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, 16 August
Garden Live Act '24
Up for an improv music night?Then to downtown K11, it is – where they're hosting free concerts on August 16th. At the Garden Live Act, you can kick back and enjoy a cool mix of acoustic and electronic tunes in the cosy courtyard. It's a chill summer evening where several musicians will jam together, blending their sounds into one big, spontaneous musical mashup.
Details here
LavaLava w/ RYDIM
Dance the night away at the riverside bar Pontoon, where the LavaLava team will spin the discs. They are bringing some fresh and classic house and disco beats, alongside guests like Rydim. Falcao's warm-up set will be joined by Drumboy, who will be spicing things up with live percussion, while Tolo will be on hand to bring the party to an end. Entry is free.
Details here
Saturday, 18 August
St Stephen's Day 2024
Celebrating Hungary's birthday, you can join a vibrant mini-festival across town from August 17th to 20th. Across the city's iconic locations—spanning from Gellért Hill to Vörösmarty tér, Buda Castle to Alkotmány utca, Vigadó tér to Millenáris— enjoy a truly festive atmosphere with exciting stage performances, concerts, historical reenactments, family, and children's programs, and culinary treats.
Details here
A Night at the Aeropark Budapest
On August 17th, you are in for a treat at Budapest's Aviation Museum (on the historical Terminal 1)! From 3 pm to midnight, you can go behind the scenes, exploring special airport vehicles, vintage cars and illuminated cockpits, experience engine start-ups, join storytelling pilots, career workshops, demonstrations, an aviation talk show, night-time airport tours, and even live concerts.
More details here and tickets here
Varázs Garázs - 'Magic Garage'
If you don't mind an off-the-beaten-path experience, venture to Népsziget (aka Mosquito Island) on August 17th for the Varázs Garázs ('Magic Garage') event. At the Artoid Studio, right by the Danube, DJs and bands will keep the vibes going until dawn. Acts like Tigris Szofi, Hocuspony, and Iceboyz will be spinning tunes, while light shows will add to the otherworldly atmosphere. In this oasis on Népsziget, you can enjoy a picnic, play ping-pong, or just chill with refreshing drinks and Neapolitan pizza (cash only).
Entry is donation-based, the recommended sum is HUF 3,000.
Details here
Balkan Pop-Up
If you'd stay closer to the city centre, but would still sign up for a unique concert, head to the 8th district locale Zsír! Here, the Balkan Pop-Up band promises a night to remember with a repertoire featuring Macedonian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Bosnian, and Romanian tunes. At the concert, the voice of Vivi Gráf will float over the sweeping performances of Marko Cselinacz on accordion, and Bence Babcsán on flute, clarinet, and saxophone.
Details here
Sunday, 18 August
Makers' Market
If you're in search of unique souvenirs and local designer pieces that speak to your heart, Makers' Market is the place to go. This vibrant fair pops up once or twice a month, and lucky for you, it's making its next appearance on August 18th (10 am - 5 pm). Head over to downtown's MOST Bistro, where you can browse through an array of creative goods, chat with the designers, and then stick around for lunch or some drinks!
Details here
Free public beach at the Római-part
Another great initiative is drawing to an end this weekend: Római-part's public beach (the only one in the city) is closing soon. You can still take a plunge into the Danube until August 20th, in designated areas. Open daily from 10 am to 7 pm, the beach is free to use and offers amenities like toilets, showers, diaper-changing facilities, and sunbeds, and there are also lifeguards on site.
More details here.
Monday, 19 August
WANDA MARTIN & GABOR MARTIN: THE BALLAD OF ETERNAL YOUTH
A quirky exhibition at Budapest's renowned photographers' gallery, which we think you have to see before it closes on August 19th. What's more, in honour of Photography Day, entry will be free on August 19th. From 12 PM to 7 PM, you can not only enjoy free access to the father-daughter duo's exhibition featuring partying youth in 1970s Békéscsaba, Hungary and present-day London but also the Visiting Picasso: Juan Gyenes.
Details here
Festival of Folk Arts
Buda Castle will come alive with an array of artisans from August 17th to 20th during the 38th Festival of Folk Arts. Alongside the craft demonstrations, visual workshops, and live music, hundreds of performers will keep the atmosphere buzzing. Kids will have plenty to enjoy too, with children's concerts, storytelling sessions, and dance lessons to keep them entertained throughout the event.
Details here
Tuesday, 20 August
Fireworks
St Stephen's Day, August 20th, is a national holiday in Hungary marked by a dazzling fireworks display over the Danube. This year's event, Fire and Lights, promises to be even more spectacular than before, and we've rounded up the best spots to watch it for free. If you'd level up the experience with cocktails, live music, or dinner, we also have some recommendations.
Kenyérlelke Sourdough Festival 2024
Here's another August 20 tradition: bread blessing. So if you're into Hungarian culture, love sourdough, and don't mind a bit of travel, this festival is for you! The prominent Hungarian sourdough bread community, Kenyérlelke (lit. Soul of the Bread), is coming together in the charming town of Budajenő, just an hour from the city. Amazing bakeries – such as Arán, Panificio il Basilico, Bake my Day, and Artizán – bring their creations, but apart from munching on flaky goods, you can also join workshops, enjoy children's activities and soak up some live music.
More details here.
