húsvét

Húsvét is the Hungarian term for Easter, the Christian festival that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Hungary the holiday combines religious observance with family life and traditional folk customs. The date is moveable, usually occurring on Easter Sunday in March or April, according to the liturgical calendar; Holy Week leading to Easter Sunday is a central period.

Religious observance in Hungary includes the events of Holy Week, such as Nagypéntek (Good Friday) and Nagyszombat (Holy Saturday), culminating in Húsvétvasárnap (Easter Sunday). Many people attend church services, sing hymns, and mark the season with prayers and reflections. The following Monday, known as Húsvéthétfő (Easter Monday), is a public holiday in Hungary and a time for family gatherings and continued festive customs.

Folk customs are an important part of the celebration. A key tradition is the decoration of eggs, known as hímes tojás or hímezett tojás, often created using wax-resist techniques to form intricate patterns. Eggs are exchanged or shared, and colored eggs are a common symbol of the holiday. On Easter Monday, the practice of locsolkodás—men sprinkling women with scented water or perfume and reciting verses—remains widespread in many regions; in return, the sprinkler may receive eggs, sweets, or small gifts.

Typical foods associated with húsvét include boiled eggs, smoked ham (sonka), and Easter bread (kalács). Cafés and markets also offer seasonal sweets and pastries. While some modern symbols such as chocolate eggs and Easter eggs have become popular, traditional customs continue to shape the Hungarian celebration of Easter.