For the 28th time, Békéscsaba is set to become Hungary’s sausage capital as the Csabai Sausage Festival (Csabai Kolbászfesztivál) returns October 23–26, 2025. This four-day gastronomic adventure promises mouthwatering sausages, thrilling sausage-making competitions, traditional pig slaughters, food tastings, lively concerts, and an overall celebration brimming with local flavors. It’s much more than just sampling delicious sausage—it’s a festival featuring international competitors, workshops, and some of the friendliest party vibes in Hungary.
Competitions Galore: Everyone Can Try Their Luck
Aspiring sausage makers have countless opportunities to get in on the action. Registration for competitions is online, and you can even select your preferred table when you sign up. Here’s the competition lineup:
— October 9, 11:00 AM @ Csabai Event Barn (Csabai Rendezvénypajta): International Dry Sausage Contest.
— October 23, 10:00 AM @ Sámuel Mokry Tent (Mokry Sámuel sátor): Youth sausage-making contest for kindergarten and elementary students.
— October 24, 10:00 AM @ Sámuel Mokry Tent (Mokry Sámuel sátor): Sausage-making competition for high school and university students.
— October 25, 10:00 AM @ Sámuel Mokry and Mihály Munkácsy Tents (Mokry Sámuel és Munkácsy Mihály sátrak): International sausage-making contests running side by side.
— October 26, 10:00 AM @ Sámuel Mokry Tent (Mokry Sámuel sátor): Generational sausage-making contest—families and age groups unite!
— October 26, 9:00 AM @ Outdoor Stage: Stuffed cabbage cooking contest for those who love more than just sausage.
Each contest has its own unique flair, so double-check competition times before booking your spot!
How (and When) to Get Your Tickets
Getting tickets is easy and straightforward. After purchase, you’ll receive an email voucher—exchange it at the venue for a wristband that grants entry. Pay with your credit card or Hungarian SZÉP card. Remember, tickets cannot be modified or rebooked, so choose carefully! Children under six enter free, and all programs are subject to change at the organizers’ discretion.
Here’s the ticket price breakdown for four-day passes:
— From August 1: $40
— From September 1: $44
— From October 1: $47
— From October 12: $47
— From October 23: $50
And daily tickets for each festival day (Thursday–Sunday) are:
— From August 1: $20
— From September 1: $22
— From October 1: $24
— From October 23: $25
On Thursday, entry is free until 2 PM—so if you arrive early and don’t leave the grounds, you get to enjoy the day for free!
Where to Stay: Something for Every Taste
Whether you want luxury or a laid-back vibe, Békéscsaba offers accommodations for every budget during the festival season:
— Guesthouses in the Lencsési residential area offer air-conditioned rooms, private bathrooms, and a cozy shared kitchenette equipped with utensils, dishes, a fridge, and a coffee maker. For extra convenience, some also provide garages or covered parking.
— Arcanum Hotel is nestled in Békéscsaba’s garden suburb, surrounded by a park, and offers gourmet meals, indulgent wellness options, and zen-like tranquility away from it all.
— In the heart of downtown, there’s a luxurious two-floor apartment next to the Csaba Center mall, fully equipped with every amenity you could want.
— Fenyves Wellness Hotel*** boasts a woodland setting bordering the city’s Live Water Canal (Élővíz-csatorna), blending pine forest scenery with family-friendly charm and a wide range of wellness options.
— Fiume Hotel provides fin de siècle elegance with 39 rooms and 76 beds, most overlooking the newly renovated main square.
— Meteor Guesthouse offers twin and triple rooms with unlimited Wi-Fi, a wide selection of TV channels, a shared kitchenette, and even an outdoor grill area in the lush green garden. One room is accessible for guests with disabilities.
— The new four-star wellness and conference hotel, housed in a renovated historic brewery, is next to Széchenyi Park and offers leisure, business facilities, and wellness amenities surrounded by some of the city’s finest architecture.
— Réti Guesthouse (Réti Panzió) welcomes guests to a peaceful spot behind the city’s impressive Evangelical Church, with 11 rooms, accommodations for 34 guests, and the calm you’ve been yearning for.
Food & Drink: Much More Than Sausage
Let’s not forget the festival’s full culinary lineup. Expect hand-crafted burgers, multi-course platters, cocktails, nachos, and piping hot chocolate from the food courts, along with classic sausage specialties and traditional Hungarian fare. There’s something for every craving.
Final Festival Tips
If you need assistance, an information hotline is available weekdays from 8 AM to 4 PM. Organizers may adjust times and events at the last minute—so stay tuned for surprises!
Whether you’re coming for the sausage, the competitions, the music, or just an authentic Hungarian experience, the Csabai Sausage Festival (Csabai Kolbászfesztivál) is the place to be this October.
