Hungary is truly the land of cultural experiences. The people of Hungary have a lot of great traditions and they love to celebrate their festivals in a grand way, and every month has some great festivals celebrated in the country, so there’s not really any wrong time to visit Hungary. From folk festivals, religious festivals and even cultural festival, you can experience it all on your visit to this wonderful country. If you are planning a holiday and want to explore the real culture of Hungary, we have prepared a list of the ten most popular festivals in Hungary from all categories that you definitely don’t want to miss out on during your vacation!
10 Most Popular Hungarian Festivals
Make sure you plan your trip around these amazing festivals that define the vibrant culture and history of Hungary. Which one would you like to witness first?
- Balaton Festival
- Hollókő Easter Festival
- Busójárás
- Ozora Festival
- Summerfest International Folklore Festival
- Sziget Festival
- Budapest Festival Of Folk Arts
- Romantic Reform Era
- Paprika Festival
- Badacsony Wine Weeks
- Tihany Lavender Festival
1. Balaton Festival
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Europe is known for hosting some of the top music festivals in the world, and these festivals see thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. One of the biggest festivals, the Balaton festival, is hosted right in Hungary, and it happens every year during the months of June or July. The festival has performances from some of the top music artists and DJs in the world, from genres such as EDM, electronic music, pop, rock, hip-hop and more, and in recent years, artists like Alesso, Axwell, The Chainsmokers and more have performed their music at the stages of this festival.
Additional info: Reserve your tickets in advance. The tickets can be purchased online.Location: Zamárdi, HungaryBalaton Festival Dates: 29 June – 2 July 2022
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2. Hollókő Easter Festival
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If you are fortunate enough to visit Hungary during Easter season, in the month of April, make sure you witness the celebrations of the Easter Festival in Hollókő. It is one of the oldest traditional country festivals celebrated in the nation, and the people of the village gather together and celebrate the festival with a variety of folk art performances, such as folk singing, dancing, as well as some displays of the festive arts and crafts made by the local people. You will truly get to experience the Hungarian heritage at this festival as people dress up in traditional attire and participate in traditional games while enjoying delicious food.
Additional information: The festival is suitable for children.Location: Hollókő, HungaryHollókő Festival Dates: Easter Weekend 2022
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3. Busójárás
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Perhaps one of the most traditional Hungarian festivals, the festival of Busójárás takes place in February every year and the celebration is in honor of welcoming the carnival season, and also to bid farewell to winter and welcome the spring season in Hungary, As per tradition, the Hungarian men wear frightening masks and travel throughout the town, while indulging in Palinka, the local favorite alcoholic drink. What was once a festival celebrated solely by the people of Šokci, has gained immense popularity over the years and now almost every part of Hungary takes part in the celebrations.
Additional information: Palinka is an alcoholic fruit beverage.Location: Mohács, Baranya county, HungaryBusójárás Festival Dates: 24th Feb 2022 – 1st March 2022
3. Ozora Festival
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An annual festival held in an estate in the town of Ozora, this is one of the top psychedelic trance arts and music festivals in Hungary that attracts a lot of tourists every year, because of how unique it is. Being one of the largest psychedelic trance festivals in the world, it has an annual turnout of over 60,000 people, and if often compared to Tomorrowland, a leading music festival that is held in Europe every year. Artists like Ace Ventura, Earthlings, Braincell, Tristan and other leading trance artists. If you enjoy the genre and find yourself in Hungary during the months of July and August, do not miss out on this once in a lifetime experience.
Additional information: Tickets are available for purchase in advance online.Location: Ozora, HungaryOzora Festival Dates: August 1, 2022 – August 7, 2022
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4. Summerfest International Folklore Festival
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This is a festival that was established in 1987 and is a small event held to honor the various talents from around the world. Participants from different countries come together to showcase their skills and crafts. The festival takes place during the latter half of the year and is organized simultaneously in different parts of the country. The closing ceremony features a boat parade, accompanied by singing and dancing performers, to mark the successful completion of the festival. Artistic performances include dance, music, theater arts, and various other art forms and handicrafts.
Location: Ráckeve, Tököl, and Százhalombatta in Hungary.Summerfest International Folklore Festival Dates: August 12 – August 22, 2022
5. Sziget Festival
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Known as the “Island Festival” in English, Sziget festival in Hungary is another popular music event in the country. It features renowned artists from various genres who ignite the stage during the week-long festival of excitement and revelry. Budapest experiences a surge in tourism during this time, as fans from all over the world come to witness their favorite artists perform live. Even if you are not a music enthusiast, the festival’s vibrant energy is contagious and guarantees an enjoyable experience!
Additional information: Secure your tickets ahead of time. Online purchase is available.Location: Budapest, HungarySziget Festival Dates: August 10 – August 15, 2022
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6. Budapest Celebration Of Traditional Arts
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This celebration, which occurs yearly in August, is organized to honor the local folk talent of the Hungarian people and features participants from all over the country, including a few international guest appearances, demonstrating their crafts. In addition to these performances, there are also numerous workshops for artistic and craft activities held at the celebration, as well as several food stalls offering delicious snacks and the beloved local drink known as palinka. This presents a splendid opportunity to acquaint oneself with the folk arts of native Hungarians and is definitely an event that shouldn’t be missed!
Location: Budapest, HungaryDates of Budapest Celebration of Traditional Arts: August 18, 2022 – August 21, 2022
7. Romantic Reform Era
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Ever desired to journey back in time and witness the lifestyle of Europeans in the 19th century? The 19th century marks the period when Hungary truly discovered its identity as a nation, and the festivals commemorate and celebrate various aspects of traditional Hungarian culture such as clothing, cuisine, music, and art. Indulge in dining and imbibing like the aristocracy of the 19th century at the Romantic Reform Era, one of Hungary’s most distinctive holidays and festivals.
Location: Balatonfüred, Vesprém county, HungaryDates of Romantic Reform Era Festival: Dates to be announced. Typically held in September.
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8. Paprika Festival
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People from Hungary definitely have a great affinity for their Paprika. In fact, they adore it to such an extent that they have dedicated an entire festival to celebrate it! The deep affection for Paprika, along with their love for traditional folklore and the intention to safeguard it, the festival pays tribute to the customary art forms and commemorates the spice through enjoyable activities like cooking competitions, Paprika and wine tastings, and much more. This is truly a delightful festival with a multitude of thrilling events and delectable cuisine, and if you happen to be in the vicinity, be sure to participate in the exuberant festivities.
Location: Kalocsa, Bács-Kiskun county, HungaryDates of the Paprika Festival: (Dates yet to be announced) May 2022
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9. Badacsony Wine Weeks
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Lake Balaton is renowned for its wine, and every year, a two-week-long festival is organized to celebrate the diverse flavors of the wine and to honor the local talents. The festivities include numerous wine tastings, informative tours of the vineyards, cultural performances of songs and dances, and other thrilling activities.
Location: Badacsony, Lake Balaton, HungaryDates of the Badacsony Wine Weeks Festival: Dates to be announced. Usually takes place in July.
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10. Tihany Lavender Festival
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Concluding the list on a delightful note, the Lavender festival in Hungary takes place amidst the scenic landscape of lavender fields and is held in honor of the blossoming of this exquisite flower. It is a magical time when the fragrance of the flower permeates the air and the lush fields are enveloped in a stunning shade of purple all around. As part of the celebrations, there is a flower exhibition and a celebration of traditional art as well.
Location: Tihany, Lake Balaton, HungaryDates of the Badacsony Wine Weeks Festival: June. Dates to be announced.
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With a plethora of magnificent festivals in Hungary to rejoice in, there is no reason not to embark on a journey to Hungary. Immersing oneself in these jubilant celebrations will provide an intimate and personal experience of the vibrant culture of this splendid country. Discover the finest available travel tours and packages, and commence your incredible vacation!
