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, 17 March
Hantaï, Klee, and other Abstractions
The Museum of Fine Arts’s cabinet exhibition pays tribute to the painter Simon Hantaï, and this is the last weekend you can see it. The sixty or so displayed works include two dozen hitherto unknown modernist masterpieces by the artist, who passed away in Paris in 2008, but also those eight paintings that his family gifted to the museum in 2016 by his last will.
Get tickets here.
Jazzbois and Friends
Jazzbois returns to the iconic concert venue A38 ship with DomBeats and Papp Muki and a jazz and hip-hop fusion evening. There will be special guests too, so you can expect a wide range of music, from trance-free tunes to the fulfilment of live hip-hop spirit.
Get tickets here.
Saturday, 18 March
Blooming snowdrops at Alcsút Arboretum reserve
The celebration of snowdrops started at the end of February at the Alcsút Arboretum reserve. This botanical garden outside Budapest has a unique flower field showcasing seven species of snowdrops and 24 types of these pretty white flowers, which you can still catch.
More info here.
Farmers' Market at Czakó Kert
Set off on a journey up the Buda hills and try the products of local producers at Czakó Kert's market. You can get your hands on delicacies such as goats’ cheese, organic fruit and veggies, bread, honey, jams, smoked meats, or flowers all weekend. The market starts at 8 am on Saturday and 9 am on Sunday, and the bistro will be open too if you fancy a hearty lunch or a pretty dessert after your shopping spree.
Grand Budapest Bath Party
The complex of Széchenyi Baths is one of Budapest's most popular thermal baths and one of Europe's best spas. It is worth a visit any time of the year and day, but if you want to make a big night out of it, aim for Saturdays. A party series called the Grand Budapest Bath Party (or Sparty) kicked off in February and since then brings electronic dance music and a mind-blowing visual experience while you party in the pools.
Get tickets here.
Sunday, 19 March
Kiskertpiac Plant Fair
Kiskertpiac is a seasonal plant fair in downtown Budapest, aiming to bring plant mamas, papas and wannabes together under one roof. On March 19th (10 am - 4 pm), the taproom MADHOUSE will be filled with lush greenery once again, so you can stock up on blossoming stems and colourful plants to welcome spring the proper way.
St Patrick's Day Parade
On March 19th, St Patrick’s Day Parade is back, ready to paint Budapest green in celebration of Ireland’s national holiday. The event starts on Szabadság tér (just follow the sound of folk music), filling our Sunday with pints of Guinness, gigantic puppets, Irish music and dancing, and Gaelic game demonstrations. The parade sets off at 3 pm, marching by the Parliament and St Stephen’s Basilica before heading back to the square.
More info here.
The Platform - Staged Play Reading
The Cipher Theatre Company, a new formation committed to bringing English-language theatre events to the Budapest community, as well as opportunities for artists to collaborate on theatre projects, presents The Platform at RS9 Theatre.
More info and tickets here.
