Halloween 2025 in Budapest

Budapest offers a vibrant and eclectic mix of Halloween celebrations, reflecting its growing enthusiasm for this festive occasion. As the city embraces Halloween’s playful and carnival-like spirit, it becomes a hub for a range of activities, including costume parties, festivals, ghost tours, and themed events. The city’s restaurants and bars get into the Halloween spirit with special menus and creatively crafted cocktails, making it a lively and engaging time for both locals and visitors.

Traditional Hungarian Celebrations

In contrast to the lively festivities of Halloween, Hungary observes Halottak Napja, a solemn and reflective holiday observed on November 1 and 2. As a Catholic country, Hungary honors All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day with a focus on reverence and remembrance. The holiday is marked by visiting cemeteries, lighting candles, and paying respects to the deceased and the saints. November 1 is a public holiday in Hungary, meaning that shops and markets will be closed, and public transport services will operate according to a holiday schedule. This serious observance provides a meaningful counterpoint to the more playful Halloween celebrations, highlighting the deep cultural and religious traditions that shape Hungarian life and customs.

Budapest Töklámpás Fesztivál (Saturday, October 5, 2024)

The Budapest Töklámpás Fesztivál, also known as the Pumpkin Lantern Charity Festival, is a vibrant and heartwarming event held at Heroes’ Square. During this enchanting evening, participants gather to create a glowing display of Jack-O-Lanterns, each carefully carved and brought from home. As the flickering candles illuminate the square, the atmosphere becomes one of community and generosity. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items, which will be donated to the Child Nutrition Foundation, supporting children in need. The event is entirely non-commercial, focusing solely on the beauty of the lanterns and the spirit of giving, with participants asked to leave the square as they found it—clean and full of goodwill.

Halloween Mood Dinner Cruise (Thursday, October 31, 2024)

Another way to celebrate Halloween in style is with the Halloween Mood Dinner Cruise on the Danube, departing at 7 pm on October 31. This 120-minute evening cruise, priced from €89, includes a welcome drink, an additional beverage of your choice (beer, wine, or soft drink), and a buffet dinner featuring a variety of Hungarian dishes. Guests will enjoy goulash soup, chicken fillet in gravy, beef stew with Villány red wine, and much more, with options for sides, salads, and desserts. The cruise is further enhanced by live music and a folklore dance show, making it an unforgettable way to experience Halloween in Budapest.

Nightmare in Budapest Haunted House (Year-Round, Tuesday–Sunday)

Located at the underground Horror Labyrinth on Rákóczi út 30 (District VII, with entrance from Nagy Diófa Street), Nightmare in Budapest offers a chilling adventure for thrill-seekers. This interactive haunted house spans 400 square meters (4,300 square feet) and provides a 25-35 minute tour through a maze of terror, combining custom-made sets with cutting-edge light and sound effects.

The attraction is designed to deliver a heart-pounding experience, featuring real actors who bring the “bloodthirsty mad killers” and other dark creatures to life. Visitors navigate through various rooms and dark labyrinths, solving small tasks and overcoming obstacles with the help of the “living” actors. The experience is tailored to those who thrive on excitement, challenges, and the unexpected, making it a unique alternative to traditional horror tours or escape rooms.

Groups of 1-6 people can participate, with each group starting the tour independently. Reservations are required, and the experience is available in both Hungarian and English. Ticket prices are structured to accommodate different group sizes, ranging from 10,500 Hungarian forints for a single participant to 7,000 Hungarian forints per person for groups of 5-7. Special offers are available for groups of 8 or more.

Halloween Parties and Bar Crawls

Clubs and bars across the city throw freaking good parties for Halloween. The most popular city clubs like Instant or Dürer Kert are calling to wild Halloween costume parties. Make sure to warm-up for the party on one of the special ruin pub crawls on October 31. The Halloween-themed bar crawls price usually includes free drinks, free makeup, and lots of fun.

Dracula Tours

One of the most impressive Halloween tours invites you to visit Dracula in the Labyrinth. The Labyrinth in Buda Castle Hill hides lots of old stories and legends since the Middle Ages. According to some legends, Dracula, the legendary Vlad Tepes, was kept in prison here in the 15th century. Despite the skepticism, lots of travelers add this place to their Halloween activities list. The caverns are very atmospheric and have a long history. In the Middle Ages, caves were connected by a labyrinthine system. It served as a bunker in World War II, and there are many secrets and stories to be told about this place. The Labyrinth operates daily from 10 am to 7 pm, with special night tours by oil lamp starting after 6 pm. Another Dracula Tour is offered at Vajdahunyad Castle in City Park. It's dedicated to the Hungarian vampire stories that sound especially vivid in the mysterious halls of the Gothic castle. The price for these tours is around €10-€20.