For the 28th time, one of Hungary’s most mouthwatering culinary traditions returns. The Csaba Sausage Festival (Csabai Kolbászfesztivál) is set to take over Békéscsaba from October 23 to 26, 2025. Over four days, this legendary event brings the scent of paprika and garlic to the streets, serving up the nation’s finest sausage (kolbász) alongside competitions, feasts, concerts, and endless fun.
Festival Lineup: More Than Just Sausage
The Csaba Sausage Festival (Csabai Kolbászfesztivál) isn’t just about tasting—it’s about getting your hands dirty (in the best way imaginable). Whether you’re a veteran pig-slayer or a sausage newbie, you’ll find a competition to suit your skills. The fun begins even before the official opening, with the International Dry Sausage Competition on October 9 at the Csaba Event Barn (Csabai Rendezvénycsarnok).
Once the main event starts, the Sámuel Mokry (Mokry Sámuel) tent becomes competition central. On October 23, things kick off with the youth sausage-making showdown for kindergartners and elementary school students. The following day, it’s the turn of high school and university students to prove their meat-mixing prowess.
Saturday, October 25, is a double-header with two international sausage-making contests running simultaneously in separate tents. And Sunday, October 26, celebrates family tradition with the Generational Sausage-Making Competition, plus a stuffed cabbage cooking contest heating up outside the Main Stage.
If you want to join in the fun, register online for any event—just make sure to pick your slot and table before they sell out.
Tickets: Pricing for Every Appetite
Festival passes cover all four days, and the earlier you buy, the more you save. Starting August 1, the full festival pass is $39.50, rising monthly until it hits $49 by October 23.
Prefer to drop in for a single day? Day tickets start at $19.75, with small increases each month, up to $24.50 if you buy at the last minute. As a special bonus, Thursday, October 23, is free for anyone who enters before 2 PM and stays all day.
Children under six get in free. Tickets are sold exclusively online, and after payment (by credit card or SZÉP card), visitors receive confirmation by email—trade this for a wristband when you arrive. But don’t make plans twice; tickets can’t be changed or rebooked.
Accommodations: Sleep Off Your Sausage-Induced Food Coma
There’s no shortage of places to crash after your meat binge. On the Lencsés Estate (Lencsési lakótelep), a two-story former family home offers four air-conditioned rooms, each with a private bathroom, TV, and optional extra beds. The shared kitchenette comes fully stocked, and there’s parking—either in the garage or under cover.
The Arcanum Hotel sits tucked away in a tranquil park just outside town, promising restful sleep, indulgent meals, wellness treatments, and the mysterious chance to “learn the Secret.”
Prefer to live the luxe life? Swing by the city center for a 1,184-square-foot, two-story luxury apartment next to the Csaba Center (Csaba Center)—everything you need right at your fingertips.
Or immerse yourself in nature at the Pine Forest Wellness Hotel (Fenyves Wellness Hotel). Surrounded by acres of pine forest and bordered by the Living Water Canal (Élővíz-csatorna), it’s the ultimate family-friendly escape, just moments from the heart of Békéscsaba.
Historical flair meets modern comfort at the Fiume Hotel (Fiume Szálló). Step into the 39-room property and soak up the century-old style—most rooms gaze out over the city’s recently renovated main square.
The Meteor Guesthouse (Meteor Vendégház) offers two double and two triple rooms with unlimited WiFi, expanded TV channels, easy parking, and a shared kitchenette. There’s even an accessible room for guests with limited mobility, and outside, a grill area makes for perfect casual feasts.
The city’s four-star wellness and conference hotel combines classic architecture with modern luxuries, located next to Széchenyi Park (Széchenyi liget). Freshly renovated, it’s ready for business travelers and relaxation seekers alike.
For a home-style stay, the Réti Guesthouse (Réti Vendégház) welcomes guests in its newly refurbished building right behind the majestic Lutheran Church (Evangelikus Nagytemplom), with round-the-clock reception and a restaurant ready for your cravings.
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry
Békéscsaba’s hospitality stretches far beyond sausage. The city’s food scene bursts with creativity: gourmet burgers, tasting platters, cocktails, classic nachos, and warm drinks provide comforting options day and night.
Whether you’re in search of old-world elegance, outdoor adventure, or simply a quiet corner to digest, you’ll find a spot to call home during festival week.
Final Reminders
The organizers reserve the right to change times and programs, so keep an eye on updates as the festival approaches. Questions? The info line is open weekdays from 8 AM to 4 PM.
When October rolls around, grab your stretchy pants, your appetite, and maybe a bottle of antacid—Békéscsaba is about to host Hungary’s wildest food party once again.
