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. See what you can get up to!
Friday, 19 May
Solinfo Garage Sale
The showrooms and shops of Solinfo are getting a revamp to create space for new collections. That leaves us with an enormous garage sale between 17-20 May, where you can get your hands on designer lamps, furniture, rugs and accessories with massive discounts.
More details here.
The Night of Art Cinemas 2023
A special night each spring when movie theatres stay open until dawn. On May 19-20th, you can visit five Budapest cinemas – Művész, Puskin, Kino Café, Tabán and Toldi – with one single wristband. Most movies play in their original language and with Hungarian or English subtitles: watch The Triangle of Sadness, The Whale, David Lynch's Dune, Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown, Moonage Daydream, Cocaine Bear, Larry, or The Menu.
Tickets can be purchased at the participating cinemas. More details here.
Be Massive party
The Be Massive party series, an electronic music event popping up in unusual places, has been present in Budapest for 20 years. On May 19th, it will be back at the Hong Kong-inspired bar Badhanna. You can expect high-quality music and Metha, Lenny Lenoks and Avika as resident DJs.
More details and ticket info here.
Fekete Zaj x Mad Scientist: Mini-festival and beer premiere
Head to Mad Kert (25 minutes from Blaha Lujza tér by tram) on the 3rd weekend of May and meet up with Budapest's beer-loving community. At the joint event of Fekete Zaj and Mad Scientist, you can witness a beer premiere, take part in a free brewery tour, pick your dinner from food trucks, and listen to live concerts (Entrópia Architektúra, Wyatt E. and Sum of R.).
Get tickets here.
Saturday, 20 May
Rooftop Yoga
Yoga Brunch celebrates its 6th birthday with a jazzed-up event: a yoga class on the top of the Continental Hotel. This Saturday, enjoy the sunshine, a breeze of fresh air and a jaw-dropping view while flowing from one sun salutation to the next. The session ( HUF 4,300) is 70 minutes long and comes with a gift package.
Sign up by sending an email to yogabrunchbudapest@gmail.com.
Guided tour at the Gulácsy exhibition
Get familiar with Lajos Gulácsy, one of the most unique figures of Hungarian art in the 20th century. The large-scale temporary exhibition of the Hungarian National Gallery reveals the diversity of Gulácsy’s profound art. Besides the many well-known masterpieces, you can view several recently identified works and get even more insights on this 1-hour-long guided tour.
More details here.
Craft Fair at Szimpla Kert
This Saturday, 20 May (12 pm - 5:30 pm), local designers' beauty products, home furnishings, gifts, delicacies and many other goodies will fill the courtyard of Szimpla Kert. The 'Kraft' Craft Fair is a perfect opportunity to see Budapest's most famous ruin bar from a different perspective.
TASTE Finland pop-up restaurant 2023
This Saturday, gastronomy, music, and good people meet in the courtyard of the Finnish Embassy (1 pm - 4 pm). The pop-up restaurant will serve authentic Finnish dishes made by guest chefs from Finland, aiming for zero waste. There will be veggie and meat options and dessert. Pastry and coffee will be served by Nordic-style bakery nor/ma and wine by Hungary-based Rejiji Pince.
See the programme here.
Open Brewery Day 2023
On May 20th, several Hungarian breweries open up their doors to welcome visitors in an unusual way. You can tour the sites and go backstage, taste local brews, and stock up on cans and bottles. The goal is to show how smaller breweries operate, connect with fellow beer enthusiasts and have fun. Some of the tours are free of charge, but you need to sign up in advance.
See the list of participants here.
Sunday, 21 May
Flower Bomb Workshop at Czakó Farmers' Market
On the 3rd weekend of May, local producers set up their 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 you can join a flower bomb workshop.
The market opens at 9 am and closes at 2 pm. Enter Czakó Kert from Tigris utca.
Scavenger Hunt in the Buda Castle
Budapest-based tour guide company Budastep won't stop at a generic sightseeing programme. Instead, they invite you for an adventurous and romantic scavenger hunt in Budapest's Castle District, made for couples. The task is simple: you meet at Szentháromság tér and complete the mission by solving different riddles and puzzles to find a special package from a mysterious friend. And the best bit is that your journey will take you through secret and romantic spots.
See the available time slots here.
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse at the Bem Cinema
Love it or hate it, The Twilight Saga is part of an era. And its third episode, starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner, will go on the big screen at Bem Cinema this Sunday, screened in the original language with Hungarian subtitles at 7:30 pm.
Get tickets online here or on the spot.
Bar Show Budapest 2023
On May 21st, you can join the biggest bartending event in Budapest. Bar Show Budapest 2023 will bring a huge variety of spirits and cocktails to the Millenáris, including international spirits, liqueurs, aged spirits, beers, champagnes, syrups, non-alcoholic drinks, coffees, and countless cocktails. Besides the tastings, you can also learn first-hand from the Brand Ambassadors, take cocktail recipes home, and cheer at the Hungarian Cocktail Championship Finals.
Get tickets here.
