Best of Budapest & Hungary

Harvest Days in the Tokaj-Hegyalja wine region in NE Hungary kick off this Friday, with a harvest parade, concerts and wine tasting in the 950-year-old town that gives its name to Tokaj aszú.

    According to the event's website, the municipality has been holding the event since 1932, which aims to, among other things, foster Tokaj's cultural tradition and "showcase the diverse community values of the World Heritage Site".

    The organisers are confident that the festival will attract many visitors, with activities for all ages. There will be a harvest parade with local educational institutions and traditional groups, as well as a grape harvesting ceremony.

    The Wine Square will offer Tokaj-Hegyalja wines, a gastronomic stall will offer delicious delicacies and a street of craftsmen and craftswomen will offer souvenirs. In the pedestrian street, children and adults alike will be entertained by square music concerts, street musicians and street theater programs.

    The big stage, named Tokaj 950, will host a variety of music and concerts, including the Konyha Band and Parno Graszt on Friday, Vivat Bacchus and The Biebers on Saturday and Margaret Island on Sunday.

    On the small stages - the Harvest Terrace and the Wine Terrace - the Musical Trips Trio, guitarist Gábor Ursu and Acoustic Guitar Caffe will entertain the audience on Saturday and Sunday.

     As described, there will also be programs and open cellars in alternative outdoor venues. St. Martin will perform in the Tokaj-Hétszőlő Rákóczi Cellar, but there will also be concerts and experiential painting in the Óvárborozó. At the Tokaj Agricultural Technical Center of the University of Tokaj-Hegyalja, there will be a full day of family activities related to the harvest on Saturday.

     The programs of the Tokaj-Hegyalja Harvest Days are free of charge.