On February 7, 2026, Derecske turns its main square, Makkay János Square (Makkay János tér), into a sizzling winter stage for the 17th Derecske Pig Feast (Derecskei Disznótor) and Hajdú-Bihar County Winter Fair. Think steaming plates, warming sips, and folk rhythms—plus the shared joy of passing on hard-earned, old-school know-how in a fun, modern package. Come for the crackling pork skin, stay for the dancing bears, and leave with a grin (and possibly a sausage).
Program Highlights
The day fires up at 8:00 with the traditional pig dispatch behind the market hall. At 9:00, Attila Bistey welcomes the crowd, followed by the Bakator Folk Music Ensemble (Bakator Népzenei Együttes). At 9:15, the “ash-baked” pogácsa baking contest announces its winners, then at 9:40 the Bakator band joins the Szivárvány Folk Dance Ensemble on stage. At 10:30, a masked winter-chasing parade storms from the cultural center to the square with Sonivius Vappae, the whip-cracking winter-banishers from Hajdúszoboszló, the Winged Dragon (Szárnyas Sárkány) stilt-walkers, masked revelers, bear dancers, and the Szivárvány and Kikelet dance troupes. At 11:00, Sonivius Vappae leads a circle dance to chase the cold once more.
Noon brings the ceremonial opening and greetings, with Bakator and the Derecske Blue Kálló Zither Orchestra (Derecskei Kék Kálló Citerazenekar) adding strings and swing. At 12:20, the Földes Bird School (Földesi Madársuli) swoops in with a live animal showcase—yes, including a cheeky goat show. At 13:00, singer András Mészáros lifts hearts with classic melodies, backed by Bakator, and Agyagbanda keeps the vibes high as mood managers. At 14:00, riders from the Hajdúszoboszló Dust Speck Association (Hajdúszoboszlói Porszem Egyesület) deliver an equestrian show. At 15:30, the big results roll in for the Derecske Pig Feast competition teams and the “Knuckle Clash” participants. At 17:00, Familiar Faces (Ismerős Arcok) close the day with a full-throttle concert.
All-Day Side Attractions
Ferkó Kádár’s Photo Theater snaps vintage-style portraits, while the Winter Fair, folk pig-feast playground, pony rides, hands-on crafts, and a Craft Street keep the square buzzing. Kids’ programming fills the cultural center. From 10:00 to 15:00, Malacka-Land playhouse takes over, and 10:00 to 14:00 brings crafts and workshops with the Derecske Craft Circle and creators from the Bihari Folk Art Association. The Crackling Stage (Töpörtyű Színpad) schedule: 10:00 The Well of Truth—stories by Rudolf Lang; 11:00 a show by the Cibri Children’s Ensemble of Derecske Elementary Art School; 11:30 Vitéz László puppet performance by puppeteer Dávid Fekete; 14:00–15:00 a kids’ dance house.
Knuckle Clash: Cook, Serve, Win
Teams cook traditional pig-feast dishes on-site and may sell what they make using tasting vouchers sold exclusively by the organizers at 1,000 HUF (about 2.70 USD). Portions are priced relative to that voucher: for example, 1 portion of cabbage with pork (toroskáposzta) costs 1 voucher; 1 portion of sausage costs 2 vouchers. Teams set their own portion sizes and prices. At day’s end, vouchers are redeemed against invoices, with 20% going to the organizers.
Choose your battlefield: knuckle dishes (stew, aspic, roasted knuckle), blood with onions, lacipecsenye (griddled pork), fresh pork, liver sausage (hurka), sausage (kolbász), cabbage with pork (toroskáposzta), or local specialties. Start: Saturday, February 7, 8:00; cooking spots open from 7:00; ceremonial opening at 12:00; awards at 16:00 on the new main square stage. Each team must provide one jury portion per entered category. No entry fee. Teams of up to six welcome. Jury: chef Lázár Kovács, Zoltán Szatmári, and master chef György Kiss.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just a party—it’s heritage dressed in a cool new coat. Families, young crowds, and the curious—especially those who only know pig feasts from their grandparents’ tales—get to be active participants, rediscovering shared skills and the thrill of making something together. There’s still “something new under the sun,” they insist—and Derecske makes a joyous case for it.
About Derecske
Derecske sits in Hungary’s Northern Great Plain, Hajdú-Bihar County, a town of nearly 9,000 with the services of a buzzing city in a livable, human-scale package. Ambitious locals, strong values, and a thriving entrepreneurial spirit back up its motto: “We preserve value – We create value! Derecske, the city of diligence!” Makkay János Event Square (Makkay János rendezvénytér) in the town center hosts the Derecske Pig Feast and the county Winter Fair. Date: 2026.02.07. Derecske. Organizers reserve the right to change the program and schedule.
