The weekend starts here – gigs, films, festivals & more - English

Shows, movies, concerts and cultural attractions – Budapest is always buzzing. Each week, we gather all of the important happenings taking place in our favourite city so you can plan ahead. Incorporating our regular movie guide, now updated weekly, here we showcase Budapest’s best events for the upcoming days. Get out and get involved!

Thursday

5:30pm - : Australian Films – Hungarian Spirit at Art+ Cinema

At this event on Thursday and Friday, film screenings and talks present how the ideologies, cultures and languages of these two countries affected the works of directors who were born in Hungary but moved to Australia.

7:30pm - : Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats and Radio Moscow at A38

Led by Uncle Acid himself, band ever-present Kevin Starrs, this stoner rock outfit from tranquil Cambridge have been pounding out apocalyptic sounds for the last ten years. Psychedelic rockers from Iowa, Radio Moscow should prove to be the perfect foil.

8:30pm - : Alerant Jazz Est: Binder Károly - Borbély Mihály Duo at the Budapest Jazz Club

Pianist Károly Binder and saxophonist Mihály Borbély combine for a night of fascinating improvisation at the Budapest Jazz Club. With more than 60 albums behind him, Binder has already appeared at London’s Royal Festival Hall and taught jazz composition at Franz Liszt Music Academy. Borbély is known for his work with folk band Vujicsics and his own quartet. Tickets here

Friday

7pm - : Love is the Message at PONTOON

A cool alfresco party awaits at waterside wonderland PONTOON on Friday, with tasty long drinks, lively music and perfect views.

8pm - The Black Lips at A38

Atlanta garage punk band Black Lips take the stage of the A38 Ship on Friday. With eight albums behind them, the group guarantees a high-energy show every time.

10pm - 5am: High Life at BRKLYN

Downtown party place BRKLYN opens its rooftop terrace on Friday with a downtown party. From this week on, you can let loose here every Friday between the city and the stars.

Saturday

10am – : Generali Children’s Island on Óbuda Island

Concerts, slackline, arts and crafts workshops, puppet shows, playhouses, a petting zoo, a climbing wall, trampolines and endless fun-filled games – every Saturday and Sunday between 1-23 June, Óbuda Island, site of Budapest’s annual Sziget Festival, turns into an enormous playground for adults and children alike. Countless exciting activities await amid the greenery, and entry is free for all. More details (in Hungarian)

8pm - : Wolfmother at Akvárium Klub

Deft exponents of vintage rock, Australians Wolfmother visit Hungary to play Budapest’s Akvárium Klub on Saturday. They gained popularity with their eponymous first album in 2005 and have been in the business ever since, earning comparisons with Led Zeppelin.

9pm - 4am: Night of Movement at various venues

On Saturday, you can try several exciting sports from dragon-boating on the Danube to taking a trip up Gellért Hill, doing zumba all night long or running with thousands of people along the riverbank. Night of Movement entices everyone outdoors for one night to flex those muscles and work on that beach bod. More details and registration (in Hungarian)

Sunday

10am – 6pm: Vegan Sunday Market at Anker’t

The regular community fair at courtyard bar Anker’t showcases organic products from small farms and producers. Besides shopping, you can also take part in workshops and talks. Dogs and children are welcome!

5pm - : Unicef Charity Concert at Budapest Park

If you are up for a bit of Hungarian music, mark Sunday in your calendar. Popular Hungarian acts bring their biggest hits to Budapest Park, and it’s all for a good cause. All proceedings from ticket sales will support the work of Unicef, helping children in need. The line-up includes Pécs hip-hoppers Punnany Massif, lively Gypsy combo Parno Graszt and beat rockers Blahalouisiana.

8pm - : Uada at Dürer Kert

Hooded Portland rockers Uada return to Budapest to play the Dürer Kert on Sunday. They play songs from their latest dark release, Cult of A Dying Sun.

Movies screening

If you’d like to see English-friendly films, mainly blockbusters, your best bet is always Cinema City, especially the ones at Allee or Aréna, sometimes at Campona and WestEnd. Budapest’s art-house film theatres mainly focus on artsy and indie films, while the Bem Cinema brings back the classics to the big screen, almost always in English.

This weekend’s English-friendly film selection:

A whole new world awaits in Aladdin, featuring at Cinema City Allee and Aréna.

A father and his daughter struggle to survive in deep space where they live in isolation in High Life, featuring at Cinema City Allee, Aréna and WestEnd.

The Men in Black tackle their biggest threat to date: a mole in the Men in Black organisation in Men In Black: International, featuring at Cinema City Allee and Aréna.

The story of one of the X-Men’s most beloved characters, Jean Grey, evolving into the iconic Dark Phoenix in X-Men: Dark Phoenix. Showing at Cinema City Allee, Aréna, Campona and WestEnd.

An epic musical fantasy about the uncensored human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years, Rocketman. Showing at Cinema City Allee, Aréna, Campona and WestEnd, as well as at art-house cinemas.