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 Sziget Festival, the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, and New Year's Eve.

TIP: Don't forget to check our Budapest Blog for up-to-date events in Budapest.

Recommended Programs in Budapest Danube Cruise with Dinner & Live Music Make your Christmas Day/New Years Day evening memorable by going on a romantic sightseeing tour on the Danube with a 4-course buffet dinner and live music. You can admire the wonderful vista of Budapest and the sights lining the two banks of the river while listening to pleasant live music provided by the talented Rajkó Folk Orchestra. More details on the Danube cruise and booking can be found here.   Folklore Shows Introducing Hungary's rich Folk Traditions See spectacular performances by the Hungarian Folk Ensemble, the Danube Folk Ensemble, and by the Rajkó Folk Ensemble. Organ Concerts in St Stephen's Basilica The beautiful baroque church regularly gives home to organ concerts. See details about the Organ Concerts in St. Stephen's Basilica. Classical Music Concerts in the Danube Palace The Danube Symphony Orchestra gives concerts in the Danube Palace. See dates and ticket prices.   TIP: Package Programs at Discount Price Save 2.7 Eur on the price of the Danube Cruise & Dinner by booking it together with a Classical/Organ Concert or Folklore Performance. These package programs offer you rich program for a whole evening in Budapest while getting a discount on the night cruise price starting at 22.00. See details and booking of package programs.

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Winter Events, Festivals Budapest - January, February 2012

Mangalica Festival 3rd-5th February, 2012,
Venue: Szabadság tér, district V., M2 metro Kossuth tér station, M3 metro Arany János utca station, tram 2 Kossuth L. tér stop

The Mangalica Festival Budapest, at Szabadság tér is a tribute to the mangalica pig breed which is indigenous to Hungary. You can get a taste of mangalica products like sausage, salami, black pudding, smoked ham etc. In 2012 the festival moves to a new, more spacious venue from the City Park: Szabadság tér near the Parliament.

More information: Mangalica Festival in Budapest.

Valentine's Day 14th February 2012

Budapest is a great city to celebrate lovers' day, Valentine's on 14th February. Pick from our program recommendations to surprise your loved one: romantic night crusie with dinner, wine tasting, chocolate and pálinka sampling, day spas, candlelit dinner in a vintage train car etc. Valentine's Day Budapest.

Gluttonous Thursday (Torkos Csütörtök) in Budapest Restaurants 23rd February 2012 - Pay 50% less -

Eat and drink half price in the participating restaurants. An excellent opportunity to try the Hungarian cuisine and wines. Reservation is highly recommended because the program is very popular among locals. More information on participating restaurants is at Torkos Csutortok.

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Spring Events

15th March - National Day Commemorating the Revolution and the War of Independence in 1848-49.

Budapest Spring Festival, 12th - 26th March, 2012

Budapest's largest festival features many classical music, opera, and ballet and chamber music programs at several venues throughout Budapest. Read more...

Budapest Restaurant Week, 26th March - 1st April, 2012

Nearly 50 top-category Budapest restaurants offer a three-course menu for 3 000 HUF. A perfect opportunity to dine and wine in Budapest's best restaurants. List of partcipating eateries and table reservation is at the organizer's website.

Budapest Spring Wine & Jazz Festival, 8th-10th April, 2012
Venue: City Hall park(Városháza park), V. district, M1, M2 M3 (blue) metro lines, 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 introduce 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.

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Titanic International Film Festival - 7th - 17th April, 2012
Venue: art cinemas in Budapest

The Titanic Film Festival is the largest international film festival in Hungary. The award of the film festival, called Breaking Waves and designed by artist Luca Görömbe is is given to the most outstanding, daring and innovative film of the festival every year.

More information: Titanic Fim Festival

Easter in Budapest, 8th-9th April, 2012

Easter is the first biggest holiday in spring. By this time Budapest parks and gardens are green with the early spring flowers starting to bloom. The weather is usually pleasant enough for leisurely walks in the city, and savouring coffee or a glass of wine on restaurant terraces. Find tips on what to do at Easter in Budapest.

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Budapest 100, Celebration of 100-Year Old Buildings, 14th-15th April 2012

An open weekend for Budapest buildings that celebrate their 100th birthday in 2012. This year the list of buildings is based on local people's reportings: in 2012 260 houses will turn 100-year old in Budapest. Former bank buildings, shops, schools, both in neglected and renovated state can be visited on a free guided tour during the two-day event in mid-April. List of 100-year old Budapest buildings.

May Day, 1st May 2012 - National Holiday
Venue: several places within the city incl. City Park (Városligeti Park), Margaret Island (Margitsziget)

1st May used to be the International Labor Day and it was one of the several communist holidays. Today May Day is a relaxed holiday with a range of family programs centered mainly in Városliget (City Park).

Budapest Pálinka Festival, 5th-8th May 2012
Venue: Buda Castle, Hunyadi Courtyard, district I.

You can watch distillation of fruit brandy, taste and buy excellent quality authentic Hungarian pálink, taste Hungarian food and enjoy folk dance and concerts in the historic Buda Castle. This year plum will be the focus of the Budapest Pálinka Festival.

Daily tickets: 1 900 HUF includes a tasting glass and a PayPass card charged with 500 HUF, Discount daily ticket (purchased until 17.00): 1 500 HUF.

More information: Budapest Pálinka Fesztivál

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Jazz Spring (Jazztavasz) 13th May 2012, 16.00-24.00
Venue: Palace of Arts, Komor Marcell utca 1., district IX.,

This year the Jazz Spring will bring real festival atmosphere to the Palace of Arts (Művészetek Palotája) on the Pest bank of the Danube.

Non-stop jazz music from 4 in the afternoon till midnight with the following performers: Kinsey-Willis-Borlai Trio The Syndicate – Tribute to Joe Zawinul eNerd – post 9:30 Collective Rozsnyói Péter-trio The Yellowjackets

Tickets: 3 000 - 4 000 HUF (except the performance of the Rozsnyói Péter-trio which is free). See the Palace of Arts' website

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Craft-Beer Festival (Főzdefeszt), mid-May, 2012
Venue: Mikszáth Kálmán tér, trams 4, 6 Baross utca stop, M3 metro Kálvin tér station

The 1st Hungarian Craft-Beer Festival's aim is to make artisan beers produced by micro breweries throughout the country known by more beer lovers.

The festival takes place on the lovely Mikszáth Kálmán Square near the Hungarian National Museum between Múzeum körút and József körút.

You and your friends (min. 8 max. 12 people can ride on the bike) can take a ride on the Beer Bike and drink as much beer as you can for free. The 1 hour rides depart from Mikszáth Kálmán tér (the first ride takes off from Dürer kert). Do taste the Black Rose beer made by a brewery in Békésszentandrás that was voted the best beer of Hungary by Ratebeer international website.

Goose Liver Days in Buda Castle, 20th-22nd May Venue: Buda Castle, Savoyai Jenő Terrace A three-day gastro festival is dedicated to the famous Hungarian goose liver in Buda Castle. Colorful programs welcome visitors from 10.00 to 22.00 on all three days.

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Etyek Cellar Festival May 2012

Etyek is a small village south of Budapest in the Etyek-Budai wine region that hosts a very popular wine festival each year. A free direct bus service departs to the festival from Kelenföld Train Station.

It's more convenient to get there by car but expect lots of traffic, because the village can only be approached on one, narrow road from Budapest. Besides tasting the finest wines of Etyek cellars the whole family will find programs to enjoy: play houses, concerts for children, soccer match, mass and organ concert in the local church etc.

Museum Festival - Mayday of Museums, 21st-22nd May, 2012 Venue: Hungarian National Museum and its neighbourhood, Múzeum körút 14-16. district VIII., 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.

More information: Múzeumok Majálisa

Browse our list of Budapest Museums.

Floralia - Festival at Aquincum, Óbuda - 21st, May 2012

The Floralia revives a popular spring festival of the Roman era. The event takes place at Aquincum Museum in Óbuda (Old Buda, district III.) featuring gladiator fights, theatre performances, flower exhibition children programs and many more.

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Palota Piknik (Palace Quarter Picnic) - 26th-29th May
Venue: Mikszáth Kálmán tér-Krúdy gyula utca, district VIII.

The so-called Palace Quarter of Budapest in district VIII. has become one of he most exciting parts of Budapest with some great resturants, cafes and bars and a few events like the Főzdefeszt Craft Beer Festival in mid-May and now a gastro and wine picnic called Palota Piknik. 10 Hungarian wineries will introduce their wines (Bock, Vylyan, Szeleshát, Bodri etc.).

Restaurants located in the area (Fiktív Pub, Leonardo Pizzeria, Darshan Udvar, Zappa Cafe, Don Leone) welcome guests with special picnic menu.

The event is free and is open from 12.00 till 23.00.

Summer Events in Budapest

Budai Gourmet Days 3rd-5th June, 2012
Venue: Millenáris Park, trams 4, 6, M2 metro Széll Kálmán tér stop - cc. 5 minute walk from there

Besides famous Hungarian and international wine producers, artisan cheese makers, cafes and restaurants will also offer their delicacies in Millenáris Park on the first weekend of June.

The first day of the festival (3rd June) is for the gastronomy industry, 4th June will be an open day when everyone is welcomed to have a taste of culinry delicacies, wines, pálinka and enjoy the live concerts. Entrance fee: daily ticket: 2 900 HUF/day, the ticket price includes a tasting glass

Coupons of 100 HUF and 1000 HUF are available at the coupon-selling points.

More information: Budai Gourmet

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Festive Book Week - Ünnepi Könyvhét, first week of June 2012
Venue: Vörösmarty Square

The 82nd Festive Book Week takes place at the beginning of June at Vörösmarty Square (M1 underground, yellow metro line) in Budapest city centre.

Budapest Summer Festival June - 1st July-18th August 2012

Városmajor Open-air Stage - theatrical performances Margaret Island - opera, ballet, musicals and light music concerts at the Open-Air Theatre

Czech Beer Festival - 8th-12th June, 2012 Venue: Városháza Park (City Hall Park), district V. The IV. Czech Beer Festival is a great opportunity to taste fine Czech beers and food. The event takes place in Városháza park in the city center. Concerts and other cultural programs make the festival even more enjoyable in the summer heat.

Pannon WineFest (Bországgyűlés) 10th-12th June, 2012
Venue: Vajdahunyad Castle, City Park (Városliget)

The wine festival starts at 11.00 on Friday 12th June and lasts till 24.00 on Friday and Saturday and till 23.00 on Sunday. Besides wine tasting there'll be gypsy music, folk music and dance, and fair.

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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, 19th June 2012
Venues: Museums of Budapest

Museums in Budapest and 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 entertainment. See our overview of Budapest Museums.

More information on programs: Night of Museums.

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Budapest Fair - Connection Day Concert, 25th-26th June 2012

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 (26th June) on Ötvenhatosok tere (Dózsa György út) near Heroes' Square. A famous pop star or band gives concert every year. Admission is free.

Summer in the Buda Castle, July 2012

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.

Vajdahunyadvár Summer Music Festival, 12th July - 9th August 2012
Venue: City Park (Városliget-Vajdahunyadvár), M1 underground, Hősök tere stop

The mock castle of Vajdahunyad in City Park hosts a series of classical music klezmer, swing and gypsy music concerts in the middle of summer. Tickets cost 2500-5000 HUF.

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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), (6th-7th) 8th-13th August, 2012 Hajógyári Sziget

Summer on the Chain Bridge, 25th June-15th July, 2012

Between 25th June and 15th July, every weekend Budapest's oldest bridge is a place for a colorful cultural festival.

If you want to get a glimpse of Hungarian culture, handcraft and folklore, this event is for you! You can walk across the Chain Bridge and enjoy more than 100 programs for free.

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National Dance Theatre performances in the Carmelite Courtyard (Castle District), 27th July - 14th August 2012

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 performance.

Music Evenings in Budapest Zoo, 7thJuly-18th August 2012 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?

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 performances
• 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.

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Festival of Folk Arts (Mesterségek Ünnepe), 19th-21st August, 2012

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, 2012 public holiday

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.

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Beer Festival in Buda Castle 25th - 28th August, 2012
Venue: Buda Castle, Oroszlános Udvar, Hunyadi Udvar

The 1st Beer Festival in Buda Castle is a great opportunity to sample a wide asortment of beers both by large and small-scale breweries. Besides beer there'll be food and concerts and other programs to entertain.

Opening Hours:

25th - 26th Aug: 12.00-03.00
27th Aug: 10.00-03.00
28th Aug: 10.00-24.00

Admission: day ticket: 1690 HUF (includes a mug of beer), 4-day pass: 4 990 HUF (includes a mug of beer), free for children under 12

Autumn Events in Budapest

Jewish Summer Festival, 27th August – 5th September, 2012

A festival with wide-range programs (exhibitions, films, concerts, gastronomic events), introducing Jewish culture at Budapest. Organizer's website: Jewish Summer Festival

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Septemberfest, 2nd - 4th September 2012
Venue: Népliget, M3 metro Népliget station

International Wine and Champagne Festival, 12th-16th September, 2012

You can taste award winner Hungarian wines and meet the cellars and wine distributors in Castle District. Several other programs accompany this event .

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National Gallop - Nemzeti Vágta, 14th-18th September, 2012
Venue: Heroes' Square, Budapest

The highly successful event first organized in 2008 will be in mid-September in 2012. The National Gallop is a celebration of Hungarian traditions including traditional Hungarian horseback 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 spectacular 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. The "Kitchen of Hungary" and the "Wine and Pálinka House" offer a taste of local gastronomy and drinks.

More information: National Gallop Hungary

Sweet Days Chocolate Festival, 16th-18th September, 2012
Venue: Buda Castle,
Opening hours: 16th Sept: 10.00-24.00, 17th Sept: 10.00-24.00, 18th Sept: 10.00-10.00
Admission: 1900 HUF/adult, 900 HUF/ children between 6-12, free for children under 6

A great family program not just for lovers of chocolate. Chocolate and ice-cream making, how to amke praline course, chocolate tasting tours with guides are some of the many programs of the Sweet Days Chocolate Festival in Buda Castle.

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Budapest Baroque Music Festival, 22nd September - 9th October, 2012 Inner City St Michael Church in Váci Street Budapest, (Belvárosi Szt. Mihály templom).

Website: Szent Mihály Templom

Cultural Heritage Days September, 18th-19th September, 2012

Certain institutions and buildings otherwise 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. See more information: Cultural Heritage Days Budapest.

Belgian Beer Festival, September 2012
Venue: Museum of Hungarian Agriculture (Vajdahunyad Castle, City Park)

Pálinka & Sausage Festival in Buda Castle, 6th-9th October, 2012

The Pálinka és Kolbász Festivál is held at Budapest Castle District where you can taste famous Hungarian fruit brandies, sausages and other typical Hungarian food specialties. This year Russia and its famous drink vodka will be the highlight of the festival.

Tickets:

Daily ticket: 2000 HUF, includes tasting ticket in 500 HUF and a tasting glass.

Passes: 4-day pass: 4 000 HUF (includes a wristband and a tasting glass)
Passes are valid for multiple entries. Visitors will receive the wristband, the glass and the PayPass card upon first entrance.

Getting there: take bus 16A or 116 from Széll Kálmán tér (trams 4, 6, M2 metro) or the funicular (Budavári Sikló) from Clark Ádám tér (Buda end of the Chain Bridge) or the take the steps leading up to the hill from Clark Ádám Square.

More information: Pálinka és Kolbász Fesztivál

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Café Budapest (formerly Budapest Autumn Festival), 8th-17th October, 2012

If you love contemporary art and music, this festival is for you!

Spar Budapest International Marathon 26th September, 2012

23rd October, 1956 Revolution, National Holiday

Venues:

December Events in Budapest

Budapest Christmas and New Year Fair, 18th November -30th December, 2012

There are several Christmas fairs in Budapest, but the best is at Vörösmarty Square.

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Christmas in Budapest, 24th-26th December 2012

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 2012-2013 Programs to celebrate the last day of the year in Budapest.

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Your Budapest Events

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Pages Related to Events in Budapest

For up-to-date programs in Budapest browse our Budapest Blog.

Cultural venues in Budapest

Budapest Concerts - an overview of concerts and concert venues in Budapest

Budapest Museums

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