Programme of All Events in Budapest
Spring 2008
Exhibition: "Splendourofthe Medici": 24 January - 18 May
Renaissance Italy comes to Budapest! This exhibition aims to introduce the visitor to art and life in Florence during the Renaissance era. The exhibition is in the Museum of Fine Arts (Szepmuveszeti Muzeum) at Heroes Square (Metro line 1 (yellow); station "Hosok tere")
Hungarian National Day: 15 March
Numerous events will be held at several different venues (including e.g. the Hungarian National Museum " Metro line 3 (blue), station "Kalvin ter") to commemorate the Hungarian Revolution which broke out on 15 March 1848, and the War of Independence of 1848-49.
Budapest Spring Festival, 14 - 30 March
Budapest Spring Festival largest annual arts festival features many events including classical music, opera, ballet, and chamber music, held at various locations in the city. (See below for detailed programme.)
Tourism Show, 29 March - 1 April
This is the largest international tourism forum in central Europe; it should provide visitors with a wide variety of holiday ideas. The show is held at the Budapest Exhibition Centre (Hungexpo). (Take Metro line 2 (red) to the end-station ("Ors vezer tere"), and from there use the special bus service to the Expo entrance-gate.)
Titanic Film Festival, April
The non-competitive Titanic Film Festival includes numerous feature films and documentaries from many countries. It was first held in 1993.
"Palinka" Festival, 11 May
"Palinka" is the traditional Hungarian fruit brandy. In this newly-created small park in a very central location you will be able to watch the manufacture (by distillation) of this traditional drink, as well as enjoying samples of palinka and Hungarian food, while being entertained with folk-dance displays and music. The festival is in Voroshaza Park (Town Hall Square), Voroshaz utca 9-11, District V (behind the church at Deak Square; Metro lines 1, 2, and 3; station "Deak ter")
Museum Festival, May
The Festival centres on the Hungarian National Museum (Metro line 3 (blue), station "Kalvin ter") and its neighbourhood. You can also visit around 100 museums in the city and view their exhibitions and treasures. In most cases, admission to the permanent exhibitions is free.
Summer 2008
Open-Air Summer Festival, 10 June - 10 September
The aim of the Budapest Summer Festival this year celebrating its 70th anniversary is to serve the needs of a range of audiences and age groups by providing a festival which is held after the normal theatres close for the summer. Various musical and theatre events will be held at two venues, both central, and both located in parks which provide the audience with a relaxed, open-air environment.
- Vorosmajor Open-air Stage: theatrical performances
(District II; Metro line 2 (red) to station "Moskva ter", then tram 56 to first stop)
- Margaret Island Open-air Theatre: opera, ballet, musicals and light-music concerts
(Metro line 3 (blue) to station "Nyugati palyaudvar", then bus 26)
Tickets and information: Szabad Ter Jegyiroda, District XIII, Hollan Erno utca 10. (tel: 340 4883)
Musical: "Dance of the Vampires", 5 June - 27 July
(Ticket prices: 3900-9900 HUF.) Pesti Magyar Szinhaz, District VII, Hevesi Sandor ter 4. How to get there: take tram 4/6 on the "Nagykorut" (large ring-road) to the stop: "Wesselenyi utca", then trolleybus 74 for one stop (or take a short walk along Wesselenyi utca, following the no. 74 route).
Bridge Festival and Water Carnival, June
This festival centres on the famous Budapest Chain Bridge. The city's oldest bridge becomes a pedestrian zone for the day, to form a location for concerts and dance performances. Accompanying this, one of Europe's largest water-parades (including a motorboat race) will be held on the section of the Danube between the Chain Bridge and Margaret Bridge. Musical performances and a handicraft fair will be held on the river-bank.
In the evening, illuminations and a firework display will create a stunning backdrop to the bridge and its neighbourhood.
Danube Carnival, June
Professional and amateur folk ensembles and other musicians (both Hungarian and international guest-performers) will entertain at a number of popular tourist areas in the city, including:
- Vorosmarty Square,
- the Castle District,
- the Vajdahunyad Castle in the City Park,
- the City Park,
- the Danube Palace,
- Margaret Island.
"Museum Night", 21 June
Museums in Budapest (and in other Hungarian cities) will stay open till late on Midsummer Day. Special buses will be running, to help visitors to get from one museum to another. Special exhibitions and programmes will make this event a memorable summer entertainment.
"Budapest Farewell", June
A two-day celebration called "Budapesti Bucsi" commemorates the final withdrawal of Soviet troops from Hungary in the summer of 1991. Entertainment events include various musical and cultural programmes. The event ends with a free concert held on the edge of the City Park, near Heroes Square; each year this features a famous pop-star or group, whose identity is kept secret up to the last minute.
"Palace Garden Evenings", June - August (Fridays and Saturdays)
Classical music concerts and other events will be held in the peaceful Karolyi Gardens in the historic central area. Details and tickets: Petofi Literary Museum, District V, Karolyi Mihaly utca 16 (Metro line 3 (blue), station "Ferenciek tere").
"Summer in the Buda Castle" festival, July
At the northern end of the Budapest Castle District, Kapisztrin ter and the adjacent courtyard of the Military History Museum will house traditional folk music and dance shows, and a craft market. Military bands will perform for the benefit of visitors, who can also admire the famous hussars mounted on their horses.
Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, 31 July - 3 August (Mogyorod)
The annual Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix (see below for detailed programme) is run on the purpose-designed motor-racing track located near the village of Mogyorod, about 20 km east of Budapest. Access (by road) is via the M3 motorway, or alternatively using the "HIV" suburban-railway line from Ors vezer tere (end-station of Metro line 2 (red)).
Sziget Festival, 12 - 18 August
"Sziget" means "island"; and the by-now famous annual multicultural youth and pop festival, the largest in Central Europe, is held on Obuda Island, in northern Buda. Come and experience the festival-community "Sziget Feeling"! (Access via the "HIV" suburban-railway line from Batthyanyi ter, station on Metro line 2 (red).)
"Summer on the Chain Bridge" weekends, 2 July - 14 August
Every weekend during this summer period, Budapest's oldest bridge is transformed into the place for a colourful culture- and craft-festival. If you want to get a glimpse of Hungarian culture, handicraft and folklore, this is the event for you! You can walk across the Chain Bridge and enjoy more than 100 programmes, all for free.
Dance Theatre performances in the Castle District, July - August
The National Dance Theatre performs spectacular dance shows in a beautiful setting in the Castle District, the Carmelite Courtyard off Orszaghaz utca (near Disz ter; bus 16 from Deak ter (Metro lines 1, 2, 3), or "Varbusz" from Moskva ter (Metro line 2). After the performance you can even take a few steps with the dancers on stage!
Music evenings in Budapest Zoo, July - August
Listen to jazz, klezmer and other light-music concerts in the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Good music in an exceptionally memorable setting, and a light summer breeze... what else do you need?
Summer "BudaFest" opera and ballet festival, July - August
Opera and ballet productions featuring internationally-known Hungarian and foreign artistes are available for culture-lovers in Budapest throughout these two months. Classical-music fans are sure to find interesting items in the 25 concerts of the festival. Since its inception, the "BudaFest" has grown to become one of Europe's most popular summer festivals.
"BudaFest" venues:
- Budapest Opera House (opera and ballet)
- The historic Dominican Courtyard of the Hilton Hotel in the Castle District (klezmer and ragtime music, and opera),
- the spacious square in front of St Stephen's Basilica (open-air symphony concerts)
Red Bull Air Race, 19 - 20 August
The annual Budapest Red Bull Air race (one of a worldwide series held in ten cities in 2008) stages spectacular stunt-flying competitions features the world's best pilots in a competition based on speed, precision and skill. The agile lightweight planes race at speeds of up to 400 km/h on a track marked by inflatable pylons arranged to form low-level "air gates".
"Wine Village", 16 - 20 August
This is a new event that will make summer in Budapest even more memorable. Visit this festival to taste and learn about Hungarian wines and wine producers. Fruit brandy ("palinka") makers will also introduce their products. Food tasting, musical shows, wine blessing and an open wine competition are the highlights of the event. In the "Wine-Fairy's Garden", children will be entertained by clowns, handicrafts and other activities. The location is Parade square, the edge of the Budapest City Park near Heroes Square (Metro line 1 (yellow)),
Budapest Parade, August
Organised by the same company responsible for the famous summer "Sziget" Pop-Festival (see above), the annual Budapest Parade has around 50 carnival floats, sponsored by organisations including radio stations and local clubs.
Festival of Folk Arts, August
This craft-festival is held annually in the Castle District in Buda. In a historic setting, craftsmen demonstrate their traditional Hungarian folk art and crafts. You can also buy their products, which make great souvenirs.
St. Stephen's Day, 20 August
This national public holiday commemorates St. Stephen, first king and patron of Hungary and considered as the founder of the Hungarian state some 1000 years ago. There are celebrations all over Budapest, and nationwide. At 9 pm a spectacular riverside firework show on the Gellert Hill (near the Chain Bridge) will round off the day.
Jewish Summer Festival, August - September
The festival presents a wide range of programmes to introduce visitors to Jewish culture in Budapest. These include exhibitions, films, concerts, and gastronomic events.
Autumn 2008
International Wine and Champagne Festival, first weekend in September
At this event in the Castle District you can sample award-winning Hungarian wines, and meet the wine-producers and distributors. Several accompanying programmes also form part of the festival.
Budapest Half-Marathon, September
The annual Budapest Half-Marathon (21 km), like the city's full-marathon held later in the year, was first run in 1984. It follows a scenic route starting in Pest, crossing the famous Chain Bridge to Buda, turning to run along the foot of Castle Hill on the west bank of the Danube, then crossing back to Pest to end in the City Park. Spectators line the streets to cheer on the runners. There are usually around 6000 contestants, including 1000 international entrants.
For those who don't want to attempt the full course, there is also a 3.5 km "fun run".
"European Cultural Heritage Days", late September
On this special weekend, many interesting institutions and buildings, normally closed to the public, are opened to welcome visitors. Guided tours will show the history and features of the various places, as well as introducing the activities which are carried out there.
"Palinka" Festival, October
This is the autumn edition of the springtime "Palinka" festival. In this very central location you again have the chance to watch the distillation of the traditional Hungarian fruit brandy, as well as trying samples of it together with Hungarian food, and being entertained with folk-dance displays and music. The festival is held in Voroshaza Park (Town Hall Square), Voroshaz utca 9-11, District V (behind the church at Deak Square; Metro lines 1, 2, and 3; station "Deak ter")
Budapest Autumn Festival, October
If you are a fan of contemporary art and music, this is the festival for you! Click the link for details.
Budapest Marathon, October
Budapest's annual Marathon was first held in 1984. The run follows a scenic route along both banks of the Danube and across the city's bridges. Spectators line the streets to cheer on the runners, who usually number about 8000. For those who don't want to attempt the full course, there are optional shorter runs, including a breakfast run on the previous day.
But even the most athletic locals can't face such a day without a good dose of culture. As well as the sporting events, there's also a full-day programme of concerts and other entertainments.
Winter 2008
Christmas Fair, 29 November - 24 December
There are several Christmas and New Year fairs in Budapest. A leading one in the central area will be held in Vorosmarty Square (end-station of Metro line 1 (yellow)).
Christmas in Budapest, 24 - 26 December
In this part of the world, Christmas Eve often seems to have more impact than Christmas Day! Follow the link to the Christmas in Budapest page to find practical information about opening hours, public transport, etc. over the Christmas season, as well as stories on some Hungarian Christmas traditions.
Gala Concert by the "100-member Gypsy Orchestra", 30 December
This spectacular event will be held in the Budapest Congress and World Trade Centre in District XII (Metro line 2 (red) to station "Moskva ter", then tram 61; or Metro line 3 (blue) to station "Ferenciek ter", then bus 8).
New Year in Budapest, 31 December
Follow the link for details of planned "Szilvester" celebration events.
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