Christmas markets of Budapest in detail: St. Stephen’s Basilica – PHOTOS

Christmas time is in the air, and people are getting ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to spend the holidays with their loved ones. Budapest would not be in the real Christmas spirit without its famous and beautiful holiday markets. In this article, we would like to show you in detail what you can see and do when you visit the Christmas market in front of the St. Stephen’s Basilica. 

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The Christmas market on St Stephen’s Square is right in front of the beautiful St Stephen’s Basilica which is one of the tallest buildings on the Pest side of Budapest, and one of the biggest churches in Hungary. The first Advent Fair in front of the basilica was held in 2011, organised by the National Association of Folk Artists.

Photo: www.facebook.com/csodasmagyarorszag

It is also is one of the favourite Christmas markets in Hungary and one of the three top Christmas markets in Europe. The organisers of this market work hard every year to make sure that the Christmas spirit sparkles in front of Budapest’s iconic St. Stephen’s Basilica.

Photo: www.facebook.com/BudapestChristmas

Entering the giant Advent gate, you will find yourself among a hundred handcrafts stalls, and a sizeable skating rink set up on the square in the heart of the market. The Christmas market welcomes everyone with handcrafted gifts and Hungarian and international foods such as the local favourite, “flódni,” and the famous Hungaricum, the chimney cake.

Photo: www.facebook.com/csodasmagyarorszag

The assortment includes leather products, jewellery, gloves, toys, Christmassy trinkets and all things merry, but special surprises such as miniature handmade doll’s houses also feature. Stallholders can tell you more about each item – sometimes its producer might be there, too.

Photo: MTI/Mónus Márton

The market also offers ice skating for children in a central rink that surrounds a towering Christmas tree. The free ice rink is for under-14s only, and there’s no charge for skate rental. At weekends, friendly instructors help little ones learn how to slide and glide on the ice, also for free.

Photo: Budapest Basilica Christmas Market

An important factor is that the Advent Feast at the Basilica is held with a community spirit in mind: guests can enjoy charity-boosting concerts, and to preserve the environment, food vendors will use eco-friendly cups, plates, and cutlery, while waste will be recycled.

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Source: Daily News Hungary