Advent Bazilika, Budapest's Christmas under a light show.

Budapest turns the square in front of St Stephen's Basilica into its most photographed Christmas market. The stalls fill Szent István tér, and every evening the basilica's façade is the screen.

Dates and show

The official website gives 13 November as the opening and 1 January 2027 as the closing. Every evening, from 17:30, a painting of light is projected on the basilica's façade; on some days there is a concert beforehand, at 17:00. The website refers to a separate page for the stall opening times, which we could not see; confirm them there.

Other markets in the centre

The Vörösmarty tér market, with craft stalls and Hungarian food, is advertised in guides from 13 November until the end of the year, but its dates and hours were not confirmed by an official source when we checked. The same goes for Óbuda and other smaller markets: ask or check before you go.

What to try and how to get there

Hungarian market food is the reason to go hungry: kürtőskalács (chimney cake), lángos and mulled wine are the most typical. The square is in the heart of Pest, a short walk from the Danube bank and from the Parliament. If you are going to the baths, leave the afternoon for the market: after a day of hot water, mulled wine goes down very well.

Getting there and how long to allow

Szent István tér is in Pest, in the 5th district, a few minutes' walk from the Danube bank and the Parliament. You get there by metro to Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út or Arany János utca station and walk a little. Allow an hour and a half at the stalls and the projection, and leave the rest for the thermal baths, which in winter are one of the city's great plans.

When to go

As the light show is the most popular thing, the square fills up from 17:00, especially at weekends. On weekdays you can walk around at a calmer pace.