As the centrepiece of Christmas markets in Budapest, Vorosmarty Square comes alive during the festive season showcasing the best of the city’s festive cheer and rich cultural heritage. The square transforms into a magical wonderland adorned with twinkling lights, charming wooden stalls and the sweet aroma of traditional Hungarian delicacies.

 Local artisans showcase their craftsmanship offering a delightful array of handcrafted gifts, ornaments and souvenirs, perfect for gift giving. The festive market is also a culinary delight with vendors tempting visitors with hot mulled wine, savoury Hungarian dishes and the iconic chimney cake (kürtőskalács), a sweet and doughy delight.

The Gerbeaud Café, a historic Budapest landmark, hosts an impressive Advent calendar display on its façade, with a new window opening each day in December, adding to the market’s festive charm. To top off the festive celebration in Vorosmarty Square, live performances, choirs and folklore shows add to the seasonal atmosphere. The epitome of Christmas markets in Budapest, the Budapest Christmas Fair and Winter Festival at Vorosmarty Square is a vibrant extravaganza radiating with the spirit of the season.

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Set against the magnificent backdrop of St. Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest hosts another Christmas market that is full of festive charm and grandeur embodying the spirit of the season in the heart of Hungary’s capital. The square is the very definition of yuletide scenery with sparkling lights, a towering Christmas tree and a picturesque ice rink bringing wonder and merriment to the city centre.

The Christmas Markets in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica feature numerous stalls, where vendors offer a variety of holiday gifts, handicrafts, and delicious seasonal treats. The aroma of sizzling sausages, chimney cakes and mulled wine fills the air with flavours of the season.

As day turns into night, the markets truly come to life. The basilica’s façade is illuminated with a spectacular light show, with vibrant colors and holiday-themed designs dancing across the grand structure. Live performances and concerts add to the festive atmosphere and make it a hub of holiday entertainment.

Nestled along the majestic Andrássy Avenue, Budapest’s Fashion Street transforms into a quaint Christmas market during the holidays. What makes this market unique is its elegant location surrounded by the city’s high-end shops, restaurants, and theatres. It is worth noting that this Christmas market cuts through Vörösmarty Square so you can essentially do 2 markets in 1.

Adorned with festive lights and decorations, Fashion Street transforms into a glamorous winter wonderland. Boutique stalls offer an array of luxurious gifts, fashion accessories and designer items for those in search of a touch of elegance in their holiday shopping. You can also enjoy gourmet food, quality wine and traditional Hungarian sweets whilst immersed in the joyful atmosphere with carol singers and live performances adding to the festive vibe. For an alternative and upmarket Christmas market in Budapest, head to Fashion Street.

Erzsébet Square, also known as Elizabeth Square is a thriving hub of activity in Budapest, with something exciting always happening. It is in close proximity to the Vorosmarty Square Christmas Market and features it’s own smaller version of Christmas market.

A towering Ferris wheel known as the ‘Budapest eye’ offers a breathtaking view of the market and the illuminated city below. The square comes alive at night with numerous food trucks and outdoor bars offering a variety of delicious street food and drinks.

The City Park’s lake (Városliget) is transformed into an enchanting open-air ice skating rink during winter. This 22,500 square foot outdoor ice skating rink, one of the largest in Europe, has a rich history dating back to the 19th century and is a cherished part of Budapest’s Christmas traditions.

Skating on the ice is not the only attraction; nearby there are Christmas markets, where stalls offer a wide variety of food and drink, including traditional Hungarian dishes and seasonal treats. You can savor warm mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, and other comfort foods, creating a perfect atmosphere to take a break from skating and enjoy the culinary delights of the season.

Whilst not a Christmas market, Budapest Christmas Streetcar is worth a mention. One of the best things to do in Budapest over the festive season, Budapest Christmas Streetcar takes a scenic route through the city every December taking in the Christmas lights and stopping by Christmas markets in Budapest, Hungary.

Whilst several trams are decorated for Christmas, the traditional tram, Streetcar 2, is decorated the most spectacularly, adorned in thousands of twinkling lights and adding to the festive sights of the city. In addition to its daily route, Streetcar 2 offers special Night Light rides on select dates in the run-up to Christmas, departing at 9pm and taking in the yuletide landscape of the scenery by the dark of night.