Why this festival is called Sziget, meaning “island” in Hungarian? Budapest Sziget Festival takes place on Óbudai Island (aka Hajógyári Island) in Óbuda in northern Budapest.
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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. |
- cheap prices,
- great service and facilities,
- and lots of fun on an island in a hip city.
Sziget Festival was voted for The Best European Major Festival title at the European Festival Awards in January 2012 at Groningen's De Oosterport in The Netherlands.
See more details about the programs, services, facilities, and prices below.
A few hundred thousand visitors come to the Sziget Festival every year from all over the world.
Budapest Sziget Festival 2012 - Why Is It So Popular?
No matter what music genre you like to listen to, you’ll find that appeals to your taste. Each year several internationally recognized music stars perform on 5 stages.
More than a dozen internationally well-known bands will be performing on the Sziget this including
Peformers in 2011:
Pop-Rock Main Stage
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Amy Winehouse
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Gogol Bordello
- Kasabian
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Kasabian
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Manic Street Preachers
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Dizzee Rascal
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The Chemical Brothers
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White Lies
Europe Stage
World Music Main Stage
A38-WAN2 Stage
- Baskerville
- DeWolff
- Gaslamp Killer
- Kode9
- Suicidal Tendencies
Party Arena
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2manydjs
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Above & Beyond
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Kid Cudi
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Carlo Lio
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Zombie Nation
Rock & Metal Stage
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Deftones
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Judas Priest
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Within Temptation
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Sonata Arctica
Roma Stage
Reggae Stage
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Afro DZAQM
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Gravefruit Sound
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Kingston Cruisers
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Ocho Macho
Cöxpon Ambient Tent
The stages of the Sziget Festival give place for different music genre concerts:
- World Music Main Stage: bands from all around the world stage on this outdoor venue (caoacity: 15.000 people)
- Europe Stage: a tent that welcomes hard rock fans (capacity: 5000 people)
- Party Arena: the largest tent on the Sziget, a place for electric dance music
- A38-Wan2 Stage: here you can enjoy various music genres from world music to punk.
You canalso listen to many local music talents you’ve never heard of.
Besides concerst you can enjoy many other programs as well:
- visit exhibitions or theatrical performances,
- just walk around and contemplate passersby.
Last but not least you can make friends from all over the world.
Children are welcome too; there’ll be plenty of programs for them (e.g. puppet theatre). If you don’t want to take your kids to a certain event leave them in the day-care where qualified personnel looks after them.
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Why has Budapest Sziget Festival become so popular? It’s more than just a few-day long pop-rock festival. It has a unique atmosphere, the so called “Sziget feeling”.
Sziget is a meeting place for the young generation, where you can let yourself go and do what you’re feel like doing. No one’s going to stare at or criticize you. It’s also a place of learning about each other and the world.
Budget Accommodation in Budapest for the Sziget Festival
Find the lowest rates for Budapest hotels using the search tool on the right.
The results will appear in a new window allowing you to compare hotel prices provided by 30+ booking sites.
You can also read hotel reviews provided by travelers.
Book your hotel room well in advance for the Sziget Festival because August is tourist peak season and apart from the festival many visitors come to Budapest for holiday. |
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If you want to experience the essence of the Sziget Festival camp right at the spot on Hajógyári Sziget, Óbuda. See camping ticket prices.
If you'd rather have accommodation in downtown Budapest you have many options. See our Budapest hotels guide.
Budget hotels and hostels are very popular accommodation options for visitors coming to the Sziget Festival so to ensure you have a place to sleep at book your lodging well in advance.
Budapest has many budget hotels, hostels and pensions if you want to save on accommodation.
If you want to save even more consider staying in an apartment and sharing the cost with others. See our guide to apartment rental in Budapest and tips on finding a cheap Budapest apartment.
A Few Details About Budapest Sziget Festival
Date: 6th-13th August, 2012
Venue: Hajógyári-sziget (a former shipyard), Óbuda, III. District, Budapest, Hungary
Map- Budapest Sziget Festival-Hajógyári Sziget
Tickets:
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Weekly Pass with Camping in advance (until 30th April) 195 €, from 1st May: 225 € with a camping ticket you can sleep in a tent (or caravan, but for this you need to buy a caravan camping ticket as well -100 €) in the camping area and you can use the camping facilities.
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Caravan Camping Ticket (valid with Sziget Weekly Pass with camping): 130 €/vehicle - If you wish to stay in a caravan apart from the camping ticket you also have to buy a caravan camping ticket (costs 110 €). Motor homes and caravans are entitled to drive in the caravan camping area (station wagons aren't allowed).
- 5-Day Pass Without Camping until 30th April 165 €, from 1st May: 195 € :
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Daily Ticket bought in advance (until 30th April) 40 €, form 1st May: 45 €: sold on the spot at the entrance, valid from 2 am 8 am on the day after the ticket was purchased. Camping and use of shower are not included.
More information on Sziget Tickets and Passes: Sziget Festival Official Site.
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Getting to Budapest Sziget Festival from the City
Take the Szentendrei Suburban Railway (HÉV in Hungarian) line from Batthyány tér (M2, red metro line) for five stops, get off at Filatorigát stop. From there follow the crowd along Mozaik Street through K-Bridge!
Bus Service
A bus service operates every day during the festival between 11.00-17.00. The route: Sziget-Árpád Bridge, Buda bridgehead,- Margit Bridge, Buda and pest bridgeheads - Nyugati Train Station - Oktogon - Madách Square - Móricz Zsigmond Square -termini
Boat Service - You can get to the city center of Budapest by the boat service every day from 12.00 to 16.00. It travels between Batthyány Square (M2 red metro line) and Sziget continuously. Ticket is 500 HUF.
Night transport: if you plan to go into the city at night note that none of the night bus services stop at Batthyány tér.
By Bike
You can also get to the Festival venue (Hajógyári sziget) by bike. Ride along the Buda embankment to the entrance of the festival and the staff will take care of your bike until you go home.
There's a bike storage place on the tennis court of the caravan camping site where your bike will be kept safe free of charge. Find out more renting a bicycle and biking in Budapest.
Visit our page about how to travel in Budapest, to learn more about how to get around in the city.
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Services & Facilities on the Budapest Sziget Festival
During the years the Sziget has evolved and numerous services and facilities have been set up on the island area to make your stay more comfortable.
Inside Box Office - here you can buy your daily ticket. Open every day between 8.00-16.00.
Information - if you need help or have any questions.
Medical Help
If you don't feel well drop in the Medical Base next to the main stage where qualified nurses and doctors will help you.
Banking
There is a K&H bank office (open 10.00-18.00) set up on the island during the festival. There are ATMs on 10 spots on the island and you can use them 24 hours a day.
Post Office - you can buy stamps, postcards, envelopes, phone cards and send your postcards and letters.
Left Luggage Office and Safe Deposit
To keep your belongings safe leave your luggage in the Left Luggage office or in the Safe Deposit (for smaller items).
Green Info Point open 11.00-23.00 - The Sziget Festival deems environmental protection a very important issue and the organizers try to do many things to keep the environment clean during the festival.
There are also various programs and projects focused on green issues every year. The Green Info Point provides information on the Green Zone program and you can participate in waste exchange, environmental protection quizzes and games etc.
Hungarian Language First Aid Tent between 12.00-22.00 every day
Language experts will help those who want to complete a crash-course in Hungarian language.
Laundry Service
Drop your dirty clothes at the Information, the staff will have it cleaned with a laundry service. You'll be told when to pick up the clean clothes. There are also two self-service laundry spots on the island.
Board Games House - if you don't find anything other to do or if it's raining go to the game house.
Marriage Tent - Yes, you can even get married during the Sziget Festival.
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Food Facilities, Eating
Numerous fast food stalls offer cooked meals at affordable prices every day. A one-course meal (meat dish with garnishing) costs around 900-1300 HUF. A few choices of vegetarian dishes will also be available.
There are also many snack and tea & coffee vending machines in the area of the festival.
I'm sure you won't have to search for long for places selling beer and other alcoholic beverages since carousing and drinking is sort of part of the festival's image. Note that you're allowed to be served and drink alcohol in Hungary if you're older than 18.
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Other Summer Events in Budapest
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Other Pages From our Website You might want to Check Out
Events in Budapest lists the main events taking place in the city season by season.
Budapest Sightseeing gives you tips on what attractions to see in Budapest.
Budapest In One Day - see a recommended program for a 1-day stay at Budapest
Budapest Nightclubs
Striptease and Erotic bars in Budapest
Budapest Cinemas
Return from Budapest Sziget Festival to Events in Budapest or
Budapest Travel & Tourist Guide Home.
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Budapest Events - Summer
