SEPTEMBER EVENTS

• Every month MAV Railtours has Steam or Nostolgia or luxury trains to
  various destinations from Budapest. 20th. Kadarka Express 27th.
  Semmering Express 27th. Steam trip to the Danube Bend
  https://www.mavrailtours.hu/hu/travels/2025

• 29 - 31 August Jazz Festival https://mupa.hu/en/events/jazztime-2025

• 7 thru 18 Jewish Cultural Festival This is good, very good
  https://www.zsidokulturalisfesztival.hu/programok-2025

• 27 Wine Lovers Top
  100 Wine tasting event at the Corninthia Hotel (always good)
  https://wineloversrendezvenyek.hu

• 27 – 29, OktoberFest Budapest
  https://www.budapestbylocals.com/oktoberfest-budapest/ (thank you
  CWsocial)

• 11 – 14 Budapest Wine Festival at the Castle (really, really
  good) https://aborfesztival.hu/en

• 18 through 21 (last years date) Corvin Beer Festival.

OCTOBER EVENTS

• 4 – 6, 10 -13 OktoberFest Budapest
  https://www.budapestbylocals.com/oktoberfest-budapest/ (thank you
  CWsocial)

• 11 - 12 Etyeki piknik https://etyekipiknik.hu/en/#programok (excellent)

• 16-19 Art Market / Fair https://amb.hu/hu/

• Nemzeti Vágta (National Gallop) is Oct. 4-5 in Szilvásvárad,: https://vagta.hu/

• Revolution Day. Oct 23rd National Holiday. Things going on all over
  town.

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER HOLIDAY SEASON EVENTS

• Christmas Markets. The big ones should be open by 15 November. Here
  is good information on the markets from last year:
  https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/hungary/the-christmas-markets-open-soon-in-budapest

• Here is a list of things that are open 24, 25 and 26 December. https://budapestchristmas.com/opening-hours

JANUARY 2026

• Budapest Circus Festival with acts from all over the world: date yet to be announced.

I will be there in October but no definitive dates yet.

Last year the horse race in Hero’s Square wasn’t in Budapest. I didn’t look at the website to,see about this year. But I’d go again!

oh wow, and there I was torn between Budapest in October last year, or April this year. For October, the big draw for me was the horse races that TexasTravelMom described in a past trip report. And in April, the car show. April won out when I had other plans come up last October.

Here is what you will miss in October

Great video!

In your experience, have there been times, in addition to what TexasTravelMom mentioned, that they don't have the horse races in Hero's Square?

ok, thank you, good to know!

So far, but its early, I am aware of TWO RS tourists coming in July. THREE in August. TWO in September, ONE in October and ONE in December .... so far..... Then there was an equal number who were somewhat “confidential” with their travel dates.

Those that want to have the chance to meet up with another RS individual/couple/group can list here and maybe get a response. But I won’t put the names up for their privacy.

Sziget Festival looks like they have a good lineup this year such as Charlie XCX, Nelly Furtado, Post Malone and Chappel Roan. I'm staying in Buda a bit north of the castle district and hope to walk up and attend for one day, maybe the 6th when Charlie XCX performs. I hope the recent controversial legislative vote doesn't spur any boycotts, etc. There are also some major film and TV productions going on in the city this year (lured by the economic incentives) , but so far it seems like a backlash hasn't occurred.

It's one of the largest outdoor music festivals in Europe. If I were younger ....... oh well...

The filming goes on continuously. They are on Andrassy ut at least once a month. A while back all signs around the Parliament turned to Russian and there was a very real looking mobile ICBM launcher parked on the street. And yours truly didn't seea barricade once and may have ended up in a zombie movie .... no idea which one.

https://www.imdb.com/search/title/?locations=budapest,%20hungary

The protests, a way of life but there are some interesting political winds brewing, but can imagine it having any impact on tourism or the economy in a big way.

We arrive Sunday 24th Aug, so looks like we will miss some of those activities. I'm sure that there will be enough to keep us busy prior to our river cruise anyway.
Any tips on "overview city walking tours"? No need to be private ones.

We have taken your advice Mr E staying close to the Opera House, so looking forward to thanking you for your tips.

Thanks,

Lynn

Lynn, of course. Looking forward.

I'll be there the second week of October (Oct 6-11), and my flight from Bucharest is booked!

And you know what happens that week?

We will be there September 24 to 29. Looking forward to visiting!

And you know what happens that week?

Well, I've looked through events and saw some interesting things, but now I'm all agog. What's happening that week? Or are you talking about Oktoberfest? I think I will be able to have one day of beer and brats. :-) I do need to make it back there in September sometime. Those wine festivals look pretty darned awesome!

We will be there October 19-23. First time in Budapest after my daughter, my oldest friend, and my late mother-in-law all visited and lived it. We are really looking forward to our visit. Good to know about the holiday on October 23 as we need to catch our flight to Amsterdam that day. We will leave more time and try to get a late afternoon flight so we can enjoy some of the celebrations.

Hey, do you know the Oktoberfest schedule for this year? The one linked above (from Budapest by Locals) is from 2024, and I have not been able to find a schedule yet for this year.

Mardee, still dont see dates for the Oktoberfest. But I am watching. But it will be probably be starting on the same day of the week as last year. So i am guessing the 3rd and 9th.

Thanks, Mr E—it would be fun to visit one of the venues when I'm there. I do love a good beer and sausage. :-)

Reply for Lynn H:
We enjoyed our Guruwalks "free" tour (you tip rather than set fee). There are several different versions. We chose "best of Budapest" - it was about 2 hours, about 15-20 people. Guide was excellent, a native Hungarian. Here's the link:
https://www.guruwalk.com/budapest

A list of ideas for August: https://r.explorers.bud.hu/mk/mr/sh/WCPxRrNLV1LtwtkfLVO64txwK7IeaETO/hFyUMYHHcNxN All pretty good actually. You might find me in Etyek or Szentendre. Both fun.

I am excited. I just decided to go to Budapest in late October. Leaving around the 21st. I'm just starting my research and saw this thread. When I solidify plans I'll report back. I'm open to any advice on best airlines (from Philadelphia or Newark) and any place to stay. Thank for all your help.

You won't be alone. A few other RS types will also be in in town. Welcome, let thr forum know if tgey can help.