A year of festivals and markets in the Tokaj Wine Region – top festivals in 2023
Artists and winemakers, culinary wizards and performers bring the Tokaj Wine Region alive at the great events and festival that form the calendar of events every year. Some favourites here, starting with the heartbeat of the region’s festivals, the markets.
At the Tokaj-Hegalja Piac artisan market, on the second Sunday of every month farmers, cheese and sausagemakers, beekeepers, jammakers and more gather with a range of talented and imaginative craftspeople at the Sárga Borház Restaurant on the Disznókő estate. Plus the weekly markets and regular concerts at Henye Wine Bar, Bodrogkeresztúr.
Throughout the year we’ll be adding details of the main events as they are released – from wine tastings and gastro tours to concerts, bike, boat and running races. But the main ones are up already! Take a look!
January – Start the year on chilly days to celebrate patron saint of vincellers St Vincent in Mád, Sátoraljaújhely and Tokaj.
Február
Furmint February a month of celebrating the region’s principal grape – in the Tokaj Wine Region, Budapest, Debrecen, Miskolc and London.
Fülöp a különc run in Bodrogkeresztúr
Carneval balls in Bodrogkeresztúr, Szerencs and Tokaj
March
A new date on the calendar with the charity animal and flea market, Tokaj
April
Witchy Weekend (Bűbájos Hétvége), the Tarcal spring celebration of tastings, open cellars and interesting talks and culinary experiences
May
Saint Urban’s Day (Szent Orbán-nap), Mád:
Often a collaberation between Tokaj Women and Wine Association (Tokaji Borbarátnők) joins the Mád Circle (Mádi Kör), this is a celebration and veneration of St Urban, patron saint of vinegrowers, whose relics lie in nearby Monok.
June
Mád: Jó éjszakát! – classy music festival in the winemakers’ gardens the whole night
Abaújszántó Drinking Day (Ivó Nap) is a lively village celebration in the wonderful cellars tucked into the hillside at the edge of the village
Tokaj Wine Festival Popular, more mainstream and simply larger, the quality winemakers of Tokaji Borászok Asztaltársasága arrange good wine extra events and tastings at interesting extra venues including Himesudvar Winery, Tokaj Roasting Company, the Museum. Good market along the main street of Tokaj.
July
Crescendo is a wonderful classical music gathering for young musicians in Tokaj
August
The brilliant Zemplén Festival (jazz, folk, classical) – the original festival in the region and often late to publish dates – is bringing great live music to incredible venues including Sárospatak Castle, tiny hillside churches, hunting lodges by lakes in the forest. Now in its third decade!
Bor, Mármor, Bénye great wines, food, culture in the gardens of the winemakers of Erdőbénye
Tolcsva Wine Festival is a more mainstream village wine festival draws people from near and far with big concerts, open cellars. A rather wide range in wineries and wine quality.
September
Mád Furmint Ünnep main village harvest festival meets top Mád Circle tasting around classic wine region grape variety
Kerékdomb theatre and arts festival in Tállya organised by group of Művészetek Völgye
Street music festival in Tokaj
Popular harvest run by Miskolc Marathon through the harvest vineyards at Disznókő
October
Bodrogkeresztúr/Bodrogkisfalud: All Saints Merriment Picnic (Mindszenthavi Mulatság) with open wineries, often in gorgeous autumn warmth as people explore the wineries of the village. Date usually given late. Usually main day is Saturday, the same weekend as the Tokaj-Hegyalja Piac artisan market on the Sunday.
Harvest Days in Tokaj sees the village street packed with stands housing winemakers and a plethora of artisans. Usually great for handcrafts.
December
Various advent markets and traditions around the region
