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. Get involved!
Friday, 27 January
Watch a film at the Budapest International Documentary Festival
If you feel like stepping out of the world of American romcoms, try Cinema City Mammut this weekend. You can immerse yourself in the world’s freshest, internationally acclaimed feature-length documentaries. On Friday, you can find out what happens when a group of Chinese activists, confronted with human rights violations against their spiritual practice, executes a bold and perilous plan to hack into state television (Eternal Spring). You can also learn about the Calendar Girls, Florida's most dedicated dance team for women over 60. These and all other movies are screened in their original language with English and Hungarian subtitles.
See the programme and get tickets here.
Have Frozen-themed cakes at SUGAR! shop
Attention children and child-minded adults! At the end of January, you are invited to a magical world at sweet heaven SUGAR! shop. During the Frozen-themed days (27-29 January), the characters of the animated film will be turned into cakes to evoke the atmosphere of the fairy tale. Elsa, Anna, Cristoff and Olaf will all join the party, in edible forms, meaning mini-cakes, giant ice cubes, and magnums.
Try a Hungarian craft beer at Fehér Nyúl Brewery & Taproom
Double Rafa returns to the menu at the Hungarian brewery Fehér Nyúl (at least 2000 litre of it). If you like sour beer, make sure to head to their taproom between 5 pm - 11 pm on Friday. You can book a table at event@fehernyul.hu. Fehér Nyúl beers (including the Double Rafa) are also on tap at Petrol Beer & Barbeque.
Saturday, 28 January
Treasure hunt at Gardrób Second-hand Clothing Fair
On the last Saturday in January, at the ELTE Hall (1117 Budapest, Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A - on the Buda side of Petőfi bridge), you can browse clothes and accessories banished to the depths of someone else's wardrobe. It could be that what someone else has cast aside will become your winter favourite.
Celebrate the Chinese New Year at the Temple Fair
On the last weekend of January (28-29th), visit the Temple Fair in Budapest's Chinatown: the Monori Center will be decked out in decorations, offering an array of culture-infused activities and delicious food. Expect a parade featuring Chinese folk garments, try on the traditional dress hanfu, make jiaozi (Chinese stuffed dumplings), and browse handcrafted products.
Browse antiques at Budapest's most famous ruin pub
To all the antique and vintage lovers out there: if you enjoy the dusty potential and childish excitement of a flea market, head to Szimpla Kert on the last Saturday of January. First of all, this is Budapest's most famous ruin bar - which is worth a visit on any occasion. Second, it will turn into a proper flea market for a whole afternoon (12 pm - 6 pm), where you will most definitely find a souvenir much better than a magnet.
Dance a night away in Budapest Park's Ice World
This is going to be the last event before Budapest Park closes its Ice World for the season. So make sure to sharpen your skates (or rent a pair on the site), and get ready for some serious dancing. Resident DJ Thomas will return to jazz up the festive wintery scene with sing-along retro tunes. Warm up your vocal cords and hamstrings, the party starts at 5 pm.
Get your tickets online on the Hungarian site HERE or on the spot.
Sunday, 29 January
Fill your tote bag with local goods at Pancs farmers' market
No place better to soak up local vibes than a farmers' market. Not to mention the seasonal fruits, veggies, cheese, ham, salami, bread, syrups, jams, juices and wine that you can get your hands on. At Élesztőház, the courtyard is turning into a buzzing marketplace (between 9 am - 2 pm) to give space to Hungarian producers. Also, a special guest is invited from the world of gastronomy to host a community cooking, using ingredients supplied by local producers.
Join a guided tour to explore the Vaszary exhibition
János Vaszary is considered one of the greatest and most adored masters of Hungarian painting. So no wonder that it came as a big surprise when the Hungarian National Gallery discovered 40 new works of his in their collection, which no one knew about. The paintings had been hidden from the public and professionals since they arrived at the museum directly from the painter's studio. You can now hear the stories behind these paintings and learn about Vaszary himself if you join the museum's guided tour (in English).
Have a Dampfnudel (sweet steamed bun) at Major
Sweet steamed bun (Dampfnudel) is a typical winter delight. You might be used to having it in the mountains while still wearing your ski gear, but if this Sunday finds you in Budapest, you can evoke the Alpine atmosphere here too. In Budaörs, Major will prepare hot steamed buns with Nutella and plum jam filling. While there, walk up to Budaörsi kopárok, where you will be rewarded with pretty views and some burnt calories.
Watch The Shawshank Redemption at the Bem Cinema
Can you picture a better way to end the week than with a classic at one of the coolest cinemas in Budapest? The Shawshank Redemption is a brilliant film starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, and it will be screened at Bem Cinema in English with Hungarian subtitles. Get tickets here.
