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Christmas Markets in Budapest 2024

You don’t need to be a six-year-old to discover that there is something special, magical about Christmas that awakens our happiness and always brings a smile to our face. 

Budapest is a truly magical place to spend this special time of year. The city is filled with Christmas spirit. Lights, carols, Christmas decorations, Christmas food, attractions and Christmas street markets. And this is where we want to make a stop. 

Budapest’s Christmas markets deserve a special mention, because they outdo themselves year after year, receiving numerous awards as well as hundreds and hundreds of visitors who come looking to take a piece of Hungarian Christmas and an indelible memory home with them. 

Let’s take a look at all the Christmas markets that fill the city of Budapest this Christmas and that will delight everyone in the family, from the youngest to the most Christmas-loving. Let’s get into the Christmas spirit.

 

Christmas Markets in Budapest

 

VOROSMARTY SQUARE CHRISTMAS MARKET

Let’s start with the Vorosmarty Square Christmas market. We do so because we have to, as it is one of the most important markets, not only in the country, but in Europe. 

Officially, it is known as the Budapest Christmas Fair, although among the inhabitants of the “City of Spas” it is still known as the Vorosmarty Square Christmas market.

 

Where is the Budapest Christmas Fair held?

It is located, as you might guess, in the Vorosmarty Square, which is on the Pest side. The square is huge and well known to everyone as it hosts several well-known events and monuments in the city. To name but a few, you will find the renowned Cafe Gerbeaud as well as the beginning of the Vaci utca.

Cafe Gerbeaud is an institution in Budapest. Halfway between a coffee shop and a pastry shop, this Café stands out for its turn-of-the-century charm; elegance and glamour from another era. 

Vaci utca is none other than one of Budapest’s best-known streets, the reason being its numerous shops, mainly clothing shops. It also leads to another of the Hungarian capital’s great attractions, the Great Market Hall. A huge indoor market with a place for food and shopping in general. Not a bad place, is it?

 

Information about Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market

This event will start on 17th November and will run until 31st December. As a general rule, it will be open from 10am until 10pm, although there will be a few exceptions. As it could not be otherwise, access is completely free and on the same day of its opening, the official lighting of the lights will take place. 

You can enjoy typical Hungarian and local dishes. You’ll find well-known dishes such as langos, a fried flatbread on which you can add various types of toppings, the famous goulash or kurtos kalacs, a typical Hungarian cake. There are also fair classics such as strudels and flódni, a classic Hungarian-Jewish cake made with apples, walnuts and plum jam, which is widely eaten on various holidays.

And don’t miss out on other holiday classics such as:

 

ST STEPHEN’S BASILICA CHRISTMAS MARKET

This is one of the most special Christmas markets of all those held in Budapest. Not surprisingly, it has been voted Best European Christmas Market on three occasions, in the editions of 2019, 2021 and 2023. Without a doubt, this is one of the most beautiful markets in Europe.

 

Where is the St. Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market held?

It is not as big as the Vorosmarty Square market, but its location makes it a must-visit event. We are located in the central and historical part of Pest, right in front of the Basilica. To give you an idea of what a great location it is, just a 15-minute walk away you will find the large Parliament building. 

 

Information about St. Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market

It is held at the same time as most Christmas markets, from mid-November, presumably on the 17th, until the last day of the year or even the first of January. You can go there from 10 am to 8 pm, although at weekends there are a few more hours of enjoyment.

In this market you can find the traditional gifts you can buy for the holidays; from decorations to handmade dolls and toys. However, it has some more interesting attractions that make it stand out from the other markets. 

There is a small ice skating rink with a central tree decorated with Christmas decorations. The rink is only for children up to the age of 14, so if you want to enjoy skating, you’ll have to choose the other rink we recommend below.

On top of that, the illumination of the square is almost magical, making the cold Hungarian evenings and nights come alive. But it’s not just lights, there’s a light and image show on the façade of the basilica that will make you think you’re in Disneyland. 

It has an extensive programme of concerts and performances designed for all members of the family, so that children can enjoy themselves and adults can get reacquainted with their inner child, that’s what these dates are for. And talking about children, get ready to see Santa Claus at the beginning of December. 

But if you’re looking for great views and an unforgettable photo, climb to the top of the Basilica, for a small fee, and enjoy a unique experience on your visit to Budapest.


What to eat in St. Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market

This is a great time for all the gourmets and gluttons in the family. You can enjoy the best of traditional Hungarian dishes plus Christmas specials. There’s something for everyone, but if you combine traditional and Christmas, you can’t leave St. Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market without trying some:

 

ERZSÉBET SQUARE CHRISTMAS MARKET

If you are following the directions of a local or your mobile phone and you see that you are approaching Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market, don’t panic, there has been no mistake. 

Both places are just a few, very few, minutes away on foot. Although a priori it would be normal to think that there would only be one Christmas Market in the area considering the importance and size of the Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market, this is not the case, and we are delighted.

 

Information about Erzsébet Square Christmas Market

Among its stalls you will find many souvenirs to take home, such as handmade clothes, scarves, Christmas decorations, postcards and, of course, typical food:

 

Advent Óbudán or Óbuda Christmas Fair at Fő Square (Fő tér)

The Advent Óbudán, also known as Óbduda Advent or the Óbuda Christmas Fair, takes places in Fő Square, Fő tér, and is one of those little gems that Budapest holds within itself, as it is mostly frequented by locals between the end of November and the end of December. 

This way you can see, without big crowds, what it’s like to feel, experience and, once, eat during this special time of the year. You’ll find a full range of entertainment on offer, with an ice rink, performances for all the family, and of course, a market of handmade objects and local food.

 

What to eat in Advent Óbudán

 

What to Buy at Budapest Christmas Market, Advent Óbudán

 

Other Christmas markets

The entire city of Budapest dresses up for Christmas and gives locals and tourists alike little moments and places full of illusion and happiness. Meanwhile Christmas stalls and markets flourish in the squares to bring the best of Christmas decorations and food. 

One of these little nooks and crannies can be found at Liszt Ferenc square, where you can enjoy a fantastic snack typical of this time of year, to continue the route of the markets. There’s no way to get lost if Google Maps plays tricks on you, just follow the Christmas lights, your Christmas instinct and the smell of cinnamon, chestnuts and chimney cakes.

Let’s continue our little route through Gozsdu Udvar, in the Jewish quarter. Markets are organised here all year round and at Christmas time it couldn’t be any other way. This is just a short stop to continue enjoying the best of Christmas, shall we continue?

We continue on the Pest side of the city and pass through Bakáts tér, a picturesque tree-lined street that leads to a square where the church is the centre of everything. Throughout the year, different events are held here and at Christmas time it could not be less, hosting a small fair. 

A walk of about 20 minutes will take you to The Advent Festival in Városháza park in the centre of Budapest. It is a bit busier and better known than the options we have just seen. It has a programme full of family activities, especially for the youngest members of the family. From mid-November to the end of December.

Let’s jump now to the Buda side, where in the Allee shopping mall a little Christmas market at the Moricz Zsigmond Korter. It offers everything you can imagine from these little markets; handicrafts, hot drinks, hot snacks, and magic.

Our last stop is at Etele square. It’s a straight line from Moricz Zsigmond Korter, although it might be a long walk in the cold Hungarian winter. You can imagine the reward that awaits you there; quaint Christmas market, mulled wine, chimney cakes and a great atmosphere.

 

CITY PARK ICE RINK

Technically this isn’t a Christmas market as such, but how could we pass up the opportunity to recommend an ice skating rink? Besides a giant decorated tree, we can’t think of anything more Christmassy than this. 

You can find it, among other places, in Budapest’s City Park, located just opposite Heroes’ Square. Not only that, but you can also enjoy other attractions, although the traditional one here is, since the 19th century, everyone’s favourite attraction as it is the park’s lake which is turned into an awesome ice skating rink.

 

Accommodation in Budapest

After a full day of browsing Christmas markets, you deserve a break. The presents, the food and the magic of Christmas are all very well, but it’s not all the same if you haven’t had a good night’s sleep and a good night’s rest. That’s why we recommend the best accommodation in town to make the most of Christmas in Budapest; Amberlyn Suite Hotel.

 

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