One of the most popular events in Budapest every year is the Christmas markets. They attract tens of thousands of visitors every single day, and they are getting more and more popular for every year.
Every year, already in January, we get the question: “When will the Christmas markets be arranged in Budapest this year?” The same question has been asked in 2018, and finally, we are able to give an answer to the question.
The Christmas market at Vörösmarty square – Source
It should be noted that Budapest is making the Christmas season a very long season, and the Christmas market at Vörösmarty square in the center of Budapest is set to open already on November 9th (if everything happens according to plan). That is one week earlier than the opening of the Christmas markets in Vienna, and three weeks earlier than the opening of the Christmas markets in Prague.
Tourists will for sure consider it a great thing that the Christmas market at Vörösmarty square will open this early, as they can enjoy the Christmas atmosphere, the delicious food and the beautiful lights already in the middle of November.
There will also be a big Christmas market in front of the St. Stephen’s Basilica, but we do not have the dates for that market yet. We will update our main article about the Christmas markets in Budapest as soon as we get the dates for that market.
Budapest Christmas market dates in 2018
Opening: November 9th, 2018
Last day: January 1st, 2019
The source of this information and the picture earlier in the article is the official Tourist office of Budapest.
When will the Christmas markets open in Budapest in 2018? When will they close? Where are the most popular Christmas markets located?
We get questions such as these all the time, and especially from people looking to buy plane tickets, but they just want the dates confirmed before they press confirm on the booking page. So, what are the dates for the Christmas markets in Budapest in 2018?
You will find lots of dates on other websites, but the truth is, no official dates have been given yet. So, it is impossible to know the dates for the Christmas market at Vörösmarty square, and for the Christmas market by the St. Stephen’s Basilica.
But, if you want to know something, then December is a safe month to visit Budapest. Both markets will for sure be open throughout December. The real question is when they will open in November. Based on the earlier years it could be that the market at Vörösmarty square will open already on the November 9-10-11 weekend, but if not then, almost for sure at the following weekend. The market by the St. Stephen’s Basilica is most likely to open on the November 23-24-25 weekend.
Nothing can compare to the atmosphere in Budapest before Christmas. The city is illuminated with fantastic lights, and the famous Christmas markets are there to be enjoyed.
In this article, we would love to share some ideas and recommendations to you, that we believe will make your visit to Budapest and the Christmas markets even better. Read through the entire article, and we are sure you will get some good ideas, be inspired and maybe learn some things that might come handy during your stay in the Hungarian capital.
Do not miss out on the delicious chimney cake as you visit the Christmas markets in Budapest!
The ideas in this list are ideal for those coming to Budapest for the Christmas markets, but lots of these recommendations are also valid throughout the year. You should, therefore, read through the list no matter when you come, because you will probably learn something anyhow!
Ten tips to those coming to Budapest for the Christmas markets
1) Do not forget to bring warm clothes
This might sound silly, but it is so important. It can get quite cold in Budapest in November and December. The average temperature in this period is around 0 and 5 Celsius, but if the sun comes forth, it will often feel much warmer. But, the most significant enemy when you come to Budapest isn’t the minus degrees, but the wind. It is much better to stay in Budapest on a sunny day with 0 Celsius than a windy day with +5. Bring warm clothes, and some nice and warm shoes should also come along in your suitcase.
Some ladies might forget about warm clothes on purpose, as that will give them an excuse to do some extra shopping. That is fine for them, but those who want to avoid such extra shopping, bring along warm clothes from home.
2) Dare to taste new things
This is one of the most important advises when you come to the Christmas markets in Budapest. At the markets you will find lots of food stands, and they are great. The food is kind of pricy (be prepared), but what they serve you is delicious and will give you a taste of Hungary. When you see a Hungarian sausage (kolbasz), taste it! If you see other stuff you do not even understand what is, taste it! When you smell cinnamon from the chimney cakes, buy one! This is for sure one of the most exciting things about coming to Budapest before Christmas to visit the Christmas markets.
3) Do not forget about the Danube
Even though you come to Budapest to check out the Christmas markets, you should not forget about the beautiful Danube. The river that flows through Budapest is spectacular, and a walk along the Danube in the evening is fantastic. But, even more enjoyable than a walk along the Danube, is a river cruise on the Danube. There are lots of cruises to choose from, but from our point of perspective, the most enjoyable is a river cruise in the evening combined with dinner. You can read more about river cruises on the Danube right here.
Do not forget about a river cruise on the Danube – By Luciano Mortula / Shutterstock
4) Find an ATM and get some HUF
You can pay with Euro at almost all stands at the different Christmas markets in Budapest, but you are better off paying with the local currency, Hungarian Forint (HUF). The best way to get the local currency is using the different ATMs located all around Budapest. You can also visit an exchange office, but do not use the ones very close to the Christmas market. Look around and compare the exchange rates at 2-3 places, and pick the one with the best rates.
5) Get to know the city in an efficient way
You come to Budapest to visit the Christmas markets, but if you first visit our beautiful city, make sure to discover the rest of it as well. On a cold winter day you do not want to walk around for hours, so why not discover Budapest in a much more efficient way. What are we speaking about? Why not see Budapest on a private guided tour with one of our guides? We pick you up at your hotel and within 2,5-3 hours you have seen all the most famous spots in Budapest, you have walked at the Gellert Hill, seen the Fishermen’s Bastion from close (and taken some pictures there), you have seen the heroes located at the Heroes Square, and you have will have a guide who can answer (hopefully) all the questions you have about Budapest. Once you are finished with the tour you can continue your shopping at one of the Christmas markets. If you a freezing then our guides would love to give you advises on shopping malls where you can continue your shopping inside!
6) Make your reservations as soon as possible
The period before Christmas (the Christmas market period) is a time with lots of tourists coming to town. As a consequence, you will often visit a restaurant only to discover that it is packed. If you don’t care, then it doesn’t matter, but if you have a particular restaurant in Budapest that you want to visit during this period, then hurry up and make your reservation today. The same goes for river cruises and other activities. Other popular activities in this time that should be booked early are wine dinners and brewery visits.
Want to visit a certain restaurant? Book your table today! By Stepanek Photography / Shutterstock
7) Book a hotel near the Christmas markets
If you have come to Budapest to enjoy the Christmas markets, do not book a hotel far away from them. This might be cruel, but do not book a hotel at the Margaret Island (for example). You do not want to spend 30-60 minutes every day just getting from your hotel to the different Christmas markets in the center of Budapest. Book a central hotel in Budapest instead, and spend your time at the Christmas markets instead of spending your time getting to the Christmas markets. Some hotels in Budapest that can be recommended for this purpose are: Mercure City Center, La Prima Fashion Hotel, Eurostars Budapest Center and 7Seasons Apartments.
8) Take care of your valuables
This is an advise we do not really like to give, but we write it down, just to have it on the list. Budapest is a very safe city with few problems. There are some pick-pockets here and there, but they are few, and most people never see them, nor experience them. The best way to stay secure is to use common sense and to protect your valuables.
9) Do not use the taxies waiting next to the Christmas markets
Small problems might destroy a fantastic atmosphere. A cab driver who forces you to pay an unfair fare, a driver who gives you back money in the wrong currency (or the wrong amount of money), or someone treating you in an unfair way, can easily destroy your joy and happiness. For that reason, the taxies standing next to the Christmas markets should be avoided. In fact, most cabs waiting for you on the streets of Budapest should be avoided. If you need a cab, speak to the people in the reception of your hotel, in the restaurant you are at, or use your phone and call a taxi for yourself. You can read more about the problems we have with taxi drivers in Budapest right here.
Another good advice is to let us take care of your airport transfer. You will then have a driver waiting for you in the arrival hall at the airport, and he will take you directly to your hotel for a set price. That is very convenient and will help you get to discover the Christmas markets in Budapest even faster.
10) Make space in your suitcase for what you are going to bring with you home!
Our first advice was to bring warm clothes. That does not mean that you should arrive in Budapest with your suitcase filled up. At the Christmas markets, you will find lots of stuff that you want to buy to bring with you home. You will taste lots of fantastic Hungarian wine, and once you fall in love with the sweet Tokaj wine, you will buy a couple of bottles to bring home. It is essential that you come to Budapest with space in your suitcase because by the time you leave town, it will be full anyway!
11) Do you have any good advice to share with people coming to Budapest for the Christmas markets?
We would love to hear your advises! Do you have a question related to the Christmas markets? Ask your question in the comment field beneath!
The dates for the annual Christmas market by the St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest are official. This Christmas market will be arranged for the sixth time in 2017.
The Christmas market at Vörösmarty square will open already on November 10th, but those who want to go shopping at the Christmas market in front of the St. Stephen’s Basilica will have to wait two more weeks.
From November 24th until January 1st the Christmas market at the beautiful square will stay open, and there will be several programs available daily at the market.
We have just welcomed 2017, but tourists from around the world are already preparing their Christmas travels for 2017. An important information when planning such a trip are the dates for the Christmas markets in Budapest.
You might have heard about the splendid Christmas markets in Budapest? They have delicious food, they have beautiful lights and lots of souvenirs, and they are Christmas markets you do not want to miss out on for the world. So, what would be worse than coming to Budapest only to discover that the Christmas market just closed yesterday, or that they will open the day after you depart from Budapest.
So, what are the dates for the Christmas markets in Budapest in 2017?
When will the Christmas markets in Budapest open in 2017?
Christmas market in Budapest 2017
Unfortunately the dates are not yet released. As soon as they will be made public we will publish a dedicated article on the subject, and we will also update our main page about the Christmas markets in Budapest. So, check out the page just linked to, check our blog or check out what’s on in Budapest to see if we have any updated information on the topic.
We do however have a guess when it comes to dates for the Christmas market at Vorosmarty square, but that is only a guess, so you should not book your flight tickets based on these. What we can promise is that December is a safe month to come to Budapest. The Christmas markets will be open both at Vorosmarty square and in front of the St. Stephens Basilica. The more interesting questions are:
When will the Christmas markets open in November?
When will the Christmas markets close in January?
Our guess is that the Christmas markets will open on November 10th or 11th at the Vorosmarty square and that they will be open till either January 1st or till January 7th.
The actual Christmas market 2017 dates!
Our guess was for the Christmas market to open on November 10th or 11th, and the correct date is November 10th! The final date of the Christmas market is December 31st.
November 10 – December 31, 2017
But, these are only guesses, so again – December is a safe month, but that is all we can promise!
Autumn is here and the Christmas market is approaching. But, when will the Christmas markets in Budapest open? Here are the dates for the Christmas markets in Budapest in 2016.
There are two big and famous Christmas markets in Budapest. One is located at the Vorosmarty square in the center of Budapest, while the other market is located about 400 metres away from there, in front of the St. Stephens Basilica. Both markets are beautiful and you can taste local Hungarian cuisine, drink real Hungarian hot wine and of course taste sweets and other Hungarian desserts. We almost forgot, but this is of course the best place to buy all sorts of souvenirs and presents as well. But, when will the Christmas markets be arranged in Budapest in 2016?
Christmas fair in Budapest
Budapest Christmas markets in 2016
The dates are not 100% official yet, but based on rumors these are the dates you can expect:
Christmas market at Vorosmarty square: November 11th -January 1st Christmas market by the Stephens Basilica: not announced yet
We hope you will have a fantastic stay in Budapest before Christmas. You can find more information about the Christmas markets here. If you would like to enjoy a guided tour in Budapest while in town just press the link for more information, or if you would rather drink some local wine check our different winetasting and wine-dinner options.
Since March 25 the Spring Fair can be found at the Vörösmarty Square in Budapest. This is almost like the Christmas market, only the weather is better!
Want to know more about what’s on in Budapest right now? Or when the actual Spring market will be arranged in the present year? Check the Budapest calendar to find out!
Spring Fair in Budapest
The Spring Fair of 2016 will be arranged between March 25th and April 24th. We visited the Spring Fair a few days ago and to be honest, it is simply brilliant. In a way we liked it even more than the Christmas fair, because there are not that many places to shop, making it easier to walk around, there are more free space, but the things for sale are brilliant and feels more Hungarian than the stuff you buy at the Christmas market. In addition you can buy chimney cakes, langos and lots of other goodies, making sure that you will not leave Budapest hungry!
If you have time, do not miss out out on the Spring Fair at the Vörösmarty Square, available until April 24th in 2016!
The annual Christmas market arranged in front of the St. Stephens Basilica in Budapest will soon open. This is a beautiful market working very well together with the Christmas market at the Vörösmarty Square. Beneath you can find the official press release for the Christmas market with information about the event and more.
Please note that this year there will not only be a Christmas market, but also a street food festival connected to the Christmas market, making the walk from the St. Stephens Basilica all the way down to the Chain Bridge a mixture of Christmas and delicious food!
The most important information about the market is that it will open on November 27th and stay open until January 1st.
Christmas market press release!
During the Advent fair on Saint Stephen’s Square, the area of the Basilica is turning into a magical festive quarter. From the last weekend of November visitors may enter this joyful world decorated with Christmas lights. Here the festive ambience of the 5-week long Christmas preparation is ensured by almost 200 programmes, the handicrafts of 80 vendors and the international food and drink selection of the street food section in Zrínyi Street. Every night visitors might admire the 3D light paintings on the monumental façade of the Basilica, while children can enjoy the huge ice rink around the 9-meter tall Christmas tree or they can bake honey-cake hearts, and everybody can dance together at the folk dance evenings. Following the traditions, on 1st of January Lentil Day is going to be held, when the fortune-making New Year’s dish – prepared by different recipes – will be available at the gastronomic exhibitors and street food vendors.
The square in front of Saint Stephen’s Basilica – which is one of Hungary’s most important churches and tourist attractions – is going to be the most spectacular and eventful meeting point in Budapest from 27 November to 2 January. Last year Saint Stephen’s Basilica got into the CNN’s Top 10 list of the most photographed places in the world, and hopefully the visitors’ stunning photos will flood again the social media.
This year the Advent Feast at the Basilica is welcoming its visitors with the largest and the most spectacular visual attraction of the country. Colourful short movies will come to life in 3D on the 1000 m2 façade of the Basilica, while the festive lights of the square and the Inner City will provide a magical setting for a winter walk. During the 35 days of the Advent fair families and groups of friends will find a great variety of programmes, exclusive events and charity functions.
The 200 m2 ice rink around the magically decorated Christmas tree will remain the centre of the fair for the greatest joy of the children who can use it free of charge or even participate in the skating courses at the weekends. In the “Hunger for Love” bakery, set up by the Hungarian Inter-Church Aid, volunteers and visitors will prepare honey-cake hearts together with special surprise guests supporting the charity to thank its donors for their generosity.
At the fabulous wooden houses in front of the Basilica the fair’s visitors may choose between countless carefully pre-selected, great quality handcrafted gifts and the design items of talented young artists. This year the craftsmenʼs stalls will occupy a larger area including the way connecting Bajcsy-Zsilinszky and Hercegprímás Streets next to the Basilica, to offer even more products than in the previous years. Amazed by the abundance of gifts visitors may taste the holiday season’s most popular dishes along with this year’s novelties. While having fun outdoors in the cold winter weather, they can pair the steaming hot dishes with selected hot cocktails.
The Advent Feast at the Basilica is getting an exciting new addition this year. Street food, which was a successful debut last year, will take over the whole Zrinyi Street this year, and fill it with exotic food, Advent delicacies and the flavours of international cuisine. From Sas Street to Széchenyi Street the coolest Hungarian food trucks and street food vendors will be present such as Zing Burger, KolBice, BudDog, Paneer, MexKitchen, Balkán Grill, Befaló Bill, DiVino and Korhely. More than 30 exhibitors will provide food meant to be eaten on the street such as pancake, grilled sandwich, soup, “new wave” flat bread, lángos, pljeskavica, Italian sweets and salty titbits – to seduce the workers of the surrounding office buildings from the boring daily menus and to treat those who will come here to check out the greatest street food extravaganza of the holiday season. Following the New Year’s traditions Lentil Day will close the series of the fair’s gastronomic events on 1st of January.
The Christmas market at Vörösmarty square had its grand opening today. In other words, the time for hot wine and delicious sausages and meat has returned. And, with the arrival of hot wine, sausages and stands at the Vörösmarty Square comes thousands of tourists!
It might be that Hungarians are really happy about the opening of the Christmas market at Vörösmarty square today, but what makes them even more happy is that they managed to win 1-0 against Norway in football in Oslo yesterday. This was the first of two play-off matches, and the next match will be played at Groupama Arena this Sunday at 20.45. If Hungary manage to play draw against Norway or win, they can for sure celebrate the fact that they will qualify for their first international tournament in 30 years. But, let us not celebrate that yet, but hopefully the streets of Budapest will be filled with people Sunday evening celebrating a Hungarian success in football, something they have not been able to in the last years!
Are you ready for Christmas? Why not visit the Christmas markets in Vienna which also had its grand opening today?
Are you looking for a nice Christmas present to buy in Budapest? Read our article from last year coming with some advises on what you can buy in Budapest and bring home to your home country as a Christmas present!
Do you feel like watching a good Christmas film online while in Budapest? Or maybe from home? Want to watch a nice Christmas film on Netflix? In the following article you can find suggestions for different Christmas films available on Netflix at the moment.
Its Christmas time, so have fun, enjoy life and do not forget to take some quiet moments to really enjoy life!
The annual Christmas Market is coming up within shortly and in 2015-16 it will last longer than ever before. It will start two weeks earlier than in 2014-15 and it will last one week longer. So get prepared for a long lasting Christmas market at Vörösmarty square this season.
The opening date for the Christmas market at the Vörösmarty square is November 13th and the last day of the market will be January 7th. If you want to grab hold of some nice Christmas presents, some taste gluhwein and just eat some traditional Hungarian sausage then this is the market to visit.
For more information about the Christmas markets in Budapest, just click the link and you will be able to read more about the markets, the different locations and other useful information.
