Budapest Christmas Market 2023 Dates at Vorosmarty Square

Budapest has one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, leading the city to be a popular winter break destination. Most visitors tend to stay 3 or 4 days, but there are more than enough things to do to keep you occupied on a longer visit.

The winter highlight is the Budapest Christmas Market, open from November and continuing past Christmas Day until New Year’s Day. Vorosmarty Christmas Market isn’t the only market in Budapest, there are several others open well into January.

Budapest Christmas Market 2023

Although the city boasts several markets, the Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market reigns supreme, owing to its position in one of Budapest’s most picturesque cobblestone squares.

The runner-up, situated in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica, also holds considerable appeal. Notably, both markets are situated in the central 5th district.

This guide provides a comprehensive list of the best Christmas markets in Budapest for 2023, providing information on dates, opening hours, locations and market specialties. Everything you’ll need to plan your winter holiday in Budapest.

1. Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market

The main Christmas market is officially known as the Budapest Christmas fair, but it’s commonly referred to as the Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market.

It’s located in one of the most bustling squares on the Pest side of the Danube River – Vorosmarty Square.

The square is home to several famous attractions, including the renowned Cafe Gerbeaud as well as the largest Christmas market in Budapest.

It also serves as the starting point of Vaci utca, the city’s primary tourist shopping street that leads visitors all the way to the Great Market Hall, a historic indoor market for food and shopping.

Dates and Locations

Vorosmarty Christmas Market: The main Christmas market in Budapest.
Budapest Christmas Market dates: Likely dates: 17th November to 31st December 2023.
Location: Varosmarty Square in the beautiful 5th district (the Pest side of the river).
Opening hours: Generally from 10am to around 9 or 10pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Christmas lights: Yes, switch on date: 17th November.
Santa: Possibly!
Ice skating: Yes, but not at Vorosmarty Square. Head to City Park Ice Rink for skating.
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, but limited.
Gluten free: Yes, but very limited.
Accessible: Yes, if you can manage cobblestones.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Reason to visit: Budapest is vibrant, dynamic, affordable and one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Specialities: Langos, goulash, kurtosh kalacs, salami, handmade lace and Christmas toys.
Recommended tour: I recommend taking this city tour of Budapest and Buda Castle.
Temperature in December: December temperatures are typically around 4-8C during the day with temperatures occasionally dropping below zero during the night. These days, it rarely snows in Budapest, especially not in November or December but rain is likely.
Where to stay: The Aria Hotel for a luxury stay or the D8 Hotel for a more affordable option.

Hotels near Budapest Christmas Market

I suggest staying anywhere in the 5th district as this is the most central neighbourhood. The 7th district is also well-located, although this is the nightlife district, so it might not appeal to everyone. Buda is quieter and generally more residential on the other side of the Danube.

The Aria Hotel is one of the most exceptional in the 5th district and is located near both Vorosmarty Square and St Stephen’s Basilica.

If you would prefer a budget hotel, the D8 Hotel is a great option and is only 2 minutes from Vorosmarty Square.

I lived in Budapest for several years. Using that experience, I created a guide to hotels near Budapest Christmas Market. You can read about the different neighbourhoods and the best areas to stay in.

Location of Budapest Christmas Market

City and Christmas Tours

Exploring Budapest on a city tour is an excellent way to immerse yourself in the city’s rich culture and history. Budapest offers something for everyone with its picturesque old city of Buda and Pest, a vibrant ruin bar scene and awe-inspiring Art Nouveau architecture.

I highly recommend taking this city tour to witness the city’s top highlights like the Hungarian Parliament, Buda Castle District or the Szechenyi thermal baths.

I recommend taking this city tour of Budapest. The tour will take you to explore popular sights in the Castle District, such as Fisherman’s Bastion and Matthias Church, and you’ll get incredible views of the Hungarian Parliament Building.

Alternatively, indulge in a food tasting experience that lets you discover local Hungarian culture through their cuisine. Food tours in Budapest typically start at the incredible Great Market Hall.

Other popular sights in Budapest include the Chain Bridge, Heroes Square, the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial, the Hungarian State Opera House, St. Stephen’s Basilica, Gellért Hill and Széchenyi thermal baths.

Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travellers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

What to Expect in Budapest

If you’re wondering what the Budapest Christmas Market is like, this video provides a glimpse into the festive atmosphere with its dazzling lights, lively music, and mouth-watering food offerings. Immerse yourself in the enchanting ambience of the market as you watch the video.

2. St Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market

St Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market is a great Christmas market held in front of the basilica from November to January.

This is a smaller market but a wonderful location in historic Pest, in the centre of the historic 5th district. From here, you’re not far from the Hungarian Parliament, one of the most incredible sights in the city.

Dates and Opening Hours

St Stephen’s Basilica Christmas Market dates: Likely dates: 17th November 2023 to 1st January 2024.
Opening hours: Usually 10am to 8pm and later on the weekends.
Location: Szent István tér (St Stephen’s Square), in front of the St Stephen’s Basilica in the 5th district.
Reason to visit: A small but cosy market with a small ice rink and Christmas tree in the centre.
Specialities: Langos, goulash, kurtosh kalacs, salami, handmade lace and Christmas toys.
Travel tips: For a small fee you can take the lift to the viewing platform at the top of the basilica. If you have time to visit the nearby parliament, it is free to visit for EU nationals and a small fee is payable for others (bookings are required).

3. City Park Ice Rink

Budapest’s City Park, located just opposite Heroes’ Square, offers a lively ambience and transforms into a winter wonderland during the Christmas and New Year season.

The park’s lake is converted into a captivating outdoor ice skating rink, which has been a beloved attraction since the 19th century and still draws visitors today.

Skates can be rented on-site or sharpened if you have your own.

4. Erzsébet Square Christmas Market

Despite its proximity to the Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market, Erzsébet Square (also known as Elizabeth Square) hosts its own Christmas market, bustling with activity.

As one of Budapest’s most popular event venues, something exciting always happens here. You can enjoy a variety of delicious street food from the numerous food trucks and outdoor bars, which come alive at night. Moreover, a Ferris wheel in the square offers an amazing view of Budapest from above.

5. Buda Christmas Market

The Buda side of Budapest holds its own small winter market with Christmas stalls that specialise in gifts, food and drinks like mulled wine.

Buda Castle is an interesting destination for tourists in this area, and there are often markets and events within the Castle District as well as at the base of Castle Hill along the banks of the Danube.

These events change occasionally, but it’s worth stopping by and exploring the narrow streets of Buda that are very different from the wide-open districts of Pest.

Hungarian Specialties

The Christmas markets in Budapest are a great place to try out traditional Hungarian specialties, from the famous paprika-spiced goulash or chicken paprikash to quick and easy street food like langos or kürtőskalács (chimney cake).

You can get full meals at the Christmas market, and there are plenty of benches and tables where you can sit, but other items can easily be consumed while standing or walking around the markets.

A great introduction to Hungarian cuisine can be experienced via a food tour with a local guide. I recommend this food tour as you get to try many different specialties while also learning about Hungarian and Budapest history and culture. The tour is run by Taste Hungary, a highly respected food tour company in Budapest.

• Langos – A Hungarian speciality, langos is a deep-fried flat dough, usually topped with garlic, sour cream and grated cheese. This is not only popular at the Christmas markets in Budapest but at most European Christmas markets. If you don’t get the chance to try it at the Christmas markets, you can get it at any time from Karavan on Kazinczy utca in the Jewish Quarter.
• Kürtőskalács (chimney cake) – This is the famous woodfired, sugar-coated cake that is prepared in a tubular shape. It is essentially a sweet dough that is rolled around a long, circular spit and cooked over coals, then optionally topped with cinnamon or coconut. This dish originated in the Transylvanian region of Romania by ethnic Hungarians.
• Beef goulash – This classic Hungarian beef stew is known around the world. You can try it at the Christmas markets, but you’ll have much nicer versions at one of the nearby traditional restaurants. You can find vegetarian goulash at a few places in Budapest.
• Chicken paprikash – Another classic Hungarian dish, this slow-cooked chicken is served with a creamy paprika sauce, again probably best at a restaurant, but you can get it from the Christmas markets at Vorosmarty Square.
• Stuffed cabbage – A well-known and popular dish all around Central Europe, the Hungarians love it too and it’s worth trying if you’re looking for a hearty meal.
• Chicken schnitzel – It’s not just the Viennese that love a schnitzel; the Hungarians have their own delicious version, which is a good option at the markets as you can easily eat it in sandwich form. If you can’t find it at the markets, one of the best, cheapest and freshest versions can be found at Belvárosi.
• Hungarian salami – Mild and spicy versions of this Hungarian specialty are easy to come by in Budapest at any of the markets or supermarkets. It’s great as a snack, for a picnic or to take home with you.
• Smoked cheese – There are plenty of locally made Hungarian cheeses worth trying while in Budapest. Smoked cheese is quite common in Hungary and has a unique flavour that some love.
• Pancakes – Sweet and savoury pancakes are a great snack you can enjoy while taking in the festive atmosphere. This is a cheap street food that is commonly available.
• Dobos torta – This famous Hungarian cake layered with chocolate buttercream and topped with a thin layer of caramel. There are many Hungarian cake shops around Budapest, but Cafe Gerbeaud in Varosmarty Square is one of the most famous and fanciest places to try it. You can order it takeaway or eat inside the beautiful, historic cafe. Alternatively, if you’re on a budget, you can get a more affordable slice at Jégbüfé at Kígyó utca 4-6 in the 5th district.
• Tokaj wine – It’s not just Slovakia where you can find the famous Tokaj wine region; it also crosses the border into Hungary. While this region isn’t near Budapest, you can get this sweet wine at the Christmas markets and bars in the area. It’s a lovely complement to a slice of dobos torta.
• Palinka – Every country has their own version of brandy; in Hungary, it is known as palinka. It comes in various fruit flavours, and you can get shots from food trucks and bars. Of course, it’s very strong, so it won’t be to everyone’s liking, but you might find a flavour you like.
• Unicum – A strong herbal liqueur that is unique to Hungary, this is a very special drink that locals drink as an aperitif or digestif. First produced in 1790, the drink is bitter and, in my opinion, tastes awful. It is most definitely an acquired taste. You can read about the drink’s long history here.

Hungarian Traditions

Hungary has a long, rich history and cultural traditions. Budapest is a wonderful city to experience these and learn about its past and present.

Hungary celebrates St Nicholas, an event that is called Mikulás in Hungarian. St Nicholas arrives in early December to give gifts to children.

Hungarians also celebrate Christmas by preparing traditional gingerbread. The gingerbread is flavoured with cinnamon and cloves and then decorated in folk motifs using red, green and white national colours.

Sustainable Travel Tips

Being mindful of our actions’ environmental and social impact is crucial while visiting Budapest’s Christmas markets. Here are some simple measures that visitors can implement to make a positive impact:

Shop with care: It is important to only purchase what you need rather than indulge in impulse buying. By doing so, visitors can reduce waste and the carbon footprint generated by transportation.

Use sustainable modes of transport: Walking, cycling, and using public transport are excellent ways to reduce carbon emissions. Budapest has a well-established public transport network, and cycling is an excellent way to explore the city.

Stay in a sustainable hotel: Budapest offers several eco-friendly accommodation options powered by renewable energy. Visitors can contribute to the local economy and support sustainable tourism practices by choosing to stay in such hotels.

Avoid short-stay apartments: Short-term rentals can lead to a lack of affordable housing for locals, resulting in social and environmental problems. Opting for hotels is a more sustainable choice.

Say no to plastic: Plastic is one of the biggest environmental threats globally. Try to avoid it wherever possible.

Eat local organic food: Eating locally sourced organic food supports Hungarian farmers and helps to reduce the carbon footprint caused by transportation.

Limit meat and dairy consumption: The meat and dairy industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Choosing plant-based options or reducing meat and dairy consumption is a sustainable choice.

Embrace diversity: Budapest is a city with a diverse culture and history. Visitors should be open to experiencing new cultures and engaging with local communities.

Explore beyond tourist areas: Exploring the less-explored areas of Budapest can offer visitors a more authentic experience while contributing to the local economy. Try the 8th district for more diversity.

Attend local events: Budapest hosts several art and cultural events throughout the year. Visitors can support the local arts community and contribute to sustainable tourism by attending such events.

Stay longer, and visit fewer places: Instead of rushing through multiple destinations, visitors can choose to spend more time in fewer places. Doing so can help reduce transportation emissions and support sustainable tourism practices.

FAQ

If you have any questions or comments about visiting the Budapest Xmas market in 2023 or visiting Budapest in winter more generally, please leave a comment or review below.

Visit Hungary publishes the latest information for locals and travellers that can help with trip planning.

—

Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Budapest, Hungary. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.