It was 15 years ago when a former stone-carrying barge anchored near the Petőfi Bridge on the Buda embankment brought a new era to the city’s music scene. Now transformed into a prominent hub of entertainment, the A38 Ship is a leading destination for concerts, parties and exhibitions. Many events move outdoors in summer, filling the top deck and bow terraces with cool crowds enjoying scenic Danube views. June sees dynamic DJ sessions, jazzy nights and twofer deals on cocktails. Revelry begins in the afternoon and runs late into the night.

In summer 2018, free parties allow you to dance to your delight on the A38. DJs spin hits every day on the bow terrace, where admission is free. The swift Danube, the fresh air, the chilled cocktails and the lemonade make this good-time gathering a great bet for revellers in Budapest.

Every Tuesday, the boat reverberates with funk, soul, hip hop, jazz and drum’n’bass by Random Trip, providing a platform for jam sessions. On June 19th, Hungarian rapper Wolfie from Punnany Massif shares the stage with local folk singer Edina “Mókus” Szirtes, and South African vocalist Herbert Shaw of the Soul Surge band also performs.

On June 20th, the ongoing Danube Sounds Festivalpresents tunes by three local acts: audiences can catch the indie music of the 1970s and ’80s by the Noé trio, acoustic guitar by The Carbonfools singer István, all complemented by Jammal and The GrooveTroope performing hip-hop numbers and boisterous brass.

Then on June 22nd, the local Anchorless Bodies board the boat to stir things up with their melodic hardcore, post-rock and metal sounds. At some point in the night, they are joined by Budapest-based progressive ensemble Orient Fall and Heartlapse from the Hungarian metalcore scene.

The following day, the UK’s Rory Ingham leads his band, the Jam Experiment, on a journey in powerful jazzfunk. At 21, the trombone-player-cum-composer-and-producer is considered a master of his genre.

Following sold-out shows around the world, UK-based Superorganism present  surreal pop art theatre on the A38 Ship. The June 24th show should feature the likes of a fire-breathing dolphin, cat-head animations and flying Statues of Liberty.

On June 27th, US punksters Cro-Mags return to Budapest after their last performance 12 years ago in the Hungarian capital. John Joseph and Maxwell ‘Mackie’ Jayson’s band had a deep influence on New York hardcore. The next day, Hollywoodoo, a prominent band from the 1990s, shake up the boat’s top deck with revered tunes.

On the Friday, June 30th, kicking bass lines are masterfully mixed by JumoDaddy and Wondawulf for powerful sessions beginning at 11pm.

The summer fun doesn’t end here. Look out for plenty of events in July, with a whole month’s worth of exciting acts performing on the ship that rocks.