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.
Thursday, 19 September
Point of View Budapest (POV)
A new – and the country's very first – design conference is hitting town on Thursday. For two days, you can meet international key speakers from all areas, from graphic design to filmmaking. Powerhouses like Snøhetta, Pentagram, Porto Rocha, Koto, Dinamo, and Kurppa Hosk, alongside Hungarian fashion designer Dóri Tomcsányi, will step on stage to share their insight and leave you with some inspiration. You can also join an afterparty on Friday and guided walking tours on Saturday.
Snag your ticket here.
Friday, 20 September
Printa Archive
Printa, an effortlessly cool design shop in Budapest's 7th district, just turned 15! And to mark the milestone, they are hosting a pop-up exhibition at ISBN+ from September 17th to 24th. Get ready to eye up an impressive collection of archive screen prints spanning the last one and a half decades of the shop. Expect works ranging from typographic pieces to figurative illustrations, with themes like Budapest, street art, and mental health taking centre stage.
Open Markets' Day at Fény utca Market
If you're up for exploring local favourite that's still off the tourist radar, head to Fény utca Market on the Buda side. This hidden gem is worth a visit any time of the year, but on Friday, during the Open Markets' Day, you'll have even more reasons to stop by. Local producers bring their freshest, sweetest grapes, which you can sample right at the counter, along with plenty of other delicious treats from the stalls.
Details here .
Józsefváros Jazz Festival
Jazz aficionados, get ready – a free jazz festival is just around the corner! From September 20th to 22nd (4-10 pm), you can catch life performances by both local and international musicians at the Rákóczi tér (yes, it's also a metro stop) and inside the Rákóczi tér Market. Expect around 20 concerts in 3 days, blending Roma and Hungarian folk music, American and Hungarian pop, Latin jazz and Afro beats – all brought to life by established artists and up-and-coming talents.
Details here.
Budapest Classics Film Marathon
Film buffs, rejoice! Budapest is hosting an international film festival dedicated to restored classics from September 17th to 22nd. Get ready for a breathtaking cinematic adventure featuring animation, science fiction, historical films, comedies, live music concerts, exciting screenings and conferences. The festival takes place at stunning venues like the Uránia National Film Theatre, Toldi Cinema, and the French Institute in Budapest, but you can also catch an open-air screening in front of the Basilica.
Details here.
Saturday, 21 September
Downtown Wardrobe Sale
Let your inner shopaholic and eco-warrior enjoy themselves at the same time by joining a cool second-hand sale. You can set off on a treasure hunt right in the city centre, on Erzsébet tér, to refresh your wardrobe in a sustainable way. The sale is on from 11 am to 6 pm, and you will surely not leave with empty hands.
Details here.
Pizza Bété Meet-up
If you're passionate about pizza and don't mind mixing it with good music, great company, and laid-back vibes, we've got some good news. Pizza Bété is hosting a meet-up that's all about this Italian favourite. On September 21st, they'll pop Neapolitan pizzas in the oven one after the other, so you can indulge in hot, fresh and crusty bites. The venue is nothing short of hip: the 8th district's cultural hub Turbina is the place to go.
Details here.
Independent Label Fair 2024
If you fancy (or collect) vinyl, CDs, or cassettes, head to the House of Music Hungary this Saturday. Independent Label Fair Budapest is hosting a fair, which is Hungary's first initiative to bring the country's independent music scene together. You can get your hands on the finest releases Hungary has to offer and support the community at the same time.
Details here.
Cultural Heritage Days 2024
Discover what lies behind the closed doors of historical buildings, typically closed to prying eyes. During Cultural Heritage Days from September 21st to 22nd, you can peek inside such places as the ELTE University Library, Postal Savings Bank, or the Hild Villa. Moreover, you can participate in English-friendly events such as workshops and guided tours for free. You need to sign up for some of them.
Details here.
POV x KÉK Urban Walks
Another exciting programme awaits those eager to dive into Budapest's architecture! Guided by the experts at the Hungarian Contemporary Architecture Centre (KÉK), you'll get a fresh perspective on the city's most iconic buildings and hidden details. In collaboration with the POV Conference crew, they’ve crafted three unique architectural tours: downtown, the Bartók Quarter, and Kelenföld. Each tour lasts about two hours – perfect for exploring the city with a critical, urban lens.
Details here.
Sunday, 22 September
Critical Mass 2024
For 20 years, the Hungarian Cyclists' Club has been working to make Budapest a more bike-friendly and better place. To celebrate the movement's anniversary, you can now join an urban bike ride on September 22nd, cycling all the way from Feneketlen Lake to Heroes' Square. The meeting point is in front of Budai Parkszínpad at 3:30 pm, and stay for a group photo at the end!
Details here.
World Press Photo Exhibition 2024
This exhibition is a must-see for those appreciating the world of photography and journalism. The annual World Press Photo travelling exhibition revisits the biggest news of the past year by portraying the many milestones through striking photojournalism. The collection will be on view between September 20th and October 27th at a very special location: the Zoo's magnificent Biodome.
Details here.