October is that time of the year when most of the world celebrates harvest, and everything that goes with it. Budapest joins in, with popular food and art festivals, from the first days of the month, till the last. The celebrations begin with the famous Budapest Pálinka and Sausage Festival, at Castle Hill, where pálinka distilleries join to bring you the best of their libations, and local farmers come to pair their homemade sausages with the national drink of Hungary. The guest spirit of the Pálinka and Sausage Festival 2015 is the gin. Desserts made with pálinka will have their own special place at the festival, including pálinka bonbons and cream desserts. The festival lasts from October 2, till October 4. The Budapest Design Week is an occasion for city visitors to find authentic local fashion and designs at the Design Terminál and several galleries and fashion shops. The festival begins October 3rd, 2015, and lasts till October 12. The program features exhibitions, conferences and fashion shows, with both local and international participation. Particularly, Dutch designers will be present in the festival this year, as Netherlands is the guest country of the festival. And don't think food will be absent from this celebration of local tradition: Design Week Gastro brings unique food design projects into the series of events with special Design Week delicacies that are available only during the ten days of the event. Oktoberfest, a festival celebrated around the world, comes to Budapest from 9 to 12 of October, and takes place at Műjégpálya, the City Park Ice Rink. Although not traditionally a beer festival in Bavaria, where it all started, the festival is today recognized as the main annual event for beer lovers. About 100 domestic and international beer types will be available at Oktoberfest Budapest this year, but the event will also feature an agricultural fair. The Chimney Cake Festival, a new local tradition, celebrates the Hungarian pastries known as kürtőskalács. The purpose of the festival is to promote the kürtőskalács as a Hungarian pastry; but also to present its original, traditional way of preparation, preserving and promoting Hungarian traditions. The festival will present various technique of preparing chimney cakes, prepared over charcoal or fried in oil, in many sizes, and different flavors.The highlight of the festival is the great chimney cake bake-off, where participants from the public will learn how to bake these amazing delicacies at home. For the Budapest Restaurant Week, which lasts from October 12 till October 18, you can expect over 30 restaurants to showcase the best of local and international gourmet cuisine. Each restaurant will offer a special, three course prix fixe dinner and lunch menu for HUF 3,300. You can also dine at Mamaison Hotel Andrassy's own gourmet establishment, La Perle Noire Restaurant and Lounge, where fine dining cuisine is available daily, at affordable prices. The Budapest Restaurant Week is the last food festival of the month, but you will discover many other exciting things to do in October when you visit the city. And, if you book your stay at Mamaison Hotel Andrassy or at Mamaison Residence Izabella, check out our special Colours of Autumn offer, for 15% off of our Standard Rate when staying 2 nights.