Hajdúszoboszló turns St. Stephen Park (Szent István Park) into a flavor playground from Friday to Sunday, September 18–20, 2026, serving up a free, open-air Wine and Gastro Festival packed with culinary pop-ups, regional wines, concerts, dance acts, and late-night DJ sets. It’s billed as the biggest autumn food festival in the spa town, and the mix of stage shows, cultural programs, and party vibes is set to hook all ages. Entry is free; just bring an appetite and a curious palate. The address is 4200 Hajdúszoboszló, St. Stephen Park (Szent István Park).
When, where, how much
The festival runs from September 18 to 20, 2026, in St. Stephen Park (Szent István Park), right in Hajdúszoboszló. There’s no ticketing, no wristbands, no fuss—admission is free across all three days. Organizers reserve the right to change dates or programs, so keep an eye on their channels if you’re timing a trip around it.
What’s pouring and plating
Expect a wide spectrum of Hungarian flavors: big pans, smoky grills, and comfort food reboots paired with standout wines from across Hungary’s wine regions. Cellars will be pouring whites, reds, rosés, and sparkling wines, while food stalls handle the cravings—savory bites, sweets, and everything in between. Daytime is about tastings and family-friendly shows; when night falls the DJs turn the park into an alfresco dance floor.
Stage, culture, and the night shift
Stages around the park rotate live concerts and music-dance showcases, backed by cultural programming that leans local but welcomes everyone. Evenings slip into DJ-led parties, the kind that stretch conversations and keep feet moving. It’s designed to be a full-circle festival day: nibble, sip, watch, dance, repeat.
Where to stay: spa zone to quiet streets
If you want to park yourself near the action—and Hungary’s most famous spa scene—Hajdúszoboszló has options. Hotel Barátság*** anchors the green zone on the hotel promenade and, as the city’s tallest building, delivers unbeatable views. The in-house bath and wellness area takes you through therapeutic and alternating-temperature pools, hot tubs, classic and infrared saunas, and a steam room. It’s built for a full recharge, blending accommodation, wellness, and event spaces in one hub for downtime or business trips.
Prefer independence? Several apartment houses sit an easy stroll from the beach-like spa complex. One holiday house just 400 meters away (about a five-minute walk) splits into four separate upstairs apartments: two for two guests, one for four, and one for five, open year-round. Other apartments cluster in the resort quarter a five-minute amble from the world-famous baths, or line Kölcsey and Major streets just 100–200 meters from the main entrance—handy to restaurants, the market, and grocery stores.
There’s also an apartment house opened in June 2009, 200 meters from the beach complex and 150 meters from the bus station, a calm base that’s still well connected. For peace and quiet, look to guesthouses tucked on cul-de-sacs with free courtyard parking and a shared breakfast kitchen, open all year. If proximity is king, some stays sit right in the heart of Hajdúszoboszló, just minutes’ walk from the spa complex.
Pensions and family stays near the slides
A centrally placed pension pieces together convenience: next to the small airport, 100 meters from the beach complex, and 400 meters from both the Aquapark and the newer Extreme Slide Park. The Árpád swimming pool and the Hungarospa therapy building are neighbors too, so guests can book a range of therapeutic treatments without crossing town.
Family-focused hotels in the resort zone bring choice to the room key: classic doubles and triples, 2+2 family apartments, family rooms with bunk beds, and full-on suites. Expect color TVs, minibars, phones, in-room safes, with some rooms air-conditioned and balcony-equipped. Every room has its own bathroom. Many properties add spas and wellness corners on-site, so you can switch between festival and relaxation without missing a beat.
Where to eat and linger
Start with the reimagined tradition at Kemencés Csárda, a nod to the old roadside inns that once welcomed travelers across the Great Hungarian Plain. Today’s csárda keeps the spirit while freshening the menu and interiors for modern diners, a bridge between heritage and now.
For terrace lovers, a popular complex close to the thermal baths spreads out with a 150-seat covered terrace and an 80-seat upper panorama terrace—ideal for long, lazy meals and people-watching. The No. 8 restaurant in the bathing district switches easily from daytime to evening, serving classic and specialty grill plates, with a summer-and-winter terrace operating from April through November. Its nearly 80-seat pergola is among the city’s largest, and the drinks list swings from bright cocktails to warming sips.
Craving something casual? A spot just a minute from the Hungarospa Thermal Bath (Hungarospa Gyógyfürdő) entrance plates savory and sweet crêpes and leans hard into summery lemonades, cocktail twists, coffee specialties, and artisanal ice creams. The revamped Mirage restaurant goes all in on an elegant refresh, complete with a dedicated pálinka wall, a seasonal menu, and guest-first service—bring family, friends, or workmates and settle in.
Bars, games, and night energy
U-Pub Bar loads up on good moods and friendly prices, then adds all the toys: an escape room, bowling, billiards, darts, air hockey, and table football, all in one stop—the only place in town to tick every box in a single visit. It’s a neat foil to the park’s evening DJ circuit, and a smart retreat if the weather turns.
Plan the weekend
Block September 18–20 on the calendar, book a stay near St. Stephen Park (Szent István Park) or the baths, and leave room for spontaneous plans. Free entry invites repeat visits throughout the weekend, and everything—from crêpes to pálinka, grills to grand terraces, therapy pools to DJ booths—sits within walking distance. Hajdúszoboszló is set to make autumn taste like a celebration.
