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St Martin’s Day weekend: taste the flavours of autumn and enjoy a peaceful break in the countryside!
Craft fairs, traditional handicrafts, crispy roast goose, young wine and November walks. St Martin’s Day is one of the tastiest and most atmospheric times of autumn in Vas County – especially if you plan an entire weekend rather than just a single programme.
Spend the morning enjoying the lively fair at the Vasi Skanzen, sample the St Martin’s Day specialities in Sárvár, take a walk through the autumn leaves of the Szeleste Arboretum, then end the day at a quiet and welcoming guesthouse.
When autumn has its own scent and flavour
There are a few weeks every autumn when a jacket already feels good, but staying indoors all day still seems far too early. This is the time to head outside, wander around a traditional fair, stop for a glass of young wine, taste something truly seasonal, and return to a warm and peaceful room in the evening.
That is exactly what a St Martin’s Day weekend is about.
During the first days of November 2026, Szombathely and Sárvár come alive with traditional, family-friendly and gastronomic programmes. And if you stay in Szeleste, you do not have to choose between the atmosphere of a fair, a goose feast and a quiet walk in nature – a long weekend can easily include a little of each.
A craft fair in the morning, roast goose and young wine in the afternoon, followed by a walk through the autumn arboretum the next day – a St Martin’s Day weekend is at its best when there is no need to rush.
Szombathely: two days when the Vasi Skanzen comes to life
On 7 and 8 November, St Martin’s Day traditions once again take centre stage at the Vasi Skanzen in Szombathely. During the event, the open-air museum takes on a completely different atmosphere: craftspeople, market traders, musicians and families fill the courtyards and traditional houses with life.
At the national craft fair, you can browse the work of folk artists and traditional craftspeople. Blue-dyed textiles, folk ceramics, wooden toys, leather and sheepskin products, as well as crocheted and knitted goods fill the stalls, while traditional craft demonstrations take place at several locations.
What is worth looking out for at the Vasi Skanzen?
- A large traditional craft fair featuring folk artists and craftspeople.
- Traditional craft demonstrations inside the museum village.
- Folk music, folk dancing and dance-house programmes among the outdoor events.
- Puppet theatre and children’s performances for younger visitors.
- Hands-on craft activities, including candle dipping and corn-husk crafts.
- Traditional games and archery for those who would rather take part than simply watch.
The detailed daily timetable is usually published closer to the event, but even the programmes already announced suggest that this is not the sort of fair you will want to rush through in an hour.
📍 Vasi Skanzen – 30 Árpád Street, Szombathely
Plan your route from Anna Guesthouse to the Vasi Skanzen →
And then there is the goose...
One of the best moments of any St Martin’s Day fair is when the aromas of the food begin to mingle with everything else around you.
Roast goose leg, goose cracklings, traditional goose-and-rice dishes and other classic goose specialities are expected, alongside familiar autumn fair favourites such as roasted chestnuts, chimney cake, homemade strudel, honey and oven-baked treats.
And if you would also like to taste the season’s young wine, you should not be disappointed. New wines, mulled wine, tea and hot chocolate complete the November atmosphere.
A useful tip: do not have too large a breakfast that morning. At the Vasi Skanzen, you may find yourself deciding which goose speciality to try first long before lunchtime.
Visiting with children? They will have plenty to discover too
The St Martin’s Day fair is not just a gastronomic event for adults. The current programme includes plenty of activities that can turn the day into a real experience for children as well.
They can make autumn decorations, try candle dipping and traditional corn-husk crafts, play folk skill games and even have a go at archery. Puppet theatre performances and children’s music programmes also give younger visitors something of their own to look forward to – especially when the adults are ready to stop for a glass of young wine.
This is the kind of event where you do not have to keep telling the children, “just a little longer” – because there is plenty for them to explore as well.
Sárvár: when St Martin’s Day turns into a goose feast
If, after the bustle of the fair, you would rather sit down at a beautifully laid table, several venues in Sárvár are preparing special St Martin’s Day food and programmes.
Vadkert Major – St Martin’s Day Goose Days
From 8 to 11 November, Vadkert Major welcomes guests with a special seasonal St Martin’s Day menu. Even reading through the dishes is enough to work up an appetite.
What might be on the table?
- goose-liver bruschetta,
- goose ragout soup,
- garlic roast goose leg,
- crispy goose breast,
- a St Martin’s sharing platter for two,
- and, of course, young wines.
Children have not been forgotten either: the current programme includes a children’s corner and screenings of the Hungarian classic Lúdas Matyi.
📍 Vadkert Major – Sárvár
Plan your route from Anna Guesthouse to Vadkert Major →
Park Inn Sárvár – dinner with music and folk dancing
If you are looking for a livelier evening, Park Inn Sárvár is preparing a seasonal St Martin’s Day menu accompanied by live music and folk dancing.
Here, the evening entertainment comes together with dinner, making it a good choice if you are not quite ready to call it a day after visiting the fair.
📍 Park Inn Sárvár
Plan your route from Anna Guesthouse to Park Inn Sárvár →
Spirit Hotel – goose dinner, wine tasting and live music
Spirit Hotel Thermal Spa offers a different kind of atmosphere. Its current programme includes a special St Martin’s Day goose dinner, wine tasting and live music.
This is more the kind of evening where you settle in comfortably, taste your way through dinner and have no reason to rush anywhere.
📍 Spirit Hotel Thermal Spa – Sárvár
Plan your route from Anna Guesthouse to Spirit Hotel →
One day can be all about the fair and family activities, while the next can focus on food and wine – that is what makes a multi-day St Martin’s getaway so enjoyable.
And what if you simply added a little peace and quiet between the programmes?
A St Martin’s Day weekend does not have to be filled with activities from morning until evening.
Quite the opposite.
Sometimes a getaway becomes truly enjoyable precisely because we do not try to fill every minute with something.
The Szeleste Arboretum is only a few minutes’ walk from Anna Guesthouse. In November, the garden has a very different atmosphere from spring or summer: quieter and more subdued, with autumn leaves covering the paths.
After a busy morning at the fair or a long lunch, that can be exactly the kind of programme that feels right.
📍 Szeleste Arboretum
Walking route from Anna Guesthouse to the arboretum →
If we were planning your weekend...
...we would not try to squeeze everything into a single day.
A relaxed St Martin’s Day weekend could look something like this
- Saturday morning: Vasi Skanzen – fair, traditional crafts and family programmes.
- Saturday afternoon: goose dishes, young wine and a little more browsing.
- Saturday evening: return to Szeleste for a hot cup of tea and a peaceful rest.
- Sunday morning: a walk through the Szeleste Arboretum.
- Sunday afternoon: head to Sárvár for a St Martin’s Day lunch or dinner.
Of course, this is only one idea. If you fall in love with the fair, stay longer. If you are enjoying your walk through the arboretum, forget about the clock. And if, after a generous goose lunch, you no longer feel like going anywhere at all, that is perfectly fine too.
A good weekend is not about fitting in every possible programme. It is about finally not having to rush.
After a full day, it feels good to arrive somewhere peaceful
After spending the whole day out in November, different things begin to matter: a warm room, a hot shower, somewhere to sit with a cup of tea, time for a conversation, and finally a comfortable night’s rest.
At Anna Guesthouse, the rooms are air-conditioned and each has its own shower bathroom. The shared kitchen and spacious communal areas also give your group the chance to spend the evening together before everyone retreats to their own room.
Parking is available on site, and the guesthouse is pet-friendly, so your four-legged family member does not necessarily have to miss out on the autumn getaway either.
7–8 November is approaching quickly
In 2026, the St Martin’s Day Fair in Szombathely takes place on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, while some of the gastronomic programmes in Sárvár continue into the following days. If you are planning a St Martin’s Day weekend, it is worth choosing your accommodation before the last minute.
Check the available dates, choose the programmes that appeal to you most – and leave a little room for the weekend to unfold naturally.
A lively traditional fair, goose dishes, young wine, an autumn walk – and a peaceful room in Szeleste at the end of the day.
Take a look at the current options at Anna Guesthouse.
Check availability and ratesWorth checking again before you set off
Detailed daily programmes, performance times, admission fees and restaurant offers may change or be expanded as the events approach. Before travelling, it is therefore worth checking the latest information provided by each venue.
FAQ – St Martin’s Day Weekend in Szeleste
When will the St Martin’s Day Fair in Szombathely take place in 2026?
According to the programme currently available to us, visitors are expected at the Vasi Skanzen on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November 2026.
Is the fair worth visiting with children?
Yes. The current programme includes candle dipping, corn-husk crafts, traditional games, archery, puppet theatre and other family-friendly activities.
Where can we try traditional goose dishes?
Traditional goose dishes are expected among the food stalls at the Vasi Skanzen, while several restaurants and hotels in Sárvár are preparing special St Martin’s Day menus and programmes.
Is Anna Guesthouse dog-friendly?
Yes, pets are welcome. It is worth confirming the exact conditions before booking.
Where can I check accommodation options?
You can find the current information on the Anna Guesthouse English website.