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, 6 August
PingRUMLI – Middle-Eastern Feast
Pingrumba is a gorgeous, Insta-worthy Middle-Eastern restaurant on Széll Kálmán tér. Their kitchen is about to get a glow-up, which means a bit of chaos in the upcoming weeks. However, chaos sparks creativity, and the team decided to stay open, come up with a temporary menu, and unpack some disposable (paper) plates. Mezzes, falafel, chicken shawarma, and Persian rice pudding will all be on offer.
See the menu here.
Picnic on the Chain Bridge
The 2-year-long renovation of Budapest's iconic landmark, the Chain Bridge, has been completed. On Friday, it officially reopens for public use (cyclists, buses, taxis and pedestrians). In celebration, a street festival is popping up from 6 pm (until midnight), where picnic blankets, children, dogs, and treats are welcome. Grab a lemonade or an ice cream, listen to a concert, and enjoy the beautifully renovated bridge.
Guitar Festival at the ELTE Botanical Gardens
Budapest's most famous botanical garden hosts a two-day guitar festival on 4-5 August. Outstanding international and Hungarian artists gather amidst the lush greenery to perform solo acoustic acts, creating a superb musical experience. On Friday, Marc Perin, Péter Légrády and Tom Lumen take the stage, while on Saturday, Stano Pocaji, Sándor Papp and Crossing Strings perform.
More details and tickets here.
Saturday, 5 August
Lángos & Chimney Cake at Czakó Piacz Farmers' Market
Homemade deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese (lángos) and fragrant chimney cake rolled in cinnamon and sugar - these will welcome you at Czakó Piacz on August 5th. Not to mention that apart from trying these Hungarian delicacies, the usual goods await, such as sourdough bread, cakes, strudels, honey, flowers, and wine.
The market opens at 8 am and closes at 1 pm. Enter from Tigris utca.
The Boys of Paul Street at the Bem Cinema
Dive into a Hungarian classic at the Bem Cinema and follow the story of two rival gangs of young boys fighting over a vacant lot in the heart of Budapest. The film adaptation of the iconic novel by Ferenc Molnár (Pál utcai fiúk) is a heartwarming and heartbreaking story, which will be screened with English subtitles.
Get tickets here.
Green Market Budapest
On Saturday, join Budapest's greenest fair at the Klauzál tér Market! Browse vintage dresses, jewellery, local goods, and other treasures from Hungarian creators. Eco-friendliness, sustainability, recycling, and zero-waste are all in the focus, so you will be in good hands here on your mission to save the planet. There is no entry fee, and children and pets are also welcome.
More details here.
Rooftop Night at Roxy
Roxy, on the top of the Hard Rock Hotel Budapest, is a laidback rooftop bar with an intimate feel. You can relax on a sofa while sipping on a G&T (after picking one of 36 types of gin) and admire the panorama with live DJ sets in the background. You can book a table on the phone (00 36 1 472 5299) or via email (starservice@hrhbudapest.com).
Sunday, 6 August
Free Sunday History Walk
You can join a free walking tour and explore a lesser-known gem in Budapest: Wekerletelep. On Sunday afternoon, your guide will tell you all about the history and architecture of this fairytale-like neighbourhood, which used to be a worker's village in the 19th century. After the tour, you can stay for drinks with expats and locals at an outdoor bar called Post Balaton.
The tour is free, but you need to sign up here.
Vegan Musicians and BBQ on the Quay
You can enjoy one of the coolest things this summer: a car-free quay. Every weekend pedestrians, cyclists, and roller skaters take over a section of the riverside road, and what's more, events pop up too. On August 6th, you can witness the merge of gastronomy and music: a community BBQ and conversations about becoming vegan are on the menu. Community means that everybody needs to bring food and cutlery. But hey, sharing is caring, right?
Open-air Cinema: Grease
Who wouldn't remember those Summer Nights and wouldn't want to sing You're The One That I Want along with Sandy and Danny? Well, sing away, as a new open-air cinema at downtown bar Fröccsterasz puts this big classic on the big screen. Starting at 8 pm, the film will be screened in Hungarian and with English subtitles.
Tickets, to be purchased on the spot, cost HUF 2,000, which you can spend on nachos, popcorn, and drinks.
