At the beginning of the Christmas season, the aim of the VinCE Champagne a Holdon event is to welcome everyone who feels like joining an unconventional gastro party from 9 o’clock in the morning.

You can try opening a bottle with a sabre, while filled glasses can be accompanied by oysters, caviar or truffles. The market’s restaurants will of course be ready with menus befitting the event, whilst showcasing specific champagne houses too.

The most popular places in the market will be open, including Stand25 Bisztró of Michelin-star-winner Tamás Széll and Szabina Szulló, along with some new places that have only opened this year.

Besides bistros like A Séf utcája and Buja Disznó, Lajos Bíró and his partners have also turned parts of the ground floor into a champagne bar. The Champoint a 4 majomhoz will enjoy its stylish launch at the event. The extravagant Canadian chef, Anatoli Belov, offers an invigorating and elegant new style as the head of Husikám.

One of the well-known returning participants is Moszkva Tér, where Zsuzsa Sára will prepare mouth-watering dishes again, but you may also be able to clink glasses with Márk Lakatos in the Lakatos Műhely, or with Győző Szabó in Steamboo!

The neighbouring Kandalló Market will offer burgers to match the champagnes, and the traditional flavours and community tables at Haxen Market will draw you in as soon as you arrive. The ground floor offering is reinforced by the Vörös Homár gastro bar, where you may find not only a significant selection of oysters, but can also order other exciting seafood.

Arany Kaviar, setting up on site, will welcome guests with some extraordinary delicacies; at their stand you can choose from a variety of caviars and caviar dishes by Szása Nyíri owner-chef, naturally with exquisite champagnes on the side.

Not often are you able to try top quality Italian truffles, but Urbani will allow you to do so at their stand. The coffee you drink after – or during – the excellent bubbles and dishes is important too, but in By Beans you can choose from an extraordinary selection of coffees from the best coffee-growing regions of the world roasted by Per Nordby, prepared using espresso or filter technologies.   

The Champagne-korzó awaits visitors in the community market on the ground floor; this will be the place for tasting the wares offered by the champagne stalls. You will find a great selection of renowned names as well as new representatives of the Hungarian champagne market on independent stands or in the VinCE pop-up bar.   

Besides the tastings you will have the chance to immerse yourself in the topic by gaining some practical experience as well as theoretical knowledge. The VinCE Lounge will house the Sommelier’s Choice event with casual mini lectures and discussions with experts of the world of wines and champagnes, with a glass in your hand.

For the most stylish Sunday brunch of the winter season, the market will also be in elegant form: the dress code is “dressy coat”, and DJ Ernő Piaf from the Kredenc wine bar in Balatonfüred will provide the entertainment. You could even feel as if you were in Paris or Lyon, but this time it is one of the most beautiful market halls of Budapest which will be bathed in champagne.   

Early-bird tickets are available at champagneaholdon.hu/tickets or at the venue; both cash and credit cards are accepted, and visitors can start the day with a glass of Alfred Gratien served free of charge.

The ticket price (HUF 3990) not only includes the first glass of champagne but also participation in the programmes. Throughout the event you can pay for your “bubbles” at the stalls or restaurants in cash, or by bank card if accepted.

Either for breakfast or for lunch, it is definitely worth arriving at the Downtown Market by the afternoon because this Sunday is expected to be an exceptional event for both beginner and advanced gourmets.

Selection of champagnes at the Downtown Market