Friday, 22 September
Day of Open Markets at Fény utca
The Day of Open Markets is a lively event, where you can join various activities around town. At the Fény utca Market, for example, you can roam through the stalls with live music in the background, try specialities, shop grocery with special discounts, or simply enjoy window shopping.
More details here.
Brain Bar 2023
Brain Bar, taking place on 22-23 September, is Europe's largest festival about the future. If you join, you can be part of exciting and insightful conversations about the century’s most urgent questions. The foremost international opinion leaders, business moguls, and cultural luminaries are stepping on the stage to discuss such topics as 'Is artificial intelligence really intelligent? How can we spot what's made by AI? How to take back social media from mindless influencers?'.
Get tickets here.
Csángálló concert, guest: Kale Lulugyi
If you are up for a truly Hungarian musical experience, sign up for the upcoming concert of Csángálló! They are one of the most renowned bands of Budapest nights, combining authentic folk music with Transylvanian motifs, Balkan tunes, improvisation, instrumental and vocal music. It results in a unique mix you can enjoy on September 22nd at the laidback open-air venue Kertem.
Get tickets here.
Hoptoberfest 2023 – Beer Festival in Kőbánya
Picture the Octoberfest but with craft beer! From 22 to 24 September, HopTop is celebrating the revamp of its brewery with a cool get-together, trying to evoke the atmosphere of the Bavarian festival. You can expect beer tents, Bavarian pretzels and Bavarian sausage, all topped with craft beer served in iconic litre-sized steins. Apart from feasting and drinking, you can join free brewery tours and enjoy concerts, too.
Entry is free, and you can buy steins on the spot. More details here.
Saturday, 23 September
Renoir – The Painter and his Models
On view from 22 September (until 7 January 2024) at the Museum of Fine Arts, you can pay respect to the iconic French figurative painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir. With his oeuvre in focus, you can be among the first to marvel at this upcoming exhibition called Renoir – The Painter and his Models. You can explore Renoir’s relationship with the models who inspired his art through paintings, graphic works, and sculptures. Pay attention to the details: how the master delicately rendered the nuances of faces, the radiance of his models’ gazes, and the splendour of clothes.
Get tickets here.
Bridging Europe 2023
If you are a classical music enthusiast, this event needs to be on your Budapest bucket list. Bridging Europe, a tradition by now, is a joint festival of Müpa Budapest and the Budapest Festival Orchestra between 22-27 September. It is lending an exciting flavour to the start of the new season, featuring classical concerts, jazz, popular music and film screenings. Every year, a country with a rich and diverse culture and significant musical traditions is in the focus, which will be Italy this year.
More details here.
Season Closing Beer Festival at Corvin negyed
Five days are dedicated to beer between 20 and 24 September. Corvin sétány (the promenade behind Corvin Plaza) will be filled with about 30 stalls of various breweries, offering more than 150 types of beer on tap and in the bottle. The brews, including fruity beers, IPA, EPA, APA, and lagers, are from all around the world.
More details here (Hungarian-only).
Independent Label Fair 2023
If you are an old-school soul and fancy (or collect) vinyl, CDs, or cassettes, head to the House of Music Hungary this Saturday. A fair will be organised by the Independent Label Fair Budapest, Hungary’s first initiative to bring the country’s independent music scene together. You can get your hands on the finest releases Hungary has to offer and support the community at the same time.
More details here.
Martin Kohlstedt (DE)
Martin Kohlstedt is a German composer-musician, known for his intimate, emotional playing style and unusual concert hall equipment. The fine-souled neoclassical pianist is hitting the stage at the iconic A38 Ship on September 23rd, bringing his brand new album. If you arrive on time, you will get to meet a Budapest-based singer and lyricist, Dóra Villő Czeizer, too.
Get tickets here.
Sunday, 24 September
Shake&Shine at Zsiráf Buda
As (Indian) summer draws to an end, rekindling that autumn spirit can be a challenge. On September 24th, an outdoor yoga class at Zsiráf Buda will assist you in this transition, not only by relieving stress through stretching but also by treating you to a healthy acai bowl and smoothies after the session.
More details here.
World Press Photo Exhibition
An exhibition for those appreciating the world of photography and journalism. The annual World Press Photo travelling exhibition revisits the biggest news of the past year by portraying the many milestones through striking photojournalism. The collection will be on view between 20 September and 5 October at the Hungarian National Museum.
More details here.
Budapest Contemporary Art Fair
If you are up for admiring artworks from today's leading contemporary galleries while connecting with fellow art enthusiasts, artists, collectors and gallery owners, head to Bálna Budapest at the weekend. Between 21-24 September, it is hosting the Budapest Contemporary Art Fair for the first time, filling thousands of square meters of space with art.
More details here.
Car-free Quay
This is the last weekend (for a while) you can enjoy the car-free quay on the Pest side. Expect pop-up events on the road between Margaret Bridge and Elizabeth Bridge, such as a random grill terrace, a pop-up bar, live music, dancing, and even yoga classes. You can follow the events on the Hungarian site or go for a walk and explore what is happening yourself! It will be worth it.
She Wants Revenge (US)
Justin Warfield has a distinctive voice. He originally came from a hip-hop background but got sucked into dark post-punk and psychedelia. His band She Wants Revenge, formed in 2004, is a fan of Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix, who even directed a music video for them. That's the vibe you can expect on September 24th, when they are hitting the stage at Dürer Kert.
Get tickets here.
