Our regular round-up 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 – : Billy Elliot The Musical at the Erkel Theatre 11-year-old Billy Elliot lives in a hardscrabble English mining town in the mid-1980s with his father and older brother. Billy soon discovers that he is a ballet-loving boy, and he’s not at all bad at it at all. But will he succeed in making his dreams come true? This musical adaptation is a collaboration between Elton John and the winning team behind the original 2000 feature film. The dialogue of this show is in Hungarian, but English surtitles are presented above the stage. Tickets are half-priced on Friday and Saturday.
8pm - : Ara Malikian at the Margaret Island Open-Air Stage
This will be the first performance of the most versatile virtuoso of the violin in Hungary.Following sold-out shows in London, Paris, Rome and 40 other cities, Beirut-born Spanish violinist Ara Malikian comes to the Margaret Island Open-Air Stage on Friday, where he is sure to captivate the audience.
8:30pm - : Formatex Jazz Night: Péter Sárik and Bálint Gyémánt at the Budapest Jazz Club
Pianist Péter Sárik and guitarist Bálint Gyémánt perform a few original tunes and some of their own favourites from the jazz genre at the BJC on Friday night. After a recent tour of Transylvania, Sárik takes a break from his Trio commitments for a relaxed evening with regular collaborator Gyémánt. Look out for Sárik’s jazz reworkings of pieces by Bartók, due for an airing at the Franz Liszt Music Academy in September.
9pm - 11pm: Creedence Clearwater tribute concert at the Backstage Pub “Was there anything of value in the car?” “Oh… yeah… a tape deck, some Creedence tapes…” If it was good enough for the Big Lebowski, it’s gotta be good enough for Budapest. Instead of apeing some meritless metal band, a local combo has got the chops to learn a few tunes by revered rockers Creedence Clearwater Revival – yes, folks, a CCR tribute band! – to bash them out at the Backstage Pub on Friday night.
10pm - 5am: Bonita Cubanita at Yellow Budapest
Mamacitas and machos unite as Latin tunes take over at Yellow Budapest on Friday. Reggaeton, hip hop, R&B and trap turn up the heat while tasty drinks cool you down all night. Groups of girls (four or more) get a free Prosecco between 10pm and 11pm. If you're looking for a fun party for Friday night, this is where you can go loca.
Saturday
8am – 2pm: Czakó Piacz 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 specialities that are not available elsewhere in the capital. The chef at Czakó Kert prepares breakfast and lunchfrom the delicacies available here while the market is open.
10am - : Free family day at the Várkert Bazár and at Müpa
Hungary ends its stint holding the rotating presidency of the Visegrád Four (V4) with free concerts and events at MÜPA Budapest and the Várkert Bazár on Saturday. Everything starts at 10am at both venues, with free boat rides between the two venues all day. Puppet shows, movies and performances of classical and modern music await, while guests will be able to sample culinary specialties from the V4 nations (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) at both venues. At Várkert Bazár, the celebrations will end with concerts, while the MÜPA Budapest stage will host an operetta gala with stars from the four countries. Guests who miss out on a place inside the building can watch a show by lyric soprano Andrea Rost and the National Philharmonic on a giant projector screen outside.
10am - Pool and Live at Vituki Beach (Kvassay Jenő út 1)
Perfectly poured beer, frosty spritzers, thermal water, sauna, burgers and music from morning till eve. This is POOL&BEER,a regular (beach) party series. At least once a month, they fill Vituki Beach with fun and music that even make palm trees sprout in Budapest’s District IX.
4pm - World Cup at various venues
World Cup fever hits Budapest this Saturday when Argentina take on France and European champions Portugal play Uruguay. As this is the first round of sudden-death games, it could mean the last time that we see Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Luis Suárez on the world stage. To watch the drama unfold with a beer in hand, see our guide to watching the World Cup in Budapest. Matches kick off at 4pm and 8pm.
5pm - : Hamlet at the Uránia National Film Theatre
Benedict Cumberbatch playing Hamlet in Shakespeare’s great tragedy is being broadcast at Budapest’s beautiful Uránia National Film Theatre at 5pm this Saturday. British director Lyndsey Turner has made Shakespeare cool again with this radical reinvention, something which has caused much kerfuffle among British theatergoers. This monumental Barbican production is the fastest-selling show in British theatre history, and one of the most talked-about of recent times.
Sunday
10am – 3pm: Kiskertpiac at Anker’t
At the eco-friendly Kiskertpiac floral fair, fragrant flowers, plants and beautiful bouquets await visitors in an easygoing atmosphere, where enthusiastic gardeners gladly provide everyone with creative inspiration, and gardening tips and tricks. Gastro and design products also feature.
1pm - 8pm: Markett Vol. 2 at Valyo Kikötő
A friendly market is set up on Sunday at Valyo Kikötő. Jewellery, ceramics, clothes, accessories, prints, natural cosmetics and much more are on offer all day.
6pm - Alice in Chains at Budapest Park
Alice in Chains remain one of the most successful and influential American rock bands of all time. Over the course of their remarkable career, they have gathered multiple Grammy nominations, sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and drew a die-hard international fan base. Alongside Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, Alice in Chains were one of the Big Four to emerge from Seattle in the 1990s and change the sound of modern rock.
6pm - 7:45pm: Dirty Dancing at the Bem Cinema
Nobody puts Baby in a corner!! We don't have to explain the storyline here, just go the Bem on Sunday and have the time of your life watching Johnny and Baby do the dirty dance. English audio and Hungarian subtitles.
7pm - 10pm: The Contortionist at A38
One of the most exciting progressive metal bands of recent years, The Contortionist from Indiana, will be performing in Budapest for the first time. They’ll be presenting tracks from their album, Clairvoyant, on the Pesti Est rooftop terrace of the A38 Ship. UK group Palm Reader open.
