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, 13 October
10th Chimney Cake Festival
Chimney cake ('kürtőskalács' in Hungarian) is a local delicacy that everyone with a sweet tooth needs to try. It is a caramelised spit cake traditionally rolled in granulated sugar/cinnamon. And as one of its most iconic makers, Vitéz Kürtős, is turning 20 this year, they are throwing a huge 'party' celebrating the dessert at the Budapest Zoo. Between 13 and 15 October, they will present 30 types of all-time favourites, meaning you can sample chimney cakes flavoured with cinnamon, sour cherry-poppy seed, and even pistachio.
More details here.
Trafó House of Contemporary Arts turns 25
Trafó House of Contemporary Arts has been a base for an audience thirsty for unusual and inspiring experiences for 25 years. On October 13th, you can join them in celebrating the milestone with free programmes, film screenings and concerts. Head to the riverside Nehru part or Trafó House and enjoy an array of events such as dance performances and installations.
More details here.
Csendes 15 – Birthday Party
Csendes Létterem is one of our favourite ruin bars in Budapest. It's more of a café during the day, transforming into a laid-back bar after dark. But regardless of the time you arrive, you will be treated to a quirky atmosphere enhanced by mannequins, old toys, and vintage knickknacks. And between 12-14 October, you can expect even more liveliness as usual as they are celebrating their 15th birthday with concerts, DJ sets and discounts.
See the programme here (Hungarian-only).
BÓNUSZ Electronic Music Festival 2023
Electronic music fans are in luck this weekend as a two-day-long international festival hits town. BÓNUSZ Electronic Music Festival brings artists such as Worakls Orchestra, Hernan Cattaneo, Yotto, Ben Klock, Chris Liebing, Len Faki, and Daria Kolosova to Budapest's Hungexpo.
More details here.
Saturday, 14 October
Autumn Raclette Day at Czakó Farmers' Market
On October 14th, local producers are setting up tables at Czakó Piacz (farmers' market) to lay out their freshest produce. That means an abundance of veggies, fruit, jams, cheese, honey, ham, pastries, and flowers. And this time, it also means raclette, which you can have sprinkled with a mixture of spices, on top of a French baguette with smoked ham and gherkin.
The market opens at 8 am on Saturday and 9 am on Sunday and closes at 2 pm. Enter from Tigris utca.
38th SPAR Budapest Marathon
Training for this marathon might be a bit late now, but if you are up for a vibrant day spent on Unesco World Heritage sites, you can also come to cheer runners along. The 2-day event (14-15 October) is a true bucket-list challenge for many, with participants from hundreds of countries. You can expect a big buzz with bands and enthusiastic supporters, creating a proper festival atmosphere. If you do want to get your fair share of running, you can also sign up for shorter distances, too.
Details and registration here.
Family Day at the Children's Railway
Connecting some of the loveliest spots in the Buda hills, the Children’s Railway (Gyermekvasút) is one of Budapest’s most unique attractions, with schoolchildren on duty to check tickets and act as guards. This month, a special event is brewing at its Hűvösvölgy station: on October 14th, you can not only enjoy a ride and a hike but join a family day, too. Fun activities await such as a bouncy castle, gigantic board games, puzzles, and fair games. The little ones can also try face painting, while train enthusiasts can enjoy a track, a wooden railway, a train simulator, and a model railway. Trains will be running all day between Hűvösvölgy and Széchenyi-hegy.
More details here (Hungarian-only).
PONT Festival 2023
On October 14th, a buzzing cultural festival fills the gardens of the Hungarian National Museum. PONT Festival, as part of the Liszt Fest – International Cultural Festival, brings unique concerts, traditional craft and music workshops, and kids' activities showcasing the cultural treasures of West Africa. The event kicks off with a parade (led by the Ballet Camara), then you can join dance, drum, and screen printing workshops, try African board games, listen to a children's concert, and enjoy live music by Bassekou Kouyate and Amy Sacko. PONT Festival has been showcasing the ‘wonders of the world’, the cultural heritage protected by UNESCO, since 2017.
More details here.
Isolation Budapest 2023
If you are up for seeing who are the most exciting artists right now, get a ticket to Isolation Budapest. The festival, jointly organised by Akvárium Klub and Liszt Fest – International Cultural Festival between 14-15 October, brings something for everyone, whether you’re a fan of soul, jazz, punk, lo-fi hip-hop, theatre, Japanese culture or bone-shaking club anthems. The festival’s headliner is American virtuoso Nick Hakim, taking soul and psychedelic music to the stage. Wu-Lu, a leader of the rising punk rap scene, and the French-born, London-based producer and singer COUCOU CHLOE (a true diva of strobe light club anthems) are also promising exciting shows.
Get tickets here.
Sunday, 15 October
WAMP Design Fair
The Hungarian design fair WAMP pops up at the Museum of Ethnography in October. From 10 am to 6 pm, you can get your hands on custom-designed clothes, jewellery, and accessories made by Hungarian designers. You can also try gastronomic treats and create something from scratch at one of the creative workshops. The event's goal is also to be a community space with sustainability in mind.
Feel free to bring your whole family (including your dog). There is no entry fee.
More details here.
Movie Night: Explanation for Everything
If you are into Hungarian cinema, don't miss out on the new film by Hungarian writer-director Gábor Reisz. 'Explanation for Everything' premiered on October 5th and already pocketed a prominent award at the Venice Film Festival. You can catch screening with English subtitles at Corvin Cinema, Művész Cinema, or Toldi.
Synopsys:
'It’s summer in Budapest, high school student Abel is struggling to focus on his final exams, whilst coming to the realisation that he is hopelessly in love with his best friend Janka. The studious Janka has her own unrequited love with married history teacher Jakab—who had a previous confrontation with Abel’s conservative father. The tensions of a polarised society come unexpectedly to the surface when Abel’s history graduation exam turns into a national scandal.' - summarises the site of the Biennale di Venezia.
Get tickets here or on the spot.
Disney 100 – The Concert
If your heart starts beating faster when hearing Hakuna Matata or Let it Go, grab a seat at Disney's 100th-anniversary concert series, landing in Budapest on October 15th. A full arena will be filled with iconic songs from iconic films such as The Lion King, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and even Star Wars and Marvel. This production combines modern and nostalgic hits, promising a magical experience.
Get tickets here.
