March in Budapest

What to Do & See in the First Month of Spring?

The first month of spring is capricious, windy and the air still carries the chill of winter.

But the days are getting longer and longer and the sun shines more and more so it is a great time to discover the popular, as well as the hidden treasures of Budapest.

After the less active winter months March in Budapest offers

  • ✅ A couple of festivals,
  • ✅ A national holiday (March 15.),
  • ✅ Concerts, art exhibitions and
  • ✅ Some fun outdoor activities for all ages.
Liberty Bridge at sunrise at early spring
View From Gellért Hill In Spring

The Easter holiday also starts in March with a range of programs, including the Spring & Easter Market at various venues in downtown.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents – March In Budapest

🐇🚢 River Cruises At Easter With Dinner/Live Music

A cruise on the Danube is a perfect program for the Easter weekend to admire the scenic city scape and enjoy a pleasant dinner.

Places are likely to sell out in no time so book yours well in advance!

3 Course Easter Folk Cruise

3 Course Easter Dinner Cruise With Folk Show

Departure: March 29, 30, 31 & April 01: 19:00 

Duration: 180 min.

Price: From €91

a young woman in folk costume doing a bottle dance, a gypsy violinist standing behind her

Hungarian Dinner Cruise with Folk Show At Easter

Cruise Starts-Every Day: 19.00

Duration: 120 min.

 Price: From €69

Unlimited Prosecco Cruise

Unlimited Prosecco & Wine Cruise

Departures-Every Day: 17:00, 19:00, 21:00 

Duration: 85 min.

Price: From €32

Weather in March

As mentioned before weather in March in Hungary is unpredictable.

It can be still quite cold during the day (5-10 degr. Celsius) and the sharp wind often makes the air even chilier than it is.

So do bring warm clothes, a light coat, sweaters, cap and dress in layers.

In some years it can even snow.

(There was a huge snow storm on 15. March in 2013, an infamous day when government officials texted everyone to sit in another person’s car if yours is down).

People sitting on benches on the Danube promenade in early spring
Enjoying The Nice Early Spring Weather On The Danube Bank in Pest

🐇 Easter Programs, Events, March 29 – April 01, 2024

You can choose from a range of activities and programs in and outside the Hungarian capital during spring’s most awaited holiday.

Spring & Easter Fairs In The City Centre, Date Is Not Known Yet

We highly recommend you to visit the Spring & Eater Fairs in downtown Budapest if you love to

  • Browse among booths selling handcrafted jewelry and other artworks,
  • Sample local food specialties including Easter treats.

The spring market venues are close to the Danube and many other must-see sights in downtown so you can combine the market visit with sightseeing.

a grey stuffed bunny standing in front of two wooden barrels with flowers in them
carved wooden bunnies and small sheep at the Easter fair
Handcrafted Easter Ornaments
handpainted easter eggs in blue and other colors
Hand Painted Easter Eggs

Find out more details about the Spring and Easter Markets in Budapest in 2024!

Easter Market & Children’s Day In Gozsdu Court

Address: Király utca 13. – Dob utca 16., Budapest, 1075, District VII.

Admission: free

This restaurant-packed passageway in district VII. is a regular spot for craft and vintage markets.

The special holiday market in Gozsdu Court at Easter welcomes visitors between 10.00 – 18.00, kids’ programms and activities will take place on Easter Monday between 10.00 – 17.00.

Gozsdu easter market

In the evenings you can go on a Sunset Cruise with Cocktails. See the city at its most charming illuminated by the setting sun and the lights. 2 large cocktails and melodies by a Gypsy orchestra ensure a great time on the 2-hour tour.

👉 Top-Rated Sightseeing Tours For You In March:

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🥚 Easter In Hunyadi Square Market, March 23, 09.00-14.00

Venue:

  • Hunyadi tér Market, Terézváros, District VI. (View on Google Map)
  • Getting There: take tram 4 or 6, get off at Király utca/Erzsébet körút stp, 450 m walk from there (cc 5 min)

Celebrate Easter at Hunyadi Square Market on March 23rd!

In addition to shopping for home-grown, hand-made, and home-grown products from the farmers for the holidays, you can also participate in great family programs on this special market day.

What can you buy from the vendors?

Ham, homegrown eggs, Easter decorations, fresh horseradish, Easter cakes and the favorites of the spring season will be on display at the Hunyadi stalls.

Limited quantities are available, so if you want to be sure, we recommend arriving before 10.00.

If you get hungry while shopping, the Tésztafeszítő Kispiaros team will be waiting for you with freshly made lángos and donuts.

colorful painted Easter eggs wicker baskets and a large wicker bunny at a seller on Hunyadi Square market
Easter Goodies At the HunyadiMarket
pastries, milk loaves, pretzels and other bakery products (possibly at the Hunyadi sqr. market)
Wide Selection of Pastries

Programs:

  • 10:00 – 11:00 “Tavaszi szél vizet áraszt” Folk dance performance and dance house by the Kisbihari group of the János Bihari Elementary School of Arts.
  • 10:00 – 13:00 Workshop – free Easter door knocker making (from twigs, moss, eggs…) with the artists of Napfényes Művészeti Műhely

TIP: Learn about other food & grocery markets in Budapest!

Hello Piac Market Day-Erzsébet Square, March 23

If you missed the WAMP Design fair on March 10, then the Market Day by Hello Piac on Erzsébet tér in the centre is another fantastic place to admire the works of Hungarian deisgners.

Find one-of-a-kind bags, clothes, and jewelry, alongside stylish accessories, handcrafted home decor (think DIY and vintage vibes!), natural cosmetics and delicious homemade gastro treats.

Address, Getting There:

  • Erzsébet tér, district V.
  • M1, M2, M3 metros, Deák F. tér station
people wondering around and browsing the market stalls on the Market day in Erzsébet Square
Design Market At Erzsébet Tér

Opening Hours:

  • 11.00 – 19.00

Entry: FREE

Budapest Photo Festival, March 22 – May 12

Venues:

  • Exhibition halls, museums across the city

The Budapest Photo Festival is a real treat to photograpy and art lovers which is launching its eighth edition in 2024, presenting the best of photography.

This year’s opening exhibition, entitled “Female Focus”, features a selection of works by Eve Arnold, Nanna Heitmann, Susan Meiselas, Inge Morath and Marilyn Silverstone.

The 2024 Budapest Photo Festival opening exhibition is once again being held in collaboration with the Műcsarnok (Kunsthalle Budapest) and can be visited from 23 March to 12 May.

Find out more about the Photo Festival at the event’s official website!

🥖 Bread Festival & Easter Market, Fény Street Market, March 24

The Festival in this popular neighbourhood market in Buda is a celebration of bread and and other baked goods as well as the traditional process of fermenting.

It will feature bread making workshops, demonstrations, and tastings.

You can also buy bread, pastries, and other food items at the market.

The event is free and will be open from 10.00 to 17.00 on March 24, Sunday.

Address:

  • Fény Street Market: Lövőház u. 12, BP 1024 (See on Map)
jury inspecting Easter cakes and breads at the festival in
Easter Cakes Inspected by the Jury

Sightseeing/Tour Recommendations

The early spring weather is ideal for exploring the city’s many sights on foot, bus, boat or bike or Segway.

🚢 Danube Cruises – A Romantic Way To See Budapest’s Top Attractions

A river cruise during springtime allows you to experience the city’s beauty at its peak, in a comfortable and scenic way, with options to suit your preferences.

Whether you you would like to have dinner, a drink or two or just the sightseeing experience we have it all!

👇 Pick one that suits your preferences the best!

60 minutes sightseeing cruise

60 Minutes Sightseeing Cruise with Auido App

Departures: 17:00, 18:20, 19:40, 21:00

Duration: 60 min.

Price: From €9.9

half a dozen young people possibly on a boat party in Budapest, the illuminated Parliament building in the background

Sunset Cocktail Cruise

Departures: 17:00, 19:00, 21:00

Duration: 85 min.

Price: From €32

Unlimited Prosecco Cruise

Unlimited Prosecco & Wine Cruise

Departures: 17:00, 19:00, 21:00

Duration: 85 min.

Price:  From €32

Parliament Tours with Guiding

Learn about the history of the city’s and one of the country’s grandest building, the Parliament. It dominates the Pest riverbank offering striking photo opportunities from the Buda side.

You can visit the historic building on a 1-hour guided tour

🚲 Bike Tours In and Outside Budapest

Take advantage of a nice sunny March day and hop on a bike or segway and glide around the city!

Budapest bike and segwy tours let you experience the city in a fun way, on two wheels. They’ll show you the major landmarks as well as the hidden spots known only by locals.

Lead by seasoned bikers as well as friendly, English-speaking guides!

TIP: Find out what other sightseeing tours you can do in Budapest! See also our page about Fun Activity Recommendations for more things to do ideas.

Liszt Academy on a Guided Tour

Address & Getting There:

  • Liszt Ferenc tér 8., district VI.
  • Getting there: tram 4-6, Király utca stop
the facade of the Liszt Academy

Visit one of Budapest’s Art Nouveau gems on a guided tour.

The renewed Music Academy founded by Franz Liszt in 1875 (the only music academy in the world founded by the composer) is a must-see building in Budapest.

Similarly to the Opera House – which you can also visit on a guided tour – it boasts a stunning interior decorated with lots of mythological elements (the meanings of which are explained on the tour).

On the tour you can learn a great deal about the history and architectural details of the academy. Highly recommended, not just for music and architecture fans!

Tours in English (for individuals) start every day at 13.30.The tour is approx. 50 min – 1 hour long.

Tickets:

  • Full price: in English: 5 300 HUF, guiding in Hungarian 3 900 HUF,
  • Students (with ID card) and for people over 65: 2 650 HUF/person.

No need to register, just be there on time (5-10 minutes before the start, meeting is usually inside at the main entrance at the stairs).

TIP: The Music Academy has a varied concert repertoire each month from classical to jazz and folk music featuring Hungarian and interanational orchestras and artists. A concert is a great opportunity to admire the architecture and enjoy the excellent acoustics of either the Grand Hall or the smaller Solti Hall.

Find more concerts on the Music Academy’s website.

Visit the official website of the Academy for the up-to-date programs and ticket purchase.

TIP: View our photos on Facebook taken on a tour of the Academy!

🎶 Concerts, Cultural Entertainment in March

We’ve already recommended the Music Academy as a superb concert venue and you’ll certainly find a concert in their March program that you’ll like.

Church Concerts In Budapest In March 2024

Budapest boasts many lovely churches that regularly host concerts all year round.

Here is our selection of spiritual musical performances for March.

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St. Michael’s Church

Address: Váci utca 47/b., BP., 1056 (View on Map)This charming little Baroque church in the bustling shopping street, Váci utca regularly gives home to concerts including organ recitals by the Danube String Orchestra.

A great place to enjoy some serenity, away from the hectic city centre.

Various seat categories and ticket prices:

Select your preferred seating category to ensure the perfect spot for enjoying the concert. With various options available, you can tailor your experience to your budget and preferences.

  • Ticket prices: between 39 – 54 EUR

Concert program include Vivladi: The four seasons, and a full organ recital that includes pieces such as

  • J.S. Bach – Toccata, AirT. Albinoni – Sonata di ChiesaA. Vivaldi – The Four Seasons, Largo from winterCh. Gounod – Ave MariaF. Liszt – Ave Maris StellaF. Schubert – Ave MariaW. A. Mozart – Alleluja from Exultant, Jubilate
the organ of St. Michael Church
The Organ of St. Michael Church

👉 See the complete program of the concert evening here!

Matthias Church

Duna String Orchestra, 22. March & 29. March, 19.00

The Duna String Orchestra, a small group of accomplished musicians lead by Gyula Gabora violinist, regularly gives concerts in the city’s churches.

Part Of The Concert Program (70 min.)

  • Johann Pachelbel: Canon
  • Antonio Vivaldi: “Winter”, from The Four Seasons, op. 8 no. 4
  • Antonio Vivaldi: Gloria/Domine Deus
  • Johann Sebastian Bach: Violin Concerto in E major, BWV 1042, 1st movement
  • Georg Friedrich Händel: Water Music, excerpts
  • Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni: Adagio in G minor
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Church Sonata no. 4 in D Major, KV 144

Tickets: 28 EUR /36 EUR / 44 EUR

the Hungarian Virtuoso Orchestra performing in Matthias Church

Ticket purchase: in front of the church on the day of the concert between 15.00 – 20.00.

The renovated Church of Our Lady or better known as Matthias Church in Buda Castle has wonderful acoustics that can be enjoyed on concerts organized on a regular basis.

The Hungarian Virtuosi Orchestra usually gives 2 concerts each month (4 in the Christmas season).

These are not free but tickets are affordable and available in various price categories.

The VIP and Premium tickets are for comfortable benches placed near the the altar, right next to the band.

These tickets also include a welcome drink, a CD and a 3-course dinner in the Hilton’s Ikon restaurant next door.

  • The Gold sector is next to the altar, the
  • Silver sector in the front row of seats, while the
  • Bronze sector is in the back pews.

TIP: The church also has free organ recitals once in a month, usually on Sundays at 19.30. This month Liszt’s Via Crucis will be performed by the church’s choir and soloists and Bertalan Hock organ player on 18. March, 19.30.

TIP: Find out about othe organ concerts in Budapest!

🎼 Bach For Everyone, March 16 -31, 2024

About The Festival:

The Bach For Everyone Festival is a series of concerts and events celebrating the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

The festival is organized by the Budapest Bach Society and takes place in various locations throughout Budapest between March 16 and 31.

Bach & Improvisation – Organ Concert in St. Anne Church, March 20

How did Johann Sebastian Bach improvise?

An educational concert by Barnabás Balasi, organist of the St. Anne’s Church in Budapest-Felsővíziváros, on the church’s famous Jehmlich organ.

Admission is FREE!

The performer will be visible on a live video projection!

Organized by the BACH FOR EVERYONE FESTIVAL 2024

Date & Time:

  • March 20/Wednesday, 2024 at 19.00

Venue:

  • St. Anne’s Church, Budapest-Felsővíziváros: Batthyány tér 7, BP 1011 (See on Map)
The twin towers of St. Anne Church in Buda on a slightly cloudy day
St Anne Church In Buda

Museum Exhibitions

You can see numerous exhibitions in Budapest’s 100+ museums all the year round.

Van Gogh Budapest – The Immersive Experience, Feb 02 – Sept 01, 2024

The globally acclaimed Van Gogh – The Immersive Experience, a 360-degree multimedia art installation is in Budapest till September 01, 2024

Using the latest visual techniques, the exhibition helps visitors to immerse into the unparalleled world of Van Gogh.

If you happen to be in our city and haven’t seen the exhibition then this is a great opportunity to learn why visitors worldwide, from Seoul to Los Angeles, from London to Berlin, are captivated by this super production.

Address:

  • BOK Sportcsarnok/BOK Sports & Conference Center, Budapest, Dózsa György út 1, 1146 (See on Map)
  • Getting there: use M2 metro (red line) to Puskás Ferenc Stadium station, from there the xhibition venue is a 2-min walk

Opening Hours:

  • Monday – Sunday: 10.00 – 19.00 (last entry at 18.00)

Tickets:

  • Ticket prices differ on weekdays and weekends and whether you go between 10.00 – 14.00 or 14.00 and 19.00. Prices are in the range of 6 000 – 7 500 HUF.

More info and ticket prices on the event’s official website.

Museum of Fine Arts – Renewed Exhibits

Address: Dózsa György út 41., Heroes’ Square, XIV. district,

Getting there: M1 (yellow) line, Heroes’ Square station

Admissions (Permanent Exhibitions):

on eof the exhibit halls, with paintings on the purple wall
  • Full price: 1 600 HUF,
  • Students aged 6 – 26 (only for the citizens of EES): 800 HUF,
  • Retirees aged between 64 – 70: 800 HUF,
  • Free for children under 6 and citizens over 70

Opening Hours: 10.00 – 18.00 (last entry at 17.00, halls start to close at 17.30)

Visit the refurbished Museum of Fine Arts next to Hősök tere and Városliget (City Park).

Besides the building, all the permanent exhibitions had been completely revamped:

  • Ancient Egypt (level -1),
  • Classical Antiquity (level -1),
  • European Art 1250-1600 (level 1),
  • European Sculpture 1350–1800 (level 2),
  • Art in Hungary 1600-1800 (level 3),
  • Van Dyck: Wedding Portrait of Princess Mary Henrietta Stuart: cabinet exhibition (level 0, Michelangelo room)
  • Romanesque Hall (level 0)

The beautifully renovated Roman Hall is available to the public after 70 years. It is one of the most stunning rooms of the museum that closed down after WW II.

The 900 sqm hall evokes the shape of a medieval Basilica. More than 70 resturateurs worked on renovating the impressive mural paintings covering the  2500 sqm of wall surface.

Past Events

👜 WAMP Design Fair In The Ethnography Museum, March 10, 2024

Location:

  • Museum Of Ethnography, 2nd Floor, Dózsa György út 35, Budapest 1146 (Városliget/City Park) – See On Google Map

Getting there:

  • Tram 4, 6 Király utca-Erzsébet körút stop, Trolley No 70- travel 6 stops, tram 4, 6 to Oktogon then M1 underground (yellow line) till Hősök tere station, 5 min (300 m) walk from there

Opening Hours:

  • Sunday, October 15: 10.00 – 18.00

Entry: FREE

At the WAMP Design fair, Hungarian designers will showcase their own designed, limited-edition products, whether it be clothing, jewelry or accessories.

It’s a great place to hunt for unique Hungarian gifts or just have a fun family outing while in Budapest?

Wamp is a family friendly event so don’t hesitate to bring your children!

the"WAMP" logo from large purple mock up letters in front of the Ethnography Museum
WAMP Design Fair in the Ethnography Museum
a blonde woman withher daughter perusing the jewelries at the table of a designer at the WAMP fair

What’s more, the City Park (Városliget), next to the Ethnography Museum is full of attractions and cool things to do too, especially on a sunny spring day.

  • For a perfect 360 degree view of Budapest go up in the Balloon or
  • If you’re scared of height just explore the sprawling parks
  • Have a Chimney Cake at Édes Mackó Confectionery (next to the Zoo) or
  • Lángos at Kató Néni Finomságai in Pavilon Kert/Pavilion Garden food court – deep fried pastry with various toppings (mainly savoury: sour cream cheese combo are the most popular).

15. March – National Day, Public holiday

March 15. is one of the most important national holidays in Hungary when we commemorate the 1848 revolution against the Habsburg oppression.

Commemorations, family programs will take place in the garden of the Hungarian National Museum, on Kossuth Sqr/Parliament and in Buda Castle.

Shops, markets will be closed on 15. March and public transport services operate according to holiday schedule.

Thermal Baths will be open according to weekend opening hours and pricing.

Learn more about the historical background of 15. March and programs taking place in Budapest.

commemoration on the steps of the Hungarian National Museum on March 15
Commemoration On The Steps of the National Museum on March 15

🚶‍♀️🚴‍♀️ Danube Embankment In Pest Opens Up for Spring & Summer – First Time On March 15 – 17

The lower embankment in Pest will be open to pedestrians, bikers for the first time in 2024 during the long holiday weekend of March 15-17.

Get ready to explore Budapest’s scenic riverbank in a whole new way!

This year, from March 15th to October 23rd, the entire Pest Lower Embankment will be open to pedestrians, cyclists, and other micro-mobility users every weekend.

That’s right, you can enjoy a car-free zone stretching all the way from Margaret Bridge to Irányi Street (near Elizabeth Bridge).

Take a leisurely stroll, cycle along the river, or grab your scooter or rollerblades and soak up the beautiful Danube panorama.

People walking, biking on the lower embankment in Pest during a car-free weekend late afternoon in autumn
Rakpart/The Riverbank in Pest

This is a fantastic opportunity to relax, exercise, and experience the city from a different perspective. So come down, enjoy the fresh air, and make the most of this wonderful, spacious, and free public area!

More Program & Activity Tips

February EventsApril Events, ProgramsMay Day/Labor Day EventsTop Summer ActivitiesSeasons in Budapest