Looking for a fun Halloween event in Budapest? Head to Heroes’ Square on October 31 for the 18th annual Jack-o’-Lantern Festival, where hundreds of carved pumpkins, creative costumes and a good cause come together for one memorable evening.
Unlike a traditional Halloween party, this free outdoor event is all about the pumpkins and the people who make them. Visitors bring their own carved jack-o’-lanterns or simply come to admire the imaginative designs lighting up one of Budapest’s most famous squares.
A Halloween Event with a Charitable Twist
The festival is not just about spooky faces and glowing pumpkins. It also supports children in need through a food donation drive organised with the Hungarian Child Nutrition Foundation.
If you would like to contribute, bring non-perishable food items such as rice, pasta, canned food, lentils, cooking oil, sugar, jam or sweets. Homemade food donations cannot be accepted.
You are welcome to dress up for the occasion, too, so feel free to get creative with your Halloween costume!
Good to Know
???? Date: October 31, 2026 (Saturday)
⏰ Time: 7 pm-9 pm
???? Location: Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere), Budapest
????️ Admission: Free
???? What to expect: Creative pumpkin lanterns, Halloween costumes and a charitable food collection
???? Bring your own pumpkin: You’re welcome to display your own carved jack-o’-lantern for everyone to admire.
???? Want to help? Bring non-perishable food donations for children and families in need.
You can place your pumpkin anywhere in the square for others to admire. Please remember to take it home after the event and help keep the area clean. For everyone’s safety, children should not climb onto the monument or its statues.
The donation team from the Hungarian Child Nutrition Foundation will be waiting near the monument’s central pedestal to collect food donations for families in need. Commercial activity is not permitted during the festival.
For the latest updates and photos from previous years, visit the official Jack-o’-Lantern Festival Facebook page or the offical website of the event.
If you are visiting Budapest for the first time, take a look at our Budapest for First-Timers guide for practical tips and ideas to help you make the most of your stay.
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