While Halloween may not be the biggest festivity in Hungary, it’s increasingly popular in Budapest. So, if you happen to spend Halloween in Budapest and not sure what to do, here’s a quick guide to parties, cool events and other Halloween themed programs happening between the end of October and beginning of November.
Halloween events in Budapest
- Halloween HorrorCon – 26th October
If you love everything Halloween and horror, check out this year’s Halloween HorrorCon. The super cool event by Halloween Itthon and GeekCon will feature a thematic fair, workshops, games, a horror cosplay contest and movies.
The programs will run all day and while early bird tickets are already sold out, you can still get your tickets upon arrival.
Venue: Ferencvárosi Cultural Center ( FMK ), Budapest Haller u. 27 10
Full program
2. Pumpkin Carving in Érd – 28th October
For many people, Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without pumpkin carving, so why not make a fun road trip out of it?
Just 23 minutes away from Budapest, you can take part in exciting pumpkin themed programs like pumpkin carving, a pumpkin marathon and amazing autumn inspired treats.
The tricky part is this program is pinning the exact date. Different sources show different dates so I’d do a little more research before hitting the road.
This source shows the date of the event as Monday, October 28th. At the same time, this Facebook group has the same program planned for the 31st of October.
3. Pumpkin Lantern Charity Festival – 26th October
If you already have a cool Halloween costume, why not show it off at a fun charity event?
Join the pumpkin lantern charity festival and take a pumpkin lantern, some canned foods and enjoy a bit of a spooky gathering at Heroes Square.
All donated items will go to Gyermekétkeztetési Alapítvány (Child Nutrition Foundation).
Venue: Heroes Square
Time: 19.00 – 21.00
4. Halloween themed boat cruise
Hop on the Halloween booze cruise if you’d rather spend your evening with spooktacular cocktails and city views of Budapest at night. This Halloween, you can go aboard the Blood Vessel, a derelict ghost ship, and enjoy the night in the midst of ghosts, witches, wizards and all the creepy crawlies of Halloween night.
The fun party begins at 10 pm and lasts till midnight, making it the perfect option for pre-drinks before partying till dawn.
Enjoy a 2 hour long Budapest night cruise, with unlimited drinks and three Halloween themed cocktails per person.
Stay on the look out for tickets here.
5. Labyrinth of Buda
For those who’ve never been under the Buda castle, there’s no better time than now! Picture this, It’s Halloween night and you get to walk through the dimly lit labyrinth of the Buda Castle.
Who knows what lies underneath those caves? Ghosts from medieval times, whispers of the Cold War? There’s truly only one way to find out.
Enjoy a 30-minute walk beneath the historic castle, and witness the statue hall of Hungarian kings, the medieval stone archive, the cave exhibition and the darkness of the labyrinth.
NOTE: If you choose to spend Halloween in Budapest by visiting the labyrinth, there’s how to prepare:
- Take cash for ticket purchases
- Wear steady shoes and warm clothing
6. Halloween themed dish
Halloween isn’t just about carving pumpkins, it’s about eating them also! Some of the best brunch places and restaurants in Budapest are having Halloween themed menus in the last week in October to make this time of the year extra special!
Keep an eye out on your favourite restaurants and check out some new spots in the city. Better yet, take part in Restaurant Week and discover some new cool dining spots in Budapest.
You could also visit a Harry Potter themed restaurant like Repulo Sepru for more Halloween vibes.
7. Haunted walking tour
Halloween activities in Budapest don’t get any better than ghost and vampire tours of the darkest parts of Budapest. Beyond the city’s glitz and glam lies an eerie past that you can dare to step into.
You can take part in the Buda Castle District Vampires and Myths Night Tour, which takes you around the castle, Fisherman’s bastion and the surrounding area.
Or perhaps you might enjoy the BloodThirsty Hungary: Walking tour and dark historical stories of real Hungarian figures.
For those who plan on seeing the pumpkin lantern festival, the tour of Dracula’s Hungarian roots might be more convenient as it takes place right in City Park. Stroll around Vajdahunyad castle and expect to be surprised.
8. Halloween at the zoo
While on the topic of City Park, how about spending Halloween at the Budapest zoo? All the bats, snakes and creepy crawlies will be lurking around and there will be so many fun programs for your enjoyment.
You can witness the seal show, or maybe watch the presentation of the elephant family. If camels are more up your speed, you can see them too and even meet some ungulates.
For the whole program, check the official zoobudapest website.
9. Nightmares in Budapest
If you associate Halloween with nightmares, you have to try the 30-minute-long haunted tour by NIGHTMARE in Budapest. The sinister show will begin on the night before Halloween. If you dare to, venture into the labyrinth of darkness, and prepare to be frightened.
The tour comes with custom sets, unique lighting, sound effects and of course, blood thirsty mad killers.
10. Kerepesi Cemetery
For some, the time around Halloween is more about reflection and remembrance of those who’ve departed from this earth. If you’d like to pay your respects to those who’ve passed, you can visit Kerepesi or Fiume Road National Graveyard. Many families visit the cemetery to clean the surroundings, leave flowers and candles in memory of their loved ones.
While the 19th century graveyard is not a popular destination in Budapest, it’s one place worth visiting for a moment of solitude and reflection. Architecturally, it also has beautifully crafted tombstones that might pique the interest of architecture enthusiasts.
