Event Details
Welcome to Busójárás in Mohács 2027
Busójárás in Mohács takes place from 4 to 9 February 2027. This six-day winter-ending carnival in the southern Hungarian town of Mohács is the country's most iconic folk tradition and has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2009. Since 2012 it has also held Hungaricum status. Each year thousands of visitors travel from across Europe to join the masked Busós in chasing away winter and welcoming the arrival of spring.
What is Busójárás?
Busójárás is the centuries-old Shrovetide custom of the Šokci, a South Slavic ethnic group living in Mohács. The Busós are costumed figures wearing hand-carved wooden masks and large sheepskin cloaks, armed with rattles, cowbells and noise-making instruments. According to tradition, their noise drives away the winter and calls the warmth back. The most famous legend tells how the Šokci crossed the Danube by boat at night, using their terrifying masks and noise to frighten away the Ottoman occupiers.
Dates & Program 2027
- Thursday, 4 February: Opening day (Kisfarsang) with children's costume parade and Busó group presentations
- Friday, 5 February: Folk music, folk dance groups, exhibitions by mask carvers and traditional craftspeople
- Saturday, 6 February: Full-day stage program, tambura ensembles, Busó groups roaming the streets, cooking shows
- Sunday, 7 February (Carnival Sunday – main day): Arrival of the Busós by rowboat on the Danube from approximately 12:00, grand costume parade from 14:00, bonfire and circle dance on the main square at dusk
- Monday, 8 February: Traditional house visits by Busó groups in the streets around Kóló Square
- Tuesday, 9 February (Shrove Tuesday – closing day): Final carnival parade, symbolic burning of the winter coffin on a bonfire, closing ceremony and dance
Festival Highlights
- Danube crossing by the Busós: On Carnival Sunday, the masked figures cross the Danube in rowboats in one of the most dramatic moments of the entire festival
- Grand costume parade through the city centre with horse-drawn carriages and decorated floats
- Hand-carved Busó masks: Local mask carvers display their unique works; no two masks are identical
- Bonfire on the main square at nightfall on Carnival Sunday
- Burning of the winter coffin on the closing day as a symbolic farewell to the cold season
- Children's costume contest and mask-making workshops
- Traditional folk music, dance performances and tambura ensembles across multiple stages
- Regional food specialities: spicy sausages, lángos, chimney cake and freshly fried doughnuts
Admission & Tickets
Busójárás is a free public street festival open to all visitors at no charge. Separate entry fees may apply for specific indoor concerts, special performances or museum exhibitions. The full official program is published at mohacsibusojaras.hu.
Getting to Mohács
Mohács is located in southern Hungary, approximately 30 km south of Pécs and around 190 km from Budapest. Regular bus connections run from Pécs to Mohács throughout the day. By car, Mohács is easily reached via the M6 motorway. As parking is extremely limited during the festival, arrival by public transport or organised shuttle is strongly recommended. Many visitors choose to stay in Pécs and travel to Mohács daily during the festival week.
Visitor Tips
- Do not miss Carnival Sunday (7 February): the Danube boat crossing and the evening bonfire are the unmissable highlights.
- Book accommodation in Mohács or Pécs as early as possible, as demand during the festival is extremely high.
- Bring warm, weatherproof clothing; February temperatures beside the Danube can be cold and damp.
- The Busós are playful tricksters by tradition: expect gentle pranks, mock scares and costume fun as part of the experience.
- Visitors in costume or wearing masks are warmly welcomed and part of the spirit of the event.
- From Germany, fly to Budapest or Pécs and continue by bus or car to Mohács.
