Friday
10am - 11pm: Budapest International Documentary Festival at Cinema City Aréna
The Budapest International Documentary Festival brings to Budapest the world's latest internationally acclaimed and highly creative feature-length documentaries. BIDF – held between January 23rd and 28th – features 50 extraordinary and award-winning documentaries from nearly 30 countries, including Oscar nomineesI am not your negro and Watani, my Homeland. Every screening will be followed by a meet-and-greet with the creators, during which members of the audience can delve deeper into themes arising from each documentary. Click here for the detailed program.
10am - 10pm: Ice-skating at the Bálna Budapest
This is the last weekend to enjoy Budapest’s largest free ice rink, so don your skates and do figure eights. The panorama from here to Gellért Hill and Liberty Bridge is perfect and there are drinking spots around to warm up your body and soul between laps.
2pm - 8pm: Attila Fekete: Cuban Eye at the Art+Cinema
If half of your heart is in Havana head to an exhibition featuring photos of quickly captured moments in Cuba. Cubans live very openly; their apartments are usually small so they spend most of their free-time sitting on the streets watching life go by. These moments are captured in the photos of Attila Fekete.
8pm - : Phantom Thread Pre-Premier Screening at the Művész Cinema
The last movie of Daniel Day-Lewis will be screened at the Művész Cinema twice before its national premiere – on Friday and Saturday -– with original audio and Hungarian subtitles. Set in 1950s’ London, it tells the tale of Reynolds Woodcock, a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman, Alma, who becomes his muse and lover.
8pm - : Arno Schuitemaker: I will wait for you at Trafó “There is something very beautiful about ’not yet’.” – says Arno Schuitemaker. A dance performance created by the Amsterdam-based choreographer – considered to be his most personal work to date – will be presented on Friday and Saturday at Trafó. When choreographing this dance piece, Arno Schuitemaker took the elusive nature of love as his source of inspiration. Watch the teaser here.
Saturday
8am - 2pm: Czakó Farmer’s Market at Czakó Kert
A farmers’ market full of friendly vendors awaits visitors in the lovely garden of an old Hungarian peasant house, bringing the atmosphere of the countryside to Budapest. Stalls offer organic products, vegetables, eggs, mouthwatering meats, handcrafted cheeses, wild mushrooms and countless unique specialties that are not available elsewhere in the capital. The chef of Czakó Kert prepares breakfast and lunch from the delicacies available here while the market is open.
10am - 6pm: Wedding Fair and Exhibition at the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna
Those who would like to have a fairy-tale wedding in Budapest, a fabulous ball or an important family gathering can find everything they need under one roof at this two-day event, taking place on Saturday and Sunday. More details
3pm - 6pm: Vanity Comic Book Release at Keret Klub
If you like comic books, head to Keret Klub on Saturday and be among the first to get your hands on Vanity, a Gothic tragedy in nine acts. The book is based on the life of Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Báthory, who is listed in The Guinness Book of Records as the greatest murderess in the history of mankind. According to legend, the countess was convinced that drinking and bathing in the blood of young virgin girls would preserve her youth and beauty. However, the historical documents tell us a slightly different yet far more mysterious and sinister story.
6pm - 8pm: The Butcher, the Whore and the One-eyed Man at the Art+Cinema
The Budapest Boulevard Cinema presents a new Hungarian film with original audio and English subtitles for several screenings at the Art+Cinema during the next few days. The film shows the slow decline of three individuals as they are sucked into a world of sinful existence. The Butcher, the Whore and the One-eyed Man is the story of a wild and voracious love triangle, a tale of meat, love and maniacal murder.
11:30pm - 5am: Budapest Jungle pres. Dillinja & Benny L at A38
Dillinja is one of the most exciting and recognized figures of London’s jungle and drum ‘n’ bass scenes, while Benny L is one of the best representatives in the genre among the younger generation. On Saturday night, they both tread the boards at the A38. More details
Sunday
10am – 1pm: Yoga Brunch at Rudas Bath
Start your Sunday with invigorating exercise in a soothing atmosphere surrounded by a splendid panorama. The Rudas Bath awaits with a 60-minute yoga session and a hearty and healthy brunch as a reward afterwards. Registration is required at yogabrunchbudapest@gmail.com
6pm - 10pm: Porgy and Bess at the Erkel Theater
Dating back to 1935, this opera in three acts presents the lives of inhabitants of an African-American community in Charleston, South Carolina, through the love story of a crippled beggar and a drug-addicted woman. Their passion for each other comes alive through popular and sentimental favourites such as Summertime and I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’. The performance takes place at the Erkel Theater over four nights during the current season. The show runs in English with Hungarian and English surtitles. For ticket information, visit this website.
7pm - 8:45pm: Hungarian National Ballet: LOL at the Palace of Arts
Taking place at Budapest’s riverside Palace of Arts, the Hungarian National Ballet presents popular pieces by Hans van Manen, a renowned Dutch choreographer, who fused classical ballet with modern dance. The elegant ensemble performs LOL at 7pm on Sunday. The performance is not recommended for those under 16.
