TIPS FROM LOCALS
Events in Budapest
2009 |
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Plenty of Events in Budapest All The Year RoundCultural Festivals, Sport Events, Exhibitions, Conferences |
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You'll find all sorts of events in Budapest. You won't be bored no matter in which season you come.
Make sure you book your hotel in advance especially for popular events like the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, or New Year's Eve.
Seasonal Tips:
Don't forget to check our Budapest Blog for up-to-date events in Budapest.
More Programs and Events in Budapest in 2009
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Did You Attend a Memorable Budapest Event? |
Summer Events in Budapest
Autumn Events in Budapest
Winter Events in Budapest
Related Pages
Higlighted Events in Budapest in 2009 |
Legengary Creatures, Magical Flowers The Popular Renaissance Exhibition - till 27th Sept, 2009, Museum of Ethnography, Kossuth Lajos tér 12., V. district, opposite the Budapest Parliament, M2 metro, or tram 2 The exhibition shows how the popular motifs of dragons, unicorns, deer, birds, and colourful flowers were incorporated in Renaissance artifacts and culture. |
The Other - Millennial beliefs, Fatal Fallacies, Cultural Diversity - till 4th April, 2009, Museum of Ethnography, Kossuth Lajos tér 12., V. district, opposite the Budapest Parliament, M2 metro or tram 2 The aim of the exhibit titled The Other is to show the diversity of cultures and introduce the obstacles one encounters when facing The Other. Spectacular collections from Budapest, Geneva and other European museums help visitors get to know people thought to be "other", often referred to as barbarian or primitive. See official website of the exhibition for more details. |
Predators-Hungarian Natural History Museum-18th March-23rd November, 2009 The temporary exhibition titled Predators in the Hungarian Natural History Museum gives the world of predatory, carnivorous animals closer to us. Lots interactive displays and spectacular elements can be expected. Highly recommended for families with children. |
See also a selection of Budapest Festivals. |
Opera Ball in Budapest Opera House 21st February 2009
One of the most importnant social events in winter in Budapest. Dancers, international stars and Hungarian opera singers will entertain the guests.
Hungarian Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup - 6th-8th March, 2009
15th March - National Day Commemorating the Revolution and the War of Independence in 1848-49.
Budapest Spring Festival, 20th March-5th April, 2009
Budapest largest festival features many classical music, opera, ballet and chamber music programmes at several venues throughout Budapest. Read more...
Budapest Spring Wine Festival, 11st-13th April, 2009
City Hall park, V. district, M1, M2 M3 (blue) metrolines,
Deák tér stop
Sample wines from Hungary's wine regions, Tokaj, Eger, Szekszárd, Villány and other lesser known wine growing areas. Altogether 50 wine producers will introdice their products on the festival. No wine festival is complete without offering opportunities of tasting culinary delights. Besides Hungarian food you can have tapas, Italian or French dishes with your wine.
Easter in Budapest, 12th-13rd April, 2009
Find tips on what to do at Easter in Budapest.
May 2009
Homeward Bound - Hungarian Folk Music Festival in May-June 2009
A uniqe folk music festival hosted by the Palace of Arts in Budapest (Művészetek Palotája, commonly called Mupa).
Budapest Pálinka Festival, 7th-10th May, 2009
Városháza Park (Town Hall Square), Városház utca 9-11., V. district , behind the church on Deák Square
You can watch distillation of fruit brandy, taste and buy excellent quality authentic Hungarian pálinka, taste Hungarian food and enjoy folk dance and concerts in a beautiful new park at the Town Hall.
Museum Festival, May 2009
Hungarian National Museum and its neighbourhood, Múzeum körút 14-16. VIII. district, trams 47, 49, M3 (blue) metro Kálvin tér station
You can visit around 100 museums in Budapest and get an insight into their works, exhibitions and treasures. Admission is free.
Browse our list of Budapest Museums.
Jazz Spring Concert Series in the Palace of Art - 16th-21st May, 2009
National Gallop - Nemzeti Vágta 30th May-1st June, 2009 Heroes' Square, Budapest
The highly successful event first organized in 2008 will be held on Whit Sunday and Whit Monday in 2009. The National Gallop is a celebration of Hungarian traditions including traditional Hungarian horse back riding and hussar traditions.
The main attraction of the event is the horse race to which any Hungarian citizen aged 18 and older can enter, male or female without weight limitations. The spactacular race takes place on the vast historic plaza, Hősök tere (Heroes' Square).
Apart from the horse riding race the National Gallop is a large-scale cultural festival that enriches the colourful event palette of Budapest.
Summer Events in Budapest
Festive Book Week - Ünnepi Könyvhét, 4th-8th June 2009
The 80th Festive Book Week takes place at the beginning of June at Vörösmrtay Square in Budapest city centre.
Open Air Summer Festival June - 6th June-30th August 2009
Various musical and theatrical programs at two different venues in Budapest:
- Városmajor Open-air Stage - theatrical performances
- Margaret Island - opera, ballet, musicals and light music concerts at the Open-air Theatre
Tickets: Szabad Tér Jegyiroda, Hollán Ernő utca 10., XIII. district tel: (+36 1) 340 4883
The Heritage of the Holy Land - Treasures from the Israel Museum - 19th June-6th September 2009
Venue: Hungarian Museum of Fine Arts
Pannon WineFest 12th-14th June, 2009
Budapest Wagner Days - 11th-28th June, 2009
Palace of Arts, Művészetek palotája simly called "MUPA"
Depeche Mode Concert - 23rd June, 2009, 20.00
Puskás Ferenc Stadium
Tickets: 9.000 HUF- 18.500 HUF
Dance of the Vampires Musical, June-September 2009
Pesti Magyar Színház, Hevesi Sándor tér 4., VII. district
Based on the famous movie screenplay of The Fearless Vampire Killers by Roman Polanski.
Tickets: 3900-9900 HUF
Bridge Festival (Hídünnep) and Water Carneval, June 2009
Chain Bridge and its environs
The oldest bridge of Budapest turns into a pedestrian zone for one day in every June to give place to concerts and dance performances.
One of Europe's largest water parade (including a motorboat race) takes place between the Chain Bridge and the Margaret Bridge. The river banks also will be places for musical performances and handicraft fair.
At night candle lights and fireworks create stunning background to the bridge and its neighbourhood.
Danube Carnival, June 2009
Professional and amateur folk ensembles and musicians will perform both from Hungary and foreign countries.
Most events take place at popular tourist areas in Budapest:
- Vörösmarty Square,
- in the Castle District,
- in the Vajdahunyad Castle,
- in the City Park,
- in the Danube Palace,
- and on Margaret Island.
The Night of Museums, 27th June 2009
Hungarian National Museum, Múzeum körút 14-16. VIII. district, trams 47, 49, M3 (blue) metro, Kálvin tér station
Museums in Budapest an in other Hungarian cities are open till late on Midsummer Night. Buses will circulate the city to help visitors to get from one museum to another.
Spectacular exhibitions and programs make this event a very nice summer night entertianment. See our overview of Budapest Museums.
Budapest Fair, June 2009
A two-day celebration that commemorates the withdrawal of the Soviet troops from Hungary in 1991.
Various musical and cultural programs provide for entertainment. The event ends with the Connection Day Concert (28th July) on Ötvenhatosok tere (Dózsa György út) near Heroes' Square. A famous pop star or band gives concert every year, whose name is kept secret almost until the last minute. This year Santana will give a concert as part of his Live Your Life Tour 2008.
See a list of light music concerts in Budapest.
Palace Garden Evenings, June - Aug 2009, Fri, Sat only
Petőfi Literary Museum, Károlyi Mihály utca 16., V. district, M3 (blue) metro line, Ferenciek tere or Kálvin tér station
Classical music and other programs in the peaceful Károlyi Garden.
Turner and Italy Exhibition in the Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest
Date: 15th July-25th october, 2009
The Spice of the World Exhibition - Natural History Museum, Budapest
Date: 20th July- 7th December
Summer in the Buda Castle, July 2009
The Kapisztrán tér and the Courtyard of the Military History Museum in Budapest Castle District will attract visitors with traditional folk music and dance shows, crafts market.
Military bands will also perform and you can admire the famous hussars on their horses. Read more details on the official website of the event.
Dragonboat European Championship - 9th-12th July, 2009
Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, 24th July - 26th July, 2009
, Mogyoród
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The Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix takes place 20 km from Budapest, at Mogyorod village. You can get there on the M3 motorway.
Sziget (Island) Festival (or Pepsi Sziget), 10th-16th August, 2009, Hajógyári Sziget
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A multicultural youth and pop festival, the largest in Central Europe. It’s on Óbudai-sziget, in northern Budapest. Come and experience the "Sziget Feeling"! |
Summer on the Chain Bridge, June-August, 2009
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Between 2nd July-14th August, every weekend Budapest's oldest bridge is a place for a colorful cultural festival.
If you want to get a glimpse of the Hungarian culture, handicraft and folklore, this event is for you! You can walk across the Chain Bridge and enjoy more than 100 programmes for free.
National Dance Theatre performances in the Carmelite Courtyard (Castle District), July- August 2009
Spectacular dance shows within a beautiful setting in the Castle District. You can take a few steps with the dancers on the stage at the end of the perfomance.
Music Evenings in Budapest Zoo, July-August 2009
Listen to jazz, klezmer and other light music concerts in the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Good music, exceptional setting, light summer breeze... what else do you need to have a memorable summer evening?
BudaFest Summer Opera and Ballet Festival, July-August, 2009
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Opera and ballet productions, featuring internationally reputed Hungarian and foreign artists await culture lovers in Budapest throughout July and August.
Classical music fans will definitely find something interesting from the 25 concerts of the BudaFest. The Budapest Festival has grown into one of Europe's most popular summer festival.
Venues:
- in the grand Budapest Opera House opera and ballet perfomances
- In the historic Hilton Dominican Court in Castle District you can listen to klezmer, ragtime and opera,
- the spacious square at St Stephen's Basilica will be the place for symphony concerts
For more information visit the organizer's website.
Wine Village (Borfalu), 19th-23rd August, 2009
Ötvenhatoosk tere, Budapest City Park
A new event that makes summer in Budapest more memorable. Visit this festival to taste and learn about Hungarian wines and wine producers.
Fruit brandy 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 clowns, handicraft activities and other programs entertain children.
Find out more about the Wine Village in Budapest.
Festival of Folk Arts, 20th-23rd August, 2009
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Organized annually in the Castle District in Buda. Craftsmen introduce traditional Hungarian folk art and crafts. You can buy their works, they make great souvenirs.
St. Stephen’s Day, 20th August, public holiday
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We commemorate St. Stephen, first king and patron of Hungary and the foundation of the Hungarian state. There are celebrations all over Budapest and the country.
Spectacular firework closes the holiday at 9 pm from the Gellert Hill.
Madonna Concert - 22nd August 2009 Kincsem Park, Budapest Albertirsai út 2-4., X. district
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The famous pop diva finally gives a live concert in Budapest. More on Madonna in Budapest...
Autumn Events in Budapest
Jewish Summer Festival, 31st August – 7th September, 2009
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A festival with wide-range programmes (exhibitions, films, concerts, gastronomic events), introducing Jewish culture at Budapest.
Read more about Jewish Budapest.
International Wine and Champagne Festival, 3rd-13th September, 2009
You can taste award winner Hungarian wines and meet the cellars and wine distributors in Castle District. Several other programmes accompany this event.
Budapest Mahler Days - 9th-13th September, 2009
Palace of Arts, Művészetek Palotája
Budapest Baroque Music Festival 17th September-11th October, 2009 Inner City St Michael Church in Váci Street Budapest, (Belvárosi Szt. Mihály templom)
Cultural Heritage Days September, 2009
Certain institutions and buildings othervis closed for the public welcome visitors this weekend. Guides will introduce the history and characteristics of the buildings as well as the activities taking place inside.
Pálinka & Sausage Festival in Buda Castle 9th-11th October 2009
The Pálinka és Kolbász Festivál is held at Budapest Castle District where you can taste famous Hungarian fruit brandies, sausages and other typical Hungrain food specialities.
Budapest Autumn Festival, 9th-18th October, 2009
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If you love contemporary art and music, this festival is for you!
Budapest Marathon 4th October, 2009
Botticelli to Titian - Two Centuries of Italian Masterpieces
Date: 28th October 2009-14th February 2010
Hungarian Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest
Winter Events in Budapest
Budapest Christmas and New Year Fair, 20th November -29th December 2009
There are several Christmas fairs in Budapest, but the best is at Vörösmarty Square.
Christmas in Budapest, 24th-26th December 2009
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Christmas Program for Kids in Budapest
The Disney on Ice-Princess Classics is a spectacular show that both children and their parents/grandparents will enjoy. The performance introduces the 7 classic princesses from the tales:
- Cinderella,
- Aladinn & Jasmine,
- the Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty,
- Beauty & the Beast,
- Mulan,
- Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs.
Date: 24th December-27th December, 2008,
Venue: papp László Budapest Sport Arén
Tickets: cc. 2500-15000 HUF
On our Christmas in Budapest page you'll find useful information about opening hours, public transport at Christmas in Budapest and some Hungarian Christmas traditions.
New Years in Budapest, 31st December
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Have you been to an event in Budapest that you want to rant about?
Other Visitors' Event Experiences
Click below to see which Budapest events other people attended during their stay.
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Pages Related to Events in Budapest
For up-to-date programs in Budapest browse our Budapest Blog.
Budapest Concerts - an overview of concerts and concert venues in Budapest
Return from Events in Budapest to Homepage of Budapest Tourist Guide.
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