For four days in October, Békéscsaba (Békéscsaba) transforms into Hungary’s sausage and revelry capital, drawing crowds of foodies, families, and party-lovers to the 28th Csabai Sausage Festival (Csabai Kolbászfesztivál). This autumn extravaganza, running from October 23–26, promises a heady mix of culinary competitions, concerts, pig-slaughter feasts, and a celebration of Hungary’s famed sausage (kolbász). If you love rich flavors, rustic merriment, and a friendly competitive spirit, you’ll find plenty to devour—literally and otherwise—at this epic festival.
Sausage Wars: Competitions for Every Age
The festival is famous for its sausage-mixing contests, open to all ages and backgrounds. Aspiring sausage makers can sign up for their preferred competition and even secure their own work table via the online booking system. Each contest features different groups: From tiny tots in kindergarten and schoolchildren rolling up their sleeves, to college students, ambitious adults, and seasoned professionals tossing spices and secrets into their sausage mixtures.
The full contest calendar includes:
– October 9, 11:00 AM at Csabai Event Barn (Csabai Rendezvénypajta): International Dry Sausage Competition—where the world’s best cured sausage faces off.
– October 23, 10:00 AM at Sámuel Mokry Tent (Mokry Sámuel Sátor): Sausage-Making for Kindergartners and Schoolchildren—cuter than you think.
– October 24, 10:00 AM at Sámuel Mokry Tent: High School and University Student Sausage-Mixing.
– October 25, 10:00 AM: International Sausage-Mixing Contest at both Sámuel Mokry and Mihály Munkácsy Tents (Munkácsy Mihály Sátor)—expect international rivalry and local pride.
– October 26, 10:00 AM: Intergenerational Sausage-Mixing at Sámuel Mokry Tent—family tradition meets culinary ingenuity.
– October 26, 9:00 AM: Stuffed Cabbage Cooking Competition, outside on the stage—for when you’re tired of sausage, there’s more to taste.
Entries are accepted online until all tables are full, so decide quickly which competition tempts you most.
Tickets and Wristbands: How Much Does the Sausage Cost?
Getting into sausage paradise is easy, but ticket prices rise as the date approaches. Multi-day festival passes and individual daily tickets are all available for advance purchase. After purchase, coupons land in your inbox; exchange them for festival wristbands upon arrival. Payment is accepted by credit card or SZÉP card (OTP, MKB).
Entry is free for children under six. But here’s a savvy tip: On Thursday, October 23, entry is free until 2:00 PM—as long as you stay onsite, you pay nothing at all that day.
Full festival passes:
– From August 1: $40
– From September 1: $44
– From October 1: $47
– From October 12: $47
– From October 23: $50
Daily tickets (price per person, per day):
– From August 1: $20
– From September 1: $22
– From October 1: $24
– From October 23: $25
Once purchased, tickets can’t be changed or rescheduled, so choose your dates wisely.
Where to Sleep: Festival Accommodations
Békéscsaba welcomes festivalgoers with a wide range of accommodations. Just outside the city, you’ll find guesthouses with cozy, air-conditioned twin rooms, each with a private bathroom and TV. Kitchens and breakfast areas are shared, parking is plentiful, and there’s even a garage option for those driving in.
For a more tranquil escape, the Arcanum Hotel (Arcanum Hotel) sits amidst acres of parkland, offering gourmet cuisine and rejuvenating wellness facilities—ideal for unwinding after a day of sausage sampling.
Prefer something in the city center? Try the two-floor, 1,184-square-foot luxury apartment next to the Csaba Center mall, or the family-friendly Fenyves Wellness Hotel (Fenyves Wellness Hotel), surrounded by pine forest and bordered by the city’s Living Water (Élővíz) canal.
If tradition is your thing, the historic Fiume Hotel (Fiume Hotel), with its 39 rooms overlooking the city’s newly renovated main square, is a treat. Smaller guesthouses offer modern comforts like unlimited WiFi, shared kitchens, and disability-friendly access.
For something truly upscale, a four-star wellness and conference hotel rises from the city’s famous Beer House (Sörház), offering relaxation, business facilities, and a gateway to all the delights the festival capital of Southern Hungary has to offer.
Finally, the Meadow Guesthouse (Réti Panzió) combines peace, modern comforts, and proximity to the city’s Evangelical Church with round-the-clock reception—and a kitchen turning out handmade burgers, cocktails, nachos, hot chocolate, and more.
Fat, Fun, and Flexibility
From international sausage showdowns and family traditions to cabbages simmering over open fires and late-night concerts, the Csabai Sausage Festival is Hungary’s most exuberantly delicious weekend. Don’t forget: festival organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs—so check ahead, book your spot, and show up hungry!
