ConcertsFebruary in Budapest will start with a real blast: trash-metal legends Slipknot are returning to Budapest to smash Papp László Budapest Sportaréna to pieces on February 5. The nine-piece band, which is known for throat-rippingly brutal performances are touring their fifth album 5: The Gray Chapter.
But things will be heavy enough with Dylan Carlson's Earth playing at A38 on February 4. They are the godfathers of drone metal, who push the boundaries of metal to the genre's furthest.
On the very next day, Robert Alfons aka TR/ST will transport us to his joy-land: foggy synths, glittering sound, obsidian-dark atmosphere, sexual melodrama, industrial goth-pop. It will be pleasing for fans of both Nine Inch Nails and Crystal Castles. Where and when? At Dürer-kert on February 5.
February 22-23-24: three days, three nights, three unmissable concerts! First, at MüPa, Fred Frith and his trio will shatter certain preconceptions about how, for example, a piano or guitar should sound. Afterwards, Hauschka aka Volker Bertelmann, will present material from his latest record Abandoned City, which is the product of a veritable volcano of energy that burst forth upon the birth of his son.
On February 23 see Mark Lanegan at A38. The ex-Screaming Trees and Queens Of The Stone Age singer is touring his newest album, Phantom Radio.
And on February 24 don't miss Yann Tiersen who will present his newest album, Infinity to fans at Akvárium.
TheatreWith the show "nothing's for something" Heine Avdal and Yukiko Shinozaki are making a return to the theatre and to Trafó.
Having focused primarily on space and the relationship between performers and spectators in their previous works, the aim of this project is to once again explore the body. You can see it on February 6 and 7.
Trafó will also host Cie Non Nova's epic visual and physical work, Vortex, which deals with the subject of the transformation of air. Be warned, the performance is for adult audiences and portrays the terrible experience of a human body in process of transformation in an eroded and unassailable universe. When? February 12, 13 and 14.
In February the world's most famous circus company, Cirque du Soleil, will once again amaze audiences in Hungary. For four days (February 12 - 15) they will showcase their newest performance, Quidam, at Papp László Budapest Sportaréna.
The international company comprises world-class acrobats, musicians, vocalists and a handful of special character actors. The result - of course - is a world-class acrobatic extravaganza.
If you are looking for even more acrobatics, Hungary's first contemporary circus company, Recirquel's newest production, The Naked Clown at MüPa is a great choice. In this new piece, director-choreographer Bence Vági and his regular creative partners, together with his team of outstanding young circus performers, look at the evolution from the mediaeval court jester to the popular figure in the circus ring. Be quick, as there are just a few tickets left for the show on February 26.
Talking about Hungarian choreographers, the world-famous Pál Frenák's latest play, Tricks & Tracks 2, can also be seen on 19 and 20 February. Where? Also at Trafó.ClubbingThe first big thing in February is the party at Toldi Klub on February 6 starring the founder of the critically acclaimed Giegling label, Edward, who always brings a melancholic but warped take on dance music; seamlessly drifting between floaty, groove-fuelled house and intriguing side-winding techno.
One of the biggest names in soulful drum 'n' bass, Marcus Intalex and his fellow MC, DRS, will do a special 4-hour-long DJ set at Tesla, one of the biggest clubs in Budapest. With Tesla equipped with a Void sound-system, fans of these genres should mark February 7 with a gold star too.
But if drum 'n' bass and liquid funk is too sun-kissed and easy-going for you, don't worry: Technokunst has invited the Spanish techno conquistador, Svreca, to LÄRM on February 13.
Svreca is known for combining the coolest and most sophisticated electronica with the most abstract and complex techno.
One of the oldest promoters/DJs/production teams in Budapest, NVC turns 10 in February, and they're celebrating with special live shows of Extrawelt and Max Cooper.The latter will present his all-new live show, titled Emergence, that is an audio-visual story of how everything comes from simple natural processes, one built upon the other. Best yet it's on Valentine's Day, which by the way is on February 14 :) On February 20, one of the resident DJs of Berlin's Berghain club and also one of the most important figures of the contemporary techno scene will bomb the A38 Ship with his killer selection of techno classics. Who are we talking about? Ben Klock! If you still have some energy to burn and want to keep partying, we would advise you to do some push ups and some jump-ups: luckily, both can be done at Dürer-kert on February 28, when Cookie Monsta and Tyke will share the decks, for the kind of fun that hits hard and is full of energy. Be there!
ExhibitionsApart from the already well-known ones (which are listed at the end of the article), several exhibitions are opening this month: one of them is Edit Morelli's Towards Light, which you can visit from February 5. Her pictures are made with an enamel technique and just like medieval enamel images and mosaics, her works seem to be emanating light themselves.
If that's too "contemporary" for you, than you might wanna check out the exhibition of Scarecrow Design, which is basically the one-man project of an up-and-coming Hungarian designer. Not to mention that the exhibition is hosted by one of the sweetest cafés in Budapest, Libella.
And something for the ladies (and their partners, of course): kitchen exhibition! The latest designs of kitchen and dining room furniture, kitchen appliances and accessories are on show three-day expo event at Budapest Arena. Get advice from the experts in the industry, check out the cooking demos, meet star chefs, and participate in tastings and cooking courses. (February 27 - March 1).
EventsFor meat-lovers the best weekend of the month is probably February 6-8
when the Mangalica Festival. The gastronomic event is all about the curly-haired mangalica pig, a Hungarian heritage breed. You can taste a variety of products, mainly sausages and salamis, made from mangalica of course! There's also music and craft stalls. Don't miss it at Szabadság Square.
Only a few days later on February 12, Hungary’s biggest harbour on land, the Budapest Boat Show will take place.
But if you prefer the kind of liquid that is consumed by millions, then Borjour Magnum 2015 on February 14 is for you. It's the biggest wine tasting of the year: more than 200 wineries, 600 kinds of wine available for sampling and buying. Head to Millenáris Park.
"I'll be back," said Arnold Schwarzenegger, and it seems that he keeps his promises, because he is coming to Budapest. Now he is coming as a part of Success Day 2015 (February 22) as the keynote speaker.
But let's be honest, it's hard to keep yourself motivated if you are hungry: luckily, there is a fish festival going on in February.
The Budapest Fish Festival is perfect for lovers of all kinds of fish, on at Vajdahunyad Castle from February 19 - 22.
Keeping up with tradition, vendors will be selling their fishy treats at half price in the spirit of Fat Thursday (February 19).
The Ball of Hungarian Wines (February 21) is a celebration of Hungary’s good libations with a decade-long mission to showcase top-quality local wines in a premium setting, which distinguishes this event from all other events of the ball season.
Don't forget if you want to do some spring cleaning or pick up a bargain then head to Gardrób's well-known Community Market on February 7 from 11am - 5pm.
And finally, remember Farsang is on in Hungary for the first few weeks of February - find out what Farsang is in our explainer here.Many long-term events are actually coming to an end in February:
- The grand exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Age, is closing on February 15.
- Another exhibition at the Museum Of Fine Arts, Immendorff. Long Live Painting!
is also closing on February 15.
The exhibition commemorates the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall: Immendorff was one of the first visual artists in Germany whose works dealt with the idea of a “cultural and spiritual” reunification of the nation.
- 26 artists from 16 countries ranging from England to Israel and Spain to Japan present their analyses of history and decades past. The Hungarian National Gallery's Turning Points exhibition is also closing on February 15.
Check out other must-see events, happening in Budapest over the coming weeks, at our regularly updated events calendar.
