Hungary holidays and festivals embrace the contrasts of the country itself, from small village folk and religious celebrations dating back centuries to great international musical and cultural events featuring world-famous artists. Budapest has the most in the way of festivals, with Hungary’s spring and fall music festivals the most-loved.

• Busójárás: What was once a festival celebrated solely by the people of Šokci, has gained immense popularity over the years and now almost every region of Hungary takes part in the celebrations. Perhaps one of the most traditional Hungarian festivals, the festival of Busójárás takes place in February every year and the celebration is in honour of welcoming the carnival season, and also to send off the winter and welcome the spring season in Hungary. As per tradition, men of the village don scary-looking carved masks and parade through the streets, while there’s also plenty of pálinka and general revelry abound.
• Hollókő Easter Festival: Adhering to the Palóc way of life, the charming village of Hollókő in northern Hungary comes alive over the Easter weekend with a folk festival like no other. Celebrating Easter the traditional way, there are plenty of folk performances, arts and crafts are on show, and visitors can get a look into the unique customs and heritage of Easter in Hungary and – more specifically – in Palóc country.
• Sziget Festival: Translating to “Island Festival”, the Sziget festival in Hungary is one of the top music festivals in the country with the most popular artists from across different genres setting the stage on fire for a week-long festival of fun and madness! Budapest sees some of the highest numbers of tourists during this period, as fans of the artists travel from every part of the globe to catch their favourite artists live.
• Romantic Reform Era: Take a trip back in time to 19th century Hungary thanks to this festival held near Lake Balaton, celebrating the country’s Reform Era (1825 – 1848), during which the idea of a Hungarian national identity began to flourish. The 19th century is when Hungary, as a country, really found its identity, and the festival rejoices and celebrates the various aspects of traditional Hungarian culture such as clothes, food, music, and art. Dine and drink like the royalty of the 19th century at the Romantic Reform Era, one of the most unique holidays and festivals in Hungary.
• Paprika Festival: With its status as Hungary’s favourite spice, it’s no surprise that there’s an entire festival dedicated to paprika. The love for paprika, combined with the love for traditional folk art and the aim to preserve it, the festival honours the traditional forms of art and celebrates the spice using fun events like cooking competitions, paprika and wine tastings, and more.
• Budapest Festival of Folk Arts: Every year during mid-August, the grounds of Buda Castle become the venue for this popular folk art festival showcasing the best of Hungarian folk art from up and down the country. Craftsmen, performers and artists flock to the city to show off their talents, making it a great place to learn more about folk art in Hungary. Live music and dance performances are both available to be enjoyed as well as art workshops and traditional Hungarian cuisine, with drinks such as pálinka to wash it down.