With Christmas shopping now in full swing, we’ve put together our selection of seasonal fairs where fairy lights and mulled wine still glow, but where everything’s done a little slower and in more alternative fashion to the bigger markets in the city centre.
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Czakó Christmas Market
An outdoor market is still the best way to fill your fridge with goods while also supporting local producers. Among the small-batch Budapest fairs, Czakó Market will be back with its magical Advent, Christmas atmosphere once again. Here you can find not only delicious snacks, but designer gifts for under the tree. In addition to ceramics, flowers, accessories and jewellery, a Christmas market is not a Christmas market without mulled wine and steamed dumplings. When: 18-19 December, 9am-4pm. Where: Czakó Kert
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Christmas Makers’ Market
At the Makers of Budapest Christmas fair, you can browse the designer goods and pick up one or two unique gifts at the very last moments as
Christmas approaches. This year, alternative cultural centre Turbina is where to find award-winning chocolate specialities, handmade booklets, calendars and ceramics. When: 21
December, 1pm-7pm. Where: Turbina Cultural Centre
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Gifts Terminal
Products inspired
by sustainability continue to play a key role in the offer of the design
fair this year. With the Recycled Design competition, the organisers of Gifts Terminal approached Hungarian designers taking a stand for recycling and environmental
awareness. On the ground floor of the Allee Mall, you can choose from more than 120
products this season. When: 28 November-24 December. Where: Allee Mall, 1117 Budapest, Oktöber 23-a utca 8-10
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Hello Piac Christmas market
Unique design creations, recycled products, natural cosmetics, DIY and vintage goods, clothes, bags, soaps, jewellery and all kinds of gadgets await at the Christmas version of Hello Market, where you can not only browse for gifts. In addition to the special treasures, there will also be craft workshops where you can make ceramic mosaics. The feeling of slowing down is guaranteed, as is the promotion of eco-conscious shopping, as environmentally friendly products and their Hungarian designers are brought to the fore. When: 12 December, 10am-5pm. Where: Akvárium Klub
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Kiskertpiac/ANKERmarket Green Festival
Friends, relatives, any urban gardeners with green fingers and lovers of natural design and gastronomy should find perfect presents at the ANKERmarket Green Festival. But even for a little relaxation and Christmas atmosphere, it’s worth going along to the MADHOUSE craft-beer bar in the city centre, and you can take the little ones with you. When: 19 December, 10am-4pm. Where: MADHOUSE, 1061 Budapest, Anker köz
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Pancs POP-UP Christmas market
Budapest's main producers’ market moves to Ferenc tér near the Corvin Quarter for the last Advent Sunday, where you can buy classic market fare from vegan producers, as well. It’s an ideal source for delicacies to place under the tree instead of bulkier presents. And, if you get hungry while you’re there, there’s pizza by the artisanal baking team of Szabi A Pék and divine Asian food by Zhu&Co. When: 19 December, 9am-2pm. Where: 1094 Budapest, Ferenc tér.
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Szentendre Craft & Gastro Market
If you are a little overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of the capital and want something different, it’s worth taking a trip to the little town of Szentendre, whose twisty-turny streets become even more magical during Advent. You can find handcrafted jewellery, cosmetics, small ornaments and sweets as well. Of course, traditional szaloncukor candy, chimney cake, mulled wine and bejgli cake will all be laid out. It can make a great weekend outing to combine the Christmas market with cosy walks among the cobbled streets and windows glistening with Advent lights. When: Until 10 January, Mon-Thur noon-8 pm, Fri-Sun 10am-9pm. Where: Szentendre (HÉV train from Batthyány tér)
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Újlipótváros Christmas Pop Up!
In recent years, Pozsonyi út has become more and more lively, both in terms of its culinary offerings and communal happenings for residents and visitors alike. Of course, Christmas preparations and Advent activities can’t be missed either, so the people behind Babka, the nearby Levantine eatery, took the opportunity to make their new outlet on Pozsonyi út festive. Everything here stimulates the senses: hot chocolate with tonka beans, chai plum dumplings and a pink punch served from a copper cauldron. There’s also pötyőke, a plum concoction only known to those who have spent a good few days on the Great Hungarian Plain, all of which should add to the festive atmosphere and give the authentic impression of a Christmas house party. When: until 2 January, daily noon-8pm. Where: 1137 Budapest, Pozsonyi út 20
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WAMP Christmas Market
The oldest one of its kind in Budapest, the WAMP Design Fair cannot be missed amid the hustle and bustle of
Christmas either. Here, you can look for the perfect gift to put under the tree
among the designer products by hundreds of Hungarian artists. There are
children's toys, clothes and accessories, all unique pieces, of course. What’s more, the venue is dog-friendly, so you can
take your pet on a Christmas tour as well. Please note, however, that the
event can only be visited with an immunity card. Admission is 500 forints, redeemable against your first purchase. When: until 19 December, 10am-6pm. Where: Bálna Budapest.
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Winter FoodFest
If you get hungry while gift-hunting in town and fancy something other than the standard market fare, perhaps a hot drink, too, try the Winter FoodFest on the winterised Fröccsterasz on Erzsébet tér in the city centre. The outstanding players on Budapest’s gastronomic scene have come together to create something lasting and new on the well-worn Christmas market front. Mazel Tov, Tereza, Smoke Riders, 101BISTRO and Chimney Cake have gathered their goodies and brought street food of restaurant quality to the stalls around the Fröccsterasz. When: until 3 January, Mon-Thur & Sun noon-10pm, Fri-Sat noon-midnight. Where: Fröccsterasz
