Experience Busójárás 2026 in Mohács: thunderous drums, fearsome masks, folk dances, and spring-welcoming rituals from February 12–17 along the Danube. Family-friendly heritage with 2,200 marchers and 70 busó groups.
when: 2026.02.12., Thursday - 2026.02.17., Tuesday
🎭
A riot of masks, drums, and spring-calling chaos takes over Mohács from February 12–17, 2026, as Busójárás returns with a record 2,200 costumed marchers and 70 “busó” groups. Rooted in the traditions of the Mohács Šokci community, the carnival belongs to the same family of winter-banishing, spring-welcoming, protective, fertility-invoking celebrations found across cultures. Think kin to Rio and Venice, with echoes of African ritual energy—only wilder and louder on the banks of the Danube.
Ancient rhythm, lunar timing
Traditionally, the festival stretched from Carnival Sunday morning to Shrove Tuesday night. Its timing still follows the first full moon after the spring equinox. Children lead the charge on the last Thursday of Carnival, suiting up in playful masks before the grown-ups unleash the thunder of horns, clappers, cowbells, and raw-voiced shouts.
Legend of scaring off conquerors
Local lore ties the origins to the “Turk-chasing” legend: island-dwelling Šokci, fed up with oppression, crossed the Danube by night in boats, wearing fearsome masks and wielding homemade noisemakers to frighten the occupiers out of Mohács. It’s a great story, even if history shrugs.
Folklore, fire, and open doors
The old goal was simple: go house to house, roar blessings, work a little magic, and earn food and drink—never refused. Today, the ever-expanding program packs folk-dance performances, busó showcases, dance houses, and kids’ activities. Mohács turns its biggest annual celebration into a full-throttle, six-day invitation to welcome spring together.
2025, adrienne
Pros
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Family-friendly vibes with kids leading events and plenty of children’s activities, so it’s easy to bring the whole crew
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Spectacular, one-of-a-kind masks, drums, and fires—feels like a wilder cousin to Rio or Venice, great for memorable photos
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Deep folklore and UNESCO-worthy tradition tied to the Mohács Šokci community, so you get real cultural substance, not just a party
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English isn’t essential—watching parades, dances, and fire rituals is mostly visual, and locals are used to visitors
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Easy timing for a winter trip (Feb 12–17, 2026), and the lunar folklore adds a cool story hook
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Mohács is reachable from Budapest by train/bus plus a short walk, or by car in about 2–3 hours, so logistics are manageable
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Compared to similar winter-banishing carnivals (e.g., Switzerland’s Fasnacht or Slovenia’s Kurentovanje), this is bigger, louder, and more immersive for visitors
- Mohács itself isn’t widely known to U.S. tourists, so you’ll need to plan more than you would for Budapest or Prague
Cons
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Crowds can be intense with 2,200 costumed marchers and peak-weekend crush, which may overwhelm small kids or noise-sensitive travelers
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Limited English signage/tours compared to major European carnivals, so deeper context may require a guide
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Public transport can be packed on peak days and late-night returns are scarce, making a car or overnight stay the easier play
