ByKriszti Last updated: Hungary

Christmas Markets in Budapest: A Complete Guide

Are you planning to visit the Hungarian capital during the holiday season and stroll the best Christmas markets? Well, you’re definitely in for a treat!

Christmas markets in Budapest are truly amazing and visiting them is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Budapest in December. And I’m not saying this just because I’m a local! In fact, the Advent Feast at the Basilica is often voted as one of the best Christmas markets in Europe.

I love strolling around the cute wooden chalets with mulled wine, watching the sparkling Christmas lights, and admiring the festive decorations. Are you ready to explore the best Christmas markets in Budapest with me?

Read along to find the best locations in the city together with recommendations about what to eat and drink!

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Quick Tips for Budapest

Best Hotels in Budapest

best experiences in Budapest

Planning to visit a handful of attractions? You can save money by purchasing a Budapest Card. It includes free entry to a handful of museums, unlimited access to public transport, and discounts for many other attractions.

Best Christmas Markets in Budapest

If you are visiting Budapest in December then checking out the Christmas markets is a must-do on your itinerary! Budapest is truly one of the best Christmas destinations and you can find many Christmas markets across the city.

The most famous ones are located in the city center and they are very close to each other so you can easily walk from one spot to another.

1. Vörösmarty Square

Location: 1051 Budapest, Vörösmarty tér
Opening dates: 15 November 2024 – 31 December 2024

The biggest Christmas market in Budapest always takes place in Vörösmarty Square. During this period the square turns into a festive marketplace where you can buy some unique gifts for your loved ones and try the best of Hungarian cuisine.

In addition to the cute wooden stalls, you will also find a huge Christmas tree and two outdoor stages in the square where you can enjoy several different performances during your visit.

Vörösmarty Square is located in the heart of the city so it’s very easy to get there. You’ll find the Christmas market at the end of the popular tourist attraction, Váci Street, so you can easily get there on foot. Alternatively, metro line 1 also stops here.

  • A towering Christmas tree decorated with red, gold, and white ornaments stands in Vörösmarty Square, Budapest, with a glass building and cranes in the background.
    Christmas tree in 2021
  • A large Christmas tree with red and gold ornaments stands in Vörösmarty Square, Budapest, with a decorated sleigh display in front. The background features modern glass buildings and festive market stalls.
    Christmas tree in 2024
  • A hand holding a festive paper cup with "Vörösmarty Classic Xmas" printed on it, with a blurred Christmas tree covered in golden lights and a market scene in the background.
  • A close-up of colorful dried fruit and spice decorations hanging at a Christmas market stall in Budapest, featuring dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, and red fabric hearts.

2. St. Stephen’s Basilica

Location: 1051 Budapest, Szent István tér
Opening dates: 15 November 2024 – 1 January 2025

Although the Christmas market in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica is a lot smaller than the one on Vörösmarty Square, it is still the most popular Christmas market in Budapest.

You will also find small wooden stalls there selling a selection of craftworks and typical Hungarian food. But what makes this Christmas market really unique is the ice skating rink in the middle with a 12-meter-high Christmas tree right in front of the Basilica!

And if it weren’t enough, there is a custom-designed light show projected on the Basilica every half hour between 4:30 pm-10 pm. Currently, this is the largest 3D Christmas Projection in Europe so it’s time to put it on your bucket list if you haven’t already!

  • Pro tip: Did you know that you can also go up to the top of the Basilica? This will give you a chance to see the Christmas market from above and also enjoy the panoramic view of the whole city.
  • A closer view of St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, framed by a Christmas market with decorated stalls. A Christmas tree and an illuminated archway stand in front of the entrance.
  • A towering Christmas tree with red bows and gold ornaments stands in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest. The tree is surrounded by an ice-skating rink, with festive market stalls in the background.
  • A nighttime view of St. Stephen’s Basilica in Budapest, with a towering Christmas tree decorated with red bows and gold ornaments in front of the illuminated façade. An ice rink surrounds the tree.
  • A close-up aerial view of the ice-skating rink and Christmas tree at the Budapest Christmas market, surrounded by red-roofed stalls and people enjoying the holiday scene.

3. Deak Ferenc Street – Fashion Street

Location: 1052 Budapest, Deák Ferenc Street
Operating dates: approx. 15 November 2024 – 1 January 2025

If you are looking for the best Christmas lights in Budapest, you have to visit Deák Ferenc Street, otherwise known as Fashion Street!

The street is packed with famous designer shops and it’s beautifully decorated during the festive season. You can also find a few stalls here but it’s more about the Christmas lights than the food or craftworks.

  • A beautifully decorated Christmas tree on Fashion Street in Budapest, glowing with white and gold ornaments. The surrounding buildings are lit up with colorful holiday lights
  • A bustling street view of Fashion Street in Budapest during the holiday season. The buildings are covered in colorful lights, and a crowd of people walks beneath the festive decorations.

What to Eat & Drink in the Christmas Markets in Budapest

The typical Hungarian cuisine is very heavy in general and the Christmas meals are no different. They are really delicious though so try to taste as many as you can!

It’s better to go to the Christmas markets with an empty stomach so you can try various meals. Here are some of the best ones you can’t miss:

  • Lángos: A popular Hungarian street food, especially at Christmas markets. The classic version is topped with sour cream, garlic butter, and shredded cheese, but you can also try it with onions, sausages, or bacon.
  • Mulled wine (Forralt bor): A must-try at any Christmas market! Hungary is famous for its wines, and this spiced, warm drink is perfect for winter. Non-alcoholic alternatives include hot spicy apple juice or hot chocolate.
  • Goulash (Gulyás): One of Hungary’s most famous dishes, this hearty soup is made with beef, onions, potatoes, carrots, and plenty of paprika. It’s typically served with white bread.
  • Stuffed cabbage (Töltött káposzta): A traditional Hungarian Christmas dish. Cabbage leaves are filled with ground beef and rice, then layered with homemade tomato sauce. It’s usually served with sour cream and white bread.
  • Pálinka: A strong Hungarian fruit brandy with an alcohol content ranging from 37.5% to 86%. The most popular flavors are apricot, pear, and plum. Be warned, it burns!
  • Roasted chestnuts (Sült gesztenye): A classic winter street food, found at many stalls in the Christmas markets. Popular not just in Hungary but across Europe, East Asia, and the US.
  • Grilled sausages (Grill kolbász és hurka): Hungarian sausages come in three main types – kolbász (seasoned with paprika), májas hurka (made from pork liver), and véres hurka (made from pork blood). They’re typically served with mustard or horseradish and white bread.
  • Strudel (Rétes): A layered pastry filled with curd, sour cherry, apple, or poppy seed. A staple of Hungarian Christmas tables – my grandmother makes them with chocolate and walnuts and they’re my favorite! Try as many flavors as possible.
  • Chimney cake (Kürtőskalács): Though often associated with Prague, chimney cakes originate from Hungary. The dough is rolled in sugar, wrapped around a cone, and roasted over charcoal, creating a crispy caramelized crust. Toppings include walnuts, coconut, cinnamon, or chocolate, and ice cream-filled versions are becoming more popular.
  • Flódni: A traditional Hungarian Jewish cake with five layers of dough and four different fillings – plum jam, walnut, apple, and poppy seed. Like a strudel with all the flavors combined – absolutely delicious!
  • A row of kürtőskalács (chimney cakes) roasting over hot embers at the Obuda Christmas Market. The dough is w
    Chimney cakes
  • A close-up of a Hungarian lángos topped with sour cream and grated cheese, served on a white paper plate at a food stall in the Budapest Christmas market.
    Lángos
  • A festive display of Hungarian spirits, including bottles of Max Opyyum poppy seed liqueur and traditional pálinka, set on a wooden stand at the Christmas market.
    Pálinka
  • A close-up of Hungarian apple strudel slices dusted with powdered sugar, arranged on a tray at the Christmas market in Budapest. A basket filled with small bottles wrapped in golden lights is blurred in the background.
    Strudels

Where to Stay in Budapest

At first, Budapest can seem like a big and overwhelming city but in reality, it’s far from it. Sure, it occupies an area of 525 km² (200 square miles) but most of the tourist attractions are located relatively close to each other, which makes Budapest a compact and easily walkable city.

On top of that, the public transportation with 4 different metro lines and countless tram and bus lines is really helpful when getting around Budapest. But if you choose the location of your accommodation wisely, you might not even have to use public transportation at all!

Budapest has 23 administrative districts and the Danube River divides the city into two different parts: Buda and Pest. The classic city center is located on the Pest side, comprising districts 5, 6, and 7. This is one of the best areas to stay in Budapest for sightseeing!

Below you can find some of the best hotels to stay in the city center of Budapest, depending on your budget.

did you like the article?

Pin it for later!
  • Christmas Markets in Budapest: A Complete Guide
  • Christmas Markets in Budapest: A Complete Guide
Posted In: Hungary

You’ll Also Love

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *