Friday, 18 August
Festival of Folk Arts 2023
Nearly 1,000 artisans will be set up around Buda Castle between 18 and 20 August for the 37th Festival of Folk Arts. Hundreds of performers will entertain alongside all-day craft demonstrations, visual workshops and live music provided by Romengo, Szalonna és Bandája, and Fitos Dezső Társulat. Children's concerts, storytelling and dance lessons will keep the little ones involved.
More details here.
Taste Budapest - Guided Food Tour
If you are up for a gastronomic adventure, join this tailor-made tour, where you will be guided to hidden gems, family-owned shops, and bustling local markets in Budapest's 6th, 7th, and 8th districts. Surely enough, lángos (Hungarian deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese), strudel, and chimney cake will all be involved, as well as sizzling sausages and the Hungarian spirit pálinka. Make sure to come hungry as you will also dine at the best Transylvanian gourmet restaurant, then end the tour at a historic coffee house on Andrássy út.
More details and tickets here.
Hollán Jazz Street
Hollán Ernő utca, a pretty little promenade in Budapest's 13th district, is turning into a mini-festival venue on 18-19 August ( 6 pm - 8 pm). Young jazz singers will fill the street: on Friday, Danyi Diána – Egri János Jr. Duo is performing, and on Saturday, the Bolyki-Kiss Duo is hitting the 'stage'.
There is no entry fee.
Necc Party with Music of the '90s and '00s
Budapest’s largest open-air party is back rummaging in the music trash of the ’90s and the ‘00s, pulling out the Backstreet Boys, the Spice Girls, Blink 182, Emergency House, Britney, Bon Jovi, and many more. Rocking your body starts at 10 pm at Budapest Park.
Get tickets here.
Saturday, 19 August
Kenyérlelke Sourdough Bread Festival 2023
If you like sourdough bread, join this festival between 19-20 August (10 am -6 pm) and try the best ones! The prominent Hungarian sourdough bread community, Kenyérlelke (lit. Soul of the Bread), organises its annual celebration and competition for the 9th time to bring sourdough enthusiasts under one roof. Budapest's best bakeries are all expected to be at MOM Kult, and they won't let you starve.
World Athletics Championships 2023
On August 19th, the biggest sports event in Budapest's history, the World Athletics Championships, kicks off with a 20-km race walk. 2,187 athletes from more than 200 countries are on their way to Budapest to compete for the gold. During the nine-day Championships, you can support the competitors during the marathon, discus throw, shot put, hammer throw, javelin throw, triple jump, pole vault, long jump, high jump, and many more.
More details and tickets here. See what you can get up to outside the arena here.
Szimpla Craft Fair
This Saturday, 19 August (midday - 5:30 pm), local designers' beauty products, home furnishings, gifts, delicacies and many other goodies will fill the courtyard of Szimpla Kert. The 'Kraft' Craft Fair is a perfect opportunity to see Budapest's most famous ruin bar from a different perspective.
World Photography Day at Mai Manó House
It's World Photography Day on Saturday, and the Hungarian House of Photography, Mai Manó Ház, is celebrating it with doors wide open. On this day, you can view the 'Like You and Me – Young Hungarian Photography' exhibition, featuring nearly a hundred milestone works by thirty young artists, free of charge. The event is between midday and 7 pm.
More details here.
LavaLava x Katttarzis Open-Air Party
Katttarzis and LavaLava come together for an open-air event in the heart of the city: Margaret Island. At the courtyard of the former bottle factory of Margitszigeti Kristályvíz (a sparkling water brand), you can join a selected list of DJs and like-minded people to dance the night away while also witnessing the sunset and sunrise.
More details here.
Sunday, 20 August
Sunday Brunch at DNB Budapest
Sunday Brunch is almost a religion by now. And if you are a believer, riverside restaurant DNB is a good place to be on August 20th. An array of dishes will be laid out, including grilled vegetables, fish, cheese, chia pudding, and many more, which you can sample without limitation. Hungarian wine, sparkling wine, beer, and soft drinks are also included in the package, and the panorama is almost an extra.
More details here.
Free Guided Tour at the Hungarian National Museum
In celebration of the establishment of the Hungarian state, the Hungarian National Museum welcomes you with free entry to its temporary exhibition, Hungarian EXPO Successes. The display presents the most outstanding works of Hungarian artists, rewarded in the past 170 years. On August 20th, you can tour the museum and join a guided tour (11 am) to explore the essence of being Hungarian. You will also learn about innovations, works of art, and gastronomic and cultural experiences that dazzled the visitors of the world exhibitions at the turn of the century.
Dinner and Fireworks at The Sky Garden Roof Terrace
Downtown rooftop bar The Sky Garden is hosting a special event upon Hungary's upcoming bank holiday. On August 20th, you can celebrate the foundation of the Hungarian state in a lush and secluded environment on top of the Mystery Hotel Budapest. First, a glass of champagne and a 3-course dinner will be served then you can enjoy stunning views of the sunset before the real show begins. At 9 pm, fireworks light up the night sky, which you can admire comfortably, far away from the crowds.
Book a table here. (x)
More Fireworks
The highlight of the upcoming Hungarian bank holiday, St. Stephen’s Day, is the fireworks. They are a yearly tradition that prompts people to travel long distances for viewing. If you belong to this group, we’ve got some tips for you on where to watch the spectacular display on August 20th.
Second-hand Fair at Montage
Zanótrend is a shop on Instagram, but its story is sadly coming to an end. However, they still have loads of hand-picked second-hand clothes in stock, which they will lay out at Montage Budapest at the weekend (8:30 am - 7:30 pm). You can browse the treasures at the fair between 19-21 August, and the best bit is that most of the pieces won't cost more than HUF 500 and 1000.
