Top 6 programme suggestions for November 2024 in Budapest
Cover: depositphotos
Looking for the best ways to experience Budapest this season? From festive traditions to modern music, the Hungarian capital has something for everyone. This guide covers the top six must-do activities in Budapest, blending cultural highlights with unique local experiences. Celebrate St. Martin’s Day with feasts and new wine, unwind in Budapest’s famed thermal spas, and enjoy a scenic boat cruise along the Danube. For music lovers, the city hosts a high-energy Sum 41 concert, while wine enthusiasts can indulge in a red wine competition showcasing the best of Hungarian vintages. Dive into Budapest’s vibrant offerings with these exciting November activities!
1. St. Martin’s Day celebrations
Picture: fenyoter.sopron.hu
When: November 11
Where: All over the country
St. Martin’s Day, or Márton-nap, is a delightful Hungarian celebration of the year’s new wine and seasonal feasts. Many restaurants and wine cellars in Budapest host special St. Martin’s Day dinners featuring traditional roasted goose, red cabbage, and stuffed cabbage rolls, paired with local wines. This is an ideal event for food and wine lovers looking to experience Hungarian culinary traditions. Vine and dine your way through the Hungarian Gastronomy on the 11th of November. Be sure to ask your restaurant weather there is a Matin’s Day special!
2. Thermal baths and spas
Photo: termalfurdok.hu
When: All year round
Where: Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Gellért Thermal Bath, Rudas Bath, Lukács Bath. Etc.
An all-time classic when it comes to things to do during late autumn and winter. As temperatures drop, Budapest’s thermal baths become a cozy retreat. The Széchenyi Thermal Bath, one of Europe’s largest medicinal baths, is a favorite, with outdoor pools, saunas, and indoor thermal pools. Gellért and Rudas Baths are also excellent options, offering historic architecture and therapeutic mineral waters. The Széchenyi Bath hosts night-time parties, known as “sparties,” on weekends, where guests can enjoy a unique mix of DJ music, lights, and the warm water. A real hotspot of the town! Be sure to visit at least one bath while you are visiting Budapest. Besides the restorative qualities, visiting the baths gives you insight into the everyday life and the bathing culture of Budapest.
3. Danube river cruise: A romantic night cruise on the Danube
Photo: Hranecz Attila – source: bringazas.hu
When: All year round
Where: Various docks in town
Budapest’s iconic buildings, like the Parliament, Buda Castle, and Chain Bridge, are stunningly illuminated at night. A river cruise on the Danube offers a unique vantage point to admire the city’s beauty and architectural grandeur.
Of course there are the regularly scheduled sightseeing programmes, but if you want to spend the evening in style, be sure to look for an atmospheric ambiance and perhaps a dinner option as well onboard. The most obvious choice would be Silverline Cruises, offering a variety of cruise types; including a fascinating 4-course dinner and a lively piano show accompanied by a mellow-voiced lady singer, giving visitors the most romantic way to experience Budapest’s nighttime allure. Book your programme here.
4. Sum 41 concert at Budapest Arena
Photo: hardrock.hu
When: November 12
Where: Budapest Aréna – 1143 Budapest, Stefánia Út 2.
The band announced that this will be the last year for them… Sum 41, the most successful pop-punk formation would disband after nearly 30 years. They will conclude their time making music together with an album released this spring and a world tour, which will also stop in Budapest on November 12. Hungarian fans will have the chance to bid them farewell at the Sport arena, with Neck Deep as the opening act as warm-up for the evening. Let’s wave goodbye to them, together! Be there or be square! :D
5. Red wine tasting – Bordeaux Grand Tasting
Picture: napidoktor.hu
When: November 30
Where: Corinthia hotel – 1073 Budapest, Erzsébet krt. 43-49
Bordeaux has given the world three famous blue grape varieties: cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and merlot, which have become popular in almost all wine regions globally. On November 30, at the largest tasting of Bordeaux reds, we can once again judge how magnificent Hungarian Bordeaux-style wines are. At the Bordói November Grand Tasting, more than 60 wineries will present 150 wines at the Corinthia Hotel, available for tasting. Be part of this delicious event, and vote for the best red!
6. Budapest Christmas Market at Vörösmarty Square
Photo: christmasmarketsineurope
When: Mid-November 2024 – January 1, 2025
Where: Vörösmarty Square
In this sped up world the preparations for Christmas can never start too early… Kick off the holiday season at one of Europe’s most enchanting Christmas markets! Starting in mid-November, Vörösmarty Square transforms into a festive wonderland, with traditional wooden stalls, twinkling lights, and a backdrop of Hungarian folk music. Visitors can enjoy delicious local treats like chimney cakes, lángos, mulled wine, and artisan pastries. Handmade crafts and unique gifts are also abundant here, making it a perfect place to shop for souvenirs and holiday gifts.
Budapest in November is a city filled with warmth, tradition, and creativity. From the cozy markets to elegant opera nights, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Make sure to pack warm layers, as the city’s crisp autumn air is part of the charm, especially when enjoying a glass of mulled wine in a festive market square! Be sure to check our blog next month as well, when we dive deep into the Chrismas vibe and bring you jolly programmes in Budapest.
