Here’s where you can welcome the New Year with a centuries-old whip-cracking ritual in Hungary!

As the clock ticks towards midnight on New Year’s Eve, fireworks and parties dominate much of the world. In Hungary, however, the arrival of the new year is also marked by a far older and louder tradition: szilveszteri csergetés, a spectacular whip-cracking ritual rooted in centuries-old pastoral customs.

Chasing away the old year with noise

Csergetés is essentially a noise-making procession held on the last day of the year. Participants crack long whips, ring bells and march through town centres, creating an ear-splitting spectacle meant to bid farewell to the old year while welcoming abundance, luck and protection in the new one. According to folk belief, the thunderous sound drives away evil forces, misfortune and hardship before the year turns.

The custom originates in Hungary’s shepherd traditions, where noise-making rituals were closely linked to protection, fertility and prosperity, according to Lelépő. Over time, csergetés became a symbolic farewell to the old year itself, blending practical folk beliefs with communal celebration.

A tradition under threat, but still alive

This unique custom is disappearing from many parts of the country. Modern celebrations and fireworks have replaced traditional rituals in numerous towns. Nevertheless, csergetés is still very much alive in several Hungarian settlements, where locals continue to pass the tradition down through generations.

According to the latest information, visitors can still witness New Year’s Eve whip-cracking this year in places including Hajdúszoboszló, Balástya, Dunapataj, Cegléd, Feldebrő, Vácrátót, Kondoros, Dunaszentgyörgy, Békéscsaba, Nézsa, Madocsa and Szalkszentmárton. In these towns, the sharp cracks of whips echo across main squares and communities gather to say goodbye to the old year in a truly Hungarian way.

Hajdúszoboszló: the heart of csergetés

Among all these locations, Hajdúszoboszló stands out as one of the most famous and best-documented centres of the tradition. Here, the New Year’s Eve csergetés is considered the town’s oldest living custom, preserved continuously for centuries and officially recognised as part of the local cultural heritage.