Hajdúszoboszló turns into Hungary’s tastiest long weekend this fall as the Wine and Gastronomy Festival takes over Saint Stephen Park (Szent István Park) from Friday to Sunday, September 18–20, 2026. Expect a deep dive into regional flavors, a generous spread of street food and classic Hungarian dishes, and a parade of bottles from the country’s standout wine regions. It’s lively, family-friendly, and free to enter. Daytime brings stage performances and cultural shows; nights close with a DJ party under the trees. Locals, weekenders, and spa-goers roll in for the same reason: good food, better wine, and easygoing vibes.
Where and when
The festival grounds are right at 4200 Hajdúszoboszló, Saint Stephen Park (Szent István Park)—easy to find, easier to love. Gates open daily from September 18 through 20, 2026, with programs stacked from morning through late night. Admission costs nothing; bring curiosity and an appetite.
What’s pouring and plating
The promise here is simple: special autumn flavors and a wide gastronomic lineup paired with the best bottles from Hungary’s wine country. Expect dry whites and structured reds from the likes of Tokaj, Eger, Villány, and beyond, poured alongside rustic plates rethought for a street-festival crowd—think grilled specialties, oven-baked classics, and comfort-food favorites. Sweet and savory snacks, artisan ice creams, and specialty coffee keep the tempo between concerts, while lemonades and cocktail stands make sure the non-wine crowd is just as happy.
Stage, culture, and after-hours
The main stage runs live shows and cultural performances all afternoon, moving from folk and dance acts to concert sets as the sun dips. When the lights shift, DJs take over and turn the park into a laid-back party until late, with a set list tuned for every age group. The organizers reserve the right to change times and programs, so check updates closer to the weekend.
Spa city perks
Hajdúszoboszló is Hungary’s spa heavyweight, and the festival is steps from legendary thermal waters. Plan a soak and a sip: relax in the Thermal Spa (Gyógyfürdő) or Béke Baths (Béke fürdő), then drift back to the park for wine, music, and an easy stroll among the stands. If you need a breather indoors, cafés and bars near the Hungarospa entrance serve crêpes, cocktails, specialty coffees, and handmade ice creams one minute from the gate. For a game-night pivot, U-Pub Bar mixes bowling, billiards, darts, air hockey, foosball, and even an escape room in one spot, with a broad drinks list and friendly prices.
Eat like a local
Within walking distance of the baths you’ll find old-meets-new Hungarian cooking done with heart. Kemencés Csárda pays homage to the classic roadside csárda tradition, refreshed for today with a menu and interiors built around heritage dishes and oven-baked comfort. Nr.8 adds a grill-forward twist, anchored by one of the city’s largest open-air filagorias—a summertime essential where cocktails and warmers roll from April through late November. For a polished turn, the revamped Mirage Restaurant goes seasonal in an elegant space with a dedicated pálinka wall and guest-first service. And if you want it all under one roof—pastry counter, full kitchen, and boutique lodging—book a table and a room at a cozy house with 13 room types, outfitted with either a bathtub or a shower.
Stay close, stay easy
Accommodation is abundant and walkable. Hotels, pensions, and apartment houses cluster around the spa district and the park, meaning you can ditch the car and roam on foot. Highlights include:
– Hotel Barátság***, the city’s tallest building in the green zone, with panoramic views and a full in-house wellness complex: therapeutic and alternating-temperature pools, whirlpools, saunas, an infrared sauna, and a steam bath. It blends lodging, wellness, and event space for both downtime and business needs.
– A pension by the airport sits just 330 feet from the beach entrance and 1,310 feet from the Aquapark and the newer Extreme Slide Park. The Árpád Pool (Árpád uszoda) and the Hungarospa therapy building are next door for anyone seeking treatments.
– Family-run apartment houses a five-minute walk from the world-famous baths sit on quiet streets, with new builds on Kölcsey and Major Streets as near as 330 to 660 feet from the beach gates. You’ll find restaurants, a market, and groceries within minutes.
– An apartment house opened in June 2009 sits 660 feet from the beach and 490 feet from the bus station, tucked in a calm resort enclave.
– Guesthouses in cul-de-sacs promise tranquil sleep, free courtyard parking, and shared breakfast kitchens, open year-round.
– A 107-room family- and kid-friendly hotel in the resort area brings its own therapeutic and wellness wing. Rooms range from classic twins and triples to 2+2 family apartments, family rooms with bunk beds, and plush suites. Expect TVs, minibars, phones, safes, and private bathrooms in every room, plus many with air conditioning and balconies.
Plan the perfect weekend
Map your days around the stage lineup and cultural slots, mix in a thermal session, and let the evening DJ sets take you to closing. Table and room bookings are recommended across the festival weekend, and popular restaurants fill fast. Keep an eye on the organizers’ channels for last-minute tweaks to the schedule, then bring your friends, pick a bottle, and settle into Saint Stephen Park (Szent István Park). The only hard part is choosing what to taste first.
