Békéscsaba is gearing up for another round of meaty madness as the 28th Csabai Kolbászfesztivál (Békéscsaba Sausage Festival) takes over the city from October 23 to 26, 2025. For four days, fans of rich Hungarian flavors can dive headfirst into a celebration filled with the country’s tastiest sausages, sausage-making competitions, traditional pig feasts, cooking contests, concerts, and mouthwatering delights right in the heart of southeastern Hungary. It’s an unmissable adventure for foodies and anyone who loves a good party—and there’s not just one, but multiple ways to get in on the competitive action.
Contests and Competitions: Get Your Hands Dirty
The festival is a playground for all, with sausage kneading (kolbászgyúró) contests that range from kids’ and youth tournaments to full-scale international matches. Everything takes place at different pavilions and tents across the event grounds, and participants can sign up for their preferred competition easily online. Picking a table is mandatory when you register—you simply select the specific spot you want and submit your details.
For the true kolbász masters:
– International Dry Sausage Competition: October 9, 11:00 am (Békéscsaba Event Barn—Csabai Rendezvénypajta)
– Kids’ and Elementary School Sausage Kneading: October 23, 10:00 am (Mokry Sámuel tent)
– High School & University Youth Contest: October 24, 10:00 am (Mokry Sámuel tent)
– International Sausage Kneading Showdowns: October 25, 10:00 am (Mokry Sámuel and Mihály Munkácsy tents)
– Generational Sausage Kneading: October 26, 10:00 am (Mokry Sámuel tent)
– Stuffed Cabbage Cooking Contest: October 26, 9:00 am (Outdoor Stage area)
Each competition comes with its own set of rules—make sure to double-check before registering. All bookings are handled online and, since the events overlap, you’ll want to plan your schedule carefully.
Tickets: What It’ll Cost You
Securing your spot at the Kolbászfesztivál is straightforward, but don’t expect the prices to stay the same. Wristbands, which grant you access after you exchange them for emailed coupon tickets on site, are the norm. Payments can be made by card or SZÉP card (Hungarian employee benefit cards—similar to meal or holiday cards).
The festival pass, which covers all four days, increases in price as the event approaches:
– From August 1: $40
– From September 1: $44
– From October 1: $47
– From October 12: $47
– From October 23: $50
Daily tickets for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday also rise in price:
– $20 (from August 1)
– $22 (from September 1)
– $24 (from October 1)
– $25 (from October 23)
However, Thursday offers a clever deal—if you enter before 2:00 pm and stay inside, you can enjoy Thursday’s festivities absolutely free. Kids under six get in for free every day. Please note: once you buy your tickets, you cannot change or rebook them, and organizers reserve the right to update the program at any time.
Feasting and Accommodations: From Wellness Hotels to Grills
If you’re staying overnight, Békéscsaba offers a wide range of options. You can settle in a family guesthouse on a leafy residential edge of town, featuring four air-conditioned double rooms, bathrooms, and a communal kitchenette with all the basics—pots, utensils, stove, fridge, coffee maker, even a garage or covered parking. Or live it up at the secluded Arcanum Hotel, set among acres of parkland and boasting a well-appointed wellness area, delicious food, and a welcoming staff who promise rejuvenation for body and mind.
In the bustling city center, you’ll find a stylish two-level, 1,184-square-foot luxury apartment, or you can opt for the comfortable, pine-surrounded Pine Wellness Hotel (Fenyves Wellness Hotel), embraced by forest and bordered by Békéscsaba’s streams. The historic Fiume Hotel welcomes guests with early 20th-century elegance and offers rooms overlooking the city’s recently renovated main square.
The Meteor Guesthouse provides two double and two triple rooms, each with unlimited Wi-Fi, TVs, a shared kitchenette, and nearby parking—plus a grill in the green courtyard, ideal for casual outdoor cooking. Accessibility is considered, with one room designed for those with reduced mobility.
Conference-goers and wellness seekers can head to the four-star conference and spa hotel located in a beautifully renovated heritage building, or unwind at the freshly refurbished Meadow Inn (Réti Panzió), with 11 rooms for up to 34 guests, round-the-clock reception, and a tranquil atmosphere just behind the city’s Grand Lutheran Church (Evangelical Church).
When the kolbász isn’t enough, you’re covered—craft burgers, platters, nachos, cocktails, and piping hot chocolate await hungry visitors all festival long.
Just remember: the organizers reserve the right to change times, programs, and details, so always check before you travel. See you under the sausages!
