Szeged Wine Festival 2025 – complete guide to Hungary’s top spring event
Wine lovers and festival enthusiasts — both local and international — are gearing up as the iconic Szeged Wine Festival returns today for an extended 11-day celebration. Held in the heart of the city, Szeged’s downtown transforms into a vibrant hub of wine tasting, street food, artisanal crafts, and live performances. The 29th Szeged Wine Festival, combined with the Day of Szeged Celebration Series, takes place from May 15 to May 25, 2025.
Szeged Wine Festival and Day of Szeged — Quick Overview
The Szeged Wine Festival is one of Hungary’s largest wine-themed events, attracting thousands of visitors each May to the picturesque city center. Over 160 winemakers from across Hungary gather to present their finest vintages — a true showcase of the country’s winemaking heritage. With wines representing all 22 Hungarian wine regions, this is a unique opportunity to experience the full spectrum of Hungarian wine culture in one place.
Running alongside the wine festival, the Day of Szeged celebrations commemorate the city's historic moment in 1719, when Szeged was granted its coat of arms. The combined 11-day program includes crowd-favorite events like the Bridge Fair, turning the entire downtown area into a festive promenade filled with music, handcrafted goods, gourmet street food, and spirited crowds.
Visitors can sample not only wines but also traditional Hungarian pálinka, craft beer, and local delicacies. Artisans offer everything from handmade ceramics and textiles to leather accessories, jewelry, and soy candles — ideal for those looking for unique souvenirs.
Good to know: All concerts and performances are free of charge.
A Greener Festival — Reusable Wine Glasses
In a move toward sustainability, Szeged Fair and Market Operator Ltd. introduced reusable wine glasses in 2022 — a tradition continuing in 2025. Guests can either purchase a branded glass as a keepsake or choose one eligible for a refund.
Festival-logo wine glass: HUF 1,800 (non-refundable souvenir)
Coat-of-arms wine glass: HUF 1,500 (refundable — HUF 1,200 return at info stalls)
Wine glasses are available at information booths and winemaker stalls, with cashless payments only (credit cards or Festipay card accepted).
Venues of the 2025 Szeged Wine Festival & Day of Szeged Celebration
Széchenyi Square — The Heart of the Festival
As the main venue, Széchenyi Square hosts most of the wine producers. Alongside a rich selection of Hungarian wines, you’ll find international wines and top-tier pálinka from renowned distilleries.
Food stalls here offer a variety of bites: grilled meats, fish and chips, handmade cheese, flatbreads, strudel (rétes), pizza, and chimney cake.
Two live music stages will light up the square with performances spanning jazz, blues, pop, rock, folk, and more — featuring many of Hungary’s most beloved acts.
Klauzál Square & Kárász Street — Craft and Gastro Delights
These charming downtown areas will host the Craft and Gastro Square (Kézműves- és Gasztroudvar), connecting Klauzál and Széchenyi Squares. Expect an array of treats like bubble tea, chimney cake, craft beer, and flatbreads.
You’ll also find artisans offering handcrafted goods: glassworks, wooden toys, handmade cosmetics and soaps, jewelry, and leather accessories — all ideal for discovering local talent and craftsmanship.
Dugonics Square — Treasure Square (Kincs tér)
Dugonics Square becomes Treasure Square, home to a rotating collection of vendors and craft merchants throughout the festival. Expect a lively schedule of music and dance performances.
Key highlights include:
KóSza Choir Gathering — joint choir performance on Saturday, May 24
Ballet, modern dance, and fitness shows across the festival dates
Folk dance showcases by the House of Ethnic Minorities:
Bulgarian (May 18)
Greek (May 23)
Serbian (May 24)
German (May 25)
Dugonics Square will also feature food and drink stalls offering everything from sweets and street food to brandy and beer.
Day of Szeged Celebration Series — Events & Highlights
Choirs take over downtown Szeged
On Saturday, May 24, downtown Szeged will come alive with the sound of choral music, as 26 choirs from across Hungary perform pop-up mini-concerts and flashmobs throughout the city center. The day culminates in a grand performance of a song written especially for the occasion, sung in unison by all participating choirs — nearly 650 voices — at Dugonics Square.
More information is available on the KóSza Facebook page.
Dóm Square concerts & fireworks (May 23–25)
From May 23 to 25, Dóm Square hosts the Dóm Square Cavalcade, featuring spectacular open-air concerts. The highlight of the weekend will be a fireworks show on Saturday, May 24 at 21:30. All performances are free to attend.
Each evening also includes a charity wine auction, with proceeds going to local causes. Please note that the auction will be conducted in Hungarian.
Szeged Bridge Fair — handicrafts, culture & street performers
Taking place on May 24–25, the 24th Szeged Bridge Fair is one of the largest handicraft markets in Hungary. Around 250 vendors will line Belvárosi Bridge, Híd Street, and Oskola Street, showcasing high-quality handcrafted goods.
Visitors can also engage with local NGOs stationed along Oskola Street and learn about their work in the community.
The fair opens with a traditional stilt walker parade, starting at 9:30 AM on Saturday, May 24 from Széchenyi Square. The performers will cross the bridge to Újszeged and return, marking the festive start of this beloved market.
Throughout the Bridge Fair, expect street performers, live music, and entertainment on both sides of the river.
Traffic & Public Transport Information
Traffic & parking restrictions
To accommodate the events of the 2025 Szeged Wine Festival and Day of Szeged Celebration Series, several areas in downtown Szeged will be restricted:
Széchenyi Square will be partially closed to car traffic and parking until the festival ends.
Belvárosi Bridge will be fully closed to vehicle traffic during the Bridge Fair (May 24–25).
Areas to avoid by car:
Széchenyi Square
Belvárosi Bridge
Híd Street
Oskola Street
Dóm Square
Somogyi Street
Discounted evening public transport
During the festival period (May 15–25), a special public transport discount is available:
Any single ticket validated after 6:00 PM allows unlimited travel until the end of the day on all types of public transport in Szeged.
This applies to:
Single tickets purchased in advance (individually or in a 10-pack)
Tickets bought from drivers or onboard machines
Tickets purchased via the mobile app
Note: Tickets from onboard machines are pre-validated — no need for further stamping.
Ride the nostalgia tram & trolleybus
Step back in time aboard vintage public transport vehicles operating during both weekends of the festival:
Nostalgia trams No. 813 and 313–314 will run between Európa liget and Szeged Vasútállomás on May 17–18 and May 24–25.
Vintage trolley No. 9–153 will operate between Bakay N. utca and Lugas utca on May 17–18.
Vintage trolley No. 505 will serve passengers between Víztorony tér and Klinikák on May 24–25.
For a map of nostalgia tram stops, click here.
What Is the Day of Szeged?
The Day of Szeged is observed annually on May 21, commemorating the date in 1719 when Szeged was granted its coat of arms after regaining royal free city status.
A brief history:
Inhabited since the Neolithic period
First mentioned in historical records in 1183
Became a royal free city in 1498
Regained its privileges after the Turkish occupation in 1715
The Day of Szeged is a civic celebration marked by a festive assembly at City Hall, where the city’s highest honors are awarded:
Honorary Citizen title
Pro Urbe Awards
Szeged Memorial Medals
Photo gallery: 2024 Day of Szeged festive assembly
Disclaimer
Program details are subject to change.
The organizer, Szeged Fair and Market Operator, reserves the right to make adjustments to the events as necessary.
At Szegedify Magazine, we strive to ensure our information is accurate and up to date. However, we are not liable for any errors or last-minute changes made by third-party sources.
