Holidays in Hungary: Markets, Mikulás, and More!

Hungary, a country steeped in history and elegance, has been home to traditional Christmas markets since the early 18th century. While the country’s markets draw global admiration for their charm and festive spirit, the holiday season offers a depth of tradition and celebration that extends far beyond what meets the eye.

According to a November 2024 Deloitte report, 49% of Americans intend to travel for the holidays this year, a 2% increase from 2023, with a 48% increase in budget. With this in mind, I wanted to share some information on Hungary’s world-renowned Christmas markets and other traditional offerings that make the country a perfect festive getaway:

• The World’s Best Markets & Fairs: Voted Europe’s best since 2022, the Advent Basilica Christmas Market is a can’t-miss spectacle in Budapest. The market boasts 120+ artisan stalls showcasing Hungarian crafts and culinary delights surrounding a large ice-skating rink. Pécs, a Roman-built city in Hungary’s southwest, invites travelers to its traditional market in Széchenyi Square, while Szeged’s contemporary Christmas fair captivates visitors with light displays, fire jugglers, and free gifts.
• Festivities, Feasts, & Folklore: In Hungary, children are visited by Mikulás (St. Nicholas) on December 6th, known as Mikulás-Day. Traditionally, children clean their snow boots the night before and leave them outside. By morning, they find their boots filled with sweets, including oranges, nuts, a chocolate Mikulás, and more. Hungarians enjoy their foremost holiday meal on Christmas Eve, with dinner traditionally including Töltött Káposzta (stuffed cabbage), Mákos Bejgli (poppy seed rolls), and Halászlé (spicy fish soup made with carp). The poppy seeds are supposed to bring wealth, the walnuts destroy evil thoughts, the fish scales bring money, and the stuffed cabbage assures food for another year.
• Everything But Tinsel: Budapest becomes a festival of lights for the holiday season, with Lumina Park’s installations lighting up Margaret Island while the Christmas Light Tram spreads holiday cheer throughout the city. From Budapest, visitors can also take a day trip to the town of Szentendre to visit the Hubay House. The Hubay House, also known as the Museum of Christmas, is home to the largest collection of Christmas Ornaments in the world, boasting a collection of over 5000 ornaments that date anywhere from Austro-Hungarian times to today.