Programme of All Events in Budapest
Cultural festivals, concerts, exhibitions and sports events
Spring 2010
23 March Harlem Globetrotters - The Jugglers of Basketball is held in Sport Arena
The world-famous basketball show of the Harlem Globetrotters will be staying in Hungary for two days. The team, which plays more than 300 matches each year and wins 98% of them, will surely not disappoint us.
24th - 27th March Stomp Concert
STOMP goes its own way, as it always did from the very beginning, when Luke Cresswell and Steven McNicholas created this genre, which reinterpreted rhythm and combined theatre, comedy and dance in an amazing way.
From 19th March Budapest Spring Festival 2010
The largest cultural Festival in Budapest offers a wide spectrum of programs including classical music concerts, theatre performances, dance shows and unique exhibitions. The Budapest Spring Festival takes place in the last two weeks of March every year. Besides Hungarian artists numerous international stars perform during the two-week event.
The largest and most prestigious Cultural Festival in Budapest attracts many classical music, opera and jazz fans from all around the world and the festival has developed into one of Europe's major cultural event.
It is possible to choose from around 200 events from the festival's rich program and here is the list of few examples to give an impression about Budapest Spring Festival.
Orchestral Concerts
20th Joshua Bell and the Camerata Salzburg conducted by Louis Langr?e will perform in the Palace of Arts B?la Bart?k National Concert Hall.
20th March within the International Theatre Festival the Park by Botho Strauss directed by R?bert Alf?ldi will be a Hungarian premiere in the National Theatre
22nd March Bart?k Evening in the Palace of Arts B?la Bart?k National Concert Hall with the Miraculous Mandarin and a semi-staged performance of the Bluebeard's Castle featuring singers Ildik? Koml?si and L?szl? POlg?r accompanied by the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra
26th March the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in the Palace of Arts B?la Bart?k National Concert Hall
29th March the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra in the Palace of Arts B?la Bart?k National Concert Hall
Church Concerts
28th March Church concerts will be performed in Matthias Church
Opera, Operetta, Musical
21st March Philemon and Baucis by Haydn will be a Hungarian premiere on unique venue in the Hungarian Railway Museum.
22nd March and 28th March Puccini's Turandot will be performed in the Hungarian State Opera House
Japanese Days
21st and 22nd March Japanese art (origami, ikebana, koto playing, kanji drawing) will be held in the Th?lia Theatre.
Folk Dance Programs
2nd April The Dancing Master dance show directed by Jol?n Foltin will be performed in Th?lia Theatre
4th and 5th April National Dance Hues Gathering & Arts and Crafts Fair will be held in the Papp L?szl? Sport Arena. This is a folk festival with lots of folk music, folk art, and dancing performed by both professionals and amateurs. The aim of the festival is introducing the rich folk heritage of the Hungarian people living in the Carpathian basin and the ethnic minorities of Hungary.
4th April Winners of the Fugato Orchestra's competition
The Fugato Orchestra, together with the Budapest Festival Centre, announced a competition for young composers with the best entries to be performed at the 2010 Budapest Spring Festival. The compositions judged the three best by the jury of experts will be premiered at the concert.
Fugato Orchestra, celebrating its 10th anniversary, is one of the most versatile formations on the Hungarian music scene. The chamber symphony orchestra supplemented with percussion, bass guitar and electronics regularly performs classical music, world music, jazz and progressive rock.
Works written for the Fugato Orchestra combine the traditions of classical music with the harmonies, rhythms and improvisation of jazz and the classical sound with modern electronic effects.
Budapest Fringe Festival
The Budapest Fringe Festival is held on the last two days of the Spring Festival and its aim is to introduce lesser known artists both from Hungary and foreign countries.
2nd - 4th April A Stroll with the Dinos takes place in Sport Arena
A "live" dinosaur show at the Arena. The history of these bygone creatures is demonstrated by large-scale, true-to-life machinery and a wonderful story. The performance takes us back, as it were, to the age of dinosaurs with the help of animal figures that can be touched, seen and heard.
3rd - 5th April Budapest Spring & Jazz Festival at V?rosh?za Park (by De?k t?r)
There's wine festival in Budapest in almost every season. No wonder the finest Hungarian wines deserve to be cherished as often as possible. A wine festival is a great opportunity to taste wines of the most famous Hungarian wine producers but you can also find excellent wines from lesser known wineries.
Apart from wine tasting a range of programs like music concerts, craft fair, programs for kids make wine festivals entertaining for everyone.
The Spring Wine Festival is the first in the series of Budapest wine festivals held in April in downtown Budapest in the City Hall Park.
17th - 29th April Dance Forum
This event takes place connected to World Dance Day every year. Besides shows of the greatest international dance groups, new Hungarian works of the spring season will also be introduced in the festival. The colorful repertoire ensures that everybody can find a suitable option.
19th - 21st April Biomed, Europe Biomedical Conference
Biomedical innovation, healthcare, life sciences and more! Biomed 2010, is the leading international conference covering the fast-growing field of innovation in the biomedical, health care and life sciences industries, is expected to attract over 6,000 local and international CEOs, experts, academics, scientists, researchers, venture capitalists, and angel investors.
Biomed 2010 is an essential opportunity to learn from international experts the latest healthcare trends, regulatory and reimbursement issues, and therapies. A vast variety of Israeli BioPharma and Medical Device players will also receive exposure.
22nd April Earth Day
An international day that is acknowledged by countries around the world, Budapest marks the occasion with a series of events highlighting green issues. Events take place in various locations throughout the city and many schools and youth groups participate in events, seminars and political debates.
6th - 9th May Gourmet Wine and Jazz Days
This year the Gourmet Wine and Jazz Days will be held at a new location with an amazing panorama: on the Buda Castle terraces.
In addition to reputed oenologists and wine merchants, this year we are pleased to welcome some other distinguished representatives from different gastronomic areas as well. Well-known chefs and handicraft cheese-makers craftsmen will also participate in the event.
6th - 9th May Budapest P?linka Festival
The City Hall Park hosts the spring P?linka Festival the aim of which is to introduce high-quality Hungarian fruit brandies, p?linka in Hungarian to both locals and tourists. Musical programs, concerts enhance the atmosphere during the 4-day event.
14 May Metallica Concert
Metallica, one of the most impressive heavy metal bands in the world, visits Hungary for the fifth time. It was eleven years ago that the band, then comprising James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Jason Newsted, last played in Hungary. In the present formation, Robert Trujillo plays the bass guitar instead of Newsted.
15th - 16th May Museum Festival at Hungarian National Museum
More than 100 museums from all over Hungary will be present on this weekend festival in mid-May. The event takes place in the garden and building of the Hungarian National Museum. There'll be craft fair, musical programs, folk performances.
22nd - 23rd May Floralia Festival at Aquincum ?buda
The Floralia revives a popular festival of the Roman era. The event takes place at Aquincum Museum in ?buda (Old Buda, district III.) featuring gladiator fights, theatre performances, flower exhibition children programs and many more.
Summer 2010
From 1st June - 31st August Open Air Summer Festival
The 3-month festival offers cultural entertainment throughout summer. Taking place in various locations throughout this enchanting city, the annual Open-air Summer Festival presents an exciting program of music, dance and theatre. Performances take place in three open-air locations - an outdoor stage on Margaret Island, an outdoor theatre at Varosmajor and a stage in Buda Park. With a great mix of opera and ballet, live theatre and rock and pop music, the festival offers entertainment for visitors of all ages during its three-month run.
This year's highlights of the Summer Open Air Festival will be the premiere of the Evita musical and the Aida opera, both staged in the Open Air Theatre on Margaret Island.
June, Danube Carnival
The multi-cultural festival takes place in several spots within the city centre including V?r?smarty Square. Professional and amateur folk artists, contemporary dancers, musicians from Hungary and all over the world will be present on this 10-day festival.
There'll be a procession on the Chain Bridge and Carnival Gala on Margaret Island Open Air Theatre. All events are free except for the Carnival Gala on Margaret Island Open Air Theatre.
2nd - 6th June 1st Tourism Olympics
This event is an excellent opportunity for employees in the tourism sector to take part in competitions and meet other representatives of their profession. Organisers will welcome everybody who is working in or for the tourism sector, anywhere in the world, also including students in tertiary education with a major in tourism. Specially targeted communities: travel agencies, hotel industry, catering trade, companies dealing with passenger transport, and many other similar companies. Competitors can try their strength, endurance and abilities in 25 different sports.
Apart from the games, there will also be a chance for the visiting experts to take part in conferences and discuss business opportunities within the framework of workshops.
2nd - 6th June National Sprint
The National Sprint is the celebration of Hungarian towns and villages. National Sprint is an equestrian competition based on Hungarian tradition, with a historic atmosphere, which, as such, is a national cultural event both preserving and creating tradition. In the center of the event is an equestrian competition with a historic atmosphere that Hungarian communities can apply to participate in.
3rd June Paul Anka in Budapest Again
Paul Anka is one of those few singers who address the fans of the music of the 60's and also those who prefer the music of the 80's and 90's.
3rd - 6th June Festive Book Week
G?za Supka, the outstanding publicist suggested in 1927 that a "book day be organized" every year. His notion was carried out as early as 1929, and Book Day, which is primarily the celebration of contemporary Hungarian literature, has been held for 80 times since then.
Over 250 booksellers offer books with some 1,000 authors signing, and some 100,000 bookworms and book buyers visiting at the square. The venue of the event, which is held on the first weekend of each June, is one of the most beautiful downtown town squares of Budapest, V?r?smarty t?r.
4th - 6th Island Sport Magic takes place at Margit Sziget
Sport is what this event represents and promotes, where the organizers make utmost effort to ensure that families, friends, sports teams, adults and children alike can find the form of recreation most suitable for them, in the spirit of healthy living.
5th - 6th June National Gallop (Nemzeti V?gta) at Heroes' Square
Held for the 3rd time, the National Gallop is a celebration of Hungary's horse riding traditions. Apart from the horse riding race to which teams of Hungarian settlements can enter and compete against each other spectacular shows, crafts fair and a range of other interesting programs entertain visitors.
8th June Elton John in Budapest
The artist, who has the longest list of concerts, published albums, singles and most famous hits in the world, and who probably possesses the biggest collection of sunglasses, is coming to visit Hungary.
19th June Night of Museums
Museums in Budapest in other towns in Hungary welcome the whole family with colorful programs all night long.
The summer celebration of museums has attracted more and more visitors year after year. The programs, the atmosphere and the high number of visitors have been astounding - a huge success exceeding all expectations. The public has been asking for years: why is this the only such night during the year?
26th June T-Mobile Connection Day free concert
A free large-scale event that attracts masses of crowds, a real joyride, where mega celebrity sponsored by the telecommunications company arrives in Budapest to perform in front of several hundreds of thousands of people at '56 Square (Felvonul?si t?r, City Park). The event has been graced so far by such famous stars as Sting, Lionel Richie, or Pink.
27th June - 19th July Summer on the Chain Bridge, over 100 Programs
Summer on the Chain Bridge is Budapest's largest summer festival. Breathtaking view, wide-ranging programs for free. Events are held on stages on both Pest and Buda side, between beginning of July-mid-August, every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 10 pm.
During the festival tourists can walk across the bridge from the Danube Promenade to the Clark Adam Square, while enjoying the various cultural events and the wonderful vista.
Tourists also can listen to wind orchestras, music performances and even jazz concerts. Craftsmen (woodcarvers, embroiderers, lace makers, potters, leather workers) present their traditional, rare skills.
They even teach tourists the basics of their trade if tourists are adventurous enough. It is a good opportunity to get a glimpse of the culture, handicraft and folklore of Hungary's different regions.
It is advisable to bring children as well, because there'll be plenty of programs for them: face-painting, bicycle rickshaws, toy catapults and they can also learn handicraft skills.
Here tourists can watch the making of the special Hungarian (Transylvanian, to be precise) pastry, k?rt?s kal?cs (hollow, cylinder-shaped pastry with different coatings: sugar, walnut) and taste it freshly.
4th July Mark Knopfler
Mark Knopfler, the famous guitar virtuoso and singer, recently announced the launch of his 2010 tour, where among other songs he will perform the hits of his new album Get Lucky, which appeared on 14 September 2009.
7th July - 18th August Musical Fables at the Zoo
The musical nights are organized at two atmospheric venues. More often near the Palm House, where the lake and the proximity of the illuminated Palm House lend an exclusive atmosphere, and sometimes at the Japanese Garden, which on the one hand is a traditional venue of the concerts, and on the other hand contributes to the luster of this event by its special oriental atmosphere.
1st July - 17th August Budapest Summer Opera and Ballet Festival
The established concert season in Budapest is from late September to early June, but some of the best opera and ballet can be seen at the height of the season, in the Budapest Summer Opera and Ballet Festival. The fabulous State Opera House is the showpiece venue where the Hungarian State Opera perform. There are also outdoor concerts at Hilton Dominican Court and the Basilica of St Stephan. The various music, opera and ballet events take place under the umbrella title of BudaFest Summer Festival, and keynote events at the Opera House are usually programmed for August.
12th July - 9th August Summer Music Festival in Vajdahunyad Castle
The lovely mock castle of Vajdahunyad in City park hosts a series of classical music klezmer, swing and gypsy music concerts in the middle of summer.
Mid June - August every day from 17.00 - 23.00 starts Budapest Space Film Music Festival (T?r Film Zene Fesztiv?l)
This Festival takes place at West End Shopping Center on the roof terrace. The roof garden of the large plaza at Nyugati Railway Station gives home this summer festival offering quality and free entertainments for film lovers of all ages.
The films are selected from the best Hungarian and international films shown in the last couple of decades.
27th July - 14th August Dance Nights at the Carmelite Court
The National Dance Theater performs its Dance Night each year at the beautiful Carmelite Court evoking a historic atmosphere, where a colorful program is awaiting audiences this year also, as performances in different dance styles can be seen on these summer nights
Tourists can see folk dance, tango, flamenco, among others, performed by outstanding representatives of each genre.
Autumn 2010
29th July - 1 August Formula 1 (F1) Hungarian Grand Prix F1
The Hungarian Grand Prix is one of 19 races that make up the prestigious Formula 1 (F1) Grand Prix World Championships. The race always attracts legions of fans that come from around the world to soak up the incredible sights and sounds of this event. Braving the roar of engines and the smell of burning rubber, spectators cheer on their racing heroes as they battle it out over the course at incredible speeds. Fans can buy race merchandise and memorabilia at the trade stands and some lucky visitors can also get close to the drivers at special ticket-only events. Contested over three days, the practice and qualifying stages take place on the first two days and the final race takes place on the third and final day of the competition.
11th - 16th August - Budapest Sziget Festival - the Best-Value Outdoor Rock Festival in Europe
Why this festival is called Sziget, meaning "island" in Hungarian? Budapest Sziget Festival takes place on ?budai Island (aka Haj?gy?ri Island) in ?buda, northern Budapest. Moreover this festival represents an island in a metaphoric sense.
Every year thousands and thousands, mainly the young generation come to Budapest in the middle of summer. Why has Sziget Festival become so popular? The main reason is that it offers the best-value for your money regarding similar events in Central and Eastern-Europe. It suggests cheap prices, great service and facilities, and lots of fun on an island in a hip city!
19th - 20th August Red Bull Air Race
The traditional holiday of the end of the summer, which looks back to several hundred years (originally as the "feast of the new bread")? August 20th is Saint Stephen's Day, when the Basilica bearing the name of this the first Hungarian King pays homage to the patriarch. A water show, a water concert and other large-scale events can be seen in the city, and the highlight of this National Holiday is the Fireworks with countless rockets launched from various locations in the heart of the city.
The days around this holiday await the visitors with a festive market and musical programs along both banks of the River Danube. Practically simultaneously with the Holiday, other events are also on schedule, such as the Danube Shore Amusements, the Craft and Folk Fair held in Buda Castle and the Wine Village organized in City Park. A Joy Concert has been held yearly on August 19 for years with remarkable Hungarian performers.
20th - 22nd August Festival of Folk Arts (Mesters?gek ?nnepe)
Tourist must visit the Festival of Folk Arts in Budapest Castle District between 20th and 22rd August if he wants to find out more about Hungary's rich folklore and crafts straight from the horse's mouth.
The Festival is the most significant forum for living folk culture in Hungary. The most renowned Hungarian artists and craftsmen from different regions of the country will introduce their skills handed down from many generations. In these workshops tourists can try and learn the trades: e.g. wood carving, making musical instruments, embroidery, pottery making, weaving, egg painting etc.
This year the Renaissance Era will be in focus. Besides the workshops and fair there are many other programs to entertain tourists: artists from all around the world perform folk dances and folk music. Every evening tourist can dance to a different nation's folk music.
Children won't be bored either, there'll be plenty programs for them, as well: puppet-shows, story-telling. In the children's dance hall they can learn dancing in a playful way.
In addition, tourists won't stay hungry because gastronomy of the Hungarian countryside will also be introduced.
The event is timed to coincide with our national holiday, St. Stephen's day on 20th August. On this day craftsmen will have their own parade to revive an old tradition.
On 20th August also celebrates the new bread and the ceremony of the so called "Blessing of the bread" will take place in front of Matthias Church.
30th August - 6th September Jewish Summer Festival
The Jewish Summer Festival in Budapest is a great opportunity to find out everything about the Hungarian Jewish culture.
The first Jewish Summer Festival was held in 1997. The center of the festival is the beautiful Doh?ny Street Central Synagogue in the former Jewish Quarter of Budapest. The event offers many programs for Jewish and non-Jewish audience alike.
Wed 1st - Thu 30 September Budapest International Fair (BNV)
Held each September at the Budapest Fair Centre (Budapesti Vasarkozpont), the annual Budapest International Fair is the biggest consumer fair in Central Eastern Europe. Exhibitors cover every conceivable angle of home ownership and renovation including furniture, home textiles, domestic lighting, interior design and the latest gadgets and gizmos in the world of household appliances.
2nd - 21st September FACE Billboard Exhibition
The diversity and versatility of the FACE exhibition is ensured by the freedom that it offers to creators. At the same time, it insists that an alternative to the often hypocritical, divorced-from-reality, value-stripped communication of the media can be offered by openness, humor and core insight. The exhibition displays a selection of the winning billboards of previously held competitions.
Felvonul?si t?r (?tvenhatosok tere)
3rd - 5th September Fest
Those who have been to SeptemberFest know that it is an unbroken string of gastronomic and cultural programs held during three days, and the organizers come up with new features each year. A stew-cooking competition and a musical stage await those who are interested in an end-of-summer outdoor gastronomic event.
N?pliget
5th September Budapest International Half-Marathon
Open to runners over the age of 12, the popular Budapest International Half-Marathon attracts over 6,000 runners from approximately 45 countries. The course begins at Kos Karoly Promenade in the heart of this historic city and then follows a route that crosses the Danube and takes in both the Buda and the Pest sides of this historic city. Runners and visitors can expect to be welcomed with a warm atmosphere as well as plenty of additional events and entertainment that takes place during the race weekend. The event was first held in 1986 and has become an important event in the city's calendar.
8th - 12th September MOL Budapest Jazz Festivals
The most significant Jazz concert in Budapest will feature concerts in several venues in the city including the Palace of Arts and the vibrant R?day Street in IX district. The greatest Hungarian Jazz musicians as well as international stars will perform during the event.
8th - 12th September Budapest International Wine and Champagne Festival
The Budapest International Wine and Champagne Festival is a great opportunity to taste award-winning Hungarian wines. During the wine festival tourists can: learn about the history of Hungarian wines and winegrowing, meet renowned wine makers, listen to folk music and concerts, taste gastronomy delicacies.
Besides Hungarian wines several foreign wine distributors exhibit their products as well. This year's guest exhibitor will be the Freixenet Group (famous for its champagnes) from Spain.
The festival consists of several events that take place at different venues.
Budapest International Wine and Champagne Festival
Wine Exhibition and Fair in the Buda Castle
Venue: Buda Castle-Palace terraces Budapest, More than 170 wine distributors exhibit their products from Hungarian wine regions and foreign countries as well.
Tourists can taste culinary delicacies between two sips of wine: fried and grilled meats, sausages, stuffed cabbage will be made in open-air kitchens, but lighter snacks such as scones, t?ki pompos (a flat bread-like pastry baked in oven), and a selection of cheese will also be available.
Colorful programs accompany the fair on two stages: musical performances, men's choir, folk dancing, jazz music, etc. it is possible can become a wine judge for a few minutes!
Visiting the Vinagora Tent tourists can meet the Ace Winegrowers of Hungary and of course taste their wines.
It is advisable for tourists to bring your children too there are programs for them as well: puppet theatre, mediaeval playhouse. Every day between 10 am and 6 pm it is possible to leave children at the childcare where qualified attendants will look after little ones while adults are tasting wines. They can draw, listen to stories and have delicious grapes.
18th - 19th September Cultural Heritage Days
Under the auspices of the European Council and the European Union, the festival of the built heritage is held in September in all the countries of Europe. Institutions, mansions, folk monument buildings, castles, churches, etc. apply from all over the country and await visitors with guides and programs.
22nd September 2010 - 9th January 2011 Klimt and the early days of the Vienna sezession (1895-1905)
The Budapest Museum of Fine Arts will launch an art exhibition in the second half of 2010 to present the short but all the more intensive period of the Vienna Secession's "Holy Spring".
26th September Budapest Marathon
Budapest marathon is the most prestigious of the many running races in the city. Budapest is filled with healthy, well-trained men and women, who travel here for the purpose of the race. The city is divided into three parts at this time: the cheerers, those who are raging stuck in car traffic and those who flee the city.
1st -31 October Budapest Autumn Festival, Date to be Confirmed
Something of a counterpoint to the classical Spring Festival, Budapest's Autumn Festival fixes firmly on the future, exploring new forms and developments within the art scene and bringing them to a wide audience through many different venues including city streets and squares. The festival's credo has been summed up as 'making the city alive with living art'. A highly varied program includes jazz, photography, computer-generated and video art, music, dance and theatre. The festival opens with sculpture in public squares.
1st - 31 October Budapest Marathon, Date to be Confirmed
Participants in the annual Budapest Marathon follow a route that crosses the Danube and takes in both the Buda and the Pest sides of this fabulous city. Thousands of runners from all over the world compete in the event and a great atmosphere prevails throughout the marathon weekend with plenty of additional events taking place including musical performances in a number of open-air venues.
8th - 10th October P?linka & Sausage Festival
Hungarian gastronomy has gained world-wide reputation by some authentic dishes like goulash and chicken paprikash and use of the country's mascot spice the paprika powder.
Hungarians love cooking and eating and numerous gastro festivals in Budapest and in other parts of Hungary provide opportunity to introduce Hungarian cuisine.
This Festival will take place at Savoya Terrace Royal Palace Buda Castle. This is a sister event of the spring P?linka Festival but it's held in Castle District and besides p?linka, Hungarian sausage is the other highlight of the festival.
8th - 17th October Budapest Autumn Festival
This festival focuses on contemporary art. Striking performances in music, dance, film, photography and computer art. The first Budapest Autumn Festival was in 1992. Since then the festival has been renewed and has taken up a new role as a mediator between artists and the public. The festival aims to rejuvenate people, at least in spirit. This year's theme is "Present Tense". Talents from more than 12 countries, close to 90 programs. It's hard to choose which one to visit.
The Budapest Autumn Festival opens with a sculpture exhibition; tourists will see the artworks in the city's busiest squares.
18th - 21st November Budapest Art Fair
Ancient and contemporary--everything that is art, at the same place, at the same time...The Budapest Art Fair Exhibition and Market is one of the most significant national art exhibitions in Hungary, which has become an increasingly prestigious cultural event even in the international arena.
19th November - 29th December Budapest Christmas Market
The biggest outdoor event of the winter season, which awaits its visitors for over a month at V?r?smarty t?r, with mulled wine, traditional handicrafts, gifts and decorations, with funnel cakes, a children's play place, Santa Clause, an advent calendar, a giant Christmas tree and beautiful, festive lights.
Winter 2010
7th - 21st December Bronze, Silver and Gold Sundays
A traditional count down to the last three Sundays before Christmas, Bronze, Silver and Gold Sundays mark the third, second and last Sundays before Christmas and are a chance for people to finish off their Christmas shopping. In Hungary, presents are usually exchanged on Christmas Eve.
30th December Gala Concert of the 100-Member Gypsy Orchestra, Date to be Confirmed
This lively event provides visitors with an exciting introduction to Hungary's wine regions during an evening of wine-tasting and supper with music provided by the world-famous 100-Member Gypsy Orchestra. During the concert, visitors are treated to performances of pieces by Offenbach, Brahms, Rossini, Khachaturian, Liszt and Strauss as well as classical folk music.
31st December New Years Eve Gala and Ball at the Opera
Budapest's Italian-Renaissance Opera House is the splendidly opulent setting for this good old-fashioned ball. Those who have managed to get a ticket can expect to be well entertained, not only by the resident Opera House ensemble but by the audience, elegantly dressed and friendly. The gala concert features soloists, ballet dancers and the orchestra of the National State Opera. Hungarian food and drink are served and the event closes with music and dance, in a party atmosphere that later spill onto the street. Near the banks of the Danube on the Pest side of the city, the Opera House opened in 1884 and boasts one of the most elegant interiors in Europe.
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