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, 31 March
Banff Mountain Film Festival
Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, one of the most prestigious events celebrating mountain culture, is coming to Budapest. Between 30 March and 1 April, expect inspiring stories, breathtaking scenery and 190 minutes of adrenaline-fuelled adventures on land, water and air. The crème de la crème from the annual international competition for documentaries on nature and mountains will be on the big screen at Corvin Cinema.
All films are in English or with English subtitles. Get tickets on-site or on the Hungarian website. For general information, see the Canadian website here.
Spring and Easter Fair on Vörösmarty Square
Budapest's focal square, Vörösmarty Square is a great place to be until 16 April for a spring shopping spree. Recently, local producers filled the space with gastronomic delicacies, handicrafts (such as egg decorations, chocolate, textile, ceramics, lavender products, jewellery, and gingerbread), and flowers while artists play music every day. Children can enjoy a playhouse, where they can also make their own spring and Easter decorations.
More info here.
Amelie Lens (BE)
Amile Lens, a Belgian electronic music DJ, record producer, and owner of the Lenske record label, is coming to Budapest! If you join her at Arzenál on March 31st, you will be in for quite a party. She will be accompanied by musicians who will keep you awake and dancing until dawn to welcome April in style. The line-up also includes CRB (FR), Koboyo (FR), and Umut Sefilogu (TR).
Get tickets here.
Saturday, 1 April
Bottomless Champére and Terrace Opening at Sophisto
Elegant downtown restaurant and champagne bar Sophisto Champagne Bar & Restaurant is the picture-perfect place to marvel at St Stephen’s Basilica over a glass of bubbly and a Croque Madame. This weekend they are opening the terrace too, which means you will get an even better view. You can opt for a bottomless Champére or Chamére package and match it with a lazy brunch or an elegant dinner.
Ergy Landau photo exhibition
The Hungarian-born photographer was one of the most popular women photographers in Paris between the 1920s. Landau left Hungary after the First World War, settled in Paris and opened her studio, where she worked until her death. This retrospective exhibition at Mai Manó House and the accompanying monograph are the results of the restoration of the previously unpublished Ergy Landau collection.
More info here.
Guided Tour & Mini Concert at the Liszt Music Academy
See the stunning Art Nouveau building of the Liszt Music Academy with a professional tour guide. The tour will uncover mysteries and take you to gorgeous sites (such as the Grand Hall and the Small Hall). You will also see the Fountain of Art fresco, one of the most significant works of art of the Hungarian Art Nouveau. And obviously, you can't leave the building without listening to music: at the end of the tour, you will be treated to a mini-concert by a student of the Liszt Academy.
Sign up here.
Hundred Sins & iamyank present: The Big Black Mass
If you are open-minded and curious to see Hungary's most exciting producer of recent years, Hundred Sins, head to the A38 ship on Saturday. The artist will perform with iamyank who is equally at home in electronics, post-metal, and classical music. They both represent the dark side, scratchy sounds and punk attitude. During their evening together, they look for intersections in each other's worlds, simultaneously burying and rebuilding the future.
Get tickets here.
Sunday, 2 April
Easter Markets
The Easter Bunny is right around the corner (Easter is between 7-10 April), and in preparation for the festivities, Budapest's farmers' markets upped their game. You can indulge in the spirit of spring, local products, eggs and flowers at several markets this Sunday.
- Pancs for bouncy castles and cotton candy
- Kenyérlelke for sourdough bread
- Virág Benedek Ház for an additional flea market
WAMP - the Hungarian design fair
And it is not only farmers' markets that are getting ready to welcome April. The beloved Hungarian design fair WAMP returns to iconic Bálna Budapest right before Easter. On April 2nd (10 am - 6 pm), you can get your hands on custom-designed clothes, jewellery, and accessories made by Hungarian designers. You can cherry-pick beautiful Easter decorations and gifts for the little ones too. You can also try gastronomic treats and create something from scratch at one of the creative workshops.
Cleansing yoga at a salt cave
On Sunday (5:30 pm), reward your body and soul with cleansing in Sóker Salt Cave. In this special yoga class energising flow meets stretching yin poses, while the sea salt spray helps better breathing. The practice ends with deep relaxation, accompanied by calming sounds.
More details and signing up here.
The Soft Moon (US)
The American Luis Vasquez and his band of varying line-ups are a real underground gem. Having released five albums to date, The Soft Moon couldn't come to a better place than Dürer. Vasquez's deeply unsettling industrial–electronic music will be a perfect match for the quiet, calm Danube and the contrast between the industrial buildings.
Get tickets here.
