Both Budapest and the Hungarian countryside are full of festivals and events. Now, I collected a bunch of them.
The weather in January
The first month of the year is not exactly our favorite one. The holidays are over, work has begun, the sun rises late and it gets dark early, it is cold, the streets are mostly slushy and spring is still far away. In short, not many of us prefer January, so it’s worth looking for programs that revive our soul and provide refreshments on a gray weekday.
What is the average temperature in January?
Events in Budapest in January 2022
Transparent Sound New Music Festival
- Date of the event: January 5-18, 2022 (planned)
- Venue: 1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 8
- Paid
Organized for the eighth time this year, the aim of the two-week international symposium is to make the diversity of new music accessible and comprehensible to the general public.
With this in mind, apart from the many excellent concerts, there are interactive introductory sessions, film screenings and even children’s programs offered by the organizers. Professional-led workshops are open to anyone interested in the music world.
Among other things, the event offers answers to questions such as whether there is female or male music, what generative art is, or how to tell a story with beatbox sounds. It even gives insight into insects’ music. So, the theme offered is quite varied with a choice for all music lovers.
International Circus festival
- Date of the event: January 6-11, 2022 (planned)
- Venue: 1146 Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 12a
- Paid
What else could bring spirit to a gloomy January apart from a spectacular, funny and exciting circus festival? The Budapest International Circus Festival is one of the most prestigious circus art events in the world, with the greatest performers of the genre arriving from all over the world.
Among others, Russia, China, Peru, and Ethiopia will attend the event this year, so that the audience would meet the best of the best in Budapest. In addition to clowns, jugglers, aerial acrobats, hand voltage, double hammock and the grandmasters of jigit are also part of the program.
What is even more fascinating, this year, there will be an all-night arts program with poetry, music and artist productions highlighting the event.
NEXTFESZT, Trafó
- Date of the event: January 22, 2022 (planned)
- Venue: 1094 Budapest, Liliom u. 4
- Paid
The Contemporary House of Arts will invigorate January this year. Theatre, dance, concerts, exhibitions, literature, and film screening – that is, everything that’s culture, selected from the very best of contemporary arts.
One of the main goals of the festival is to introduce the Y generation to the contemporary art streams, and by doing this – instead of letting them emerge in virtual reality – they try to bring young people a little closer to each other.
Opera Exam Festival
- Date of the event: January 31, 2022 (planned)
- Venue: 1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 8
- Paid
The Academy of Music organizes the highly successful Opera Exam Festival for the eighth time in 2022. The students of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music will put Akira Kuroszava’s world classic film, Rashomon on stage.
The students of the Dresden College of Music will perform Gianni Schicchi, a one-act opera by Puccini and the tree-act The Poor Sailor by Milhaud for lovers of classical music. The final performance of the festival will be Cimarosa’s most well-known opera buffa, The Secret Marriage performed by the students of the University of Music in Freiburg.
Sautanz – the Swabian pig slaughter festival in Budakeszi
- Date of the event: January 16, 2022 (planned)
- Venue: 2092 Budakeszi, Bianka utca
- Free
If you like pig slaughter and a good pálinka (brandy) of course, don’t miss Budakeszi in January. You can get there quickly from the capital by bus.
In the traditional event called Sautanz, teams from neighboring settlements compare their knowledge in pig slaughtering and processing according to traditional Swabian gastronomy. If you haven’t been to a pig slaughter yet, this is your chance as the experience is guaranteed.
The event is free of charge. In addition to delicious roasts, organ and rice sausages, sausages and other delicacies, there is also a beer tent, mulled wine and brandy awaiting the guests. Great music will also enlighten the mood.
Wedding Exhibition and Fair in Papp L. Budapest Sports Arena
- Date of the event: January 30-31, 2022 (planned)
- Venue: 1143 Budapest, Stefánia út 2
- Paid
For those planning the big day, visiting the annual Wedding Exhibition is a must, but the sight of the amazing wedding dresses and getting to know the latest wedding trends is a great experience for simple visitors as well.
There are hundreds of exhibitors representing themselves from the wedding industry on the 9500 square meter exhibition space.
You can find everything from bridal bouquets, decorations, jewelry to amazing wedding dresses and a huge selection of wedding rings. In addition to the above, spectacular fashion shows and various entertainment programs await you at the country’s largest wedding exhibition.
Events in January 2022 in the countryside
Meat-jelly festival – Miskolc
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: Miskolc (downtown)
- Free
The unconcealed aim of the Winter Meat-jelly festival is to invite visitors to the rural town located in the beautiful scenery in winter.
No one should be frightened by the fact that the meat-jelly of Miskolc became famous for a frog as in the middle of the 19th century a Slovak (Tóth) driver, a representative, an actor, and God knows who else found a frog in their jelly. Thus, the saying: („Pislog, mint miskolci kocsonyában a béka”) “Blinks, like a frog in the Miskolc meat-jelly”.
No matter if it’s true or not, but now the jelly of Miskolc is so tasty – and not because of the frog – that it’s become world-famous. That’s why a festival is organized in its honor.
The festival of almost two decades offers not only meat jelly but also a repertoire of several other gastronomic and drink specialties. The event is made whole with nationally-known bands performing on several stages.
Ice sledding and ice skating on Lake Balaton
- Date of the event: in winter, if the lake freezes
- Venue: Lake Balaton
- Free
Weather permitting, that is, if the water of the lake freezes, it is definitely worth checking out the Hungarian sea, as the largest lake of Central Europe provides great fun for both kids and adults in summer and winter.
Many waterfront towns like Siófok, Balatonfüred, Badacsony, Keszthely, etc. offer ice skating and other ice-sports for the visitors of the Lakeshore. Depending on the location, the summer “fried scone stalls” open at the beaches and await sportspeople and families looking for recreation with warm food, mulled wine and other refreshing drinks.
You might want to visit Lake Balaton even if you can’t or don’t want to skate because the sight of the seemingly endless ice pane is spectacular.
Picnic in Etyek
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: 2091 Etyek, Gasztosétány
- Free
Melodies, flavors, fragrances – these catchy words refer to the annual Etyek Picnic which provides great entertainment and recreation for visitors.
The venue, that is easily accessible from Budapest, is intended to introduce local and neighboring craftsmen’s hand-made products to the general public. The ample selection of goods includes everything from home-made cheese, butter, chocolate and ham to different kinds of sausages and blood sausages for guests to taste.
The selection of drinks is as significant as that of the food delicacies. You can visit wine cellars and taste champagne, only to name a few. The good mood of the winter evening is made complete with music programs.
Made in Pécs Festival
- Date of the event: January 9, 2022 (planned)
- Venue: Pécs (downtown)
- Free
Made in Pécs Festival – the festival of Pécs bands – is generally organized on the first weekend of January with the aim of providing a platform for talented musicians to show off their skills to the public.
The diversity and openness of the festival are demonstrated by the fact that apart from local bands, organizers invite musicians of another Hungarian city and there are also performers from abroad taking part in the event organized in the beautiful city located in Mecsek.
Cities such as Vienna and Liverpool have already been introduced here. Concerts start at 10 am, and bands perform a 20-minute show on several stages so that each performer can be introduced to the public.
Bormustra (wine tasting) in Székesfehérvár
- Date of the event: January 9, 2022 (planned)
- Venue: 8000 Székesfehérvár, Liszt Ferenc utca 1
- Paid
If you are a fan of good wine, Bormustra is the event for you in Székesfehérvár. The annual event is organized at the beginning of the year. As you might have guessed, the event is centered around wine, with the best wine-producers of many wine regions arriving in town to show off their most delicious wines.
You might want to decide in advance what type of wines you would like to taste since there are more than a hundred types of wines to taste. There is a surprise event organized in St. Stephen’s Hall every year, so it is definitely worth a visit if you like wine.
New Year’s Pig sticker festival in Eger
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: Eger (downtown)
- Free
The festival, where good mood is guaranteed for both kids and adults, was created to preserve tradition. In addition to pig sticker programs – which include everything from pig slaughtering to the preparation of delicious bites – there are different handicraft exhibitions and folk artist performances for you to see.
There is something for everyone: apart from stage shows for adults, the two-day event offers a variety of children’s programs. And, of course, the famous Eger wines also add to the cheerfulness. Pig stickers are awarded by a jury ensuring that the prepared food is delicious, so you will definitely enjoy the different specialties.
National Handicraftsmen Meeting – Eger
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: 3300 Eger, Kisasszony Vásártér
- Free
It’s definitely worth visiting Eger in January if you like folk traditions and handicrafts, as, in addition to the Pig sticker festival, the Handicraftsmen Meeting is also held at the beginning of the year.
Craftsmen from all over the country come to show their products, but there are also several folk performances at the event. In addition, folk crafts come to life and you can see live, how a vase or wicker basket is made.
New Year’s Eve splash in Szigliget
- Date of the event: January 1, 2022
- Venue: 8264 Szigliget, beach
- Free
Most of us prefer Lake Balaton in the hot summer months. But those of us who can’t wait until the sunny months can splash into the water in January as the New Year’s Eve splash is organized in Szigliget every year.
Everyone can apply for it, but submerging is only allowed after medical examination. You shouldn’t be disappointed if you are not allowed to swim since the all-day event awaits visitors with various music and entertaining programs.
Of course, hot tea and mulled wine will also be served at the event in addition to foods like hot soup, which will definitely feel great in the cold.
From Cellar to Cellar Variations for Vince – Villány wine region
- Date of the event: January 16, 2022 (planned)
- Venue: 7773 Villány, Deák Ferenc u.
- Paid
Vince’s Day traditions have spiced the lives of Villány winemakers since the time we can remember, and the event is open to the public for more than a decade.
That’s the time when local winemakers predict this year’s harvest from the condition of the pruned “Vince twigs”, so it is clear why this day evolved into a celebration. The all-day event offers several programs, like Hordós Vince (barrelled Vince), when we can taste the makers’ wines that have not yet be introduced to the market, or Dűlőjáró Vince (Vineyard Vince) when you can tour around the whole wine region by bus.
Those attending the event will also receive the blessing of Vince’s Day. In the evening we can choose from numerous Vince Dinner Programs in the neighboring towns with wines and delicious meals in the center of attraction.
Hortobágy Eagle Day (Sasnap)
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: 4071 Hortobágy, Petőfi tér 9
- Paid
Eagles are the largest birds of prey in Hungary with a wingspan of 2 meters or more, and a weight of up to 5 kilograms. We might think it’s easy to notice them, but because of their relatively small number, it isn’t so.
However, we might meet them in winter, not to mention if we are in Hortobágy on Eagle Day. We can observe the wonderful birds and their lives using standing binoculars during this organized program.
But this day isn’t only about bird watching. In the afternoon there is a visit to the Wildlife Park (Vadaspark), where we can enjoy an up-close view of the wonders of nature. Finally, in the evening after dark, we can go stargazing under the guidance of an astronomer, using a professional astronomical telescope.
