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
7pm - 11pm: Piknik Park at Dürer Kert
Let out steam with the best songs by Linkin Park performed by their eager Hungarian tribute band, Piknik Park, at this free concert on Friday.
11pm - 5am: Bonita / Xmas Salsa Night at Yellow Budapest
Every Friday, bar/club Yellow echoes with hot Latin reggaeton tunes until 3am, while afterwards everything from R&B to hip hop and new core to entice partygoers to the dance floor.
11pm - 4am: Electroswing Party at Mika Tivadar Mulató
Budapest’s Mika Tivadar Mulató hosts an evening when swing and jazz combine with cool contemporary tunes, and the best hits of the 1990s mingle with contemporary music presented by Holland’s Ramses Hoppa, Lapidem from France and Lay DNA. Entry is free for all!
Saturday
A lovely thing to do on the Saturday before Christmas in Budapest is to visit one of the city's several enchanting Christmas fairs, devour delicious delicacies and browse the big selection of merry merchandise. See our little teaser video to put you in the mood.
3:30pm - 10:45pm: Love Actually at the Bem Cinema
A favorite festive tradition for many of us is to curl up on the couch with some wine and watch Love Actually for the thousandth time. Richard Curtis’s 2003 rom-com is still one of the cutest classic Christmas movies ever, filling even the grinchiest Grinch with the festive spirit. Fortunately the Bem Cinema thinks the same, as Love Actually will be screened three times there on Saturday with original English audio and Hungarian subtitles. The film helped launch the career of Bill Nighy, who won a BAFTA for his performance as a rock and roll has-been.
11:30pm - 5am: Budapest Trap Squad XMAS at A38
If you need one more big night out before Christmas, board the ship-based A38 and join the Christmas party of the Budapest Trap Squad,a monthly party series that gathers the city’s coolest DJs together to fill A38 with the deepest bass sounds. Tonight, no fewer than nine DJs will mix the best Christmas trap, dubstep, riddim and bass house music.
Sunday
12pm - 3pm: Christmas Brunch at the Corso Restaurant
Start your Sunday with a succulent brunch this weekend at Budapest's Corso Restaurant, enhanced with a picturesque panorama. Grilled meats, traditional mains, soups, a carving station, a sushi selection, a kids’ corner and many other tasty treats await visitors on Sunday.
8pm - 12am: Christmas Eve Celebration above Budapest at High Note Sky Bar
On Sunday night, High Note Sky Bar dresses up in its festive best, awaiting visitors with mouthwatering dishes and drinks inspired by the edible fruit, mushrooms and plants of the forest. The night also holds a special surprise for visitors, as between 9pm and 11pm a professional photographer will mingle, snapping all those who would like to have their picture taken with the beautifully illuminated Basilica and Budapest in the background.
12am – : Midnight Mass at St. Stephen’s Basilica Celebrate the most wonderful night of the year at the high-spirited Midnight Mass at Budapest’s spectacular St. Stephen’s Basilica. The mass can be attended by even those who are not devoted followers of the Christian faith, and even though the Christmas carols and sermon are in Hungarian, the stunning ornamentation and warm atmosphere of this extraordinary venue guarantee an unforgettable experience.
