Get ready for four full days of smoky, spicy, and mouthwatering excitement in Békéscsaba, as the 28th Csaba Sausage Festival (Csabai Kolbászfesztivál) returns from October 23 to 26, 2025. Hungary’s legendary sausage capital transforms into a culinary carnival, promising the best sausages in the country, epic cooking competitions, folk traditions, live concerts, and a feast of flavors you’ll remember all winter.
Events, Contests, and Sausage Mayhem
This gastronomic blowout isn’t just about eating—though you’ll do plenty of that. The heart of Kolbászfest is its bustling contests. Competition is fierce, and anyone can join the fun (as long as you register online in advance). Find your place at the table: reserve your spot, pick your team, and roll up your sleeves for sausage-making showdowns and stuffed cabbage face-offs.
Serious sausage lovers test their skills at the International Dry Sausage Competition, while aspiring young butchers from kindergartens and elementary schools get their own sausage-mixing battle. Secondary school and university students face off the next day, and Saturday ramps things up with the International Sausage-Mixing Contest split between two festival tents. On Sunday, it gets heartwarming with the Generations Sausage-Mixing Contest, bringing families together in the Mokry Sámuel Tent. For those who dream in cabbage leaves, Sunday also hosts a big stuffed cabbage cooking contest, starting bright and early in front of the festival’s open-air stage.
Tickets, Passes, and Entry Info
Tickets are sold online, and you’ll receive a digital voucher by email—exchange it for your wristband at the entrance. Pay by credit card or SZÉP card (OTP, MKB). Once you purchase, you can’t modify your ticket, so choose wisely. Kids under six enter for free. Organizers reserve the right to adjust programs if needed.
There’s a range of ticket options, with advance four-day festival passes costing about $40 until August, gradually rising to $50 as the festival approaches. Daily tickets start at $20 (if bought early!) and rise to $24 if you wait until the last minute. On Thursday, if you enter before 2 p.m., your entry is completely free!
Festival Schedule Highlights
– October 9, 11:00 AM: International Dry Sausage Competition at Csaba Event Barn (Csabai Rendezvénypajta)
– October 23, 10:00 AM: Kids’ and Youth Sausage-Mixing at Mokry Sámuel Tent
– October 24, 10:00 AM: High School & University Sausage-Mixing at Mokry Sámuel Tent
– October 25, 10:00 AM: International Sausage-Mixing in both Mokry Sámuel and Mihály Munkácsy (Munkácsy Mihály) tents
– October 26, 10:00 AM: Generational Family Sausage-Mixing at Mokry Sámuel Tent
– October 26, 9:00 AM: Stuffed Cabbage Cooking on the open-air stage plaza
To sign up for any contest, visit the festival website, choose your competition, and secure your table online. Each contest is at a different time, so check schedules carefully before registering.
Where to Stay: From Cozy B&Bs to Wellness Resorts
Békéscsaba rolls out the welcome mat with accommodation options for every taste. For a classic experience, choose a guesthouse on the Lencsési estate, offering air-conditioned double rooms and a communal kitchen, plus optional garage parking.
Looking for nature and tranquility? Arcanum Hotel (Arcanum Hotel) sits secluded in its own lush park, with wellness facilities and tempting cuisine. The luxury continues in a city-center upscale split-level apartment just steps from the shops, or at Fenyves Wellness Hotel***, nestled in woodland beside the city’s canal—its pine forests inspired the hotel’s name and provide a peaceful escape from the festival bustle.
History lovers will appreciate the Fiume Hotel (Fiume Hotel), which brings early 20th-century elegance to its 39 rooms, most overlooking the recently restored main square. Meanwhile, Meteor Guesthouse (Meteor Vendégház) offers two double and two triple rooms, unlimited WiFi, cable TV, and a garden grill in the leafy suburbs. Accessibility is also considered—a ground-floor room is designed for guests with mobility needs.
The standout hotel in downtown Békéscsaba is the four-star wellness and conference hotel near Széchenyi Grove (Széchenyi liget) park, an architectural gem built from the old Brewery (Sörház). Its modern renovations offer everything from relaxation and wellness to business facilities in the vibrant Southern Great Plain.
For a peaceful stay, Réti Guesthouse and Restaurant (Réti Panzió) accommodates up to 34 people after a complete renovation, with 24-hour reception in its stately historic building behind the Great Lutheran Church (Great Lutheran Church/Nagy Evangélikus Templom).
Eat, Drink, and Try Everything
The Csaba Sausage Festival (Csabai Kolbászfesztivál) is a paradise for adventurous eaters. Beyond the classic sausages, expect unique craft hamburgers, overflowing platters, cocktails, spicy hot chocolate, nachos, and more. There’s no way you’ll leave hungry—or bored.
The festival is eager to welcome you, but check the website for last-minute program changes. One thing is certain: you won’t find a better place to taste, test, and celebrate the art of Hungarian sausage.
