Friday
10am - : Budapest Spring Festival at various venues
The 39th Budapest Spring Festival kicks off on Friday and will flood the city with events encompassing many art forms – classical, opera, jazz, world music, dance, contemporary circus, theatre and the visual arts – until 22 April. Each year, these are built around a specific theme and also showcase the culture of a chosen country. For 2019, this will be the works of Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, and the chosen country is Russia. More details
11am - : Hungarian Press Photo Exhibition at the Robert Capa Centre
From Friday until 19 May, a curated selection of this year’s best Hungarian press photos will be exhibited at the Robert Capa Centre. A total of 14 categories ensure that the selection paints a comprehensive and realistic picture of contemporary politics, culture, sport and everyday life in Hungary, serving as a social compass to show the overriding tendencies through the work of photo-reporters.
1pm - : Oldtimer Show at the Railway History Park
Honk honk! Between April 5 and 7, Budapest’s Railway History Park fills with an abundance of century-old motorbikes, cars, trucks, military machines, buses, lorries and steam locomotives. Altogether some 500 extremely rare veteran vehicles will be showcased, originally produced at factories all over the world, with a number of particular curiosities from the USA.
7pm - : Akvárium Spring Terrace at the Akvárium Klub
A warm spring evening, a glass of wine in hand, your group of friends or special someone and an acoustic alfresco gig in the heart of Budapest. Does it get any better? Between Friday and 22 April, the Akvárium Klub sets up a temporary stage to welcome popular Hungarian musicians and up-and-coming artists to give acoustic shows on the lively terrace.
9:30pm - : Get Out! at the Bem Cinema
In Get Out, as they reach the meet-the-parents milestone, Rose and her African-American boyfriend Chris head upstate for a weekend getaway. Rose’s parents Missy and Dean at first seem to be regular and friendly middle-class folks, but at their close-knit community’s annual get-together, things soon start getting bizarre for Chris. This spine-chilling suspense thriller holds a twist that is beyond your worst nightmare. Original English audio, Hungarian subtitles.
Saturday
8am - 2pm: Czakó Farmer's Market at Czakó Kert
Czakó Piac is a farmer’s market full of friendly vendors, awaiting visitors in the lovely garden of an old Hungarian peasant house on the Buda side. Stalls offer organic products, vegetables, eggs, mouthwatering meat, handcrafted cheeses, wild mushrooms and countless unique specialities not available elsewhere in the capital. The chef at Czakó Kert prepares the best breakfasts and lunchesfrom the delicacies available here while the market is open.
10am - : Spring Etyek Picnic in Etyek
This adorable bijou village hosts homely picnics four times a year, presenting top wines and gastronomic treasures typical of each season. The spring picnic, taking place on Saturday and Sunday welcomes visitors with delicious wines, tasty dishes, family activities, outdoor cooking and fantastic folk concerts. Guests can stroll the unpaved roads of Újhegy, popping into various cellars to sample distinctive tipples, amid the musty aroma of oak barrels and the tantalising bouquet of wine.
10am - : The Triumph of the Body at the Museum of Fine Arts
On view for nearly three months from Saturdayto 30 June, The Triumph of the Body exhibition features 80 drawings by Michelangelo and contemporaries at Budapest’s revamped Museum of Fine Arts. Drawings focus on the visualisation of the human body, a prominent theme of art in the 15th and 16th centuries.
8pm - : Hailu Mergia and Stella Chiweshe at Trafó
It’s rare to catch musicians from Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, especially on the same night. On Saturday, veteran of Ethiopian jazz, Hailu Mergia, and acclaimed mbira player Stella Chiweshe join forces to present the sounds of eastern and southern Africa at Trafó.
11:50pm - 5am: Los Santos Party at the A38 Ship
Rock the boat on Saturday! Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, 2Pac, Eminem, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes and many others fly you back in time with the best hits of the Eighties, Nineties and Noughties at the A38 Ship.
Sunday
9am - : Sakura Celebration at the ELTE Botanical Garden
Coinciding with the blossoming of Japanese cherry trees, the botanical garden of ELTE University is organising a celebration with family-friendly and fun activities. Besides admiring the flowers, visitors can join manga drawing and traditional painting sessions, gastronomic workshops, and observe a martial arts performance on both the Saturday and Sunday.
10am - : Kiskertpiac at Anker't
At the eco-friendly Kiskertpiac floral fair fragrant flowers, plants and beautiful bouquets await visitors. Enthusiastic gardeners gladly provide everyone with creative inspiration, plus tips and tricks. Gastro and design products also feature.
8pm - : Chrysta Bell at Dürer Kert
After her sold-out concert in 2017, American singer and actress Chrysta Bell returns to Budapest on Sunday to play the Dürer Kert. David Lynch’s muse arrives with songs from her new, fourth album entitled Feels Like Love.
