We may have only three weeks of summer left, but there’s still plenty to do around Budapest. We’ve put together the best events, shows and festivals to keep you entertained before autumn leaves start to fall.
1/10
30 August – Night of Zoos
For this annual event, a total of 13 zoos will be taking part nationwide, including the main one in Budapest, Budakeszi Wildlife Park and the Tropicarium. Budapest Zoo will host a seal show, elephant training, a presentation by an ice sculptor and a concert by Kistehén (‘Little Cow’), one of Hungary’s top alternative bands. At Budakeszi Wildlife Park, you can see lively feeding times and nocturnal insects, while at the Tropicarium, you can watch while moray eels and alligators devour their supper.
More details here
2/10
31 August – Chairlift by Night
For the second time this summer, visitors can sail under the stars when the Zugliget Chairlift operates for a special night-time session between 7pm and 1am on Saturday, 31 August. A special return ticket allows you to scale the highest slope in Budapest, János Hill in 15 minutes by Chairlift, with magical panoramic views of the Hungarian capital spread out below.
More details here (Hungarian-only) and general information here
3/10
5-8 September – Budapest Wine Festival
The main annual gathering of Hungary’s winemakers and vintners is held at the prestigious Buda Castle, where more than 200 wineries will be represented. Live music, dance and other performances also take place on four stages. Day tickets come with a special glass and you can also buy a four-day pass and take in everything Europe’s most beautiful wine festival has to offer. This year’s special guest region is Eger.
More details here
4/10
6-7 September – Tilos Rádió Birthday Party
Budapest’s most revered radio station, Tilos, celebrates its 28th anniversary with a two-day music festival at Dürer Kert near the City Park. With four stages to choose from, including one outdoors, there’s plenty you can see and hear as you move between rooms – the Saturday night sees sessions from two of the city’s most venerable DJs, Titusz and Palotai.
More details here
5/10
6-8 September – Óbuda Craft Beer Festival
Free to enter, the three-day Óbuda Craft Beer Festival will showcase some 200 brews from more than 20 Hungarian producers, as well as workshops given by experts on the atmospheric main square of this historic district north of Buda. Also scheduled is live music from Ivan and the Parazol, Kéknyúl and M.É.Z.
More details here
6/10
7 September – Citymatiné End of Summer Dance
One of Budapest’s most enduring party series, CityMatiné, stages its last bash for 2019 at the Palatinus baths on Margaret Island. From 10am on Saturday 7 September, the music doesn’t let up for a full 12 hours, Look out for NYC-based DJ and producer Morgan at 7pm.
More details here
First given its debut at the Bánkitó Fesztivál, this unique concert sees two of Budapest’s most popular bands, Middlemist Red and Fran Palermo, play a joint show of reworkings of each other’s songs. Some 13 musicians will take the stage to offer a few helpings of neo-psycho and tropical rock. After the show, a folk dance closes the Táncház summer season. All takes place at Budapest Park.
More details here
8/10
12-15 September – Vegan Food Fest
The Vegan Food Fest was Hungary’s first annual celebration of plant-based gastronomy festival, and is due to be held for the eighth time of asking over four days in mid-September. The Millennium Roof Garden atop the WestEnd mall behind Nyugati station is where you’ll find vegan and vegan-friendly eateries, confectioneries, street-food stalls and workshops.
More details here
9/10
14 September – Cream of Sounds presents Summer Never Ends
Staged for the first time last year on Népsziget island, the summer closing party at Kabin was one of 2018’s most memorable events and is now one of the long-awaited of the season. The Cream of Sounds team will celebrate the relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere here on September 14, starting at noon.
More details here
10/10
September – Lidos, spas and open-air pools
With temperatures around 25-30 degrees, September is perfect outdoor swimming weather – you won’t freeze, nor will you risk being sunburnt. There are many options around Budapest, whether you are looking for a pool or a natural beach.
More details here
