2026’s Hollókő Easter Festival turns the UNESCO-listed Old Village into a living folk tale from April 3–6, packing the long weekend with Palóc traditions, music, dance, food, and family fun. Cobbled lanes and whitewashed peasant houses set the stage for nonstop programs, from dawn church rites to nighttime dance houses, egg painting to big-voice concerts. It’s a celebration of tradition and zest for life—one everyone should see at least once.
When and where
The festival unfolds in 3176 Hollókő, Ófalu (Old Village) and at the Castle. Good Friday, April 3, is a free day to roam the village and craft market. From April 4–6, entry requires an official festival ticket, sold on site by cash (HUF) or bank card, with no presale. The ticket bundles admission to programs and select sights: Hollókő Castle, Oskola, Postal Museum, Village Museum, Guzsalyas Costume Collection, Craft Print Workshop, Doll Museum, and the Playhouse. Exhibition fees on April 3 are paid separately or covered by a Village Walk pass. Organizers reserve the right to change times and programs.
Good Friday, April 3 — free day
Easter preparations run 10:00–16:00. From 11:00–16:00, browse the Petőfi Street craft fair and try egg painting at multiple spots across the market.
Holy Saturday, April 4
Courtyards brim with gastronomy and heritage shows. From 11:00–16:00, expect folklore sets and snapshots of village life at house fronts, dance lessons with the Nógrád Dance Ensemble, and karikázó circle dance and costume tableaux with the Hollókő Folk Dance Ensemble. The clattering wooden ratchet tradition is revived at 12:00 and 15:00. From 13:00–16:00, tradition keepers from Kétbodony cook plum dumplings.
Easter Sunday, April 5
At the Pajtaárok Stage: 11:00 opening, Hollókő Dance Ensemble’s festive show and the Hollókő citera players; 11:45 Fonó Dance Ensemble – Üllés; 12:30 Nógrád Dance Ensemble; 13:00 Dűvő folk concert; 15:00 Ritmusa big concert. 20:00–24:00, Locsoló Dance House at the Dr. Román András Visitor Center with Dűvő and Nógrád. In the village: 9:30 Easter Mass; 10:30 Resurrection procession; 11:00 morning dance house with Nógrád. The famed Hollókő water sprinkling hits the church at 11:45 and the lower well at 11:55. At 12:00, the Guzsalyas Costume Collection hosts Palóc tales by storyteller János Bukovics. At 12:55, song and dance by FOLT at the church. 13:15 and 15:00 the Fonó Dance Ensemble leads village dance houses; 14:00 revelry the Nógrád way; 15:30 afternoon dance house with Nógrád.
Easter Monday, April 6
8:00 Easter Mass. 10:00 the Great Easter Sprinkling returns. 11:00 morning dance house with Nógrád; 11:45 and 11:55 sprinkling at the church and lower well. 12:00 Palóc stories by János Bukovics at Guzsalyas; 12:55 FOLT’s song and dance at the church. 13:15 and 15:00 Fonó-led dance houses in the Old Village (Ófalu); 14:00 Nógrád-style merrymaking; 15:30 afternoon dance house with Nógrád.
Tickets and access
April 3 is free for the Old Village (Ófalu) and the craft fair. From April 4–6, a festival ticket is required for both the event and Old Village access. Buy on site; it covers most programs and key attractions listed above.
