Thought you hated the cold weather? The terrifying Hungarian festival where revellers don grotesque masks to scare off winter

The Busójárás festivities are held at Mohács in southern Hungary and last for six days in late February. The celebration is held to scare off the last of the winter days

Activities during the festival include a costume contest for children and the arrival of more than 500 costumed participants in boats on the Danube for a procession through the city in horse-drawn fantasy vehicles

Leap of fire: A participant bravely jumps over a fire during the celebrations, which is said to be an old custom 

 A costumed man looks terrifying with a bag for a mask and rags for clothes, carrying a makeshift string instrument

Crowds gather together for a group photo at the festival. The busós are dressed in scary-looking costumes (with traditionally men) wearing wooden masks and big woolly cloaks

A reveller wears a mask during the traditional Busójárás carnival in Mohacs. According to legend, the masks helped locals scare away attacking Turks in the 16th century

The festival involves wandering the town, consuming spiced wine and pálinka (fruit brandy), and taking part in the numerous activities

Buso-walking is an annual occurrence, with the costumed participants enjoying a number of attractions in the street

Hidden from view: A buso looks striking in the crowd with their face partially conceals by a sheer veil 

The event is not just for the adults, as there is a children's costumed being judged during the celebrations

A man covers his face with a scarf with holes cut out for his eyes. The design also allows him to smoke a pipe during the procession

Festival partygoers take part in a procession through the city in horse-drawn vehicles, although some refer back to motorised alternatives

A family of busos head towards the action, with a black-fur coat distinguishing the parent from his children 

The events last well into the night, with some people using sparklers to light up the night sky 

Despite the terrifying outfits, there is still time for a romantic tender moment between a young couple at the festival 

Young revellers wearing sheep-fur costumes chat as they get ready for the traditional carnival parade in the yard of a house in Mohacs

Both women and men take part in the event, although men traditionally wear the woollen costumes, with women donning face paint and coloured contacts

The busos believe their masks aren't simply worn to change an outer appearance—but to alter the person behind them. Each mask is crafted specifically for each buso

A lady wearing a brightly patterned skirt and carrying an umbrella covered in red chilies looks like a figure of mystery 

During the festival there are numerous traditional music performances, folk dancing and Busójárás parades to keep the town occupied

Like most carnival celebration, alcohol is consumed in abundance, and as a result the busos are extremely merry throughout the day 

Women of disguise: Females either cover their face in paint (left) or wear masks with lace that conceals their faces (right) 

A masked boy wearing a plaited hat strides towards the action, which mainly takes place in public areas around the town