The festive season is with us and Budapest is full of places to enjoy seasonal shopping outdoors. Christmas lights and holiday decorations make the city center look more beautiful than ever. This year there is a selection of Christmas markets and fairs to visit and enjoy the holiday spirit. This article showcases five places where you may find the air filled with the scent of mulled wine; roast chestnuts, and festive shopping fun.Advent in the Corvin Quarter
The Corvin Cinema Palace as well as the brand new Corvin Promenade offer a unique environment for fun activities connected to Christmas. This Christmas market is open until New Years Eve with mulled wine, traditional handicrafts, gifts, decorations, and real Hungarian festive food.
At the weekends there are programs for the whole family, including concerts; puppet theatres; seasonal tales for children and handicraft workshops. To access the Corvin Quarter you can take the blue metro line, get off at 'Corvin negyed', or take trams 4 or 6 to the same station.
WAMP Christmas Design & Gastro Fair
Take a break from the high street and browse WAMP’s Christmas Design & Gastro Fair for unusual, artsy gifts. This December WAMP will feature stalls from over 50 local artists and crafters. WAMP also offers handicraft workshops for kids. Last date of the season: December 18, 10am to 10 pm, Entrance: free.
Advent Market at Király utca + Gozsdu Udvar
This Christmas Market called Adventi Királyi Vásár (Advent Royal Fair) welcomes expats and locals in the Gozsdu Courtyard (Gozsdu Udvar) until 24th December. Seasonal decorations add to the festive atmosphere, unique designer products - and street food - are available, plus there are cultural programs. Open weekdays 12.00 to 20.00, weekends 10.00 - 20.00.
St. Stephen's Christmas Market
This one is organised for the first time in 2011 outside the Basilica . A gigantic 8 m high Christmas tree, tasty nibbles, a free ice-skating rink and a wide range of gifts for sale are the main attractions of this downtown Xmas market.
Budapest Christmas Market at Vörösmarty Square
Budapest’s traditional Christmas market is held here each year. Visitors can choose between over 100 stands offering Christmas decorations, foodie gifts and some unique arts and crafts.
Programs for kids, music and dance performances, traditional Hungarian foods like lángos and fried sausages are all part of the Christmas shopping experience here. A glass of mulled wine or a shot of pálinka will also help you get into that merry spirit. Open until December 30, 10am to 8pm, Entrance: free.
By Roberta Gyori, plus the team of XpatLoop.com
Find more holiday events on XpatLoop by clicking here, and by following this link: visitBudapest.travel
16.12.2011