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, 26 July
Van Gogh: immersive exhibition from the Netherlands
Enter the world of Van Gogh's art and life in downtown Budapest. At Lumiere Hall, you can immerse yourself in his most famous paintings, quite literally. With the help of high-resolution projectors, a large projection screen, ambient sound effects, and a spectacular 360° video, you'll be up for a ride. You can discover the unique details and painting techniques of the master's renowned works like never before. As a bonus, you can also take a selfie with an impressive replica of the moon.
More details here, and get tickets here.
Deva and Tindia Concert at Kobuci Kert
If you are up for a magical night and getting to know Hungarian bands, head to Kobuci Kert, a relaxed open-air concert venue in Buda! Stepping on the stage will be Tindia, a band that draws on Hungarian folk traditions. Then Dorina Takács, also known as Deva, will take the spotlight, radiating an inexplicable, otherworldly energy during her performance.
Get tickets here.
Budapest BossaNova
If you'd rather listen to world music and fancy authentic bossa nova vibes, to Budapest Jazz Club it is! Here, a heated atmosphere awaits while the Hungarian band Budapest Bossanova plays bossa novas and sambas in their original style, in Portuguese.
Get tickets here.
NECC PARTY – '90S, '00S HITS
If you're after a party and don't mind the music trash of the ’90s and the ‘00s, Budapest’s largest open-air party welcomes you with open arms on July 26th. Expect the biggest hits by the Backstreet Boys and the Spice Girls, Blink 182, Emergency House, Britney and Bon Jovi at Budapest Park. So make sure to put on your comfiest dancing shoes!
Get tickets here.
Saturday, 27 July
Yoga on the car-free embankment
A section of Budapest's embankment is car-free on the weekends, giving space to such amazing events as yoga classes. This Saturday, starting at 8:30 am, you can salute the sun at a morning yoga session, backdropped by the Danube and the Buda Castle. All levels are welcome, but you need to bring your own mat! The event is donation-based.
More details here.
Gardrób Second hand and vintage Clothing market
ELTE University's Lágymányosi Campus (take tram 4 or 6 to Petőfi híd, Budai hídfő, then walk 7 minutes) is hosting a cool clothes fair. You can browse through pieces that have been banished to the depths of someone else's wardrobe. You can reserve a table and sell your own stuff too, or just hunt for new summer favourites.
More details here.
Star Wars Night at the Svábhegy Observatory
July 27th is the day when Star Wars fans and the infinite Universe collide. At the Svábhegy Observatory, you can embark on a true galactic journey among the most beautiful gas clouds of the Milky Way and the constellations! Thanks to an exciting co-production, you can explore whether a double sunset on the planet Tatooine could really exist and what Han Solo would see during a hyperspace jump from the window of the Millennium Falcon.
The language of the program is Hungarian, but the guides speak English so they can explain everything in both languages upon request.
More details here, and get tickets here or on-site.
John Maus and Vidal Concert at A38 Ship
John Maus, a truly enigmatic American musician, is stepping on stage at the iconic A38 Ship! He blends modern avant-garde pop, post-punk, dream pop, chillwave, nostalgic cinematic sounds, and the drum machines and synthesizers of the '80s. That's made complete and unique by his deeply resonant vocals.
Warming up the stage will be Vidal, a Hungarian trio that evolved from a bedroom project. Their music has roots in the Anglo-Saxon world of the '70s and '80s.
Get tickets here.
Sunday, 28 July
Scandinavian Picnic
What could scream summer more than a picnic in the park? Maybe some added avocado toast, espresso tonic, and lemon verbena cherry tart! Well, that will be the menu at nor/ma grand's Scandinavian picnic in Széllkapu Park this weekend. You can simply choose the picnic offer (every weekend by the way), and relax under the shady trees. For the perfect experience, picnic baskets and blankets are provided.
More details here.
Open-air Cinema: Poor Things at Városháza Park
You've surely watched Poor Things, starring Emma Stones, by now, but an open-air cinema in downtown Budapest offers an added bonus to the brilliant film experience. Also, if you haven't seen it, this is the perfect chance. The film will be screened at Városháza park in English with Hungarian subtitles.
More details here, and get tickets here.
Sabbathsong Klezmer Band and the Pannon Gypsy Orchestra Summer Concert
If you're up for a special open-air concert, head to the City Park's Vajdahunyad Castle on Sunday! Starting at 7 pm, the Sabbathsong Klezmer Band and the Pannon Gypsy Orchestra will take the stage to perform a one-hour solo concert each, bringing you a taste of Hungarian gypsy music. The Kinneret Chamber Choir also joins the party, and you can expect a joint jam session at the finale.
Get tickets here.
(Cover photo: Emil Chalhoub – nor/ma grand)
