With its original purpose of bidding farewell to the frosty winter months, Farsang (“Carnival” in Hungarian) anticipates the milder spring season, while scaring evil spirits away with revelers wearing devilish outfits, creating surreal scenes across the country. There are many Carnival celebrations held throughout Hungary starting from the beginning of the year on Epiphany (January 6th), all the way through February (typically until Ash Wednesday), with the UNESCO-acknowledged annual Busójárás Festival in Mohács (200 kilometers south of Budapest) being the most popular parade – held this year from February 4th through 9th – where locals wear furry costumes and eerie masks, while marching and dancing amid dynamic drumbeats and raucous folk music.
Budapest boasts many enlivening Farsang events as the city celebrates this costume-filled season, with several gigantic parties, mountains of Carnival-style doughnuts, and a day of excessive eating on Fat Thursday, when numerous restaurants offer a 50% discount on their meals citywide and countrywide. The palatable event is scheduled on a Thursday right after Ash Wednesday, and this year February 11th marks the food-infused feast. In our article, we rounded up some more Farsang parties happening in Budapest in the upcoming weeks:
Carnival at the Buddha-Bar30 January, Buddha-Bar Budapest A bedazzling Brazilian Carnival party heats up the scenes in downtown Budapest as the city’s elegant Buddha-Bar says goodbye to the frosty winter months with colorfully garbed dancers spinning and swirling across the Oriental-style hangout’s dimly lit spaces. Guests can sip on some of the bar’s extraordinary drink selection, including silky-smooth tequila shots and one-of-a-kind cocktail concoctions, while the resident DJ of the house – DJ Mada – mixes the fiercest rhythms on the dance floor to boost the stylish extravaganza throughout the night.
Entry:
free More details
BACK 2 DA GOLD $CHOOL! – Hip-Hop Farsang30 January, Mika Tivadar Mulató Located in a former iron factory, the city’s exciting new-wave club in District VII throws a bombastic hip-hop bash, where a solid-gold (well, at least gold-hued) chain is an indispensable part of the Carnival costume. Hot hits from the ’80s and ’90s pull revelers to the dance floor, where anything can happen – from Wu-Tang Clan to Snoop Dogg to A Tribe Called Quest – with all tunes played from vintage vinyls. Best of all, the entry is free, plus all the way up to midnight a welcome drink greets those who show up in costume.
Entry: free
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Beatles Carnival with The BlackBirds4 February, A38 Boat The unparalleled concert venue aboard a former Ukrainian cargo ship – anchored on the city’s Buda side, near the Petőfi Bridge – hosts the BlackBirds, Hungary’s most acclaimed Beatles tribute group, encouraging everyone to come together for a spirited performance of hits by history’s biggest rock band. The stupendous sights over the Palace of Arts and the National Theater’s cutting-edge construction serve as a prime backdrop when lounging aboard the vessel while remembering that all we need is love.
Entry: 1,400 forints (1,000 forints until 3 February) More details
Space Costume Party5 February, Mika Tivadar Mulató Mika Tivadar, in the middle of downtown Budapest’s bustling nightlife zone, doubles up when it comes to Farsang fun, creating an international space-centered galactic gathering. Don a spacesuit or dress as a creepy creature from beyond our solar system, or impersonate anything that could qualify as an extraterrestrial soul. Interstellar DJs save partygoers’ lives with special “space-vinyl” sets and fly the dancing crowd to another universe. Anyone who enters in costume until midnight gets a welcome drink, and on top of all, entry is free.
Entry: free More details
G3 Retro Costume Party5 February, G3 Club Under the arcades of Central Passage on Király Street in downtown Pest, G3 Club presents a wacky masquerade with the greatest hits from the ’80s and ’90s. The freaky Hungarian SATÖBBI band, a raffle, lard-covered bread, foosball, Traubisoda (the traditional local soft drink), inexpensive local beer, comical cartoons, and table tennis complete the surreal scene, all to take merrymakers to a raucous retro revel. Arrive in costume for a chance to win a monthly pass to the club.
Entry: 1,000, forints (or 600 forints after the concert) More details
Tribute Farsang12 February, Dürer Kert As a prime Budapest hangout for rocking out to live music, this concert hotspot in the city’s District XIV throws a late-night gig with varied tunes honoring such greats as Metallica, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Billy Idol, and several other outstanding acts, all brought to stage by renowned Magyar tribute bands. And if that’s not enough, the quirkier your costume is the better, as the most imaginative folks who sport the fanciest outfits won’t leave without some great awards.
Entry: 1,500 forints (1,200 forints if purchased before the event) More details
KIOSK Masquerade13 February, KIOSK This cutting-edge hangout near Elizabeth Bridge is home to a costume-infused parade amid a vibrant atmosphere, where colorful concoctions and pulsating music ensure a night of effervescent entertainment. Guests can get their fancy dress at a 10% discount in Maszka Costume Rental Shop (1056 Budapest, Irányi Street 20), while the L’école Fashion Make Up Academy & Salon provides professional cosmetics services in KIOSK from 9pm through 12pm during the night.
Entry: free
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Swing & Charleston Carnival ’20s American Style 20 February, Vogue Boat Take a time-transcending journey to the 1920s and find yourself amid a clandestine gathering aboard an extravagant boat anchored on the Danube near Szent István Park. Now that Prohibition is over, guests can take advantage of the unlimited drink package offered throughout the night, alongside a loaded buffet table, featuring such delicacies as chorizo snacks marinated in white wine, or New Orleans-style roasted goose meat. Wear something that suits the event’s theme and just let your hair down as you shake off your disguised identity to live swing tunes.
Entry: 15,000 forints More details
