The aroma of local delicacies, such as lángos and chimney cake, fills the air as Hungary adorns itself with Christmas lights. The festive spirit, enhanced by forralt bor (mulled wine), creates a delightful atmosphere. What makes Hungarian Christmas markets so special and unique? For starters, Budapest boasts numerous markets, each offering its own charm. The stalls selling souvenirs are accompanied by ice rinks and decorated trams that glide along the Danube River. Even the majestic St. Stephen’s Basilica gets into the holiday spirit with its spectacular laser show.

　　Beyond the major markets, Budapest is home to several quaint fairs, including the Deák Ferenc Street market, the Erzsébet Square Christmas Market, the Christmas Fair at Allee Shopping Centre, the Whale (Bálna) Building Advent Festival, and, of course, the Ice Rink, which provides stunning views of the Danube. Charming markets are located in the countryside, each possessing its unique rustic charm. Unsurprisingly, some of these markets have been voted among the best in Europe. Now, let’s dive into Christmas markets in Hungary where all the holiday magic takes place.

　　Start With Europe’s Best

　　The iconic Advent Basilica Christmas Market, held around the magnificent St. Stephen’s Basilica, has been voted Europe’s best Christmas market four times up to 2023 by visitors. Running from mid-November to January 1, 2025, the market features over 120 craft stalls where you can explore unique handmade items, indulge in local delicacies, and enjoy ice skating at the foot of the grand basilica. A daily 3D light show is projected onto the basilica’s facade every 30 minutes from 4:30 PM to 10 PM, creating a magical experience that shouldn’t be missed. The ice rink and food stalls are open daily, with extended New Year’s Eve hours.

　　Hungary’s Most Famous Fair

　　Just a 10-minute walk from St. Stephen’s Basilica is the Vörösmarty Square Christmas Market, which will run from mid-November until December 31, 2024. This market is located in a significant area of the Hungarian capital and is recognised as one of Europe's most beautiful Christmas markets. Visitors can explore various Hungarian artisan products, enjoy festive foods, and attend live performances. The craft stalls are open daily, with extended hours on Christmas Eve, remaining open until 1 AM on December 31.

　　Something New And Dazzling

　　This year, the Városháza Park Christmas Fair, near Deák Ferenc Square, is introducing more food trucks and family-friendly activities. Visitors can explore stalls selling handcrafted gifts and indulge in traditional festive dishes such as mákos guba (poppy seed bread) and beigli (rolled cakes) filled with walnut, chestnut, and poppy seeds, along with local street food specialities complemented by mulled wine.

　　Where Countryside Charm Chimes

　　You can immerse yourself in the festive spirit at the annual Eger Christmas market in Dobó Square. This market opens on November 25 and runs until December 24, offering stalls featuring delicious sweets and handcrafted goods. Craftsmen will share stories about their journeys as you browse their creations.

　　A charming Advent weekend market awaits in the historic town of Veszprém, known as the European Capital of Culture. Here, you can enjoy traditional dishes like fish soup, goulash soup, lángos, and chimney cake.

　　At Széchenyi Square in Pécs, you can dance to the melodies of choral musicians and attend candle-lighting ceremonies on Sundays, creating a fairy-tale atmosphere. This market opens on the last day of November.

　　Szeged celebrates Christmas Weeks at Dóm Square from November 24 to December 24. The event features light painting, fire jugglers, and a large ice rink. Szeged has also set up a special selfie box for visitors to capture their favourite Advent moments.

　　The Christmas market in the main square of Vác showcases a human-sized Bethlehem scene, an ice rink, and a unique Advent wreath, running from mid-November to December 31.

　　In Debrecen, the Christmas Market will be brought to life this year with a unique building mural project set against the backdrop of the city’s historic centre and plenty of festive cheer.