We have way more opportunities, than Vörösmarty square!
With the holidays approaching, the Christmas markets open their doors for everybody’s delight. Gingerbread, mulled wine, orange and cinnamon scent is in the air, local artisans selling their goods, the squares dressed in ceremonial decoration are awaiting guests during these marvelous weeks. Although the history of Christmas markets is rooted in Austria and Germany, these fairs have become a classic and must-see destination everywhere. Here, in Hungary we have a real focus on preserving authentic Hungarian folk art, traditions and offer good quality handcrafts rather than commercialized ones. We have Christmas markets in literally every corner of the city, so don’t only visit the one at Vörösmarty Square. We collected the best fairs of the city to help:
Talking about Vörösmarty Square: this is the event without which the holiday would not be complete. Each year, Vörösmarty Square is transformed into the annual Budapest Christmas Market. Visitors can browse over 100 stands offering unique Christmas-themed arts and crafts. A giant light show on the facade of the glamorous Gerbeaud building, music performances, food and wine are also part of the festival.
Advent feast at St Stephen’s Basilica is another classic fair in Budapest, which would be a sin to miss. The Christmas market on St Stephen’s Square is right in front of the beautiful St Stephen’s Basilica, which ensures truly majestic environment. And this is officially the 9th best Christmas feast of Europe, so don’t miss it!
Christmas fair at Fővám square. If you visit the fair at Vörösmarty square, walk along Váci Street, the shopping street of Budapest. At the other end, you’ll run into Fővám square, and a small, cozy fair with only a few booths. The atmosphere is more familiar and intimate here, and the crowd is smaller than a kilometer away.
Gozsdu Christmas fair: The party district become a little more intimate before the holidays, as they hold a thematic fair. Handmade gifts, jewelry, postcards and booklets are lined up on the tables, in many cases in better quality than at major fairs. And if we have enough of the celebration, we can go to an optional bar or restaurant.
Városháza park Advent: This is the smaller park next to Deák Ferenc tér metro station, where little wooden houses await. Also a heated, sophisticated glass-walled hut is located here, where various cultural programs await visitors. Amateur choirs, music school students, jazz, folk, and world music talents, workshops and charity events take place here in the hut. The 60 Christmas trees sparsed on the square are works of elementary school students.
