Step back 150 years into rural Hungary at Sóstó Museum Village (Sóstói Múzeumfalu), the country’s largest open-air ethnographic museum. Visitors can experience daily life from the age of Árpád through immersive exhibits and interactive workshops designed to promote and celebrate peasant culture. The historic setting comes alive with themed events, craft demonstrations, folk gastronomy, and hands-on activities for all ages, making tradition an adventure for everyone.
Autumn Holiday Extravaganza
October 23–26 marks a standout long weekend at Sóstó Museum Village. Each day brings a fresh set of experiences:
On October 23, “Miénk itt a tér” (The Square is Ours) commemorates Hungary’s 1956 Revolution with special guided tours at 10:30 AM and 2 PM, along with folk crafts, traditional food tastings, and Skanzen Cinema (Skanzen Mozi). Good news: entry is free on this day.
October 24 offers scented sachet sewing and herbal tea tasting, plus more folk gastronomy. Adults pay about $5.40, students and seniors $2.70, while children under 6 and adults over 70 enjoy free entry. The same applies on October 25, which features free guided tours and a round of crafts, including leatherwork (bőrözés), a traditional pharmacy experience, and village dining.
October 26 brings felting sessions and the bustling Szabó workshop, paired with hearty Hungarian peasant food. As always, kids under 6 and seniors over 70 get in free, and everyone is encouraged to take home their own handiwork.
Workshops: Craft Your Own Souvenir
Let your creativity run wild every week at Sóstó Museum Village workshops. Sunday felting in Szabó’s workshop is a highlight, where guests craft felt masterpieces to take home.
Weaving takes center stage every Tuesday, while Wednesdays are all about candle-dipping, and Fridays feature scented sachet sewing plus herbal tea tasting. Saturday is dedicated to leatherwork.
All hands-on activities require “bankó,” the village’s in-house currency. Each craft costs 5 bankó (roughly $1.35), and bankó is available at the ticket office for $0.27 per note.
No matter your skill level, you’ll leave with something you made yourself, connecting history and creativity in an unforgettably tangible way.
Guided Tours: History Comes Alive
Want the inside scoop on peasant traditions? Free guided tours are held every Saturday at 10:30 AM and 2:00 PM. Walk the streets of a reconstructed village, listen to stories of bygone times, and discover how rural Hungarians lived, worked, and celebrated through the centuries.
Fall Break: Fun for All Ages
From October 28–31, the autumn break programs invite students, families, and anyone young at heart (really, up to 99 years old!) to themed activities:
“Tangled Threads” Tuesday centers on weaving;
“From Seed to Seed” Wednesday uncovers nature’s treasures;
Thursday’s “Pumpkin Power” is packed with pumpkin-themed fun;
“Seas of Corn” Friday celebrates creative uses of corn.
It’s the perfect way to fill the holiday with discovery, tradition, and harvest-time cheer for kids and grownups alike.
Weekly Craft Calendar
Set your schedule for artisanal delights, with distinct workshops running like clockwork:
- Every Tuesday: Weaving
- Every Wednesday: Candle-dipping
- Every Friday: Scented sachet sewing & herbal tea tasting
- Every Saturday: Leatherwork and free guided tours
- Every Sunday: Felting at Szabó’s workshop
Each creation—from fragrant sachets to rustic candles—can be taken home as a keepsake. Simply purchase 5 bankó per session at the museum village entrance, and you’re all set.
Special Festivities and Folk Gastronomy
Don’t miss the jovial St. Martin’s Day (Márton-nap) festivities on November 8, a time-honored tradition featuring feasts, music, and merriment throughout the village. Gastronomy plays a starring role at nearly every event: visitors can sample Hungarian peasant fare, try herbal teas, and experience traditional snacks that fill the reconstructed air with the aroma of history.
Village Advent: Winter Magic
The year rounds off with “Village Advent” (Falusi advent) on December 13, transforming Sóstó Museum Village into a wonderland of holiday cheer. Expect crafts, traditional music, candlelight, and that cozy feeling that only an old-fashioned village Christmas can offer.
With over thirty programs packed into autumn and early winter 2025, Sóstó Museum Village proves again that history isn’t just something you read about—it’s something you taste, touch, and take home.
