Hajdúszoboszló is setting the table for autumn. From Friday to Sunday, September 18–20, 2026, Szent István Park turns into a buzzing open-air tasting room packed with Hungarian flavors, live music, and late-night parties. Entry is free, and the program is built to be a crowd-pleaser: food and drink from across the country, standout wines from the best domestic wine regions, stage shows, cultural performances, and an evening DJ party that carries the mood well past sunset. Families, friend groups, date nights—everyone gets their slice of fun at the city’s biggest fall gastro bash.
Where and when
The Wine & Gastro Festival takes over Szent István Park, 4200 Hajdúszoboszló, for three days: September 18–20, 2026, Friday through Sunday. The organizers reserve the right to change the time and program, so keep an eye on updates and social pages if you’re planning a visit.
What to expect
Think stalls of regional specialties, from classic Hungarian comfort food to street-food twists, plus desserts and coffee breaks to fuel the festival stroll. The wine list pulls from Hungary’s renowned regions—Tokaj, Eger, Villány, Balaton, and beyond—poured by producers who love to talk vintages. As day turns to evening, the main stage lights up with live concerts and dance acts, then the DJs take over to spin a park-sized party. It’s a casual come-as-you-are atmosphere where tasting menus meet sing-alongs, and where you can bounce from a brass band to burrata or from a csárda-style plate to a glass of furmint without missing a beat.
Stay close, soak it in
This is spa country, and festival weekends pair perfectly with wellness. In the city’s green zone, Hotel Barátság*** rises above the skyline with panoramic views and its own spa and wellness wing. Guests rotate between therapeutic and alternating-temperature pools, a whirlpool, saunas, an infrared sauna, and a steam bath—ideal for resetting between festival sessions or after a late DJ set. The hotel doubles as a flexible event space, so it’s a seamless base for both leisure and business travelers looking to fold in a bit of celebration.
If you prefer an apartment setup, there are options minutes from the action. Multiple guesthouses and apartment houses sit 5 minutes on foot from the famed baths, tucked into quiet garden neighborhoods prized by visitors seeking real rest. Expect separate-entrance units sized for couples and small groups—two-, four-, and five-person apartments are common—plus simple comforts like shared breakfast kitchens and on-site free parking on calm cul-de-sacs. New-build apartments near Kölcsey and Major streets put you 100–200 meters from the main beach entrance, with restaurants, a market, and grocery stores nearby for quick grabs between shows.
Across the spa district, you’ll also find a guesthouse (panzió) by the airport where the beach is just 100 meters away, and the Aquapark and the new Extreme Slide Park are 400 meters from your door. The Árpád Pool and the Hungarospa therapy building sit next door, offering a menu of treatments for those visiting with health in mind. Another apartment house, opened in June 2009, is 200 meters from the beach and just 150 meters from the bus station—quiet surroundings, easy transit.
Eat, sip, repeat
Beyond the park, the city’s food scene fuels the weekend. U-Pub Bar is a one-stop funhouse: escape room, bowling, billiards, darts, air hockey, foosball—plus a big drink selection at friendly prices and a lively evening atmosphere. For a taste of the Great Hungarian Plain’s traditions in a modern frame, Kemencés Csárda refreshes old roadside-inn soul with a reimagined menu and rustic interior touches. The beloved Mirage restaurant returns with a full makeover, a sleek setting, a cheerful pálinka wall, and a seasonal menu backed by guest-first service.
Prefer terrace life? A romantic dining complex near the spa offers a 150-seat covered terrace and an 80-seat panoramic upper terrace—prime loungers for golden-hour bites and late dinners. Nr. 8 serves classic and creative grill plates in the heart of the spa district, anchored by a summer-and-winter terrace that runs April to late November. A nearly 80-seat filagoria sets the stage for cocktails and warming sips for evening strollers. Sweet tooth calling? A dessert spot one minute from the Hungarospa entrance flips savory and sweet crêpes, shakes up lemonades and cocktails, pulls specialty coffees, and scoops artisanal ice cream—perfect between wine rounds.
More places to check in
Major Guesthouse (Major Panzió) and its apartments sit in a quiet corner of the spa zone: an 8-minute comfortable walk from the winter entrance to the thermal complex and just 2 minutes from the summer gate. Families will be at home in the area’s larger hotels too. One 107-room property is built for kids and parents alike, with family rooms, 2+2 apartments, bunks, and suites that dial up the comfort. Expect minibars, room safes, TVs, some air-conditioned and with balconies, plus en-suite baths throughout—and a dedicated wellness wing to keep the spa rhythm going.
Plan the perfect weekend
Build your festival days around the stage timetable, then wander. Try a white before lunch, switch to a light red for the shows, and end with a late-night spritz when the DJ steps up. Slot in a steam bath or a therapeutic dip for the morning after. Book tables if you’re eyeing popular dinner windows, and line up lodging close to Szent István Park to keep everything walkable. Then go ahead—let Hajdúszoboszló’s most delicious weekend of the year set your pace.
