For four days this October, Békéscsaba transforms into the sausage capital of Hungary as the Csabai Sausage Festival (Csabai Kolbászfesztivál) returns for its 28th edition. From October 23 to 26, 2025, get ready for a true gastronomic adventure—think mouthwatering sausages, sausage-making showdowns, live concerts, pig feasts, and food-filled merriment the city is famous for. Whether you’re a foodie on a mission, a music lover, or just looking for a good time, this iconic festival has something spicy for everyone.
Sausage Competitions for Every Age
The heart of the festival is the fierce competition—Hungary’s finest join forces (and sometimes battle fiercely) over meat, spices, and skill. The international dry sausage contest kicks off early on October 9, 2025, but festival week is packed with sausage-making competitions for all ages, from kindergarteners to university students and seasoned culinary pros.
On October 23, primary school teams knead their way to glory in the Mokry Sámuel tent. The next day, it’s high schoolers and university students stepping up for their own youth sausage-mixing contest. Saturday is when things get serious: two tents, Mokry Sámuel and Mihály Munkácsy (Munkácsy Mihály), host international sausage competitions with top teams from around Europe fiercely vying for the Kolbász King crown. Sunday is all about family pride with the generational sausage-making contest—multi-generation teams prove that sausage greatness runs in the blood.
Craving more than sausage? Sunday morning brings the legendary stuffed cabbage cooking competition, an event nearly as heated as the sausage battles, held in front of the outdoor stage.
Contest sign-ups and table bookings are online, with different dates for each event, so plan (and reserve) carefully!
Entry, Wristbands, and Ticket Details
Tickets are paperless: buy online and receive festival coupons via email. Exchange these on-site for entry wristbands at the gates. Payment is easy, with options for both bank cards and Hungary’s SZÉP cards. Remember—no changes or refunds are possible after purchase, so double-check before you click “buy.” Kids under 6 get in free, and the festival reserves the right to adjust schedules if needed.
How much will it set you back? Full festival passes and daily tickets are available for every budget. The earlier you buy, the more you save. Here’s the rundown:
– Full 4-day Festival Pass:
– From August 1: $40
– From September 1: $44
– From October 1: $47
– From October 12: $47
– From October 23: $50
If commitment isn’t your thing, daily tickets are also available. Thursday’s entry is free until 2 p.m.—get in early, stay all day, and it costs you nothing! Afterward, Thursday through Sunday day tickets follow the same pricing:
– From August 1: $20
– From September 1: $22
– From October 1: $24
– From October 23: $25 per day
Festival lines can get long, so secure your tickets in advance and don’t risk missing out on the sizzle.
Where to Stay: From Charming Inns to Polished Hotels
Békéscsaba is ready for the crowds, with everything from cozy guesthouses to four-star hotels. If you want homey comfort, local guesthouses offer air-conditioned rooms, small kitchens for DIY meals, options for extra beds, as well as garages or covered parking.
For quiet luxury, the Arcanum Hotel sits tucked away in its own park on the outskirts—perfect for relaxing after a day of festival feasting. There’s also a top-floor luxury apartment next to the Csaba Center (Csaba Központ) in the city center, offering modern amenities and plenty of space.
The Fenyves Wellness Hotel (Fenyves Wellness Szálloda), surrounded by pine forests and bordered by the city’s lively water channel, is great if you like activity and relaxation side by side. Prefer historic charm? The Fiume Hotel (Fiume Szálloda) brings early 20th-century elegance to the heart of the city, with 39 rooms overlooking Békéscsaba’s freshly renovated main square.
For groups or budget travelers, Meteor Guesthouse (Meteor Vendégház) has twin and triple rooms, free WiFi, cable TV, shared kitchen facilities, and all the essentials for a comfortable stay—including a barbecue corner perfect for hungry festival-goers. There is even an accessible room for guests with limited mobility.
The city’s four-star hotel is a beautifully modernized former brewery, ideal for wellness, business, and entertainment with facilities right in the center of Békéscsaba.
Foodies looking for a peaceful break can relax at the Meadow Guesthouse & Restaurant (Réti Panzió), a newly renovated 3-star property close to the city’s iconic Lutheran church—offering tranquility, comfort, and round-the-clock service.
Food, Drink, and Party Vibes
The festival is more than just sausage. Expect hand-crafted burgers, generous platters, cocktails, hot chocolate, nachos, and a seemingly endless array of local treats and drinks. The city comes alive day and night with concerts, performances, talks, and, of course, unbeatable people-watching over a beer or pálinka.
If you’re searching for the juiciest flavors, the wildest parties, and the friendliest locals, circle your calendar for the Csabai Sausage Festival 2025. Just remember—program times might shift, so keep checking back for the latest updates.
