Mark your calendars for Nagykőrös’s massive 2026 fairs, happening 10 times a year at Alsójárás dűlő 1. (Hrsz: 0247). The first one, the Irene Fair, kicks off on Sunday, March 29. Expect a bounty of clothes, gifts, plants, livestock, pets, and that unbeatable market buzz. Animal traders hawk horses, cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, and small pets. Crafts, wares, and fun like jugglers and performers keep the crowds hooked.
Roots in Royal Privilege
These fairs trace their roots to a royal charter granted at Christmas 1759 by Empress Maria Theresa to Nagykőrös’s loyal council and judge. The town’s esteemed council set the 2026 dates back in 2024. Descendants of herders—csikósok (horse herders), gulyások (cow herders), kondások (pig herders), juhászok (sheep herders)—bring every kind of hoofed livestock, from camels to cattle. Show up with your old guild skills: craftsmen, merchants, food stall owners, regős singers, lutenists, comedians, fire-eaters, acrobats, and auctioneers. Prove your mastery with honest seals and pay the fair dues in full.
All 2026 Fair Dates
Here’s the lineup, all in Nagykőrös: Irene Fair – March 29; George Fair – April 26; Urban Fair – May 31; Ladislaus Fair – June 28; Magdalene Fair – July 26; Summer Farewell Fair – August 30; St. Michael Fair – September 27; Demetrius Fair – October 25; Andrew Fair – December 6.
Gate Openings and Tips
Gates open early: stall market at 4:30 a.m., pig gate at 5 a.m., cattle gate at 5:30 a.m., horse market at 6 a.m. Fairs run until 1-2 p.m. in good weather. Mayor Dr. Czira Szabolcs notes that the 2026 fair fees have been set.
