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.
Friday, 23 June
Japanese Film Week at the Toldi Cinema
Toldi Cinema celebrates Japanese films this week. On Friday (6:30 pm), you can watch A Long Goodbye (Nagai owakare), a drama about a father living with dementia and his family. The film is screened with Hungarian and English subtitles.
More details here.
Midsummer Night at the Budapest Zoo
Join a very special event at the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Gardens after hours. On Friday night, exciting family activities are popping up to celebrate nature and animals. Fire jugglers, a concert and folk dance also await, but you can observe the heavens at the planetarium, learn about curious animals, and catch a 'seal show' too.
Get tickets here.
Orlando x Dom Beats Live Band at Pontoon
Orlando X Dom Beats is a Hungarian jazz/hip-hop band which has performed at several festivals and clubs. Their music is deeply influenced by John Coltrane, Miles Davis, MF Doom, Mos Def, and J Dilla, so if you like those vibes, head to the riverside Pontoon for their upcoming concert!
Forbidden Fruit Salon Night: Sam Scott Schiavo and Endre Kecső
Art, music, and drink specialities synergize during a unique evening at this cool art salon. The epicentre will be a sensual exhibition called Forbidden Fruit, where you can delve into the realm of art and passion through the creations of Sam Scott Schiavo and Endre Kecső. After viewing the exhibition, stay for drinks and dancing!
Get tickets here.
Saturday, 24 June
Mexican Food Festival Budapest
To all the fans of tacos and margaritas: downtown Botellón Terasz hosts a 4-day-long Latin fiesta. Expect live music, tequila, and loads of delicious food made by local restaurants Tereza, Tako Workshop, La Movida, Mezcal, El Mexicano, and Macarena. The festival is on between 21-24 June (6 pm-midnight).
Daytime party on the Margaret Island
Margaret Island is always a great place to be, but on June 24th, you can even join a daytime party. Yes, millennials, we are looking at you. At Paulaner sörkert (beer garden), you can dance to electronic beats thanks to local DJs: Budai House Clique (Colbora, Hoffmann), Deliquent, Stereostrip, Matteo Carnevali and Lucien.
Get tickets here.
Night of Museums
Explore exhibitions, and join family activities, guided tours, and concerts with one wristband at the Night of Museums. On June 24th, instituitions like St Stephen's Basilica, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Hungarian Railway Museum, House of Music Hungary, House of Terror, House of Unicum, Hungarian House of Photography – Mai Manó House, or Holocaust Memorial Center will open their gates to welcome visitors after hours.
Get tickets here or on the spot (entry wristbands can be purchased at the participating museums and venues )
Vintage Night Market
If you adore really cool vintage and retro pieces, visit this garage sale on the weekend. It might not be downtown, but the prospect of a good treasure hunt will be worth the trip (take bus 133E from Astoria). Vintage furniture, industrial lamps, posters, picture frames and unique porcelain and ceramics will be on display and lemonade and beer will be available too.
More details here.
Sunday, 25 June
Guided Tour – Monet, Gauguin, Pissarro in the Gallery
Enjoy the works of Monet, Delacroix, and Pissarro (among others) with valuable insights on this 1-hour guided tour at the Hungarian National Gallery. You will get to explore the From Delacroix to Vasarely – Collection of International Art after 1800 exhibition, which consists of two distinct chronological units: the nineteenth-century rooms and the twentieth-century and contemporary sections.
More details here.
Kevin Morby (USA)
Kevin Morby is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. As a child, he was deeply affected by his Dad being rushed to the hospital and later translated this experience into music. He wrote songs about how to make the most of our time on Earth, which resulted in an album called This is a Photograph. On June 25th, you can also hear songs from this album at Akvárium.
Get tickets here.
Firefly Lights at the Alcsút Arboretum Reserve
The fireflies' light show is a mating ritual and a spectacular phenomenon. And you can observe it during night walks at the Alcsút Arboretum Reserve, a botanical garden outside Budapest.
More details here.
