For four days in late October, the town of Békéscsaba becomes Hungary’s unofficial sausage capital as the legendary Csaba Sausage Festival (Csabai Kolbászfesztivál) returns for its 28th edition from October 23 to 26, 2025. This festival isn’t just about sampling endless varieties of mouthwatering sausages—it’s an all-out celebration filled with competitions, live music, culinary demonstrations, pig slaughters, street food, and a party atmosphere that attracts visitors from all over Hungary and beyond.
Festival Highlights and Fun
The festival overflows with food and excitement from day one. The main attraction, of course, is the legendary Csaba sausage (Csabai kolbász), renowned throughout Hungary for its rich paprika flavor and authentic hand-tying. Local butchers, sausage makers, and ambitious home cooks come together to compete for the title of best sausage, and festival guests can taste and purchase a dizzying selection of smoky, spicy creations, from classic to innovative varieties.
But sausage eating is just the beginning. Visitors can also join the sausage-making action: teams compete in a lively series of sausage-stuffing contests, where everyone from schoolchildren to seasoned pros gets their hands messy in pursuit of sausage glory. There’s a dedicated competition just for kindergarten and primary school children on the first day, followed by older students on Friday, then the high-stakes International Sausage-Making Competition that takes over the Mokry Sámuel and Mihály Munkácsy tents on Saturday. Sunday is for the generational competition, where families come together to showcase their skills. If your passion leans more toward cabbage, Sunday morning brings a huge stuffed cabbage cooking contest to the festival square.
Tickets, Passes, and Entry Deals
Tickets are available online, with four-day festival passes and day tickets for each day of the celebration. Kids under six get in free. Your purchase provides you with a digital coupon to exchange for an entry wristband onsite. Festival passes become more expensive as the event approaches, so booking early pays off:
– From August 1: Four-day pass $39
– From September 1: Four-day pass $43
– From October 1: Four-day pass $46
– From October 12: Four-day pass $46
– From October 23: Four-day pass $49
Day ticket prices for Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday start at $20 and rise to $25 closer to the event dates. Here’s a Thursday-only tip: entry is free until 2pm, and anyone who enters before then and doesn’t leave can enjoy the whole day for free.
How to Compete & Reserve a Spot
Dream of bringing home a sausage-making trophy? Register your team online for the competition of your choice and reserve your workspace using an interactive digital table map. You’ll need to provide your team’s contact information to secure your table. Keep in mind, each competition has a specific time slot, so read carefully and don’t double-book.
Key sausage competitions:
– October 9, 11am: International Dry Sausage Competition
– October 23, 10am: Kindergarten & Primary Student Sausage-Making
– October 24, 10am: High School & University Sausage-Making
– October 25, 10am: International Sausage-Making (two tents)
– October 26, 10am: Generational Sausage-Making
– October 26, 9am: Stuffed Cabbage Cook-Off
Where to Stay in Békéscsaba
Whether you’re seeking rustic charm, family-friendly hotels, or a luxurious getaway, Békéscsaba delivers. Accommodation options cater to every taste and group size, with several places ready to welcome festival guests:
– Guesthouses with air-conditioned, TV-equipped rooms and private bathrooms. Look for shared kitchenettes stocked with cooking gear and breakfast essentials. Some offer garages or covered parking.
– The Arcanum Hotel promises tranquility in a park setting, with fine dining, a relaxing spa, and experienced staff.
– Spacious 110 m² (1,184 sq ft) loft apartments in the heart of town, fully equipped for all your needs.
– The Fenyves Wellness Hotel*** sits at the city’s edge, surrounded by pines and forest, where guests enjoy access to vast green space and waterway views.
– The elegant Fiume Hotel greets you with turn-of-the-century charm and rooms overlooking the recently renovated city center square.
– The Meteor Guesthouse offers two twin and two triple rooms, each with TV and unlimited Wi-Fi. A shared kitchen, fridges, and a garden grill area add to the appeal.
For a grander stay, the four-star wellness & conference hotel just outside the picturesque Széchenyi Park welcomes guests with modern comforts, excellent wellness facilities, and close access to all the festival fun.
Those seeking a budget-friendly or cozy option can choose a room at the fully renovated Réti Guesthouse (Réti Panzió), located in a quiet area right behind the grand Lutheran church, with 24-hour reception and home-cooked meals.
Food, Drinks, and Late-Night Vibes
Food lovers are in for a treat. Beyond the endless kolbász (sausage), expect craft burgers, sharing platters, cocktails, hot chocolate, nachos, and a broad selection of local and international drinks. Many establishments offer special festival menus and stay open late to fuel your night out.
Extras and Essentials
Plan ahead—tickets are non-transferable once purchased, and the organizers reserve the right to change the schedule or program. For more details, call information between Monday and Friday, 8am to 4pm, at +36 30 670 4481.
