Last Updated on 15 December 2025 by ZoliBP
🎄 Holiday Fairs At Various Venues You Don’t Want To Miss
Come and explore our favourite Christmas Markets in Budapest: from the most popular ones to smaller, more idyllic festive fairs!
The Hungarian capital was voted the most affordable Christmas Market destination in Europe more than a decade ago by the British Daily Mail!
This “award” may not be still valid in 2025 but you should still visit at least the two biggest Xmas fairs for their unique and charming atmosphere and quality, handcrafted products.
Besides the two must-see holiday markets, we included a good handful of other Advent bazaars and events at various points of Budapest.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents – Christmas Markets in Budapest
Apart from the best-known festive fair on Vörösmarty Square, the city has some other fabulous markets with
- Unique craft products,
- Tasty local food and drinks as well as
- Great programs
Admission is free to all events.
I love strolling in the Budapest with our 2 boys during the Advent period when the streets and squares take on festive decor and lighting and we try to drop by each major Xmas fair.
Here’s our list of must-visit Christmas markets in Budapest.
🎄 Christmas Market at Vörösmarty Square, Nov 14 – Dec 31, 2025
Date & Opening Hours 2025
- November 14 – December 31, 2025
- Monday – Thursday: 11.00 – 21.00
- Friday – Saturday: 11.00 – 22.00
- Sunday: 11.00 – 21.00
- 24. December: 10.00 – 14.00
- 25 – 26. December: 12.00 – 18.00
- 29 – 30 December: 11.00 – 21.00
- 31. December/NYE: 11.00 – 03.00
Location – Getting There:
- Vörösmarty tér, district V.,
- M1 underground (yellow line), M1, M2, M3 metro lines: Deák tér station or tram 2 Széchenyi tér stop: a couple of minutes walk from both stops
This is the most popular holiday fair in Budapest with a central location on a plaza in front of the Gerbeaud Coffee House.
Around 100 stalls are set up around the slender Christmas tree that is decorated with different colours of ornaments each year.
Concerts, craft and play house, miniature raliway for children, the visit of Santa Claus on 6. December, tasty local food are the main highlights of this fair:
- Stuffed cabbage,
- Goulash,
- Grilled meats and sausages,
- Flat bread (lepény) baked in clay oven,
- Strudels,
- Sekler cake, beigli, flódni and other sweets,
- Fragrant winter beverages (mulled wine, krampampuli, grog, tea) are the best features of this holiday bazaar.
A varied program, folk, jazz, world music, soul, blues, crossover concerts offer entertainment on the centre stage between 17.00-20.00 on weekdays, and between 16.00 – 20.00 on weekends.
Note: Meal and drink prices are quite high, compared to Christmas markets in Vienna and other Central European cities. The same goes for the Advent fair in front of the Basilica.
Food & Drink Price Examples (Vörösmarty Square and Basilica):
- Mulled wine (2 dl) 1600 HUF, espresso: 1 100 HUF, gingerbread latte: 2 000 HUF, hot tea (3 dl): 1 100 – 1 300 HUF, beer: 1 500 – 1800 HUF
- Chimney cake: 2 800 – 4 900 HUF,
- Stuffed cabbage: 7 000 HUF, Goulash in a loaf of bread: 4 500 HUF,
- Lángos: 2 200 – 3 000HUF,
- Chicken paprikash: 6 900 HUF,
- Beef stew: 7 500 – 9 000 HUF,
- Pulled prok sandwich with french fries: 8 100 HUF
- Roast sausage in baguette: 7 200 HUF
- Burger: 7 500 HUF,
- Bbq ribs: 8 900 HUF,
- Roasted chestnut: 2 500 HUF/7 EUR
- Strudel: 1 900 – 2 000 HUF
You can pay with bank card only in Vörösmarty Square. Vendors in the fair by St. Stephen’s Basilica accept both cash and bank card.
💡 TIP: Check out our list of hotels located within walking distance to Vörösmarty Square. Find out more details about Budapest’s most popular Christmas Market, at Vörösmarty Square.
👉 See also our photos taken on the Vörösmarty Square Xmas Market in 2023.
🌟 Christmas Eve & Day Programs
We highly recommend the following festive programs in the Advent season. Boat excursions with special dinners and holiday decoration offer pleasant relaxation.
Enjoy the enchanting night view of Budapest while cruising smoothly on the river Danube on the heated boat. Note: Tickets tend to sell out quickly for these programs, so make sure you secure your place well in advance.
Christmas Cruise with Buffet Dinner Unlimited drinks
December 25 & 26
Duration: 120min. – Price: €89
Budapest: St. Stephen’s Basilica Tour with Music Performance
December 20,22-25,27-31
Duration: 90 min. – Price: €55
Budapest: Historic Cruise with Welcome Drink
December 20-23, 25-31
Duration: 60 Minutes – Price From: €17
Christmas Market In Fashion Street/Deák Ferenc Street, Nov 14 – Dec 31, 2025
Location:
- Deák Ferenc utca/Fashion Street (See On Map)
You can do two markets in one visit because Fashion Street (Deák Ferenc utca) that cuts through Vörösmarty Square also hosts one: with a Christmas tree installation in front of the Hotel Kempinski Corvinus.
All sorts of
- Food and drink offers,
- Strudel,
- Sekler Cake (kürtöskalács) and other pastries,
- Oven-baked flat bread with delicious toppings and of course
- Pottery, ceramics,
- Embroidered folk textiles to tempt you to open your wallet.
And right after a walk along Fashion Street you can head to the Basilica on St. Stephen Square…
😎 Best Programs To Experience Budapest In The Advent Period
We’ve highlighted a few programs we think you’ll love to quickly absorb Budapest’s many attractions, history and culture. A river cruise is an excellent way to see the city all lit up for the night.
💡 TIP: See also our post on the best-value dinner cruises in Budapest, tried and tested by locals!
Erzsébet Square – Christmas Market
Location:
- Erzsébet tér, Budapest (View On Map)
You will find another no too big holiday market along the Western side of the downtown square, Erzsébet tér.
- Chimney cake (kürtős kalács),
- Pancakes,
- Donuts,
- Beigli and other local cakes, pastries, Christmas specialties,
- Street food by Montenegro Gourmand (pljeskavica, cevap),
- Mulled wine, tea and coffee our the main offer here.
Besides food, you can buy fur hats, scarfs, postcards and other nick nacks here.
💡 TIP: A bit touristy, but it’s right in the centre. Walking along Fashion Street/Deák Street from the direction of Vörösmarty Square you’ll end up at Erzsébet tér. So you can visit 3 holiday fairs of Budapest at one go!
🤶 Christmas Fair at St. Stephen’s Basilica, Nov 14 ’25 – Jan 01 ’26
The holiday fair in St. Stephen Square won first place in 2024 on an online contest of Christmas Markets in Europe run by the European Destinations travel portal. This alone make it a must-see event among the many festive markets in Budapest.
Date:
- November 14. 2025 – 01. January 2026.
Opening Hours:
- Mon – Thurs: 11:00 – 22:00,
- Fri – Sat: 11:00 – 23:00,
- Sun: 11.00 – 22.00
- December 24.: 11:00 – 15:00,
- Dec 25. and Dec 26.: 11.00 – 20.00
- December 31.: craft vendors:11:00 – 22:00, food & drinks: 11.00 – 03.00 am
- 01. January, 2026: 11.00 – 18.00
The spacious Szt. István Square in front of the Basilica gives home to an Advent Festival and Christmas Market from 18. November till the beginning of the New Year, 01. January 2026.
No other venue can be more fitting to a festive Christmas fair than the St. Stephen’s Basilica in downtown Budapest.
The four and half week long event offers plenty of entertainment besides special artisan gifts for your loved ones.
Our sons especially love the 200 sqrm ice skating rink that is free for children. Another plus is that you can rent skates.
- Handmade chocolate bonbons,
- Leather gloves,
- Design jewelry,
- Strawberry wine,
- Pálinka – the local’s favourite distilate
- Csabai salami and
- more to see, buy and taste on the market.
The fair will be bigger than previous years: Budapest’s best street food vendors will offer delicacies in Zrínyi utca from Sas utca to Széchenyi tér.
You can have:
- Lángos – locals’ staple snack – deep fried pastry with cheese and sour cream or other toppings
- Gourmet burgers by Zing Burger,
- Kürtöskalács (funnel/chimney cake)
- BBQ specialties
- Fried cheese burgers by Paneer,
- Burgers, grilled sausages by KIOSK (a popular downtown restuarant on Március 15. tér)
See also our photos taken on the Advent Fair at Budapest Basilica .
Programs Of The Christmas Market At The Basilica
You can visit the following programs and events:
- Opening Ceremony of the Market – 02. December at 16.00: the first light on the Advent Wreath next to the Christmas tree will be lighted and the occasion is also the official opening of the holiday fair.
- Light Painting this year in 3D- spectacular light show and animation with festive themes every day from 16.30 till 22.00. Put on 3D glasses available at the market (or you can use your own) and enjoy the visual show!
- Folk Dance – Performance by the Göncöl Folk Ensemble – Hungarian Dances Flash Mob performance in front of the Basilica
- Awaiting Santa Claus – 06 December (at 12.00 – 16.00 and 17.00 – 18.00): well-known local people will dress up and play Santa with story telling and singing.
💡 TIP: See also our post about the Christmas Market Budapest Basilica!
Visit also the official site of the event for more details.
⛸ Winter Festival In Városháza/City Hall Park, Nov 14 – Jan 04
Date:
- November 14, 2025 – January 04, 2026
Location, Getting There:
- Városháza Park & Deák Ferenc tér, city centre (View On Map)
- M1, M2, M3 underground lines – Deák Ferenc metro station and tram termini, a 2-min walk from there, trams 47, 49
Entry:
- Free to programs except for the ice rink which costs 1 950 HUF.
The Winter & Christmas Festival in Budapest’s City Hall park is another centrally located holiday extravaganza that kicks off at the end of November.
Craft fair, food and drinks and an ice rink plus concerts on the weekends make this fair another must-visit when you come to Budapest.
Moreover, this is the longest of all the Xmas thmed fairs, welcoming visitors till January 07, 2026.
🎁 Advent in Buda Castle, Nov 28 – Dec 24, 2025
The plaza in front of Matthias Church in Buda Castle lends a picturesque setting for this Christmas fair where find wonderful crafts from local artisans, delicious food, and warm drinks every day from November 29th to December 24th, from 09.00 to 17.00.
Location:
- Szentháromság tér/Holy Trinity Square/Buda Castle (View on Google Maps)
Opening Hours:
- till December 24, 2025 every day: 09.00 – 17.00
Weekends will be filled with Christmas concerts, festive dance performances, and fun activities for children, ensuring a memorable experience for all ages.
Join the heartwarming candlelighting ceremony every Sunday at 16.45.
🌲 Advent Festival In Madách Square, December 01 – 22, 2025
Date & Opening Hours:
- December 01 – 22, 2025
- Open: every day: 10.00 – 21.00
Location & Getting There:
- Madách Imre tér (See on Map)
- M1, M2, M3 metro lines: Deák Ferenc tér, 2 min walk (160 m) from there
- Trams 47 49 – getoff at Deák Ferenc tér termini, walk cc. 2 minutes
Madách Imre Square in downtown Budapest turns into festive hustle and bustle with concerts, street theater attractions, and a holiday atmosphere in December.
The Christmas market is open every day from December 3 to 22, from 10 am to 9 pm.
💡 TIP: Madách Imre tér is really close to Deák Ferenc tér and Városháza Park where another holiday bazaar takes place till January 05 (see above) so you can combine visiting the two events. What’s more, Gozsdu Court – just a short walk from both Deák tér and Madách tér – also hosts a Christmas market (see below) so you can easily pack in 3 holiday markets in one go.
👼 Christmas Fair In Gozsdu Court, December 06-30, 2025
Date:
- December 06 – 30. , 2025
Location – Getting There:
- Gozsdu Udvar, Király utca 13.-Dob utca 16., district VII. (View on Map)
- M1, M2, M3 metros or tram 47 and 49: Deák tér station, a short walk from there
- Tram 4 and 6: Király utca-Erzsébet körút stop, (cc. 600 m walk)
Opening Hours:
- Mon – Thurs: 12.00 – 19.00,
- Fri – Sat – Sun: 10.00 – 19.00
- 24. December/Sunday: 10.00 – 15.00
The party hot spot of the city hosts the weekly Designer & Antique Market: a place to get some nice, quality antique, vintage, retro, and design products.
In December the place turns into a festive street fair where you can pick up some unique artisan gifts for your loved ones.
See more on their website.
☕ Corvin mini Christmas Fair, Nov 28 – Dec 12, 2025
Date:
- November 28 – December 12, 2025
Location, Getting There:
- Corvin sétány Bp 1082, behind Corvin Plaza Shopping Mall (View On Google Maps)
- Trams 4 and 6, M3 metro (blue line), Corvin-negyed stop
Corvin Promenade, behind the Corvin Plaza is a community hub full of cafes, pubs and restaurants.
The scent of cinnamon punch, mulled wine, and hot chocolate will surely lure to the venue of the Christmas Market held here in December.
Whether you want to unwind after work with
- A delicious dinner,
- Taste exquisite hot chocolate with your child, or
- Sip mulled wine snuggled up with your partner, you’ll surely find what you’re looking for here.
Moreover, if you drop by on the weekend you can browse among the stalls of a craft fair tailored to a different theme on each occasion.
♻ Green Christmas Market – Klauzál Square, Nov 30, Dec 07, 14, 2025
Location, Getting there:
- Akácfa utca 42-48, Bp 1072 (View On Map)
- Trams 4, 6: Wesselényi utca-Erzsébet körút stop, cc. 5-min walk from there (400 m)
Opening Hours:
- November 30 and December 07, 14: 10.00 – 17.00
Budapest’s largest indoor Christmas market awaits you in the Klauzál Square Market Hall on 3 weekends leading up to the holiday.
This green market focuses on environmental and nature friendly products so this is the place you need to visit if you want to get something that poses less strain to nature.
You can browse among stalls offering a multitude of beautifully crafted gifts and unique treasures like:
- One-of-a-kind design creations,
- Creatively recycled products,
- Natural cosmetics, soaps,
- Jewelry,
- Clothing, bags,
- Fashion accessories,
- DIY and vintage-style home decor items, artisanal gastronomic delights … genuine treasures of quality!
In addition to the market, the organisers welcome both young and old with exciting family activities!
💡 TIP: Here’s a list of some small but cozy neighboorhood Christmas in Budapest similar to the Green Market.
💡 TIP: Find out about some other great Christmas and New Year’s Eve/Day Programs in Budapest: festive concerts with dance performances, boat party and many more.
🧵 Makers’ Market – Winter Fair, December 14, 21, 2025
Makers’ Market Budapest is a must destination for contemporary design lovers. Enjoy a relaxed shopping experience in a dog-friendly environment.
Discover handcrafted treasures from over 70 talented Hungarian designers. Find beautiful jewelry, exquisite ceramics, stylish clothing and accessories, eye-catching graphics, home decor, along with delectable treats.
A great place to find perfect gifts for everyone on your list.
Locaiton:
- Villányi úti Konferenciaküzpont, Villányi út 13, Bp 1114, near Mórich Zsigmond körtér traffic hub (View on Google Maps)
Opening Hours:
- 10.00 – 7.00 on December 14 and 21, 2025
🎄 Várkert Bazaar (Castle Garden), Buda – Advent Programs, December, 2025
Date:
- Sundays in December 2025
Location – Address:
- Ybl Miklós tér 2-6., district I., between Elizabeth Bridge and the Chain Bridge (View On Map)
The Castle Garden Bazaar at the Buda side of the Danube will host Advent programs on Sundays in December with
- Folk craft fair,
- Concerts,
- Food trucks,
- A small ice rink
- Free children programs each Sunday.
This is another scenic Christmas fair in the city, at the foot of the Castle Hill overlooking the Danube and the Pest side.
After looking around the craft market you sure will be tempted to try the tasty street food offered by the trucks: from local specialties (Kobe Sausages) to international favourites (burgers, piadina, waffels, pancakes) and hot drinks, the choice is ample.
🎆 Christmas In City Park: Magic Grove (Varázsliget), Dec 05, 2025 – Jan 01, 2026 – Best For Families with Kids!
Location:
- Vajdahunyad Castle, Városliget/City Park (next to Heroes’ Sqr.) (See on Map)
Opening Hours – December 05 – January 01:
- Mon – Thurs: 11.00 – 19.00
- Fri – Sun: 10.00 – 19.00
Christmas-New Year Opening Hours:
- December 24/Christmas Eve: 10.00 – 14.00
- December 25 – 26: 10.00 – 19.00
- December 31: 10.00 – 19.00
- January 01, 2025/New Year’s Day: 11.00 – 19.00
Budapest’s popular leisure park, the Városliget will be decked out for the seasonal holidays and welcomes everyone with
- Craft market,
- Food and drinks, and
- Exciting children and family programs
What’s more, a magical Christmas wonderland, called Varázsliget/Magic Grove, has opened against the enchanting backdrop of Vajdahunyad Castle.
Adorned with festive lights and featuring captivating attractions such as a
- Giant magic wheel (prices: under 14 years: 1 500 HUF, 14 yrs and older: 2 000 HUF a
- Miniature railway (a ride costs 1 500 HUF, a
- Bewitching carousel (price: 1 500 HUF), and a
- Magic igloo globe where a fairy will help children make their fairy wings or wands (entry: free)
the fairy tale Grove offers thrilling programs for families with kids till January 01, 2026.
💡 TIP: Unlike other attractions, the Magic Grove will be open throughout the holidays: on Christmas Eve/Dec 24, and the following two days: Dec 25-26.
🛒 Christmas Fair in The Allee Shopping Centre, December 01-24, 2025
Date:
- December 01 – 24, 2025.
Opening Hours:
- Every day: 10.00 – 20.00
There is a Christmas fair each year on the the ground floor of the Allee Shopping Mall
You will find handmade products from designer bags to natural cosmetics made by Hungarian artisans and industrial designers like
- Blaur Studio’s handcrafted, minimalist bags.
- Fruska’s minimalist jewelry.
- Gourmand Company’s Hungarian truffle specialties.
You can also choose from limited collections by exclusive brands, special gastronomic delicacies, and trendy accessories.
❄ Advent In Óbuda, Main Square (Fő tér), Nov 28 – Dec 23
Date:
- November 28 – December 23, 2025
Christmas Market Gastro Promenade Opening Hours:
- Mon – Thurs: 14.00 – 21.00, Fri – Sun: 10.00 – 22.00
Admission: free
Although Óbuda (Old Buda), district III. of Budapest, is a bit out of the city centre, it is worth going to to the festive Advent fair that is starting at the end of November.
The event is held on the district’s charming Main Square with a tall Christmas tree standing in the centre but programs are also held on Szentlélek tér, a square at 2-minute walk from Main Sqr.
Genuine handmade artifacts, fragrant Christmas drinks (mulled wine, hot tea), quality street food (burgers, flatbread), traditional Hungarian dishes (fishermen’s soup, catfish paprikash, stuffed cabbage, veal paprikash, roasted goose, grilled meats, sausages and a wide choice of programs (concerts, folk music and dance, children activities).
- A nativity scene,,
- An antique merry-go-round, and other
- Activities for children (ice skating, Santa Adventure Park on 05. December/Saturday)
- Concerts every weekend are the other allures of the event.
The ice rink (free entry) is open from the last weekend of November till end of February, every day between 08.00 – 20.00.
👉 Find out more about the Advent Fair in Óbuda 2025!
🌟 Advent in Hegyvidék 2025: A Charming Local Christmas Festival in Buda
“Advent in Hegyvidék” (Advent in the Hill District) is a delightful local Christmas market and festival held at Városháza Square (Town Hall Square), offering a warm, community-focused experience in Buda.
Running from November 28 to December 21, 2025, the event features a wide range of artisanal vendors, local gastronomy, and daily family programs.
Visitors can enjoy diverse entertainment, including
- Children’s puppet and music shows,
- Concerts by bands like Romano Drom, the Hungarian National Brass Quintet, and
- Dramatic fire theatre performances by the Tűzmadarak group.
The highlight for families is the free carousel available throughout the event. Traditional Advent candle lighting ceremonies take place every Sunday.
This is a wonderful way to enjoy Hungarian holiday cheer away from the city center bustle.
📅 Details
- Dates: November 28 – December 21, 2025
- Location: Városháza tér (Town Hall Square) in District XII/Buda, Budapest, Böszörményi út 23-25, 1126 (View on Google Maps)
- Market Hours: Monday – Friday (14.00 – 20.00), Saturday – Sunday (10.00 – 20.00)
- Free Carousel Hours: Monday – Friday (15.00 – 20.00), Saturday – Sunday (10.00 – 2,.00)
🤔 Which Christmas Market Should You Visit While In Budapest?
Naturally you won’t have time to visit each holiday fair especially if you stay in Budapest only for 1-2 days and you would get sick of Xmas markets and the whole holiday anyway if you tried to do so.
To help you plan your visit we recommend three Xmas fairs we love the best:
1. The Christmas Market at Vörösmarty Square is a must (though it tends to be crowded especially in the afternoons and evenings) – it’s easily accessible (the Deák tér metro hub is close by, but the M1 Underground/yellow line has a stop at the square) and is the official Xmas market of Budapest and everybody raves about it.
2. The Advent Fair at St. Stephen’s Basilica – we felt the festive atmosphere the best at this event, might be due to the presence of the Basilica commanding the square.
3. Christmas Fair in Óbuda – you can kill two birds with one stone: explore this slightly hidden neighbourhood of Budapest and enjoy a great programs and food.
4. The Green Xmas Market in Klauzál Square – if you want to slow down before the holidays and just have a good time while browsing among stalls of handcrafted, one-of-a-kind designer products. It’s also an indoor event – in the covered food market in Klauzál tér, District VII. – so you’ll be protected against the whims the December weather.
💡 TIP: Take a ride on the special Christmas Trams – 6 lines in 2025 – that are decorated in festive lighting and run between the beginning of December usually till 06. January 2026. Tram 2 along the riverbank in Pest and trams 4 and 6 on the Grand Blvd. are the most accessible for tourists in the city centre.
❔ FAQ – Christmas Markets In Budapest
Q: Which Christmas Market is best for families with kids?
A: Each festive market offers some activites for children, but the best one geared towards children is the Magic Grove/Varázsliget at Vajdahunyad Castle in City Park (between December 06 ’25 – January 01 ’26). The largest fair in Vörösmarty Square has a little railway that takes the kids around. Other fairs have ice rink: Basilica Advent Fair, Winter Wonderland on the rooftop of WestEnd Mall, Christmas Festival in City Hall Park.
I also like the Advent festival in Óbuda – it’s less touristy and it too has an ice rink.
Q: What are the food and drink prices at the Christmas Markets in Budapest?
A: Prices for food and drinks have gone up considerably at the two largest holiday fairs: in Vörösmarty tér (payment is with bank card only) and by the Basilica (here you can pay both with card and cash).
Examples: goulash in plastic bowl: 4 500 HUF, stuffed cabbage: 7 000 HUF, lángos with sour cream and cheese: 3 900 HUF, chimney cake: 2 500 – 3 500 HUF, meat skewer: 5 000 HUF, hot wine: 1 350 HUf, tea: 1 000 HUF, hot chocolate: 2 200 HUF, strudel: 1 800 HUF
Q: What can I pay with at the markets (card or cash)?
A: At the Christmas fair in Vörösmarty Square you can pay only with bank/credit card. Vendors at St. Stephen’s Basilica accept both card and cash. The rest of the holiday markets also accept both cash and card.
Related – Christmas Markets in Budapest
Christmas in Budapest – Holiday Opening Hours – New Years’ Eve Party & Dinner Cruise – December Programs – Hungarian Christmas Dishes
