Join a high-spirited celebration of pálinka – Hungary's traditional potent potable, made from myriad fruits – at this weekend's Budapest Pálinka Festival, returning this year for the tenth time with a bigger venue and more exhibitors. The country's Pálinka of the Year will again premiere at this event happening in downtown Városháza Park near Deák Square between May 7th and 10th. The festival will not only provide special drinks, but special dishes as well.
Come together for a few (or more) shots of pálinka for the annual Pálinka Festival in Városháza Park near Deák Square, beginning on Thursday, May 7th and stretching through the weekend. The fruit of 2015 is the apple: the liquors and dishes prepared with it will definitely make your visit to the event worthwhile, and you can get to taste the Apple Pálinka of the Year here for the first time ever. On top of all that, there will be plenty of exciting exhibitors.
Of course, festivalgoers have to be careful about how they handle the drinking: one of the essentials is to keep your belly lined with food throughout it all. Fortunately, this
won't be a tricky feat at all: Budapest's gastronomical offers will be duly represented at he event, including the Aqua Bistro, the Hachapuri Georgian Restaurant, and Kolbice; plus, chimney cake, Mangalica-pork specialities, breads, pálinka cakes,
and cheeses from Nagykőrös will also make an appearance (or disappearance in someone's belly).
To help keep service up to speed, the festival's official payment device will be the Hellopay card; guests can acquire the card in exchange for a deposit fee of 500 forints
at the dedicated top-up points or from
any pálinka exhibitor. The system is similar to that of the Sziget Festival. This way, queues are shorter and there is no fumbling with change.
Another important thing to remember is that the pálinka shots you buy are poured only into the provided tasting glasses, which are
available from the exhibitors at a price of 800 HUF. You can of course take it home afterwards. The drinking will be all the merrier thanks to various performers, like jazz bands, street musicians, and electroswing DJs. Entry to the festival is free.
