Christmas markets 2026
Christmas markets in Budapest 2026
All 8 Christmas markets in Budapest: dates, opening hours, how to get there and what's there for kids — ice rinks, carousels, Santa and workshops.
8
markets
0
open today
8
free entry
2
Ice rink
Open this weekend
No market is open this weekend yet — the first one opens on November 13.
All markets
Opens November 13Large
Basilica Advent Fair
Advent Bazilika
Budapest's best-known Christmas market on the square in front of St Stephen's Basilica, with about 100 Hungarian craftspeople, a nativity scene and a huge advent wreath. The church facade becomes a light projection screen every evening from 17:30.
- Dates
- November 13, 2026 – January 1, 2027
- Opening hours
- Mon–Thu & Sun 11:00–22:00, Fri–Sat 11:00–23:00; 24 Dec 11:00–15:00; 25–26 Dec 11:00–20:00; 31 Dec 11:00–03:00; 1 Jan 11:00–18:00
- Where
- Szent István tér, 1051 Budapest · Directions
- Getting there
- M1 Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út · M3 Arany János utca · M1, M2, M3 Deák Ferenc tér
- Entry
- Free
- Nativity scene
- Light show
- Live music
Tip: Come on a weekday afternoon to avoid the evening crowds, then stay for the 17:30 light projection on the facade.
Official website ↗Opens November 13Large
Vörösmarty Square Christmas Fair
Vörösmarty Classic Xmas
The classic downtown market on Vörösmarty Square with over 100 artisans, a monumental Christmas tree and a snow-globe dome over the Vörösmarty statue. A free little train runs for children, and Váci utca is right next door.
- Dates
- November 13 – December 31, 2026
- Opening hours
- Mon–Thu & Sun 11:00–21:00, Fri–Sat 11:00–22:00; little train Mon–Fri 14:00–20:00, Sat–Sun 11:00–20:00; 24 Dec 10:00–14:00; 25–26 Dec 12:00–18:00; 31 Dec 11:00–03:00
- Where
- Vörösmarty tér, 1051 Budapest · Directions
- Getting there
- M1 Vörösmarty tér · M1, M2, M3 Deák Ferenc tér · 2-es villamos Vigadó tér
- Entry
- Free
- Kids' train
Tip: The little train is free for kids; go on a weekday afternoon when the lines are shortest. Craft stalls close on 28 Dec, before the New Year's Eve setup.
Official website ↗Opens November 13Medium-sized · great for kids
Budapest Official Christmas Market, City Hall Park
Budapest hivatalos karácsonyi vására – Városháza Park
The city's own Christmas market in City Hall Park, with handmade crafts at lower prices than the big downtown fairs, plus an ice rink. Light projections on the City Hall and Merlin Theatre buildings and Santa events around 5–6 December are part of the programme.
- Dates
- November 13, 2026 – January 10, 2027Expected dates — 2026 dates not announced yet
- Opening hours
- Daily, see the official site for current hours; the ice rink usually stays open until the end of January
- Where
- Városháza park, Károly körút / Deák Ferenc tér, 1052 Budapest · Directions
- Getting there
- M1, M2, M3 Deák Ferenc tér · 47-es, 49-es villamos Deák Ferenc tér
- Entry
- Free
- Ice rink
- Light show
- Santa
Tip: Skating costs about 3,000 HUF with rental on top and a companion ticket is 500 HUF (2025 prices); the Deák tér stop is right at the park.
Official website ↗Opens November 27Medium-sized · great for kids
Advent in Óbuda
Advent Óbudán
A neighbourhood advent fair on Óbuda's Fő tér with free concerts, craft workshops, a Santa programme on 6 December and a free outdoor ice rink. Prices are friendlier than at the downtown markets, and kids' characters turn up on stage.
- Dates
- November 27 – December 23, 2026Expected dates — 2026 dates not announced yet
- Opening hours
- Advent weekends from about 17:00 on the opening Friday; free ice rink at Fő tér into January
- Where
- Fő tér, 1033 Budapest · Directions
- Getting there
- H5 HÉV Szentlélek tér · 1-es villamos Szentlélek tér · M3 Árpád híd + 1-es villamos
- Entry
- Free
- Ice rink
- Santa
- Workshops
- Live music
Tip: Skating is free but skate rental is extra (about 1,500–2,000 HUF in 2025); the HÉV from Batthyány tér gets you to Szentlélek tér in minutes.
Official website ↗Opens November 27Medium-sized
Buda Castle District Advent
Budavári Advent
A calm advent fair beside Matthias Church in the Castle District, with craft stalls, concerts, dance and children's programmes and Danube views. Advent candles are lit on Sundays.
- Dates
- November 27, 2026 – January 3, 2027Expected dates — 2026 dates not announced yet
- Opening hours
- Daily 9:00–20:00; 24 Dec 9:00–12:00; 25–26 Dec and 1 Jan 12:00–18:00 (2025 pattern)
- Where
- Szentháromság tér, 1014 Budapest · Directions
- Getting there
- 16, 16A, 116-os busz Szentháromság tér / Dísz tér · Várbusz · M2 Széll Kálmán tér
- Entry
- Free
- Live music
Tip: The hill is steep for strollers; take bus 16 or the Várbusz from Széll Kálmán tér instead of walking up.
Official website ↗Opens December 4Medium-sized · great for kids
MagicGrove Christmas at Vajdahunyad Castle
VarázsLiget
A family-oriented winter fair in the City Park at Vajdahunyad Castle, with a ferris wheel, carousel and magic train. A free magic trail, free workshops and the illuminated VarázsErdő forest are open to everyone.
- Dates
- December 4, 2026 – January 1, 2027Expected dates — 2026 dates not announced yet
- Opening hours
- Weekends 10:00–21:00, weekdays 11:00–19:00; 24 Dec 10:00–14:00; 25–26 Dec 10:00–21:00 (2025 pattern)
- Where
- Vajdahunyad vára, Városliget, 1146 Budapest · Directions
- Getting there
- M1 Hősök tere · M1 Széchenyi fürdő
- Entry
- Free
- Ferris wheel
- Carousel
- Kids' train
- Workshops
Tip: The ferris wheel and rides are paid (2025: wheel 2,500 HUF, 2,000 HUF for children under 14, family ticket 8,500 HUF); the City Park ice rink usually opens in late November, weather permitting.
Official website ↗Opens December 4Small
Gozsdu Christmas Market
Gozsdu Karácsonyi Vásár
A small craft and design market in the passage of Gozsdu Court in the Jewish Quarter, with handmade jewellery and gifts. The programme has included puppet shows, fire performances and concerts.
- Dates
- December 4 – 23, 2026Expected dates — 2026 dates not announced yet
- Opening hours
- Mon–Thu 12:00–19:00, Fri–Sun 10:00–19:00 (2025 pattern)
- Where
- Gozsdu udvar, Király utca 13 – Dob utca 16, 1075 Budapest · Directions
- Getting there
- M1, M2, M3 Deák Ferenc tér · M2 Astoria · 4-es, 6-os villamos Király utca
- Entry
- Free
- Live music
Tip: Good for last-minute handmade gifts; it is a short walk from Deák tér, so you can combine it with the City Hall Park market.
Opens November 28Small · great for kids
Újbuda Christmas Market
Újbudai Karácsonyi Vásár
A local Christmas market in Újbuda next to the Allee shopping centre, with toys and surprises for children. In 2025 it highlighted four days: a fire brigade and Santa visit on 6 December, concerts and gifts on 14 December and a light show with fire juggling on 21 December.
- Dates
- November 28 – December 23, 2026Expected dates — 2026 dates not announced yet
- Opening hours
- Mon–Fri 12:00–21:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–21:00 (2025 pattern)
- Where
- Kőrösy József utca (Allee bevásárlóközpont mellett), 1117 Budapest · Directions
- Getting there
- M4 Kelenföld vasútállomás
- Entry
- Free
- Santa
- Live music
- Light show
Tip: The market is next to the Kelenföld station metro exit (M4), so it is an easy stop on the way home from the city centre.
On the map
Events at the markets
Concerts, workshops and special days from our live listings, updated every hour.
Quick answers
- When do the Christmas markets in Budapest open in 2026?
- The first one, Basilica Advent Fair, opens on November 13; by November 27 most markets are open. The last ones close on January 10, 2027.
- Which Christmas market in Budapest is best for kids?
- Our picks for families: Budapest Official Christmas Market, City Hall Park (ice rink, light show, santa); Advent in Óbuda (ice rink, santa, workshops); MagicGrove Christmas at Vajdahunyad Castle (ferris wheel, carousel, kids' train); Újbuda Christmas Market (santa, live music, light show).
- Are the Christmas markets in Budapest free?
- Yes — all 8 markets are free to enter; you only pay for food, drinks and rides.
- Which is the biggest Christmas market in Budapest?
- Basilica Advent Fair — Budapest's best-known Christmas market on the square in front of St Stephen's Basilica, with about 100 Hungarian craftspeople, a nativity scene and a huge advent wreath. The church facade becomes a light projection screen every evening from 17:30.
Dates and hours come from the organisers' official pages. Markets marked "expected" have not announced their 2026 dates yet — check the official site before you go. Last checked: October 3, 2026.
Christmas markets in other cities