Things to Do for Halloween in Budapest (2023 Update)

Although a foreign holiday, Halloween is becoming more and more popular in Budapest. If you’re looking to get spooked, to show off your pumpkin carving skills, or to just enjoy the vibe, here’s a few things to do for Halloween in Budapest.

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1. Get Magical With Harry Potter Activities

What’s Halloween without a little witchcraft and wizardry? Budapest has not one, but two Harry Potter themed cafes. The Magic is close to the Opera House, and while the decoration is a bit cartoonish, its true star is its menu. It has an extensive list of themed burgers, cocktails, and other foods that sound like they’re straight out of the novel!

Travel to the north of Budapest for a lesser-known but more detailed option, A Repülő Seprű–-The Flying Broom. It feels as if you’re stepping into a cozy Hogsmeade pub from the moment you enter. Before you sit, you can choose a robe (they only have Gryffindor robes, but…c’mon, that’s the fantasy anyways, right?), and then find a table. The place is full of details, from the howler menus, to the floating candles, to the mandrakes on the windowsill. And you can even get your face on a “Public Enemy No. 1” poster! And most importantly…you can order butterbeer!

Reservations are almost always needed as this cafe fills up quickly!

2. Get Spooked at Horror-Themed Escape Rooms

If adrenaline rushes and bursts of horror are what you’re after, you can head over to Nightmare in Budapest. Budapest is famous for its vast variety of escape rooms, but this one is dedicated to giving all of your experiences a sinister twist. You can experience the fear in three different ways. Firstly, they have a horror-themed escape room, in which you must solve the puzzles to gain your freedom.

They also have haunted walks, in which you and a group of friends walk around in a dark room, complete a few tasks, and basically get the living daylights scared out of you…but, in a fun way? (I heard equal amounts of screaming and laughter, so I guess people were having a good time!)

Finally, in what I find to be the most horrifying option, you and a friend can sign up for the “Buried Alive” escape room. In this option, you both are locked in a two-person coffin. Yes, that’s right…a COFFIN. And then, they turn off the lights. You and your partner have 1 hour to solve all of the puzzles that will eventually win you your release and freedom. Definitely not for the claustrophobic or faint of heart.

More Horror-Themed Escape Rooms

As I said, there are escape rooms all throughout Budapest, and plenty of them have spooky themes. If you want to celebrate Halloween in Budapest, but you don’t want the whole night to be about horror, maybe one hour of a horror-themed escape room is enough for you!

You can book the psych ward room at Neverland Escape Room and Bar, or anything at the aptly named Horror Factory. If you want to see what else Budapest has to offer, search under the horror theme on Quest Hunter, the Budapest escape room directory.

3. Visit a Cemetery

Budapest has many beautiful cemeteries. For more detailed guides, check out this cemetery guide, or this one from WeLoveBudapest! Even though Halloween in Budapest is becoming more popular, the true holiday is November 1st, All Saint’s Day. In contrast to the carefree partying of Halloween, All Saint’s Day is traditionally a somber day of rememberance. Families will travel to cemeteries to visit the graves of loved ones and light up the darkness with candles.

4. Watch a Classic Horror Movie

Bem Mozi is one of my favorite art cinemas in Budapest because it shows popular movies that are no longer in circulation (like that one time I went to see Lord of the Rings: Return of the King–Extended Edition). They’ve selected a few spooky films to show over Halloween week, such as:

• Sleepy Hollow
• Psycho
• Kiki’s Delivery Service
• Donnie Darko
• Psycho
• The Nightmare Before Christmas

5. Dress Up for a Halloween Party in Budapest

Even though Halloween isn’t a traditional holiday in Hungary, everyone loves an excuse to party! Expat bars are some of the first places to put together Halloween parties. Start your search with:

• Ruin Brew puts on an annual Halloween party, and will have a Harry Potter pub quiz! They will have a costume contest, pumpkin carving contest, and pumpkin pancakes! They’re also having a family friendly Halloween!
• Hoff House often puts on a Halloweekend
• Halloween Party at Morrison’s 2
• Halloween Bath Party at Aquaworld
• Fancy Halloween Cocktails at NOAhttps://fb.me/e/4rS3fKJaD

If you want to kick up your heels and dance, other Budapest clubs putting on Halloween parties are: Akvarium, Heaven, and Madam.

6. Visit Dracula’s Prison

Did you know that Budapest has a special connection to the world’s most famous vampire? It’s no secret that there’s a winding cave system underneath the Buda hills. But what you may not know is that, during Hungary’s war with the Ottoman Empire, the Turks took Vlad the Impaler (one of Stoker’s key inspirations for Dracula) as prisoner, and imprisoned him in some of the Buda caves. If you want a spooky subterranean experience, you can take a tour of the Labyrinth, where you’ll learn about the impact and history of this underground world. Tickets are cash only, so be sure to hit an ATM before you descend into the depths!

Family Friendly Halloween Activities in Budapest

Halloween Party at Ruin Brew

This expat bar is hosting a kid-friendly Halloween with games, costumes, treats, and even a magic show! Children’s Halloween pancakes are free from 10am – 3pm on the 29th!

Pumpkin Carving

Halloween doesn’t have to be all about horror. There are family-friendly options to celebrate Halloween in Budapest, too! For those who want to show off their pumpkin carving skills, there is a jack-o-lantern festival in Heroes Square! You can come and walk through a sea of lights as you admire jack-o-lanterns from all over the city. (Still yet to be confirmed for 2023).

See the event: Budapest Jack-o-lantern Festival

The Budapest Zoo is putting on a Halloween night with the animals! There will be pumpkin carving and face painting, among other family friendly activities. Put on your best costume and say “hi” to the animals for me!

Halloween at the Wildlife Park

The wildlife park in the Buda Hills is a popular place for families with children. It’s a chance for people to immerse themselves in nature as they walk among animals, sometimes feeding them, or sometimes having fun at the petting zoo! On Halloween, the wildlife park is putting on a special program, with face painting, educational activities, and overall fun in the forest.

Ancient Roman Halloween

Nestled in the Roman ruins of old, Aquincum museum puts on a Samhain celebration each year. Go for cultural activities, reenactments, and walks among the ruins by moonlight. This year, you really can do as the Romans do (er–did).

Haunted Mini-Golf

For another activity, you can head to the neon landscape of Indoor Minigolf for a fun night out. They have three different courses, but for Halloween in Budapest you can focus on their horror-themed mini golf course. If it gets too spooky for you, just spend more time on their other courses, golfing in the jungle or in outer space.

Where Can I buy Halloween Candy in Budapest?

Even hearing the word “Halloween” gives me sugar cravings. Say what you will about candy corn, but Halloween just doesn’t feel quite complete without it (or whatever other favorites you’d find in your pumpkin pail at the end of the night). Some American candy is hard to find overseas, but for a taste of nostalgia, try your luck at USA Candy or the selection at Culinaris.

Where Can I Buy a Halloween Costume in Budapest?

For a costume shop with an extensive selection, you have to check out Mazska!

Otherwise, you won’t find as many ready-to-go packaged costumes as you might in the States. You’ll find smaller accessories and costume items at some home goods stores, such as Pepco. For DIY-ing your own costume, explore thrift stores in Budapest.

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Whether you’re after candy, a scare, or just an excuse to show off your costume, there are plenty of things to do for Halloween in Budapest. Have fun! And don’t get too spooked!

Denae Xx