Halloween has become a big part of autumn in Budapest, with costume parties, decorations and themed events popping up all over the city. But in recent years, another celebration has started making an appearance too: Día de los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead.
It is still nowhere near as popular as Halloween in Budapest, but Mexican restaurants, cultural institutions and Latin venues are increasingly organizing Día de los Muertos events around the end of October and beginning of November. So if you are in Budapest at this time of year, you may have more opportunities to experience this colorful Mexican tradition than you might expect.
Día de los Muertos is often confused with Halloween, but the two celebrations have very different traditions and meanings. The Mexican holiday is centered around remembering and celebrating loved ones who have died, with colorful altars, flowers, candles, food, music and family memories playing an important role.
I have a personal connection to this celebration too. For several years, we organized our own Día de los Muertos events in Budapest, so I have seen how this Mexican tradition has slowly started finding its place among the city’s autumn programs.
So, if you are curious about Día de los Muertos and wondering where you can experience it in Budapest, here are some ideas.
What Is Día de los Muertos?
Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a Mexican celebration that takes place around the end of October and beginning of November. It is a time to remember and celebrate family members and loved ones who have died.
Although it is often associated with Halloween, the two celebrations have very different traditions. Día de los Muertos is not about ghosts or frightening the living. Instead, it is about remembering those who have passed away and celebrating the lives they lived. Families may create colourful ofrendas, or altars, decorated with photographs, candles, flowers, food and personal belongings.
The celebration has its roots in Indigenous Mexican traditions and later became intertwined with Catholic traditions introduced during the Spanish colonial period. Today, Día de los Muertos is celebrated in many different ways across Mexico, depending on the region and local customs.
Some of the symbols most commonly associated with the celebration are cempasúchil, the bright orange marigold flowers, colourful calaveras or skulls, candles, papel picado and traditional foods such as pan de muerto. Together, these colourful elements create the distinctive atmosphere that has made Día de los Muertos so recognizable around the world.
In 2008, the Indigenous festivity dedicated to the dead was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Where to Celebrate Día de los Muertos in Budapest
Día de los Muertos is still a relatively new addition to Budapest’s autumn event calendar, so you won’t find celebrations on every corner of the city. However, in recent years, more Mexican restaurants, cultural venues and bars have started organizing special events around the end of October and beginning of November.
If you are visiting Budapest at this time of year, these are some of the places worth keeping an eye on.
Tereza
If you want to experience Día de Muertos in Budapest, Tereza is one of the places to keep on your radar. This Mexican restaurant in the heart of the city is dedicating a full week to the colorful Mexican tradition, celebrating the memories of loved ones through the sights, scents and flavors of the holiday.
From October 26 to November 1, 2026, Tereza will mark the occasion in the company of Los Siete Misterios mezcal, a brand rooted in traditional Mexican mezcal-making and the rich diversity of agave. Expect a celebration inspired by Mexico’s cultural heritage, with more details about the program to be announced soon.
Keep an eye on the official Facebook event for Día de Muertos Week 2026 for the latest updates.
TODO Mexican Kitchen
TODO Mexican Kitchen is a great place to experience the Mexican food side of Día de Muertos in Budapest. In 2025, the restaurant teamed up with the Mexican Embassy to create a traditional ofrenda dedicated to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.
This year, TODO is celebrating Día de Muertos with a special three-course menu and a selection of featured cocktails, available from October 27 to November 2, 2026. It’s a lovely opportunity to mark the occasion with Mexican flavours while exploring one of Mexico’s most distinctive traditions.
For details about this year’s menu, check TODO Mexican Kitchen’s latest announcements.
Instituto Cervantes
The Instituto Cervantes in Budapest is another place worth checking if you are more interested in the cultural side of Día de los Muertos than in a party.
The institute has organized Día de los Muertos programs in cooperation with the Mexican Embassy in the past, including an ofrenda, presentations and storytelling in Spanish and Hungarian. Its educational programs also continue to use Día de los Muertos as an example of a Latin American cultural celebration.
I would check the Cervantes events calendar before your trip, as cultural programs are not necessarily repeated every year in exactly the same form.
Keep an Eye on Budapest’s Autumn Events
There is also a wider selection of one-off Día de los Muertos events around Budapest. In recent years, cultural centers, bars, restaurants and even cocktail events have joined in, so the list can change quite a bit from one year to the next.
For example, the 2025 Budapest program included Día de los Muertos-themed events at several venues, including the Turbina cultural center, as well as a Día de los Muertos cocktail program across several Budapest bars.
This is why I recommend checking Budapest event listings and the social media pages of Mexican restaurants shortly before your visit. If you are in Budapest around October 31 to November 2, there is a good chance you will find something interesting, even though Día de los Muertos is still much less widespread here than Halloween.
Celebrate Día de los Muertos at Home
If you would rather celebrate Día de los Muertos at home in Budapest, food can be a great way to bring a little Mexican atmosphere to your table. And you don’t necessarily have to organize everything yourself.
My husband, Chef Nacho lived in Mexico for 11 years, and Mexican cuisine has been an important part of what we cook at Los Carballos alongside our Cuban dishes. Our Private Chef service brings this experience to private dinners, birthday parties, family celebrations and other events in Budapest.
So even if you are not planning a Día de los Muertos party, a Mexican dinner can be a fun way to celebrate a birthday, get together with friends or simply introduce your guests to something a little different.
Find out more about the Los Carballos Private Chef service →
Final Thoughts
Día de los Muertos may not yet be as familiar in Budapest as Halloween, but it is slowly finding its place in the city’s autumn calendar. If you are visiting Budapest around the end of October or beginning of November, it is worth keeping an eye out for Mexican cultural events, restaurant programs and special celebrations.
Whether you join a Día de los Muertos event, stop by an ofrenda or simply enjoy some good Mexican food with friends, it can be a fun way to experience a different side of Budapest’s autumn scene.
And who knows? You might even discover that Budapest has a little more Mexican spirit than you expected.
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This article was updated in September 2026 with the latest tips and information.