromatic mulled wine, ‘forralt bor,’ a warming blend of red wine with fragrant spices, typically enhanced with a hint of citrus.
Pálinka: try pálinka, Hungary’s strong fruit brandy with varieties like plum, apricot, and pear.

What dates are Budapest Christmas markets?

While certain dates have been confirmed, a significant number of Christmas Markets for 2023 are still pending their official schedule announcements. Drawing from the timeline of the previous year (2022), it’s reasonable to anticipate that most markets will commence their festive operations on November 17th, 2023. For those that are yet to reveal their exact opening dates, it’s safe to assume they will likely launch by November 24th at the latest.

We’ll keep this article promptly updated as the individual market dates are unveiled.

Budapest Christmas markets - Frequent Questions

Is Budapest Christmas market worth visiting?

Absolutely, the Budapest Christmas markets are worth visiting, especially the main market in Vörösmarty Square. Their enchanting atmospheres, diverse stalls, delectable local foods, and unique crafts make them must-see destinations during the holiday season.

How many Christmas Markets are there in Budapest?

Budapest boasts several enchanting Christmas markets, with at least four major ones, including the most famous, in Vörösmarty Square market. In addition to these, numerous smaller markets are scattered throughout the city, each offering its unique charm and festive delights. These markets are definitely worth visiting, making Budapest a true winter wonderland during the holiday season.

Where is the Christmas market in Budapest?

The biggest and most famous Christmas market in Budapest occurs at Vörösmarty Square, situated in the city center, just in front of the famous Gerbeaud Coffee House, and at the end of Vaci Street. The second biggest happens at St. Stephan’s Square, just in front of the Basilica.

Are Budapest Christmas markets free?

Yes, the Budapest Christmas markets are generally free to enter. Visitors can enjoy the festive ambiance, explore the stalls, and soak in the holiday spirit without an admission fee. However, expenses for food, drinks, and shopping are additional costs.

How big is Budapest Christmas market?

The Budapest Christmas Market, situated at Vörösmarty Square, is the larger of the two main markets in the city. With over 100 stalls offering Hungarian delicacies like sausages and goulash, it will be open from 17th of November of 2023 to the 1st of January of 2024.