Budapest Christmas Markets 2026/27: Dates (Nov 13 to Jan 1) and Fares

Name: Budapest Christmas Markets 2026/27
Start: 2026-11-13
End: 2027-01-01
Location: Budapest, Hungary

When is Budapest Christmas Markets 2026/27?

Budapest Christmas Markets 2026/27 runs November 13 to January 1, 2027.

2026/27November 13 to January 1, 2027Confirmed

2027/28November 12 to January 1, 2028By the calendar

How the dates are set: Both main markets open together in mid-November, on a Friday, and run to the end of the year.

See every event in November 2026

Source: budapestbylocals.com

Budapest Christmas Markets schedule

Friday, November 13, 2026: Both main markets open: Vörösmarty Square runs through December 31, 2026, and Advent Bazilika at St. Stephen's Basilica runs through January 1, 2027.
Basilica market hours: Monday to Thursday 11 am to 10 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday 11 am to 10 pm. The schedule changes on holidays.
Vörösmarty Square hours: Monday to Thursday 11 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am to 10 pm, Sunday 11 am to 9 pm. Limited schedule on holidays.
December 6: Hungarian children welcome Santa (Mikulás), and he has visited the Basilica market on that day in previous years.
December 24: Vörösmarty Square closes at 2:00 PM on Christmas Eve.
January 1, 2027: Closing day at the Basilica market, open from 11:00 to 18:00. Eating lentils on the first day of the year is a tradition said to bring money.

Sources: livelikeitstheweekend.com, budapestbylocals.com, adventurouskate.com

Getting to Budapest Christmas Markets

The Basilica market is at Szent István tér and Zrínyi utca. Deák F. tér station on the M1, M2 and M3 lines is a 650 to 700 m walk (5 to 6 minutes).
St. Stephen's Square is a short walk, 800 m or 10 minutes, from Vörösmarty Square, so you can combine the two markets.
The Budapest Card gives unlimited public transportation, free entry to many attractions and discounts. You can get a card for 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours.

Sources: budapestbylocals.com, adventurouskate.com

Where to stay in Budapest

Stay within walking distance of the top markets. A good rule of thumb is the east side of the river close to the Chain Bridge, since many of the best markets are close together.

Source: livelikeitstheweekend.com

Tickets and cost

Entry to the Christmas market by the Basilica is free.

Source: budapestbylocals.com

Budapest Christmas Markets: questions people ask

When do the Budapest Christmas markets start in 2026?

Budapest's two main markets, Vörösmarty Square and Advent Bazilika, open on November 13, 2026.

Are the Budapest Christmas markets open on New Year's Day?

The Basilica market runs through January 1, 2027, while Vörösmarty Square closes after December 31, 2026.

Is the Budapest Christmas market free?

Yes, entry to the market by the Basilica is free.

What is the best time to visit the Budapest Christmas markets?

Early December is the sweet spot when all the markets are open. Go in the evening when everything is lit up, and on a weekday if you can to avoid crowds.

How far apart are the two main Budapest Christmas markets?

They are about 800 meters apart, a 10-minute walk, so you can visit both in one evening.

Sources: adventurouskate.com, livelikeitstheweekend.com, budapestbylocals.com

About Budapest Christmas Markets

Two big markets in central Pest, Vörösmarty Square and the Basilica, that stay open through New Year.

Budapest's two main Christmas markets open in mid-November: Vörösmarty Square, the oldest and most visited, and Advent Bazilika in front of St. Stephen's Basilica, with its light shows. They are about 800 meters apart, so you can see both in one evening. Unlike most German markets, the big ones stay open through New Year's. Weekday evenings are quieter.

Know before you go

Vörösmarty's craft vendors wrap up on December 28 as the square transitions to its New Year's Eve celebrations.
Public restrooms near the markets may require a small fee, so carry some forint coins.
Deák F. tér metro station (lines M1, M2, M3) is a 5 to 6 minute walk from the Basilica market.

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