Christmas Market By Budapest Basilica

The Christmas Market and Advent Feast by the Basilica of Budapest is one of the most popular holiday-welcoming events in the city.

The most prestigious church of the country lends a fitting backdrop to the festival that starts around November 17, 2023 and welcomes visitors till January 01 2024.

Besides the holiday fair offering quality handmade goods and food vendors countless programs acompany the city’s second most popular winter festivity.

Date & Opening Hours:

November 17.  2023 – January 01. 2024

• Mon – Thurs: 11:00 – 21:00,
• Fri – Sat: 11.00 – 23.00
• Sundays: 11.00 – 22.00
• December 24.: 11:00 – 15:00, TIP: Browse program and things to do tips for 24th December!
• December 25. and 26.: 11.00 – 20.00
• December 31.: craft vendors: 11.00 – 23.00 Food & Drinks: 11.00 – 03.00
• January 01., New Year’s Day: 11.00 – 18.00

Due to the location – right in front of the St. Stephen’s Basilica – it is no doubt the most atmospheric of the handful of Advent events in Budapest.

On top of the ample choice of food and drinks,

• A nice selection of quality, handmade products
• Fine food and drinks, including sugrafree, gluten-free and vegan choices
• An ice rink
• Light painting on the Basilica’s facade in the evenings, and a
• Diverse program of concerts, folk show promise a fun time for everyone.
• Visitors will be treated to a new, even more spectacular 3D visual show projected on the front of the Basilica every day after sunset.
• The speacial glasses with wich you can view the animation are available on the market.
• The show can be enjoyed without wearing 3D glasses.

Experience the holiday spirit on a guided tour of two Christmas Fairs!

The 2.5-hour program includes

• Professional guiding and introduction to Hungarian Christmas traditions
• A guided walk along Andrássy Avenue
• Visiting St. Stephen’s Basilica and the Holy Right Hand Chapel,
• A glass of mulled wine at the Christmas Fair by the Basilica.

The small – 200 sqm –  rink is a source of great fun for all ages. It’s free to use for children up to age 14.

Free skate rental is also available for kids.

Free ice skating training for children aged 4 – 14 yr – On Saturdays and Sundays between 14.00 – 18.00.

Opening Hours of the Ice Rink:

• Mon – Thurs: 12.00 – 20.00
• Fri: 12.000 – 22.00
• Sat – Sun: 10.00 – 22.00

This year’s detailed program schedule will be published soon.

Visual 3D Painting – The Largest Such Show in Central Europe

3D Light painting on the Basilica with music – daily every half hour between 17.30 – 22.00.

A visual treat to the eye:

• Colourful 3D animations,
• Festive holiday and religious scenes come alive on the facade of the church.

Can be seen clearly from all points of the square!

The Christmas Crib and the giant Advent Wreath are essentail parts of the Christmas c Advent fair as is the 12 m high uniquely decorated Xmas tree.

As we eagerly await Christmas, each Sunday is graced with the symbolic lighting of candles representing Faith, Hope, Love, and Peace. These moments are complemented by carefully curated programs to enhance the festive spirit.

The 1st candle will be lighted on 02. December between 16.00 – 17.00 during the festive opening ceremony.

Santa Claus At The Fair, 06. December

Meet Santa on 06. December at

• 12.00 – 16.00 and
• 17.00 – 18.00

Lentil Day, 01. January, 2024

It is a tradition to eat lentil on the first day of the year because it supposedly brings money.

The country’s best food trucks and street food vendors offer delicious food.

Here’s What You Can Eat:

• Lángos – a yeast-based dough deep fried in oil –  with various toppings (sour cream and cheese is the most popular)
• Chimney/Funnel cake/Kürtös kalács – the iconic cylinder shape pastry resembling a chimney can be found at every festival. Here at the Basilica you can taste the salted version on top of the traditional flavours (vanilla, cinnamon, coco flakes, cocoa, walnut)
• Donuts,
• Roasted sausages, BBQ meats
• Stuffed cabbage
• Goulash, and

Gluten free dishes and sugar-free drinks will also be available.

You can warm up with a glass of hot mulled wine, tea and coffee.

If you’re diabetic or simply do not eat sugar the good news is that sugarfree mulled wine is available.

If you don’t mind a cold drink you can choose from

• All kinds of spirits (Unicum, Vodka, Whiskey etc.) and of course the local specialty: pálinka – fruit distillate),
• Craft beer and
• Local wines.