In Hungary, bountiful feasts centered on goose dishes are served as a highlight of the harvest season every November 11 – the day to honor St. Martin of Tours, born within this nation’s boundaries in 316 AD – and many gluttonous holiday gatherings welcome everyone across Budapest during this time of year. From grand festivals to a romantic dinner aboard a vintage train to diverse restaurants presenting special meals that showcase goose delicacies, here are some of the city’s most enticing events of this delightful occasion.
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St. Martin’s Day Wine Festival
Amid the classic elegance of Budapest’s riverfront Danubius Hotel Gellért, this fun gastronomical gathering welcomes some 100 wineries to share unlimited sips of good libations, served alongside varied goose dishes and other epicurean edibles during November 7-9. Special programs include after-parties with live concerts and DJs in the adjacent Gellért Bath entry hall, a “Gourmet Suite” featuring exclusive dinners hosted by wine experts and the Gellért’s head chef, and a Sunday brunch focused on goose specialties – check out www.borfesztivalgellert.hu/en for complete details.
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St. Martin’s Day Hungarikum Festival
For traditional Magyar-made foods, drinks, and handicrafts, there is no better destination than this festival in the heart of Pest’s City Park, offering free entry during November 7-9 on the grounds of Vajdahunyad Castle. In addition to a farmer’s market featuring freshly produced goose delicacies along with regional artisanal eats like honey and cheese, this family-friendly hootenanny features live folk-music performances and children’s entertainment programs, while grown-ups will enjoy tasting fine Hungarian wines; see www.facebook.com/martonnap for more info.
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St. Martin New Wine and Goose Festival
Located a short journey north of Budapest at Szentendre’s Skanzen Museum – a recreated village of traditional Hungarian homes from bygone centuries, populated by volunteers going about everyday life of long ago while wearing historical outfits – this annual event allows visitors to witness rural rituals of St. Martin’s Day during November 8-9. Along with craft-making demonstrations and folk-dance performances, the event features wine-tasting opportunities and goose-based dishes prepared with old-fashioned cooking techniques; log onto www.skanzen.hu to learn more.
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Martin’s Day Candlelight Express
Celebrating the actual occasion of St. Martin’s Day on November 11, an intricately restored antique train takes passengers on a tasteful round-trip journey through time to feast on a sumptuous goose dinner amid the moving grace of rail travel’s golden age. Departing from Nyugati Station at 7pm, passengers begin the repast with a glass of sparkling wine before devouring delicacies like rosé goose with baked forest mushrooms and onion jam or stuffed goose with cabbage and noodles, and each dish is paired with quality Hungarian wine; see www.mavnosztalgia.hu for specifics.
