Crafts Festival

For four days, history comes alive once again in the Buda Castle District: between August 17 and 20, Hungary’s largest traditional craft festival, the Festival of Folk Arts, returns as part of the national St. Stephen’s Day celebrations. This year’s edition is free to attend and brings together over a thousand master artisans, both local and international performers, as well as colorful programs for families and visitors of all ages.

The streets of the Buda Castle’s historic quarter – including Táncsics Mihály Street, Tárnok Street, Trinity Square, Dísz Square, and the Tóth Árpád Promenade – will be filled with vibrant, living traditions. Visitors can observe woodcarvers, blacksmiths, potters, embroiderers, felters, and weavers at work up close – and even try their hand at these age-old crafts in interactive workshops.

This year’s guest of honor is Turkey, with additional artisan delegations arriving from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and South Korea. Their traditional crafts – including silk embroidery, calligraphy, headdresses, and beadwork – bring exciting new textures and cultures to the festival.

At the main stage on Trinity Square, daily folk music concerts and dance performances alternate throughout the event. Highlights include Kerekes Band & Dalinda, Szalonna és Bandája, Csík János & Mezzo, and the Hungarian National Dance Ensemble. On August 20, alongside the ceremonial blessing of bread, the Fitos Dezső Dance Company will perform a special celebratory dance production.

The courtyard of the House of Traditions is dedicated to families with children, featuring the “Fabatka Porta” – a lively children’s courtyard with handicrafts, puppet shows, storytelling, folk games, and dance sessions. Everywhere throughout the venue, heritage and experience go hand in hand – not behind glass, but as part of an open and living cultural space.

One of the festival’s unique highlights is the FolkTREND! fashion show, showcasing how traditional motifs and craft techniques can be transformed into modern style. Visitors can also explore the food courtyard each day, with Hungarian specialties like oven-baked lángos, kürtőskalács (chimney cake), and homemade syrups on offer.

The Festival of Folk Arts is much more than just an event – it is an encounter with heritage, a space for learning, and a celebration of community. This year is especially significant, as every single program is free of charge.

Date and Time: August 17–20, 2025, daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (until 7:00 PM on the 20th)
Location: Buda Castle – Táncsics Mihály Street, Trinity Square, Dísz Square, Tóth Árpád Promenade, Budapest
Admission: Free entry, as part of the St. Stephen’s Day national celebration

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