2026 Mohacs Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in August)

From February 13th to 17th, the small southern Hungarian town of Mohács welcomes the most passionate moment of the year as the Mohács Mask Carnival arrives as scheduled. This usually quiet town on the banks of the Danube River will transform into a sea of bells and masks for six days, bidding farewell to winter with thunderous noise and welcoming spring. The soul of the festival is the "busós," the costumed figures. They wear handcrafted willow masks—adorned with ram horns and painted with blood patterns—draped in thick sheepskin cloaks, with copper bells tied around their waists, and wield wooden mallets, dressed in a fearsome manner. Groups of busós "invade" by boat from the opposite bank of the Danube, joining horse-drawn carriages to form a parade through the town. They shake bells and strike mallets, using the deafening sounds to drive away the bad luck of winter. The festival's climax is the lighting of the bonfire in the central square—when the coffin symbolizing winter turns to ashes in the flames, the entire city immerses itself in the celebration of bidding winter goodbye and welcoming the new season. This is not only a feast for the senses but also a living cultural heritage. Legend has it that in the 16th century, local residents used this disguise to scare off invading Ottoman troops. In 2009, this tradition was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. If you are there in person, be sure to dive into the lively market, try a bowl of spicy fisherman's soup, bite into a crispy lángos flatbread, and let those masked "monsters" pull you into a dance around the bonfire—February in Mohács is telling you in the oldest way possible: spring is coming.

In just one month, the mask carnival "Busójárás," listed as a UNESCO World Heritage, will take place in the southern Hungarian town of Mohács. At that time, people will wear sheepskin coats, bells around their waists, masks on their faces, and hold wolf-tooth hammers, ratchet instruments, and bells to drive away the beasts and disasters of winter and welcome the arrival of spring. 👹💥🌱 Every year, the carnival reaches its peak at night when people gather in the city’s central square to light a bonfire as tall as a house, with dancers, tourists, and locals singing and dancing around the fire! The 2026 Mohács Mask Carnival will be held from February 12 to 17, coinciding with the Chinese Spring Festival holiday. You are warmly invited to join the celebration in Mohács!

#historicallandmarks #localguides #familytrip #hungary Location: Mohács, Hungary When to Go: Late February - Early March If you're searching for a truly unique travel experience, look no further than the Busójárás Festival in Mohács! This magical event marks the end of winter and welcomes the arrival of spring with vibrant celebrations, lively parades, and age-old traditions that will transport you to another world. What to Expect: · Parades of Masked 'Busós': Watch as costumed 'busós' donning devilish masks and sheepskin costumes fill the streets, dancing and playing mischievous pranks. These figures, rooted in local folklore, symbolize the triumph of spring over winter. · Traditional Folk Performances: Enjoy captivating folk performances that showcase Hungary's rich cultural heritage. From music and dance to storytelling, there's something for everyone to enjoy. · Bonfire Lighting Ceremony: Witness the grand finale of the festival with the lighting of a massive bonfire in Széchenyi Square. This mesmerizing spectacle symbolizes the burning away of winter's darkness and the welcoming of brighter days ahead. · Community Festivities: Immerse yourself in the local community and experience the warmth and hospitality of the people of Mohács. The festival is a celebration of togetherness and cultural pride. Tips for Travelers: · Dress Warmly: The festival takes place in late winter, so be sure to bundle up to stay cozy while enjoying the

Today, Director Yang brought guests to the Hungarian city of Mohács. The Mohács Mask Carnival will be held from February 8 to 13, 2024, in the Hungarian city of Mohács. The six-day Busójárás Festival is a very popular and ancient winter carnival in Hungary, and it is also a folk custom of the Mohács Šokci people. People believe that this festival can bid farewell to winter, welcome spring, and protect and pray for a good harvest. During the 2024 Mohács Busójárás event, we can see carnival parades, busó demonstrations, cooking shows, folk dance troupe performances, busó mask carving, workshop visits, and bonfire dances. The most interesting part is the carnival on Sunday. Street performers arrive by boat, and the grand parade begins. At dusk, the farewell coffin of the carnival is thrown into the water, followed by a bonfire and waltz in the main square. In 2009, UNESCO included the Mohács Busójárás in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Since 2012, the Hungarian Busójárás has also been listed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. According to legend, the tradition of the Busójárás is related to the expulsion of the Turks. The indigenous Šokci people, who fled to the marsh world of Mohács Island, dressed in costumes, used sound devices, and crossed the Danube by boat to drive away the Turks. Since Mohács officially got rid of Turkish rule in 1687, the Šokci people later settled in Mohács. Despite such legends, people believe more that the Šokci people of Balkan descent brought the custom of the Busó parade. The Busójárás celebration begins with the sound of front-loading bus cannons, as the busó team marches through the main streets to the city's main square, where the carnival begins. Then, the celebration continues along the Danube River. At dusk, the busós return to the main square, light a huge bonfire, and dance around it—thus ending the Sunday carnival. In Mohács, people are accustomed to celebrating the carnival on the Tuesday of Busójárás. At that time, the Busójárás people will burn a coffin symbolizing winter on the main square's woodpile and dance to bid farewell to winter and welcome the arrival of spring. Interested friends can contact me to help you customize your carnival trip next spring.