Jánoska-eresztés

The Jánoska-eresztés folk-tradition festival will be held in Baja between May 14–16, 2026, one of the city's unique events connected to water and folk heritage.

The multi-day program recalls the traditions of Saint John's Day celebration, while welcoming visitors with cultural programs, concerts, craft workshops, gastronomic competitions and family events.

One of the festival's most spectacular parts is the lantern procession on the Sugovica river, but the program also includes exhibitions, folk dance demonstrations, a dance house, folk game zone, craft fair, fish soup cooking competition and children's programs.

Programs take place at multiple venues, including Szentháromság Square, the Saint John Chapel, the Bácskai Culture Palace, the Türr István Museum, and the Baja Fisheries Open-Air Museum and Mill Boat area.

May 14

15.00 and 17.00 Curator-led tour of the Türr István Museum's Water and People exhibition
Tour guide: Kothencz Kelemen, ethnographer
16.00 Quiz evening themed around the Jánoska-eresztés for young people
Venue: Fészek Youth Club
17.00 Aquatic habitats in the Gemenc
Speaker: Mórocz Attila, nature conservationist, Danube-Dráva National Park Directorate
Venue: Bácskai Culture Palace
18.00 Felting workshop themed around the Jánoska-eresztés
Venue: Bácskai Culture Palace
Prior registration required.
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May 15

17.00 Opening of the Mohács 500 Artists' Tent exhibition
Venue: Eötvös Street
17.00 Craft workshop for children
Venue: Bácskai Culture Palace
19.00 German dance house
Music: Sextett Band
Dance instruction: Melcher Zsanett
Venue: Tóth Kálmán Square
19.00 Results announcement of the Jánoska-eresztés drawing competition
Venue: Szentháromság Square, stage
20.00 Change Party & Show Band
Venue: Szentháromság Square
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May 16

Venue: Szentháromság Square
15.00 Gastro Challenge for young people – competition launch
15.30 Grimaszk Theatre
16.30 Baja Fish Soup Champion 2026 – competition launch
17.00 Danubia Tambura Band performance
17.30 Young fishermen's initiation ceremony, results announcement
18.00 Folk music and folk dance demonstrations
Participating groups:
Szeremlei Folk Dance Ensemble
Danubia AMI Nagybaracskai Folk Dance Ensemble
Garai Székely Circle Association
Music: Bácska Banda
19.30 Award ceremony for the Baja Wine Council 2026 Competition and the Hajós-Baja Wine Region 2026 Competition
20.00 Baja Fish Soup Champion 2026 – results announcement
20.30 Sükösdi Danubia Tambura Band performance
21.30 Reception of the Saint John delegation, greeting
Balogh Kálmán and the Gipsy Cimbalom Band

Accompanying events
15.00–20.00 Folk game zone
15.00–21.00 Baja craft fair

Saint John
19.00 Mass at the Saint John Chapel
20.00 Procession
20.30 Lantern procession on the Sugovica river
21.30 Arrival at Szentháromság Square

Baja Fisheries Open-Air Museum, Mill Boat
13.00 Award ceremony and exhibition opening – Sipos Gazda "Can the Earth Be Green?" environmental competition for students
14.00 Dragon boat racing on the Sugovica, creative craft workshops
15.00 Tradition of the Jánoska-eresztés, milling demonstration at the Mill Boat
16.30 Kackiás Folk Theatre for children
17.30 Kadarka Banda folk music concert

Tickets for festivals, concerts, sporting events, thermal baths, cultural and artistic programs are available at JEGYVASARLAS.HU.