The Christmas markets opening on November 14 will be Budapest’s festive centers: they are going to be an unmissable destination for Budapest residents and visitors to the city center from other parts of the country as they prepare for Advent, and they offer a unique tourist experience for guests from all over the world.
The organizers’ goal is to build on classic Christmas traditions and provide a wide range of high-quality experiences that are accessible to everyone, making the holiday season unforgettable.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the Advent Basilica, named Europe’s best Christmas market of all time, will once again be the venue for intimate festive moments this year. In addition to the starry sky-inspired light net unveiled last year and the beautifully decorated 12-meter-high Christmas tree, the market’s iconic element, the light painting projected onto the facade of St. Stephen’s Basilica, will be renewed. This year, the organizers are using more modern and powerful lighting technology to provide a greater visual experience than ever before, presenting a brand new light projection film in addition to popular films from the past. The film is about the history of the Basilica and will be shown for the first time on the 120th anniversary of St. Stephen’s Basilica.
Visitors can enjoy the light painting projections every day from 5:30 p.m., every half hour.
The visual experience is further enhanced by the brand new welcome gate at the entrance to the fair and the light tunnel towards Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Road. In addition to the popular multilingual selfie machine, new selfie points will also be set up in the fair area. Signs will help visitors find their way around the catering units, while the high-quality gastronomic experience will be complemented by uniform Advent Basilica tableware (paper trays, knife and fork sets) and takeaway boxes. For added convenience, an on-site online food ordering and pickup service will also be available for the first time in Hungary.
In addition to the usual concerts, this year’s music program will be complemented by choir concerts, and information about the fair will also be available on projectors.
Once again, the central feature of Vörösmarty Square will be the transparent “snow globe” protecting the Vörösmarty statue, inside which the organizers have created a brand new light show to illuminate the statue. The lighting of the square will also be completely renewed: in addition to the decorations, this year, for the first time, the live Christmas tree will receive unique lighting, and each of the trees in the square will be decorated with a separate light installation.
The fair’s multimedia LED wall will also be expanded with a unique new feature: visitors will be able to control motion-sensing, AI-generated animations on the wall. The same surface will also display information about the fair and quotes from Vörösmarty in several languages.
Cushioned seats will be installed on the marble circle around the statue for more comfortable relaxation. The square will also feature new selfie spots, signs, and Vörösmarty Classic Xmas tableware sets that match the fair’s image. The free miniature railway, a favorite among children, promises to be a popular attraction and will have a new stop called “Vörösmarty Square.”
Both events place a strong emphasis on quality and affordable gastronomy. Continuing a long-standing tradition, one dish will be available at a fixed price of 1,600 forints (4 euros) at all major kitchens at both venues. Plain lángos (traditional Hungarian fried dough), lángos with cheese and sour cream, stuffed cabbage, sausage with bread and mustard, and plain mulled wine will be available at the fairs at maximum prices.
The Advent Basilica and Vörösmarty Classic Xmas will also bring back the popular themed gastro weekends, which were introduced last year with great success, where exhibitors will prepare dishes that can be purchased for between 2000 and 2500 forints.
The culinary themes include goose dishes, pork knuckle, fish, sweets, stews and goulash, stuffed cabbage, and dishes prepared with alcohol. The series will conclude with Lentil Day at the Advent Basilica on January 1.
In addition to the flavors and aromas, craft exhibitors, folk artists, industrial artists, and innovative creators offering modern designer products also contribute to the atmosphere of the fairs with their unique, handmade masterpieces.
The Advent Basilica on Szent István Square will once again feature the Bethlehem manger and the monumental Advent wreath, where ceremonial candle lighting will take place every Sunday. True to tradition, both downtown fairs will also feature special charity events.
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Via turizmus.com; Featured photo: MTI/Lakatos Péter
The post Budapest’s Christmas Fairs Return with New Light Shows and Affordable Festive Menus appeared first on Hungary Today.
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