Hourse racing and the National Gallop
The National Gallop is set every year in Hungary and is a major event when Hungarians combine exciting horse races with vibrant cultural displays. The gallop was organised between 4 and 6 October this year at Szilvásvárad and included several competitions such as the main gallop race, a celebrity race, a children’s competition, and even a chariot race. Additionally, during the event you could try traditional Hungarian cuisine at food stalls and visit cultural exhibitions too.
A week dedicated to design
Budapest Design Week celebrates creativity and innovation while showcases a bunch of works from Hungarian and international designers. The event offers exhibitions, workshops, even open studio events between 10 and 20 October. This year, you can expect both free and paid events, with highlights including the 360 Design Budapest exhibition from October 15-20, and the Art Market Budapest from October 17-20, both focusing on contemporary design and creativity.
National holiday and commemoration
On 23 October 1956, a nationwide revolution began against the communist rule, which started with a student demonstration at Budapest and escalated into a national uprising. During the revolution people demanded political reforms and greater civil rights, so the revolution still symbolises the perseverance and cohesion of the Hungarian people in difficult times. Hence, 23 October is a national holiday, and you can expect public ceremonies and cultural events organised at Budapest (e.g. at Kossuth Square and the Hungarian Parliament).
Celebrating autumn with pumpkins
Halloween (October 31) is traditionally not part of Hungary’s customs – as opposed to the Christian celebration, All Saint’s Day. However, younger generations are more and more open and embrace Halloween festivities and themed parties. You can also observe that Hungarians love combining carved pumpkins with other autumn themes (e.g. leaves, mushrooms, pine conifers or even a simple candle) as part of their home decoration and public spaces.
As you can see, autumn in Hungary offers numerous exciting activities and events for everyone. From the thrilling horse races at National Gallop to the festive spirit of Halloween, October is the perfect time to explore the country’s culture and history.
Links and sources:
vagta.hu ; gotravel.hu ; hfda.hu ; freepik.hu