The taste of gingerbread and hot wine with cinnamon, the smell of fir trees and chestnuts, the sound of silver bells and carols, the sight of thousands of lights on Christmas trees - this is only part of what you should expect if you decide to spent your winter holidays in the capital of Hungary.

This year Budapest celebrates the Holy Night once again in a magic atmosphere. The popular Vörösmarty Square, a place that welcomes tourists and locals with various programs all through the year, hosts between the 26th of November and 24th of December yet another colorful event: the Christmas Fair. This international event of the winter season is known as one of the best of its kind in Europe.

For years the fair has been an annual tradition for visitors – this time for an entire month 44 pavilions will display the works and products of over 100 artisans and vendors, and more than 80 different cultural programmes will take place on the stage of the beautiful square. Festive ornaments manufactured by talented craftsmen and original holiday season gifts and artifacts will be available, and participants can enjoy folk music and dances, traditional greetings, and short theater performances – all this, while tasting the best Hungarian wines and food specialties.

Announced by a brass band and lots of lights, the windows of the famous Gerbeaud building will open each day at 5 pm to reveal a huge advent calendar: 24 works of contemporary art will be exhibited there, for those who are curious about culture. For those who simply hunger for food, roast joints, scones, poppy-seed cakes, milk loaves, apple-strudels will be served right out the mud furnace. A play-house will welcome children of all ages and introduce ancient games and trades to them, and they will have the opportunity to make their own toys guided by professionals. Nativity scenes based on Matthew's gospel and accompanied by Bach’s music will be played by actors, and Christmas trees will be decorated to show the tradition of each country that has recently joined the European Union. A concert of carillon-player Kárászy Szilvia will be held as part of the Christmas celebrations as well.

For foreigners a tourist information desk is set up where they can get help in their own mother tongue, as well as choose from several interesting programs for New Year's Eve.

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