Renowned Budapest Christmas markets are about to open their doors: prices, useful infos

For years, the Advent Basilica and Vörösmarty Square have been the most popular Christmas markets in Budapest, attracting large crowds of both tourists and locals. Each location offers its own unique atmosphere: the Basilica regularly features light projections and an ice rink, while Vörösmarty Square’s charm lies in its proximity to the Budapest Eye, the Danube riverside, and the bustling Váci Street. This year, visitors can look forward to reasonably priced dishes, although gift items and other treats are expected to cost more.

Affordable goods – only for tourists

High prices do not bother everyone. For foreign tourists, a HUF 2,000–2,500 (EUR 5.20–6.52) fried dough snack, a HUF 5,500 (EUR 14.35) hotdog, or a HUF 2,600 (EUR 6.78) shot of pálinka might seem acceptable. However, for Hungarian visitors, these prices can feel surprisingly steep. This likely explains why these Christmas markets cater more to well-off visitors rather than locals, offering souvenirs and samples of Hungarian culinary delights to international shoppers.

According to Népszava, the 15th-anniversary Advent Basilica market will feature over 100 vendors, while the Classic Xmas Market in Vörösmarty Square will have more than 70. Free mini-train rides, cultural programmes, and concerts will take place at Vörösmarty Square, while the Basilica will offer festive light displays. Neither site will be without a Christmas tree or nativity scene.

Special offers will be available

Good news for locals: a fixed-price menu will be offered at HUF 1,600 (EUR 4.17), with additional themed dishes priced between HUF 2,000 and 2,500, according to the AVB media team organising the event.

This is a welcome change for domestic visitors who last year faced steep prices. At that time, plain fried dough near St Stephen’s Basilica cost HUF 2,000, while a basic hotdog was HUF 5,500. Stew served in bread was HUF 7,300 (EUR 19), mulled wine HUF 1,450 (EUR 3.78), and draught beer HUF 1,500 (EUR 3.91). Prices at Vörösmarty Square were even higher: HUF 2,300 for fried dough, HUF 2,500 for roasted chestnuts, HUF 7,500 for roast duck with red cabbage, and brandy at HUF 2,600.

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Politics surrounding the Christmas markets

Both markets have been organised for several years by AVB Event Management Ltd, owned by Tibor Krskó. According to Népszava, Krskó, together with Csaba Csetényi—who was a neighbour of government propaganda minister Antal Rogán while the latter was mayor of Budapest’s 5th district—secured billion-forint state media contracts.

AVB has managed the Advent Basilica market for 15 years, since 2010—coinciding with Viktor Orbán’s two-thirds parliamentary majority—while the Vörösmarty Square market came under their control only in 2022. That year, the government took control of Vörösmarty Square from the capital and transferred the rights for 99 years to the Fidesz-led district council, which in turn appointed AVB to organise the market.

Since 2021, AVB’s annual revenue has soared from HUF 273 million to HUF 1.33 billion last year. The 5th district council praises the company for ambitiously fulfilling many municipal tasks and, as a result, granted a substantial discount on public space usage fees—90% two years ago, 80% last year, and, according to Népszava’s estimates, around 80% this year.

Both the Vörösmarty Square and Advent Basilica markets will open on Friday, 14 November.

Read also:

• 5 breathtaking Hungarian Christmas markets beyond Budapest
• Budapest named the 5th most beautiful Christmas market in Europe

Click for more articles concerning Christmas in Hungary.

Featured image: Advent Bazilika