The Island of Freedom attracts cheerful revelers from all over the world, who want to celebrate together amid this weeklong musical extravaganza with international superstars and acclaimed local performers of all genres. However, those who are looking for more than buoyant beats and blasting concerts can come across numerous inspiring events and venues at Sziget in Budapest, including a soothing soft-walled labyrinth, a hip design fair, a chilling splash zone, a spectacular circus scene, and much more.
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Cirque du Sziget
New-circus stars perform stunts of amazing balance and agility at Cirque du Sziget, where two huge tents and an outdoor stage host unique productions and impressive shows, while some of the performances enable the audience to be part of the program. The Hungarian Recirquel contemporary circus group will surely blow you away with their Paris De Nuit performance that takes the audience to a roaring variety show of the ‘30s, while the Imre Baross Circus Arts School brings a magical ball on stage that illuminates the scenes. When the sun goes down, fire acrobats take over the space to warm visitors up for the forthcoming parties.
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Cökxpon Chill Garden/Sziget Beach
While the Cökxpon Chill Garden has some concerts and DJ sets, the main profile of this venue is to provide a variety of relaxing activities to those who enter here. The programs include Indian dance workshops, movie screenings, yoga sessions, but Sziget citizens can also participate in Tibetan energy treatments. Listening to the psychedelic tunes and the ambient music that are played here, while hiding in the shade of colorful decorations is definitely a refreshing experience. Near the chill zone at Sziget Beach you can even take a plunge in the Danube.
Try a variety of games, like PS4, Xbox or e-sports or play classic board games with other fervent fans, including Dixit, Bang or Pandemic. In addition to all of the historic and digital games, you can have fun with the darts or try to solve the mysterious Rubik’s Cube. Above all, your poker face may come in handy if you decide to join one of the gambling card games.
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Hungaricum Village
If you come to Budapest only for Sziget and leave the city as soon as the festival is over, then the Hungaricum Village is for you – in case you want to immerse in Hungarian traditions and dance to old-time folk-music beats. A small wooden barn rocks with booming whoops and the sounds of stomping boots, creating a truly local cultural attraction amid the international festival freakiness. The playful workshops and folklore installations around the barn add to the frisky local flavor of the scene, but the real fun starts when the sun sets below the horizon and open dance instructions create an unmatched scene on the festival grounds, welcoming anyone to join the Magyar motion.
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Luminarium
Step into an enchanting world of liquid-light and colors inside this mesmerizing maze that is specially stitched to create statuesque patterns and hidden nooks. Wandering around the inflatable series of chambers is a soul-soothing experience, where we can retreat after rowdy revels year after year, as this returning Sziget landmark is like an oasis amid the festival’s constantly buzzing scenes. If you are tired of rushing from one concert to another, take a break here and just sit back and soak in the colorful sights – believe us, it’s worth waiting in the line.
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Summer Beach Sports
Festivals are as much about memorable performances as they are about showing off your summer skin (and body). At the Summer Beach Sports venue anyone can refresh between two concerts by playing table tennis, volleyball, handball or attending yoga or Zumba sessions. Besides the beach sports and fitness activities, those who visit this energizing area can learn about American Football or just watch the cheerleaders’ invigorating performance. And these are just some of the picks of the bunch: we are quite certain that here you will find your new favorite way to stay in shape.
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Theater and Dance Tent
Enjoy contemporary dance performances by fascinating formations every day through the festival, where renowned international and local groups entertain the crowd with alluring acts. Some of our favorite picks of the world-class enactments include surrealistic shows by local performers, like “Az éjszaka csodái” (The Miracles of the Night) by the Hungarian Tünet Együttes or the enticing Eclipse by Magyar performance choreographer Csaba Molnár, a show evoking the improvised masses of party culture. Within the tent’s expansive international lineup, The Maas Theatre & Dance from the Netherlands explores the fake and real through natural scenes, presented through the Play it Back performance.
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WAMP Design Market
What started as a design fair is now a meeting hub for creative souls and trendsetters, and with a designated venue set up at Sziget, now revelers can browse through some of the trendiest pieces at the WAMP Design Market. From unique souvenirs to the latest collections of both renowned and up-and-coming designer brands to eco-friendly pieces, those who peek in here won’t leave empty-handed. The design fair is located just a short walk away from the Afro-Latin-Reggae Village.
