Raise your glass and mark the first weekend of October on your calendar: the Villány Red Wine Festival (Villányi Vörösbor Fesztivál) returns bigger and bolder than ever from October 3-5, 2025. This three-day celebration floods Hungary’s most famous wine region (Villány) with top reds, live music, delicious food, and crowds of locals and visitors tipsy with tradition.
The Heart of Hungarian Wine Culture
Villány (Villány) transforms into a wine lover’s paradise as its historic wine cellars and newly renovated main square host tastings, feasts, and a dazzling array of entertainment. Wander from underground cellars along Villány’s storied “wine street” (Pincesor) to the lively Event Plaza—every space buzzes with wine-fueled energy. But it’s not just about drinking: live concerts, folk heritage performances, a vibrant harvest parade, artisan markets, and a spectrum of cultural and culinary experiences guarantee you won’t want to leave (unless you’ve had too much).
The 2025 musical lineup is set to satisfy all tastes: chart-topping acts like Kozmix, Kowalsky meg a Vega, Bagossy Brothers Company, Desh, and Nótár Mary will take the stage. While the full program will be announced soon, you can count on Villány (Villány) being filled with hospitality, music, and the region’s finest wines all weekend long.
Raise a Glass: Villány’s Finest Reds
True to its name, the festival is an unapologetic celebration of Villány’s legendary reds—think Blaufränkisch (Kékfrankos), Portugieser, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. For wine enthusiasts, plenty of family wineries open their doors for guided tastings and cellar tours, and several use organic, chemical-free production for more “guilt-free” sipping.
A highlight is sampling local wines directly from the passionate winemakers who create them, many of whom pair their bottles with house-made charcuterie, game dishes, and live traditional music, all served in atmospheric cellars.
Unmissable Events and Activities
Besides the main stage concerts, the festival pays homage to its roots with a spectacular harvest parade and folk dance performances—a nod to Villány’s deep wine traditions. Browse artisan markets for local crafts or explore food stalls serving everything from classic goulash to whole roasted pig on open-fire terraces. Even the most discerning foodies will discover new flavors to enjoy.
Tickets: Sip, Dance, Repeat
In 2025, entry is free for children under 12, and for residents with a permanent Villány (Villány) address (bring valid ID and proof of residence). Otherwise, adult two-day festival passes range from early bird deals at about $25, advance tickets around $31, with full-price passes at $39. Take your pick, but don’t wait—this festival is one of Hungary’s biggest crowd-pullers.
A Place to Crash: Villány Accommodation
Whether you’re looking for a rustic guesthouse, charming B&B, or a little luxury, Villány (Villány) offers accommodations for every taste. Cozy wine-themed inns like Antler Inn (Agancsos Panzió) provide six rooms (some accessible for guests with mobility needs) and offer the option to book dinner and wine tastings. The Anonim Guesthouse gives you complete privacy in a peaceful green area near the old Teleki Castle site, while Blum Cellar (Blum Pince), with a Mediterranean vibe, welcomes larger groups and can prepare a fresh whole roasted pig on its terrace.
The Bock Winery experience isn’t just about tasting its iconic wines—enjoy tours of the historic cellars, feast at Bock Óbor Restaurant, or indulge in wellness at the Bock Hotel Ermitage, right in the center of Villány (Villány).
Looking for something a bit more exclusive? Crocus Gere Wine Hotel Resort & Wine Spa (Crocus Gere Bor Hotel Resort & Wine Spa) places you at the heart of the wine region, with wellness facilities and on-site tastings—perfect for a luxurious post-festival wind-down.
Many guesthouses are adult-friendly, with tranquil gardens for grilling, sunbathing, and—of course—sampling house wines. Some properties are dog-friendly and offer enclosed parking, ideal for guests with pets or traveling in groups. For those seeking a social atmosphere, options like Eckhardt House (Eckhardt Ház) have community spaces for up to 20 guests and play areas for children.
Wine Bars, Organics & the Villány Wine Order
Pop into 7773, the local wine lover’s hotspot, where expert bartenders curate only the finest regional wines. This venue isn’t just about drinking; it hosts regular themed events, family celebrations, business meetings, and more.
Passionate about sustainability? Producers such as Bakonyi–Kerl and the Attila Gere Family Winery (Gere Attila Családi Pincészet) focus on organic, chemical-free vineyards for purists. Other esteemed estates, like those founded by legendary grape breeder Zsigmond Teleki (just make an appointment to visit), uphold Villány’s (Villány) reputation stretching back generations.
Don’t Miss Out
With its combination of endless wine, music, food, and local tradition, the Villány Red Wine Festival (Villányi Vörösbor Fesztivál) is more than a party—it’s the full Hungarian experience distilled (or, more accurately, fermented) into one unmissable October weekend. Grab your ticket, book your stay, and see for yourself why Villány’s (Villány) red wine is famous far beyond its borders.
Event dates and programs are subject to change by the organizers—so stay tuned and get ready to raise your glass in Villány (Villány)!
