Busojaras Festival

Every February, the Danube riverside town of Mohács in southern Hungary is swept up in the wild energy of the Busójárás Festival. Recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, this festival features men dressed in monstrous wooden masks and sheepskin cloaks parading through the town, dancing around bonfires, and performing ancient rituals to chase away winter and welcome spring. Busójárás invites you into a world where myth and laughter collide in a truly extraordinary experience.

The clang of cowbells, the crackle of firewood, the scent of bonfires and mulled wine, the taste of spicy sausages and sweet pastries, the tactile feel of wool and carved masks... Every sense is awakened at this festival, where laughter and chaos, history and humor fill the streets.

Busó Mask Parade

Bonfires, Dancing, and Nighttime Revelry

Costumes and Decorations

Traditional Food & Drink

The origins of Busójárás date back to the 16th century, during the Ottoman occupation of Hungary. According to local legend, the Šokci people of Mohács, facing oppression and fear, disguised themselves in terrifying wooden masks and sheepskin cloaks, crossed the Danube on a stormy night, and returned to town. They made loud noises with rattles and cowbells to scare the Ottoman soldiers, who then fled the town. This collective act of courage and creativity became a symbol of local resistance and liberation.

Over time, the legend evolved into a ritual for driving away the darkness of winter and evil spirits, and for wishing for fertility and good fortune in spring. The dramatic elements—mask processions, bonfires, and burning of the coffin effigy—reflect both ancient pagan customs and the enduring spirit of the community.

For the people of Mohács, Busójárás is more than a spectacle. It is a rite of passage across generations, a time for family and friends to reunite, and a celebration of creativity, resilience, and local identity. Mask-making and costume preparation are passed down in families, and children learn the songs and dances of their ancestors. The festival’s blend of Hungarian, Croatian (Šokci), and other influences makes it a symbol of the region’s multiculturalism.

Recognizing its deep historical and cultural significance, Busójárás was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2009. Today, it is one of the world’s most famous folk festivals, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year and keeping the spirit of Mohács alive through myth, ritual, and community.

I joined as a tourist and was moved by the energy and hospitality. I danced with locals, ate goulash and chimney cake, and even tried on a mask for a photo. It was wild, fun, and unforgettable! This festival is the community itself. People come from all over Hungary and abroad, and for one week, everyone becomes part of the same “wild and joyful tribe.”

• “Busójárás” means “Busó-walking,” with “Busó” referring to the masked men.
• The wooden masks are traditionally hand-carved and often passed down through families.
• The burning of the coffin is a dramatic ritual to “bury winter” and call forth spring.

The Busójárás Festival is held every February in Mohács, Hungary. Put on a mask, join the parade, and experience this “wild festival” where fire and folklore chase winter away.