Shows, 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. Get out and get involved!
Thursday
All day: MyBudapest Photo Project at Madách tér
This astonishing exhibition on central Madách Imre tér shows Budapest through the eyes of the city’s homeless. Participants receive single-use cameras so they can share their experiences, and reveal the reality of their lives on the margins of society through images. The 50 best images are exhibited until 22 September.
9:30pm - : Iris: A Space Opera by Justice at the Uránia National Film Theatre
This 60-minute film of 2017-2018 live performance by French electronic duo Justice, recorded in an empty and invisible space without an audience, focuses exclusively on the impressive production and music features. The show has been seen by millions of people around the world. It revolves around a floating structure comprised of 13 independent moving frames, each one featuring four rotating panels of LEDs, mirrors and traditional warm lights which offer infinite combinations. The structure is in constant evolution over the duration of the performance and presents several new visual landscapes with every track. The footage is captured with the precision and patience of a rigorous documentary about the cosmos.
10pm - :Dance House at Budapest Park An alfresco traditional Hungarian Dance House takes place at Budapest Park on Thursday. While folk musicians play fast-paced funky songs, professional dancers teach easy steps to the enthusiastic crowd. For a taste of Hungarian culture, head down to the Park on Thursday.
Friday
8am - : World Urban Games at Nagyvásártelep
The first World Urban Games take place in Budapest between Friday and Sunday, featuring some of the latest sports and most promising athletes, many due to appear at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. The event is free, though registration is required. On the agenda are not only sports and games but also competitions and concerts. Among others, Talib Kweli and DJ duo Chase & Status will perform live.
9am - : Cactus Exhibition and Fair at the ELTE Botanical Garden
Get a glimpse at rare plants from the southern and eastern parts of Brazil at the Cactus Exhibition between Friday and Sunday at one of Budapest’s best-loved botanical gardens, Füvészkert. You will be able to buy some of the featured cacti, and pick up tips and tricks about how to nurture them. Various species only indigenous in Brazil take the spotlight, including round and straight cacti, mistletoe cacti, colourful bromeliads and the amusing tillandsias, which are almost impossible to find these days in their natural habitat. Hungary’s own collectors will also appear at Füvészkert to display hundreds of their gems, exotic and unique cacti and succulent plants from the Americas and Africa.
10am - : Sweet Days Chocolate and Sweet Festival at Szent István tér
A selection of international and local hand-crafted confections, chocolates, cakes, ice creams and other sweet seductions tempt your taste buds between Friday and Sunday. The country’s best pastry chefs and confectioners give demonstrations for everyone with a sweet tooth and, after night falls, delightful jazz and classical performances, and glasses of fine wine, elevate the atmosphere. The icing on the cake is the special setting, as the venue is Szent István tér, spread out before beautiful St Stephen’s Basilica. And to increase anticipation, entry to this festival is free… Sweet!
Saturday
10am - : Kite Running Festival in Zebegény
This two-day festival around the hills of the romantic Danube Bend in Zebegény outside Budapest is a family-friendly event to wave summer goodbye. Visitors have the chance to prepare their own kite, join exciting workshops, relax with yoga classes and check out craft bazaars. There will be plenty to eat as well, and this year, organisers are paying particular attention to keeping the event as sustainable as possible.
1pm - : BuDUNKpest at Heroes' Square
Hungary is the only country in the world where an international acrobatic basketball cup is held. It is not only a unique sporting event, but fantastic entertainment for the audience as well. This year’s BuDUNKpest will take place on Saturday, during the Hungarian Day of Basketball on Heroes’ Square.
2pm - : CEU Festival at CEU
You can learn about how to make holograms, wear jewellery made out of used bike parts or imagine how the city could be redesigned to reduce traffic. The festival also brings together a CEU climate researcher, a famous poet and a slam poet on one stage. In the evening, two bands, Romungro and the Platon Karataev Duo, should have you dancing, while during the day, you can participate in CEU’s exciting workshops.
Sunday
10am – 4pm: Kiskertpiac Floral Fair 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.
11am - : Markets Day at Erzsébet tér
On Sunday, central Erzsébet tér turns into a huge market space, offering all kinds of high-quality products with a focus on ones made by people with reduced ability.
7:30pm - : The Godfather at Bem Cinema
Watching Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic motion picture once again is definitely an offer you can’t refuse! Don Vito Corleone is back on the big screen on Sunday in one of the greatest films of all time, shown at Budapest’s Bem Cinema with original English audio and Hungarian subtitles.
