Our regular roundup for the upcoming weekend offers plenty of suggestions for where to go, what to do, and who should not be missed during the next three days. There are always so many happenings to choose from in Budapest – exhibitions, parties, live music, festivals and more – but here is our pick of the bunch:
Friday
11am - 2am: Anilogue International Film Festival at Uránia and Kino
The annual Anilogue International Film Festival presents a stimulating selection of contemporary cartoons at a duo of Budapest’s art-house theaters. Uránia National Film Theater and Kino Cinema will present 13 feature-length productions and 200 new shorts from all around the world including China, Japan, Canada and Finland. Most of the films screen with English subtitles. More details
4pm - 10pm: Hot Chocolate Festival on the rooftop of the WestEnd City Center
Who doesn't like hot chocolate?! All chocoholics should head to the roof terrace of WestEnd City Center between Friday and Sunday, where tasty hot chocolates galore await everyone with a sweet tooth. Dark, white, milk, nutty, fruity, spicy, bitter and savoury concoctions all tempt taste buds here.
4pm - 9pm: Christmas Zwack Open at the Zwack Museum
This intriguing museum that presents Hungary's world-famous Unicum spirit welcomes ten premium winemakers on Friday, who offer more than 40 kinds of tasty wine for guests to taste. Trattoria Pomo d’Oro provides tasty Italian eats for this event. Registration and the purchase of an entry ticket (6500 HUF) are required for participation. The ticket includes the tasting of those 40 varieties and a free bottle of Kislaki Érintetlen. (registration: borvalogatas@zwackunicum.hu)
12pm - 7pm: Gozsdu Christmas Market Opening at Gozsdu Courtyard
Budapest’s ever-bustling hub of leisure and partying, Gozsdu Courtyard, turns into a jolly Yuletide fair on Friday for almost an entire month, awaiting visitors with special artisanal stands featuring an alluring selection of Christmas treats, as well as high-quality handmade items such as leather works, jewelry, notebooks, posters and bags.
7pm - 8:30pm: Red (Budapest Premiere) at Púder Bar and Gallery “There is only one thing I fear in life, my friend... One day the black will swallow the red.” John Logan’s six-time Tony Award winner play, Red, will be presented in English in Budapest on Friday. The play is a raw and provocative, moving and compelling account of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century, Mark Rothko. The original production was directed by Michael Grandage and performed by Alfred Molina as Rothko and Eddie Redmayne as his fictional assistant, Ken.
Saturday
Müpa Winter Open Air Opening at the Palace of Arts
On Saturday, the spacious square outside the Palace of Arts turns into a mini winter wonderland, awaiting visitors with catchy Christmas melodies, sweet treats, a huge ice rink and exciting cultural attractions such as contemporary circus performances and concerts through December 31st.
4pm - 4am: Night of Tattoo Artists at Dürer Kert
On Saturday evening a tough crowd gathers at Dürer Kert, where more than 100 significant artists from Budapest’s tattoo scene will be reunited by their passion: inked bodies. Everyone who buys a ticket automatically enters a draw and the winner gets a chance to be permanently decorated for free by one of the artists. Live concerts also entertain visitors.
5pm - : Illuminated Advent Trams in town at various venues
From 5pm on Saturday, several vintage vehicles in the city don festive lights becoming special Christmastime carriages, taking travelers on magical journeys around Budapest. Several trams and trolleybuses – for instance panoramic tram 2 – will be intricately illuminated to further enhance Budapest’s winter wonderland appearance. For more details about specific lines read this article.
10pm - 4am: Soundtrack Party at Mika Tivadar Mulató
When it comes to soundtracks, the main theme of iconic films such as Pulp Fiction and TheBlues Brothers start playing in our ears straight away. On Saturday French DJ Lapidem fills Mika Tivadar Mulató with the best movie music.
11pm - 5am: HELLO - Britney’s Birthday Party at Toldi Klub
Downtown’s beloved art-house film theater, Toldi, turns into a popular meeting spot for young people in the evenings. On Saturday, you can celebrate with Britney in spirit, dancing to all of her awkward songs from Oops!... I Did It Again through Stronger to Baby One More Time.
Sunday
1pm - 5am: Rossmann Santa Run at Sóház Street
If you are an eager runner and feel charitable this weekend, show up on Sóház Street at 1pm or 5pm on Sunday, don a Santa Claus costume given to you and run with other sporty Santas through the city’s streets and squares. If you like, you can bring presents for children in need and give it to the organizers. Here is a littler
teaser from last year to put you in the mood.
10am - 4pm: Kiskertpiac at Anker’t
At this eco-friendly fair happening on the first Sunday of Advent, visitors can browse the flowers, plants, bouquets and gastro- and design products as well as natural decoration, Advent wreaths, door knockers, a festive culinary selection and green design.
7pm - 9pm: Hair at the Bem Cinema
Miloš Forman’s 1979 film adaptation of this popular but controversial musical brings it to life on the big screen. The story is an effective evocation of the hippie movement of the late ’60s. The film left behind several iconic songs that many of us stil hum all the time and Berger’s iconic dinner table scene that is something to dream about during family gatherings. The film screens with original English audio and Hungarian subtitles.
8pm - 10pm: London Community Gospel Choir at Akvárium Klub
The downtown Akvárium Klub fills with heavenly voices on Sunday as the London Community Gospel Choir steps on stage here at 8pm. The choir was formed in 1982 by Bazil Meade who explained: “We were formed from those who were passionate about their faith and were willing to take gospel music into venues that many churches at that time dared not enter”.
