Advent fairs in Budapest: the perfect ingredients for the Christmas spirit

17 November – 31 December

Just like every year, the Christmas Fair in Vörösmarty tér will provide an ideal setting and atmosphere for holiday preparations in 2023. You should approach the fair from Váci utca (Fashion Street) because its buildings and shops are always decorated with eye-catching street lights. Thousands of people visit the fair every year, and it will delight your senses this year too with handcrafted treasures and heart-warming food and drink from more than a hundred vendors. One of the main attractions of the square is popular with children: the light railway, which kids can use for free.

17 November – 1 January

In Szent István tér love will take you by the hand, and there are loads of things to do on the square this year. Did you know that last year Budapest’s Advent Basilica was voted the best festive event by European Best Destination travel portal? It was in competition with events in 21 other European cities, including Madrid, Vienna, Brussels, Salzburg and Prague. In fact, the Szent István tér Advent event has done the treble: after 2019 and 2021, it was also voted the best Christmas market in Europe in 2022, and earned the title “Standing Star of Christmas Fairs”. It’s a real must see.

1–24 December 

The Újbuda Christmas Fair will be held between 1 and 24 December on the promenade next to the shopping centre, where you will find craft food, handmade products, Christmas gifts and lots of delicacies. 

23 November – 24 December

The Corvin Hütte Christmas festival on Corvin Promenade welcomes winter every weekend with a handicraft fair and the smell of punch and hot chocolate. It is worth visiting more than once because every weekend has a different theme – what’s more, vegan stuffed cabbage is also on sale in the spirit of sustainability.

24 November – 17 December

As part of the Bókay Christmas programme series, this fair is held until 17 December and it offers handicraft products, hot drinks, selfie spots and cosy decorative lights, and star performers will make sure that you won't get cold but have a great time. Don't forget to bring your ice skates as the Ice Rink will also be open until 18 February 2024. 

1 December – 23 December

You can't miss Advent in Óbuda this year either, where a skating rink will open on 1 December. You can hear loads of different styles on music at concerts in the square. The event is dog-friendly, and this year a Christmas House will be built for the first time, where you can meet Santa Claus.