Budapest Christmas Market

Every December in the capital city of Hungary, you can head to Vorosmarty Square in Budapest to enjoy the Budapest Christmas Market. There, you will enjoy some of the finest markets where locals and visitors can buy all types of folk arts and crafts items. In addition to the mounds of shopping, there is also a calendar of exciting events, exhibitions, and all sorts of entertainment.

This seasonal event is something that the people of Hungary look forward to each year. The town square fills with the sights and sounds of Christmas with shopkeepers operating stalls decked out in holiday cheer. These stalls overflow with fresh baked goods, sweets, local specialties, toys, handmade crafts, lace, hand blown glass ornaments, nutcrackers, and more. However, the aroma of spiced cookies, roasted chestnuts, evergreen, and mulled wine is what you will remember most.

Christmas market in Budapest and other European cities have a long-standing tradition. Usually, this type of event is held somewhere around the town’s principal church as a means of attracting churchgoers as they come and go from services. During the cold winter months, the Christmas Market created cheer with its bright colors, activity, and wonderful craft and food items. During the 17th century, one particular priest in Nurnberg complained that his service was cancelled on Christmas Eve since everyone was out buying gifts.

As the years passed, the Christmas Market grew into something distinct and wonderful. As an example, in Cologne, seven different Christmas Markets are held. However, the one at the Cologne Cathedral is by far the most magnificent because of the incredible surroundings. However, the market held at Alter Market is more idyllic, designed with timbered stalls that are connected around the Cologne City Hall.

Keep in mind that only local merchants and traders are allowed to sell things at the Budapest Christmas Market, or any Christmas Market for that matter. Because of this, you get to experience distinct cultures and specialties of each European city. In this case, the Christmas Market in Linz is famous for Austrian candles, jewelry, glass engravings, wood ornaments, and woodcarvings, the market in Vienna is decorated with beautiful trees in the square, and in Nurnberg, gold-foiled angels, prune men, and gingerbread are what everyone goes to buy.

When in Budapest around Christmas, visiting the Christmas Market is something you do not want to miss. The season is alive with a fairytale atmosphere as everyone bustles around to find that special something for a loved one. The one thing you cannot take away from Budapest is that this city knows how to celebrate yuletide. This magical, winter wonderland has so much to offer all year but the Christmas Market is definitely a highlight.


Last Updated: 10/19/2006 3:14:00 PM

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