Programs in the Last Month of Autumn
November, with its crisp air and vibrant autumnal hues, adds an extra layer of magic to the city’s already alluring ambiance.
As the Danube River flows gracefully between the Buda and Pest sides, Budapest in November offers a rich tapestry of experiences, blending history, culture, and culinary delights.
From exploring architectural wonders to indulging in traditional thermal baths Budapest offers something to all interests.
Budapest celebrates its 150th birthday with a wide range of programs in November. See details below.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Weather In November
In November, Budapest experiences the transition from autumn to winter, with temperatures gradually dropping.
The average temperature hovers around 6 to 9 degrees Celsius, making it essential to pack warm clothing.
While occasional rainfall is common, the city often enjoys clear, crisp days that are perfect for exploring outdoor attractions and admiring the stunning fall foliage before winter sets in.
Hungarian Dinner Cruises With Folk Show – Every Day at 7 PM
A river cruise with dinner, especially on a bautiful vintage ship, is always a nice experience when you’re in Budapest.
Tasty local food served buffet style, live music and spectacular folk dance show ensures for a memorable evening on the Danube.
Date & Time:
- Every day at 19.00 and 22.00
Price:
- From 55 EUR
What’s Included?
- 3 course buffet dinner or Hungarian dinner (goulash soup, beef stew paprikash, strudel)
- Welcome drink
- Halloween decor
- Party music
- 2 or 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise on the Danube
Christmas Is Around The Corner …
The three most popular Christmas Markets of the city start in mid-November:
- The oldest and most famous one is at Vörösmarty Square, located downtown begins on November 17, 2023 (see more details below).
- St. Stephen’s Square at the Basilica gives home to a charming festive market too that kicks off on November 19, 2023.
- The Winter & Christmas Festival in Városháza/City Hall Park starts on November 24 and lasts till January 07, 2024.
Other Christmas Markets and Advent Festivals begin around the last weekend of November/start of December.
You can find them:
- in Erzsébet Square,
- behind Corvin Plaza
- On the Roof Terrace of the WestEnd Shopping Centre
- At the Castle Bazaar & Garden in Buda,
- In Óbuda/distr. III.
Xmas Market Tours With Expert Guiding & Tastings
3-hour guided tour of the best Christamas markets with street food (chimney cake, roasted chestnut) and hot wine included.
2.5-hour walking tour of the city’s top holiday fairs with guiding: Kürtöskalács (chimney cake), mulled wine and marzipan tasting is included.
TIP: For rainy days we recommend a visit to one of the thermal baths, going on a cruise on the Danube, and a classical music concert for the evening. The many museums also offer great shelter and cultural entertainment in nasty weather.
Practical Information
- Budapest for the 1st Time – Tips, challenges novice visitors might face
- What To Do In Budapest In 3 Days? – Itinerary suggestion for a 2 – 3 day visit.
- Weather in Autumn– To decide what sort of clothes to pack.
- Public Transport – Metro, tram, bus lines and other means of transportation.
- Costs and Prices – How much basic items and services cost.
- Safety in Budapest – Information and tips on how to ensure your and your belonging’s safety.
Popular Activities To Experience Budapest In November
Christmas Fair At Vörösmarty Square, November 17 2023 – January 01 2024
Venue:
- Vörösmarty tér, district V.
- M1, M2, M3 metro lines, tram 2 Vigadó tér stop (a couple of minutes walk form there)
The official Christmas Fair of Budapest launches in on November 17, Friday.
The holiday fair offers a wide range of
- Cultural programs (around 200 concerts in various genres from folk to jazz, children activities, craft workshops) on the central stage and
- A taste of Hungary’s culinary delights (goulash, stuffed cabbage, roasted and grilled meats, cheeses, Sekler cake, strudels, artisan chocolates, gingerbread, beigli).
You can browse among hand-crafted products offered in around 120 stalls, a great opportunity to get unique, quality Christmas presents for your loved ones.
You can also learn about Hungarian folk traditions and craft from wood carving, blue dyeing, to pottery and leather crafting.
Learn more details about the Christmas Market at Vörösmarty Square.
TIP: Budapest has some other Christmas Markets that you might want to check out. The Advent Fair and Festival in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica starts on November 17 2023 and lasts till January 1, 2024.
NEW Program: Wine Tasting in The City Centre
November is the time for tasting the new wine of the year so here’s a very good program highly recommended for wine lovers.
The Wine Tasting Experience in Palinka Museum
Savor the complexity and heritage of Hungarian wines as you explore a curated selection, ranging from the renowned Tokaj to the robust Kadarkas of Villány, guided by our knowledgeable specialists.
9 different wines for tasting + 1 call back / 9 different charcuteries/sourdough bread/mineral water
Saturdays: 18.00/6 pm – Limited Places!
Duration: 120 min. – Price €57
Winter Wonderland, Rooftop Terrace WesteEnd Mall, Nov 17 – Dec 23, 2023
Explore the enchanting winter world of the Westend Rooftop Garden, skate, and get into the holiday spirit above the city!
Christmas foods and drinks, 🎿 ice skating rink, 🎠 fairytale carousel, and a heated Christmas tent guarantee the festive atmosphere. What’s more you can get some Christmas shopping done in the many shops of the WestEnd Shopping Mall.
Location, Getting There:
- WestEnd Shopping Mall: Váci út1-3, Budapest 1062 (See On Map)
- Getting There: M3 metro (blue): Nyugati tér sttaion, trams 4 and 6 Nyugati tér stop
Entry:
- FREE:
Ice Skating Fee:
- Free for children under 10 and for those with a valid address card from the VI. or XIII. district.
- For those over 10 years old, the entry is 1,500 HUF, and in return, you’ll receive a 1,500 HUF Westend gift card. The full amount can be redeemed on the card until the date indicated on the card in stores accepting the Westend gift voucher, the list of which can be found here.
- Rental fee for ice skates on-site: 1,200 HUF
Opening Hours:
- Mon – Fri: 12.00 – 22.00
- Sat – Sun: 10.00 22.00
- CLOSED: December 24, 25 and 26
- December 31: 10.00 – 17.00
Green Xmas Market, Klauzál Square, Nov 25-26, 2023
Concerts, Classical Music in November
The charming churches of the city offer a refugee from the unpleasant late autumn weather.
Combine visiting them with attending a lovely classical music performance. See our top recommendations below!
Organ Concerts in St. Stephen’s Basilica
Venue:
- St. Stephen’s Basilica
- M3 metro (blue line), Arany János utca stop
Dates:
- November: 02. 09. 16. 23. and 30.
- Dates in December: 06. 13. 20. 27.
Tickets:
- 25 – 38 EUR depending on seat category
Enjoy an enchanting organ concert in the Basilica of Budapest.
The neoclassical church has outstanding acoustics providing an ideal venue for classical music concerts.
A flute performance is included in the program ensuring a memorable evening in Budapest.
Learn more about the organ concerts in the Basilica.
Organ & Choir in St. Michael Church
Address:
- Váci utca 47/B., (Belvárosi Szent Mihály Templom)
Dates in November:
- Every Wedneday and Saturday
Tickets:
- full price: 18 EUR, student: 16 EUR (can be bought in the church on Tuesdays , Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10.00)
This lovely church tucked away in the busy Váci Street hosts organ and choir performances by the Danube String Orchetra on
- Wednesday and
- Saturday evenings strating at 19.00.
Program Includes:
- Vivaldi: Four Seasons
- Mozart: Requim,
- Organ concert featuring:
- J.S. Bach – Toccata, Air, G. F. Handel – Oratorio Messiah, Rejoice, T. Albinoni – Sonata di Chiesa, G. F. Handel – Xerxes, Largo, A. Vivaldi – The Four Seasons, Largo from winter, Ch. Gounod – Ave Maria and more
Classical Music Evenings in Matthias Church
Date:
- November 17, 24
Address:
- Szentháromság tér 2., Buda Castle, district I.
Tickets: 34 EUR/prs
The Zsolnay-tiled famous church in the castle regulary gives home to concerts.
In the Music Evenings program features classics like:
- J. Pachebel – Canon
- A. Vivaldi – The four seasons, Winter (2nd movement), Gloria (Domine Deus)
- J.S. Bach – Violin Concerto in E major, BWV 1042 (1st movement)
- G.F. Haendel – Water Music. HWV. 348. in F. major
- T. Albinoni – Adagio
- W.A. Mozart – Church Sonata in D major no. 4 KV 144
- Saint-Saens – The Swan
- C. Frank – Panis Angelicus
- J.S. Bach – Air
- J. Massenet – Thais Meditation
- W.A. Mozart – A Little Night Music, Alleluja from Exsultate, Jubilate
The 70-minute program features works by famous composers such as Vivaldi, Bach, Albinoni, Mozart, Sibelius, Bizet etc.
Sightseeing in November
Despite the colder temperatures and less daylight hours you have plenty of options to see the top attraction of Budapest.
What’s more we can get beautiful, sunny days even in November that are ideal for explorations on foot.
TIP: Boat Excursions On The Danube
The best and most convenient way to admire the World Heritage-listed vista of the two riversides is a boat trip on the Danube.
The Danube sigthseeing programs are available
- During the day – November is ideal for an early afternoon tour starting at 16.00 or
- You can go in the evening (at 19.00 or 19.30) while the
- Nnight tour departs at 22.00.
Plan ahead and choose one that best suits your schedule and most importantly the weather in November.
Some days are really nice with plenty of sunshine, but on most days it’s cold, rainy, foggy and windy not too mention the shorter days.
You can have good quality four-course buffet meal at the Evening and Night Cruises.
The air-conditioned/heated boat will take you on a 1.5 or 2 hour tour during which you’ll the most famous monuments of our city
- The Parliament,
- Buda Castle with the Royal Palace,
- Gellért Hill with the Citadel perched on its top,
- The Chain Bridge (Széchennyi Lánchíd) and
- Other bridges (Margaret, Elizabeth, Liberty, Petőfi Rákóczi).
Jewish Walk Tours – History & Culture
Explore Budapest’s rich Jewish Heritage on a guided tour.
Discover the main synagogues and other monuments, sights in the historic Jewish Quarter on a 2 or 3 hour guided walk tour.
Dates in November:
- English-language tours: every Friday, Sunday at 10.00.
Jewish Heritage Guided Tour with Synagouge visit
Explore Budapest’s rich Jewish history and heritage on a captivating walking tour include the Dohany Street Synagogue
Tour starts: 10:00 / Duration: 120/240 min.
Price From €49
Castle Hill
The Castle District with the Royal Palace, Matthias Church and the Fishermen’s Bastion is a must-see sight for everyone visiting Budapest.
The district has a range of good restaurants, and cafes and should you want to discover the world of Hungarian wines you can go for a wine tasting in a historic cellar.
TIP: Do visit the Bell & Lookout Tower of Matthias Church to enjoy the fantastic view. The tower can be visited between 10.00-17.00 every day, hourly.
197 steps lead up to the lower lookout terrace that is at 47 m height.
Tickets:
- Full price: 2 900 HUF,
- Students/retirees: 2 400 HUF.
A Walk on Margaret Island & Lumina Park
Despite late autumn, you can catch great sunny days in Budapest in November that are ideal for a walk in the green parts of the city.
Margaret Island (Margitsziget) is the local’s number one spot for long walks and jogging.
The Water Tower hosts exhibitions, and other cultural events and the cupola offers a fine panoramic view.
The island boasts some historical sights as well like the remains of medieval monastery.
The other favored green spot of the city is the City Park, where you also find the Budapest Zoo & Botanical Gardens.
Excursion To The Gellért Hill Or The Buda Hills
To admire the coloruful late autumn city scap head for the hills!
For some light hiking Gellért Hill (Gellért-hegy) is the best and closest destination to the city center. Although the Citadel, a stone fortress and its immediate surroundings are under construction in 2022
For more greenery, and cleaner air head for the Buda Hills.
Normafa is a highly favored place among locals (can be reached by bus No. 21 or 21A from Széll Kálmán tér (M2 metro or tram 4).
János Hill (János-hegy), the highest point of Budapest, is also close by offering a wonderful view from the top of the Erzsébet lookout tower.
For a unique experience descend from János Hegy by the Chairlift (Libegő).
The Chairlift operates from 10.00 till 15.30 throughout November.
Tickets:
- One-way: adults (from ages 19): 1 000 HUF, children – between ages 3 and 19: 600 HUF,
- Return ticket: adults: 1 400 HUF, children: 800 HUF).
See detailed timetable of the Chairlift (Libegő) here.
A journey on the Children’s Railway (Gyermekvasút) is an ideal way to discover the Hills of Buda.
Each of the seven stops of the rail track are favored recreational areas:
- Széchenyi Hill (Széchenyi-hegy),
- Normafa,
- Csillebérc,
- János Hill,
- Vadaspark,
- Hűvösvölgy.
The Fogaskerekű (Cogwheel tram, it is in fact tram No. 60) (see timetable here) is another peculiar means of transportation to get you to and back from hilly Buda.
Some stops have buffets offering some simple, quick meals, snacks and drinks.
Buffet at Szépjuhászné station: open from Tue-Fri: 10.00-22.00, Sat: 8.00-22.00, Sun: 8.00-20.00 all the year round, there is a buffet at Széchenyi Hill called Kőbüfé offering meals a la carte, it is open from 9.00 to 21.00 every day).
See more activities for children in Budapest.
Thermal Baths – Perfect Program For A Cold Day In November
Visiting at least one of the world-famous thermal baths of Budapest is a must, especially in a cold month like November.
The Turkish Baths (Király, Rudas and less-known Veli Bej Baths) date from the Ottoman era in the 16th-17th centuries, the Gellért, Széchenyi, and the Lukács Baths were built more recently, at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries.
Buy Tickets Online and Skip Queuing at the Bath Entrance!
Bath TIP: Do drop by the renewed Rudas Bath that has a great wellness department with 4 thermal pools, and an awesome jacuzzi on the rooftop where you can enjoy a fantastic panorama of the city while soaking in the hot water.
The program includes a 3-course dinner with a glass of wine and prosecco in the bistro loacted in the bath.
Museum Exhibitions in November
The countless museum of Budapest offer a wide range of exhibitions all year round.
The World Press Photo Exhibit in the National Museum ends on November 05, but the Renoir exhibition is on till the beginning of next year.
TIP: Hungarian Cooking Course + Market Tour
What better way to experience local culture than through food and cooking?
This cooking class combined with a market visit, tastings and wine is a great program for a rainy November day!
Small group program, so make sure you book your place in advance!
Price: 76,83 EUR/prs
What’s Included?
- Guided visit to the Great Market Hall with tastings,
- Hungarian paprika salami, sasusage and cheeses served as an appetizer,
- Local wine and short drinks, followed by
- A cooking class when you learn to make typical Hungarian dishes.
You’ll be preparing a 3-course meal with the expert aid of an English speaking chef. At the end you’ll eat what you cooked.
Fun, exciting program for all ages! Learn more and book your cooking class with or without a market visit!
Past November Events
All Saints Day , November 01 – Public Holiday
November 01, Wednesday is All Saints Day and a public holiday in Hungary. Shops, services will be closed. Most restaurants, cafes and bars will be open though.
Museums in Budapest will also be open.
Public transport services run according to holiday schedule, which means sligtly less frequency.
If the weather allows you can admire autumn colours in the parks, and gardens.
St. Martin’s Day, November 11, 2023
You can choose from many things to do in Budapest in November. One of the most important days this month is St. Martin’s Day on the 11th when we celebrate the new wine and everything goose.
A couple of festivals, gastronomy programs take place on this day.
Most restaurants prepare with special goose menu for St. Martin’s Day and often for the week preceeding it.
WAMP Design & Gastro Fair, In The Ethnography Museum – November 12, 2023
Venue:
- Museum Of Ethnography, 2nd Floor, Dózsa György út 35, Budapest 1146 (Városliget/City Park) – See On Google Map
Getting there:
- Tram 4, 6 Király utca-Erzsébet körút stop, Trolley No 70- travel 6 stops, tram 4, 6 to Oktogon then M1 underground (yellow line) till Hősök tere station, 5 min (300 m) walk from there
Opening Hours:
- Sunday, November 12: 10.00 – 18.00
Entry: FREE
The popular market showcasing the work of Hungarian designers as well as artisan gastro products kicks off the Advent season in the Ethnography Mueum located right next to Heroes’ Square and the City Park
A great place to get some one-of-a-kind presents, handcrafted ornaments, accessories or toys for the kids.
A varied program makes the event even more worthwhile:
- Cake and cookie workshops organized by famous food bloggers, 14.00-18.00
- Stamp making with Arti Stamp between 10.00 and 14.00
- Necklace making
- Crafting candle holders and wooden ornaments.
If you bring your kids they can play in the Story Box/Mesedoboz play area throughout the day.
Budapest 150 Outdoor Exhibition Opening, Nov 17
Location, Getting There:
- Városháza Park, Károly körút, Budapest 1052 (View On Map)
- Getting there: M1, M2, M3 metro: Deák tér station, tram 47, 49,
Entry:
- FREE
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the capital, a truly unique exhibition will open in downtown Budapest on November 17, Friday.
City Hall park in downtown will serve as a home to the special exhibition. For the capital’s birthday, the unique works of 151 contemporary illustrators will be featured on giant billboards placed in the park.
The illustrations by 151 contemporary Hungarian graphic artists will represent each year, highlighting significant events from 1873 to the present day.
The exhibition is a great opportunity to learn about the city’s history in an entertaining way.
Makers’ Market Budapest: Design & Craft Fair, Nov 18-19
Location, Getting There:
- Városháza Park, Károly körút, Budapest 1052 (View On Map)
- Getting there: M1, M2, M3 metro: Deák tér station, tram 47, 49,
Entry:
- FREE
The Makers’ Market Budapest is a monthly fair showcasing contemporary craftsmanship and where visitors can meet with unique designer products and their creators.
The November edition is part of the city’s 150th birthday celebration and it lasts two days at central venue: Városháza park.
Related
September Programs – October in Budapest – Halloween in Budapes – December Things To Do
