🍂 Budapest in Autumn: Your Ultimate September–October Festival Guide (with Halloween Fun!)

When September rolls in, Budapest shakes off its summer calm and bursts into a whirlwind of festivals, art, and culinary indulgence. By the time October paints the city in gold and crimson, it’s a mix of elegance, creativity, and a dash of spooky mischief. Here’s your in-depth guide to the events you really don’t want to miss.

🌟 September: Sip, Stroll, and Celebrate

Downtown Beer Festival – Liberty Square (Szabadság tér)

When: September 2–7, 2025

Picture a grand square lined with trees, right in the heart of Budapest, transformed into a craft beer paradise. You’ll find over 250 beers—everything from small-batch Hungarian brews to international favorites. Live music drifts through the air, food trucks serve everything from pulled pork to lángos, and the crowd is a happy mix of locals and travelers. Entry is free, but to join the tasting fun, you’ll need the official festival glass (about 2 799 HUF).

Budapest Wine Festival – Buda Castle

When: September 11–14, 2025

Few experiences can rival sipping a fine Tokaji wine while gazing over the Danube from the terraces of Buda Castle. This elegant event brings together Hungary’s best winemakers and a selection of international producers. Between sips, you can attend wine masterclasses, snack on artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, and wander the medieval courtyards glowing under soft evening lights. Tickets range from ~6 900 HUF for a day pass to VIP multi-day experiences.

Wizz Air Half Marathon

When: September 7, 2025

For those who like their sightseeing at running pace, this half marathon winds past Parliament, Chain Bridge, and the Buda Hills. The course is scenic but also buzzing with energy—crowds cheer, music plays, and the camaraderie among runners is infectious.

Candlelight Concerts

When: Various dates in September

Budapest’s churches and historic halls are bathed in the warm flicker of thousands of candles. Musicians perform classical works, pop arrangements, and film scores—think Queen, Vivaldi, Coldplay, or Hans Zimmer—while the atmosphere feels almost cinematic.

🍁 October: Art, Food, and Autumn Adventures

Budapest Marathon & Running Festival

When: October 11–12, 2025

The city’s biggest running event offers everything from full marathons to 10K relays, all set against the backdrop of autumn leaves and river views. Even if you’re not running, it’s worth cheering on participants along the Danube promenade.

Café Budapest Contemporary Arts Festival

When: Early to mid-October

An avant-garde feast for the senses. Expect boundary-pushing theatre, contemporary dance, experimental jazz, poetry slams, and visual arts installations across multiple venues. It’s a chance to see Budapest’s creative scene at its boldest.

Oktoberfest Budapest

When: Late September into OctoberHere, the best of Bavarian beer culture meets Hungarian hospitality. Think giant steins, hearty bratwurst, pretzels bigger than your head, and oompah bands—plus a sprinkling of Hungarian craft brews.

Usually at Fröccs Terasz there is some live music on the weekends while Oktoberfest is happening, with bavarian beer to drink.

Chimney Cake Festival – Budapest Zoo

When: October 11–13, 2025

A festival dedicated to kürtőskalács—Hungary’s sweet, spiral-shaped pastry. Expect endless flavors (cinnamon, coconut, chocolate, even savory versions), baking demonstrations, and family-friendly fun among the zoo’s leafy paths.

Art Market Budapest – MTK Sports Park

When: October 16–19, 2025

Central and Eastern Europe’s premier contemporary art fair. Over 100 galleries from more than 40 countries display paintings, sculptures, photography, and digital art. Side events like Art Photo Budapest and the outdoor sculpture park CULTURE keep the experience dynamic. Perfect for both collectors and casual art lovers.

This is one of my favorite events of the fall, as someone who enjoys looking at art. Keep in mind there is a lot to see and it can sometimes be overwhelming, but definetly worth checking out!

St. Stephen’s Basilica Evening Concerts

When: Every Sunday & Tuesday at 8 pm

As night falls, the grand basilica’s interior glows warmly. The acoustics are heavenly, making every organ swell and string note feel almost ethereal.

🎃 Halloween in Budapest: Late October Thrills

Budapest Zoo Halloween Night

A magical mix of spooky and family-friendly—fire jugglers, fortune tellers, witchy storytelling, and nocturnal animal encounters under lantern light. Kids in costume often get free entry.

Underground Horror Labyrinth – “Halloween Nightmare Tour”

A theatrical walk through a maze of dark corridors, where actors in full horror makeup stage jump scares. Equal parts fun and spine-tingling.

Halloween Lantern Festival – Heroes’ Square

Bring a carved pumpkin and a bag of non-perishable food for donation, and join locals in lighting up the square with hundreds of glowing faces. Community-driven and heart-warming.

Halloween Boat Party on the Danube

A costume-friendly river cruise with eerie décor, dance floors, and themed cocktails, followed by club entry.

Spooky Tours & Escape Rooms

From vampire legends in Buda Castle to “real Saw” escape room scenarios, Budapest offers plenty of immersive scares.

Halloween Club Nights

Ruin bars like Szimpla Kert and Instant-Fogas go all out with creepy decorations, DJ sets, and costume contests. Some thermal baths even host “spooky spa parties.”

🍷 Why This Autumn Is Unmissable

In September, the city brims with the clink of wine glasses and the sound of live music. October turns into a canvas of culture—art fairs, marathons, and food festivals—and then, just before winter, Budapest embraces its darker, playful side for Halloween. Whether you’re here for fine wines, contemporary art, or ghostly tales, autumn in Budapest is a season you’ll want to savor slowly.