Every August, Budapest’s imposing Castle District becomes a lively celebration of tradition at the “Festival of Crafts” (Mesterségek Ünnepe), the largest folk art and craft festival in the Carpathian Basin. From August 17 to 20, 2025, it will mark its 39th annual edition, promising four days packed with artisan workshops, live music, folk dance, fashion shows, international guests, and plenty of hands-on activities.
Folk Jewelry and Costume Take the Spotlight
This year’s central theme is all about folk jewelry and traditional attire. Nearly one thousand Hungarian and international artisans fill the centuries-old streets and spacious squares between Trinity Square (Szentháromság tér) and Kapisztrán Square (Kapisztrán tér). Browse intricate items and watch craftspeople in over a hundred open workshops practicing trades such as blacksmithing, embroidery, egg painting, linen weaving, pottery, wood carving, basket making, beading, and thatching. You can even try your hand at some of these skills—perhaps weaving a lace headdress, crafting jewelry, or making a decorative men’s hat.
One special highlight is the Kalotaszeg Gems pavilion, showcasing some of the most colorful and bead-adorned pieces in the Hungarian-speaking world. Festive headbands, lace caps, lavish tassels, and ornate accessories are on display, alongside tabletop exhibits recreating interiors from Kalotaszeg (Transylvania).
Azerbaijan’s Silk Secrets and Carpets on Show
Azerbaijan is the country of honor at this year’s festival, bringing unique crafts that have earned a place on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. Witness a master kelaghayi maker (craftsman of the square, elaborately printed Azerbaijani silk headscarf) and observe takalduz embroidery, where silk threads are transformed into gobelin-style decorative motifs. Azerbaijani carpet weavers are also present, representing a weaving tradition that goes back millennia. On loan from the National Carpet Museum in Baku—the world’s richest carpet collection—is a selection of mesmerizing, centuries-old carpets.
Joining Azerbaijan are masters from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and Poland. Admire Korean calligraphy and see age-old najeonchilgi—Korean pearl inlay art. Kyrgyz folk researchers and costume makers demonstrate the creation and wrapping of the elechek, the majestic traditional headdress also recognized by UNESCO.
Workshops, Play, and Fun for All Ages
The Festival of Crafts is more than a market: it’s an all-ages adventure through the world of tradition. Kids can hop between folk games, join craft sessions, or meet Elvira Fábián—the teddy bear “doctor”—who repairs and outfits beloved plush toys. At the Heves County Folk Art Association’s area, children can learn to make and launch spinning tops or help with old-fashioned farmhouse chores. The Artera Foundation’s booth offers wooden toys, stone mills, and skill games for hands-on fun.
Folk, Fusion, and World Rhythms: Music & Dance Galore
Every day, the main stage on Trinity Square (Szentháromság tér) pulses with performances from the biggest names in Hungarian and world folk music. Festival favorites like Kerekes Band, Dalinda, István “Szalonna” Pál, Romengo & Mónika Lakatos, and the Dezső Fitos Company bring down the house with song and dance. This year’s program is even broader, featuring dance troupes from India, Mexico, Serbia, and Greece, plus a dash of world music—like János Csík & Mezzo’s jazz-infused folk, and Said Tichiti’s North African–Roma blend.
There’s no forgetting fashion: the FolkTREND runway show gives folk motifs a cosmopolitan spin with bold new outfits inspired by age-old styles. Designer Tünde Hrivnák will also launch her latest “Székelyland Worthy of Treasures” (Kincset érő Székelyföld) collection.
Unmissable Festival Schedule—and It’s Free!
Spread across four days, the festival runs daily from 10 AM to 8 PM (7 PM on August 20). Feast your eyes (and ears) on everything from sunrise bagpipe jams to swing-infused folk, award ceremonies, children’s galas, and fashion shows. Sample highlights:
- Kerekes Band & Dalinda debut concert and album premiere
- Romengo featuring Said Tichiti with an Afro-Arabic twist
- Dance houses each night to get your feet moving
- The legendary bread blessing ceremony (a major Hungarian tradition) on August 20
With nearly a thousand craftspeople, more than a hundred hands-on workshops, international guests, and spectacular performances, there’s something for everyone—young and old, local and traveler, craft enthusiast or music lover. Entry is free as part of the country’s national celebrations.
So don’t just watch—join in. Whether you want to weave, dance, or simply people-watch, the Festival of Crafts is Budapest at its most authentic, inviting, and alive.
