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, 25 August
End of Summer Party at the Paloma Artspace
Paloma Artspace is a hidden gem in the city—a historic palace that houses several workshops of local designers. On August 25th, they are hosting an exciting event featuring dance performances, fashion shows, live music, colour consultation, and even a mini delicatessen market. Meet the resident and guest designers, get to know Hungarian manufacturers, explore the exhibition about the house's history, and make a hair tie or a fabric animal, all while sipping coffee in a relaxed atmosphere.
Art+ Cinema Reopening
The beloved Art+ Cinema on Grand Boulevard is reopening after a glow-up, allowing you to enjoy movies here starting this weekend. Keep an eye out for English-language films screened before their premiere as part of the Vertigo Film Week, including The Old Oak, Exhibition on Screen: Raphael Revealed, or Hawaii, scheduled for Friday.
Get tickets on the Hungarian website or on the spot.
Craft Beer Festival Óbuda
Numerous local brewers and street food vendors take over the main square in Budapest's 3rd district during the Craft Beer Festival Óbuda. Between 25-27 August, you can taste top-notch craft beers, munch on burgers, and play with the kids while listening to vibey music by local bands, such as The Biebers or Magashegyi Underground.
More details here.
The Night of Zoos
Experience the feeding of alligators or explore the Budapest Zoo just before midnight! The Night of Zoos invites you to observe animals in their nighttime activities at various zoos, aquariums, and wildlife parks. In Budapest, you can visit the Tropicarium for extended opening hours and join engaging activities like walking with rhino iguanas or witnessing divers swimming with sharks. At the Zoo, a captivating sea lion show awaits in the illuminated pool, and you can also learn about the training of elephants.
More details on the Tropicarium here, and the Zoo here.
+1 Szentendre Day and Night Open Festival 2023
The Szentendre Day and Night Open Festival is for music, literature, theatre, gastronomy, and arts enthusiasts. And well, fans of day trips as it's a 40-minute drive from Budapest. In return for the travel time, you will be rewarded with a gorgeous little town sitting on the Danube bank and an array of free cultural events, such as the concert of Mörk, Jazzformers, or a spectacular light projection.
See the list of events here.
Saturday, 26 August
Farmers' Market on the Római-part
If it’s Saturday, it must be the Római part market, now in place by the Danube for the past six years. At 8 am the lángos gets fried and shoppers start to rifle through the mushrooms on the stall. Check out the colourful flowers in the back courtyard, and browse the handicrafts, homemade jams and cordials. After some shopping and tasting, stay for a riverside stroll and a fried fish.
The market is open every Saturday between 8 am - 1 pm. More details here.
Street Festival in Ferencváros
Music fills Kálvin tér and its surroundings as the Street Festival during the weekend (23-27 August). You can enjoy concerts, theatre folk music, world music, and several performances on the streets until August 27th. The events are free of charge.
See the full list of programmes here.
Budapest Roller Disco
Fresh air, lively music, and roller skating – could there be a better way to bid farewell to the season? On August 26th, you are invited to join the exciting event hosted by Budapest Roller Disco. Skate your afternoon away (from 5 pm to 10 pm) as you glide up and down the promenade of MOMkult. Prior to the event, you can participate in a skate dance workshop led by Ceci, who is visiting from Barcelona.
Book roller skates here.
Go to a flea market
To all the antique and vintage lovers out there: if you relish the dusty potential and childish excitement of a flea market, we've got exciting news for you this Saturday. There are two spots to explore: one is the most famous ruin bar in Budapest, Szimpla Kert, transforming into a lively market for an entire afternoon (12 pm - 5:30 pm). The other one is in the southeastern part of Budapest (Kőbánya), where you can browse vintage pieces at Kőbányai Kortárs Kultúr Központ (from 4 pm) to bid farewell to summer with a newfound gem.
Historical Tales: Giolí & Assia
On August 26th, join a party at a World Heritage site: the upcoming Historical Tale party will invade Buda Castle's Lion Courtyard. Electro-pop tunes will be played by the Italian duo Giolì & Assia (Giorgia 'Giolí' Lipari is a musician-producer, and Assia Nania is a singer-songwriter).
Get tickets here.
Sunday, 27 August
Start the day with yoga
Attention, yogis! On August 27th, you can kick off your day with sun salutations at not only one but two unique classes. First up, you have the crowd-favourite Neapolitan pizzeria Digó in the City Park, where pizzas (and brunch) will come with a sweet price this Sunday: yoga (sign up here).
Or join YogaWalks, an urban event that combines a city walk (from Müpa to the new Dürer Kert venue), outdoor yoga, a sense of community, and a chance to slow down. You'll flow between poses, breathe in sync with the city, and forge connections with both others and yourself. The two-hour event concludes with a chat and a picnic (sign up here).
Cholent Festival 2023
Cholent (sólet), a slow-cooked stew, is a traditional Jewish dish often prepared for Shabbat or other special occasions. On August 27th, an entire festival will be dedicated to it as the opening event of the Week of Synagogues. You can sample various versions of this delicacy, including some made by Hungarian celebrities. While savouring a vegan variation, you can also learn about the richness of Jewish culture. The event, taking place at Ram Colosseum, is open to all, including children.
More details here.
Makers' Market Budapest
The Makers' Market Budapest is a monthly fair, where you can get your hands on contemporary, artsy and designer products made by Hungarian designers. While at it, you can also chat with them and learn more about the items, which can also make beautiful presents. Their upcoming event is on the last Sunday of the summer (10 am - 5 pm, 27 August), and apart from stocking up on super cool designer goodies, you can also join workshops and listen to live acoustic music.
More details here.
Chinatown Terrace
Not to be dramatic, but this is the last weekend you can tuck into some dim sum, malatang, and Taiwanese shaved ice at the Chinatown Terrace. The seasonal open-air food market closes on 31 August, so hurry up and visit Budapest's Chinatown to indulge in Asian cuisine! Sample teppanyaki, oden, Cantonese curry, and many more.
More details here.
Romani Design Fashion Art – Activism for Heritages
Romani Design is the world's first fashion studio representing the Romani ethnic group. In a special exhibition at the Heritage House, running from August 18th to September 1st, you can experience their modern clothing, jewellery, and accessories firsthand. The showcased collections are particularly captivating as they convey a message, employing fashion as a means of activism.
Get tickets here.
