February in Budapest

Although the second month of the year is cold and the days are still short, Budapest offers a wide range of events and activities for a fun wintry city vacation.

February is also the month of

• Masked balls,
• Donut festivals, and
• Crazy parties since it’s the Carnival Season.

Scroll down for more information and tips on what to do and see in our city in the middle of winter!

February is the last month of the winter season with temperatures below zero on most days and even colder at nights.

The wind often makes you feel even colder.

It snows occasionally but in recent years it melted within a couple of days.

Bring warm clothes, sweaters, coat, winter cap, scarf, gloves and comfortable, warm boots.

Dress in layers so that you can shed some when going in a museum or stopping for coffee/tea or a lunch/ dinner in a restaurant.

Now, let’s see some upcoming festivals, major events in Budapets in February.

The last weekend of January offers another festival evoking the traditions of pig slaughter.

The Market in Fény Street (next to the Mammut Shopping Centre) will host a Disznótor on Februaty 1st for the 3rd time.

This lovely food market in the Buda side will organize a pig slaughter aiming to bring the countryside winter tradition right in the heart of Budapest.

You can experience the traditional processing of a slaughtered pig, see how paprika sausage, black pudding, pork crackles and other delicacies are made.

Of course you can savor the wide range of food and drinks prepared both by the participants and the usual vendors of the market.

Entry is FREE.

Experience the ultimate winter adrenaline rush at the Freestyle Festival 2026, returning to Budapest’s iconic City Park Ice Rink!

Watch 64 world-class skaters go head-to-head in a high-stakes “Ice Battle” featuring gravity-defying tricks and high-energy music.

Quick Guide to the Festival

• Dates: January 30 – February 1, 2026.
• Location: City Park Ice Rink (Városliget), Budapest.
• Vibe: A mix of competitive sports, open jams, and live DJ sets.

Escape the noise of the city centre to discover a magical winter realm in City Park (Városliget), open throughout the Advent season until February 28th.

During this period, the Rose Garden of the House of the Millennium transforms into a unique, free light park that illuminates the long winter nights.

Entry is FREE.

What to Expect Around the House of the Millennium?

• Tunnel of Light: A sparkling path leading through the Rose Garden.
• Breathtaking Rose Arbors: Shimmering displays that blend nature with festive lights.
• Mini Balloon Selfie Point: The perfect spot for your holiday photos featuring a glowing Christmas balloon.
• Illuminated Zsolnay Fountain: Witness the iconic fountain glowing in spectacular winter colors.

If you’re visiting in early February, you simply cannot miss Hungary’s only winter beer festival: the IX. Indoor Beer Festival.

Hosted in the breathtaking surroundings of the New York Palace Hotel, this is your chance to sample an incredible array of Hungarian and international brews in an elegant setting.

Why Go?

Imagine unlimited tastings of dozens of unique beers, all under one magnificent roof, away from the winter chill.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to discover new favorites and chat with brewers.

During the “Farsang” (Carnival) season, making chimney cake donuts (kürtősfánk) is a beloved tradition passed down through families in Transylvania.

This February, the Édes Mackó Chimney Cake Pastry Shop brings this authentic festive atmosphere to Budapest for special weekend events.

You can enjoy varieties already famous from the local Chimney Cake Festivals:

Classic cinnamon-sugar,

• Rich vanilla cream filling,
• Light and airy whipped cream toppings!

Address: Állatkerti krt. 14-16, Bp 1146 (View on Google Maps)

Opening Hours: Open daily from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM.

Each year in February, for a few days it’s all about Nutella in this sweet Budapest confectionery & shop deservedly called SUGAR !

You can enjoy

• 10 types of Nutella cakes,
• Pastries,
• Shot glass desserts,
• Ice cream shakes,
• Hot chocolate, and
• Macarons.

Carnival Season also known as Farsang in Hungary quite a lively and colorful time of the year that usualyl kicks off in mid-Jnauary (depending on the date of Easter).

It’s a time when people really let loose before the solemnity of Lent sets in. Think of it as Hungary’s version of Mardi Gras or Carnival in other parts of the world.

Quite a few Budapest restaurants, cafes and bars celebrate this period with a special event. First off we recommend one in the city’s greatest Mexican restaurants, just off Andrássy Avenue.

Tereza will host a four-day carnival where Mexican culture, dance, and cuisine collide with carnival cheer.

They’ll be serving Tex-Mex dishes and offering special cocktail selections during the event.

Drop by at one of the four dates to enjoy a night filled with colors, music, and authentic Mexican vibe.

This smaller but nevertheless popular Budapest food market will have a special Carnival day on Saturday, February 10.

The bakery will bring traditional carnival doughnuts, while at the Lángosmanufaktúra you can munch on the locals’ favorite street food, lángos. They’ll too have doughnuts and hot tea.

Programs include free musical performances, creative programs, and face painting for children.

• 🐉 10:00- 10:45 The Snail Duo children’s band will perform their show “Adventures in Carnivaland” ↝ Difficult days have befallen Carnivaland! The evil Dragon Withoutaname has kidnapped Princess Vidoretta to make Carnivaland’s national holiday, Carnival, impossible. How we will rescue the princess with the help of children, you can find out on February 10 at Hunyadi Square!
• 🎭 10:00 – 12:00 Mask making
• 🎨 10:00 -13:00 Face painting

As usual on a Saturday at Hunyadi, you’ll have a wide selection of artisanal products to choose from, including

• Homegrown fruits and vegetables,
• Cheeses, sausages, cold cuts other meat products,
• Handmade pastas, jams.⁣

If you’re looking for an event that combines unique blend of heritage and style visit the Secret Market in the Széchenyi Spa Complex.

This event offers a rare fusion where Hungary’s historic spa traditions meet modern, local design in an extraordinary setting.

The Highlight: The Marble Hall

The market takes place within the Marble Hall of the Széchenyi Thermal Bath. The hall’s grand architecture and sophisticated ambiance provide a breathtaking backdrop, making the shopping experience truly memorable.

Save the Date: A Valentine’s Day Special

Whether you are looking for a special gift or simply want to soak in the atmosphere, the Secret Market is a great program on the most romantic day of the year.

Spend a memorable evening with your partner on a romantic sightseeing boat tour with

• Candlelit dinner: 4-course meal served at your table,
• Welcome champagne, and
• Live piano music with a solo singer’s performance. and
• Romantic gifts
• Private Table

Our city is even more enchanting at night with the lights reflecting from the river and illuminating the World Heritage listed historic and cultural sights.

You can see and experience it on the three-hour long excursion.

Tickets:

• 139 EUR

Includes:

• A 3-hour river tour,
• Welcome drink,
• 4-course dinner by cadle light at private table,
• Live piano music show

Romantic gift package:

• A stem of red rose,
• Strawberry-inspired cocktail, and a
• Heart-shaped chocolate bonbon.

Savouring fine wines with your loved one is a perfect program, not only on Valentine’s Day but any day.

Even better if it takes place on a sightseeing river cruise, you’ll be combining two wonderful programs:

• Savouring fine wines and
• Enjoying the captivating panorama from the warmth of the heated ship.

You can choose from a couple of splendid wine cruises in Budapest:

Tour Dates:

• Every day at 10.00, duration 4 hours

Price:

• From 108 EUR/prs

If you wish to get away the bustling city for a couple of hours go on a wine tour with lunch to Etyek wine village, at just 40 km from Budapest.

Your guide will drive you to Etyek where you’ll visit 3 or 4 cellars and wine estates.

Budapest’s subterranean history with Kőbánya Underground, a transformative festival of light, sound, and spatial art organized by Irregulari.

For one full week, the ancient Kőbánya cave system – a labyrinth spanning millennia – sheds its industrial past to become a living gallery of the new era.

What to Expect?

• Week-Long Exhibitions: Explore immersive art installations that occupy the vast caverns of the mine throughout the entire week.
• Animated Nights: As evening falls, the underground world comes alive with experimental soundscapes, live performances, and exclusive guided tours.
• Collaborative Vision: Experience the cutting-edge work of students from MOME and the Hungarian University of Fine Arts, joined this year by the University of Pécs and a diverse group of international artists.

Following the light of hundreds of lanterns in the garden and building of the Biodome on Állatkerti körút, you can step into the wonderful world capturing the beauty of various animals.

Venue:

• Zoo and Botanical Garden – Biodóm, Állatkerti körút 6-12., district XIV. (See on Map)

Opening Hours:

• Every day: 17.00 – 21.00 till Februray 14, 2025

Tickets:

• Adult: 5 500 HUF
• Students/Children aged 2 – 18: 3 900 HUF
• Seniors above the age of 65: 3 900 HUF

Besides Valentine’s Day programs and the festivals listed above you can do great many other exciting things in Budapest in February.

Even if it’s winter you can enjoy numerous outdoor activities especially if you catch a nice, sunny day.

TIP: If you get cold just hop on one of the major tram lines, such as Tram 2 or 2 B travelling along the Danube Promenade in Pest.

The ride offers a scenic view of the Danube, the bridges and many attractions in the Buda side.

February is your last chance to skate on one of the handful of the city’s ice rinks. Top spots for this cool winter sport are the

1. Ice Rink in City Park

One of the best places and definitely the largest to pursue this awesome winter sport is the Ice Skating Rink in City Park (Városligeti Műjégpálya) that was completely refurbished a couple of years ago.

What’s more, it’s not only the largest outdoor ice rink in Europebut also the oldest, looking back to more than 150 years of history.

Budapest Park, a popular outdoor concert venue in summer, has transformed into a vast winter park featuring a 2,000 square meter ice rink.

The expansive rink includes an ice corridor akin to the one in Csepel, providing an exciting space to skate for both kids and adults.

If you’re in need of a break, several huts offer hot drinks and a winter-themed menu, allowing you to recharge before hitting the ice again.

Address & Getting There:

• Soroksári út 60, Bp 1095, district IX (see on Map)

Attending a cooking or baking course is a perfect way to find out about

• Local gastronomy,
• Unique cooking/baking ingredients and
• Traditional recipes.

What’s more it’s an indoor program if the weather turns too unpleasant for being outside for too long.

Depending on which program you choose, you will get insights into Hungarian gastronomy and food culture, prepare traditional meals, pastries (and eat them) and have a great time.

👉 Here are two highy recommended foodie programs:

In the first cooking program you shop for the ingredients in the iconic Great Market Hall where you’ll also have snacks like cold cuts and cheese.

Afterwards you’ll head to your guide’s apartment and make a typical Hungarian main dish of the group’s choice (chicken paprikash, goulash, stuffed cabbage).

During cooking you can nibble on more cold cuts, cheeses , bread, and dips.

What You’ll Get:

• ✅Cooking experience and insights into local food culture in a laid-back, fun way
• ✅Guided market tour with tastings. Hungarian cold cuts, cheese and meats
• ✅Local wines and sprits
• ✅Recipes of Hungarian Dishes

👉 See more details on the cooking class with market visit here.

Chimney cake (kürtöskalács) is a very popular local pastry that is an essential part of the food courts of every festival and fair in Budapest.

You can learn how to make this delicacy from scratch on this 1-hour baking class.

• ✅ Follow simple steps from dough-making to baking.
• ✅ Watch the sugar caramelize for a shiny, golden crust.
• ✅ Customize your cake with toppings like walnut, cinnamon, or chocolate sauce.
• ✅Enjoy your freshly baked chimney cake and take home a certificate to remember your experience.

👉 See more details on the baking workshop here!

A boat tour on the Danube is an ideal sightseeing program on a cold winter day, since you’ll be in a heated room.

The panorama boats offer a fine view of the two river banks and the landmarks lining them:

• The Parliament,
• Buda Castle with the Royal Palace,
• Gellért Hill,
• The National Theatre and the Palace of Arts, and of course the
• Bridges: Margaret Bridge, the renewed Chain bridge, Elizabeth Bridge, Liberty Bridge.

Tours last from roughly 1 hour to 2 hours (or more if it’s a special event or a longer dinner is included).

You Can Select From Several Options:

• Daytime cruises with welcome drink
• Dinner Cruises with buffet meal or served at your table.
• Wine & Dinner Cruise
• Unlimited Prosecco & Wine cruise
• Evening cruise with Hungarian Dinner & Folk Show at 19.00

The most significant exhibition on Attila in 40 years. It features over 400 masterpieces (including loans from the British Museum and the Louvre) to explore the myth vs. reality of the Hunnic leader.

Why Go?

This exhibition dives into the complex legacy of Attila, contrasting the legendary myths with historical evidence through the lenses of archaeology, genetics, and art history.

It serves as a cultural bridge, examining how the “Scourge of God” is remembered differently across Eastern and Western traditions.

It’s a once-in-a-generation historical show in one of Hungary’s largest musuems.

If you are looking for a lively mid-week night out while visiting Budapest, check out the Ladies Night event at Füge Udvar.

The Vibe

Located in the heart of the historic Jewish Quarter (District VII), Füge Udvar is one of the city’s most popular ruin pubs.

Every Thursday, the venue transforms into a high-energy party spot with fast-paced beats and a great local crowd.

The Special Offer (Exclusively for Women)

• Free Drinks: Women can receive two free long drinks every Thursday.
• How to Claim: To get your free drinks, you must register in advance at: https://fugeudvar.hu/ladies-night.
• Table Reservations: You can book a table for your group for free to ensure you have a base for the evening.