The Hajdúszoboszló Wine and Gastro Festival lands in St. Stephen Park (Szent István Park) from September 18 to 20, 2026, serving three days of flavor-packed discoveries, music, and late-night parties. It’s free to enter, which means more budget for tastings and treats. Expect top bottles from Hungary’s wine regions, a sprawling lineup of street food and regional specialties, stage performances all afternoon, concerts into the night, and a DJ party to close each day with a spin. Families, food lovers, and night owls all get their moment—no ticket required.
Where, when, how
The action unfolds at 4200 Hajdúszoboszló, St. Stephen Park (Szent István Park), from Friday to Sunday, September 18–20, 2026. Music and cultural programs run throughout the day, with evening concerts building into DJ sets after dark. Entry is free. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs, so check updates before you go.
What to eat and drink
Festival vendors pour standout Hungarian wines—from crisp whites to bold reds and late-harvest dessert wines—paired with a generous range of regional dishes and modern street food. Between bites and sips, look for sweet and savory crêpes, artisan ice creams, and barista coffees scattered around the park, along with fresh lemonades and summery cocktails. If you’re still hungry after hours, Hajdúszoboszló’s dining scene is within easy reach of the festival grounds.
After-hours: bars and hangouts
Keep the night going a short stroll from the park. U-Pub Bar pairs a full drinks list with bowling, billiards, darts, air hockey, foosball, and even an escape room—ideal for groups that like a side of competition with their cocktails. The city’s cafés and dessert spots double up on indulgence, with handmade gelato and specialty coffees near the Hungarospa Thermal Bath entrance just a minute away, plus lemonade and cocktail specials for a sunny afternoon reset.
Classic flavors, modern plates
Local restaurants lean into the Great Plain’s traditions with a contemporary touch. Kemencés Csárda channels the spirit of old roadside taverns with a menu shaped by heritage recipes and interiors dressed to match—think hearty, oven-baked classics reimagined with finesse. Nr. 8, right in the bath district, fires up grills all day and into the evening; its summer and winter terraces run from April through late November, including a nearly 80-seat pavilion that’s perfect for big gatherings, cocktails in hand.
Panoramas, pálinka walls, and terrace life
For a change of pace, the Mirage restaurant has had a full glow-up—an elegant setting with a standout pálinka wall, seasonal menus, and service built around guests. Nearby, a romantic, popular dining complex offers a 150-seat covered terrace plus an 80-seat upstairs panorama terrace, ideal for sunset dinners after the main stage winds down.
Where to stay: steps from the steam
If you’re making it a weekend, you’re spoiled for choice within walking distance of the festival and baths. Hotel Barátság, the city’s tallest building in the green heart of the hotel promenade, delivers sweeping views and an in-house wellness center. Guests rotate between medicinal and alternating-temperature pools, hot tubs, saunas, an infrared sauna, and a steam bath for a full-body recharge—great for the morning after a DJ night. The hotel packages stays, wellness, and events under one roof for both leisure and business travelers.
Apartments and guesthouses cluster near the famous baths: newly built units on Kölcsey and Major Streets sit just 100 to 200 meters from the beach entrance, with restaurants, a market, and grocery stores around the corner. Another apartment house, opened in June 2009, is tucked into a quiet vacation hub 200 meters from the beach and only 150 meters from the bus station—leave the car and walk. For peace and quiet, look for a cul-de-sac guesthouse with free courtyard parking and a shared breakfast kitchen, open all year.
Alice Apartment (Alice Apartman), opened in 2010, brings a homely feel close to the beach, thermal baths, and the Aqua-Palace. Other apartment houses near the world-famous spa area sit an easy five-minute walk from the entrance, in calm, green surroundings perfect for families or anyone seeking rest between concerts.
Wellness and therapy on tap
If recovery is a priority, several spots sit steps from the healing waters. One pension lies 100 meters from the beach, 400 meters from both the Aquapark and the Extreme Slide Park, and right by the Árpád pool and Hungarospa therapy building, where guests can book therapeutic treatments. A larger, family-friendly hotel in the resort district offers 107 rooms—from classic doubles and triples to 2+2 family apartments and luxury suites—many with balconies and air conditioning, plus its own wellness area. Expect color TVs, minibars, phones, room safes, and private bathrooms in every room.
Getting there and getting around
The park setting keeps everything compact. Many stays are within a two- to eight-minute walk of the spa entrances, with the city center roughly a 500-meter stroll from some hotels. If you’re flying in or road-tripping, accommodations also cluster near the small airport. Parking is common at guesthouses and apartment courtyards, and public transport is easy, with the bus station close to several properties.
Plan, taste, repeat
Three days, zero tickets, and a lot to sample. Arrive early for tastings, break for thermal time, drift back for live music, then follow the bass to the evening DJ party. Whether you’re here for the wine, the wellness, or the whirl of festival nights, Hajdúszoboszló is set to pour, plate, and play all weekend long. Organizers reserve the right to change the schedule—check for the latest before you go.
