Even if we are still waiting for spring-like weather to make an appearance, things will look rosy very soon. Cherry trees are about to blossom, painting Budapest pink, and making a gorgeous backdrop to Sakura celebrations. But that's far from being the only highlight in April: from Easter festivities to a photo festival and a new Dalí exhibition, see the best things to do this month.
1/10
Celebrate Easter
Easter (húsvét in Hungarian) is the most important spring holiday in Hungary. It is steeped in tradition and is abundant in delicious food. This year, húsvét falls on 7-10 April, spoiling us with festive things to do. From bountiful brunches to spring fairs and sprinkling the womenfolk, see what you can get up to on the upcoming bank holiday weekend. Find our Easter Guide here.
2/10
Soak up culture at the Bartók Spring International Arts Weeks
Enjoy a cultural buzz in Budapest and recharge your batteries with performances by world-renowned and cutting-edge local artists, hosted by exciting venues. Between 31 March and 16 April, the Bartók Spring International Arts Weeks brings us varied events for the third year running. Our highlights include the Eels concert and Budapest Ritmo (a world music festival, where you can explore the rhythms of Egypt, Iceland, Mali, Ukraine, and even Spain). See the full programme here.
3/10
Have a picnic at the Sakura celebrations
Sakura celebrations are an annual tradition at the ELTE Botanical Gardens (Füvészkert in Hungarian). It is rooted in Japan's traditional festivity, the Ohanami. It starts with the very first cherry blossom and gives way to a communal activity: on selected dates, you can visit the garden and enjoy your day chilling on a picnic blanket, just like in Japan. If eating and drinking al fresco, chatting with friends, and marvelling at pretty blossoms sound like your kind of weekend, mark your calendar: this year the Sakura celebrations will be on 15-16 April and 22-23 April. Find more details here.
Tip: For more blooming cherry trees, head to Tóth Árpád sétány. You will be rewarded with the most attractive stroll around the Castle District.
4/10
See the new Salvador Dalí exhibition
We bet you haven't seen these Dalí pieces before. A private collection of the painter's lesser-known but even more intriguing work has landed in Budapest. Until the end of June, you are in for a pleasant surprise if you visit Király Komplex, as you will see more than 200 pieces by the master of surrealism. You might not marvel at his most famous paintings but will be reminded of them constantly; his iconic motifs are reborn in statues, jewellery, etchings, and lithographs. This selection is a must for all the fans of the painter, and you can now have a sneak peek here.
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Tune into spring at the Vörösmarty Spring Fair
Budapest's focal square, Vörösmarty Square is a great place to be in the first two weeks of April for a spring shopping spree. Local producers fill the space with gastronomic delicacies and handicrafts (such as decorations, chocolate, textile, ceramics, lavender products, jewellery, and gingerbread), while artists play music every day. One of the most eye-catching points of the square is the "flower shop", instantly putting you in the spring mood. Children can enjoy a great handicraft playhouse where they can make their own spring and Easter decorations.
More details here.
6/10
See the show of British stand-up comedian Shazia Mirza
Shazia Mirza is an award-winning British stand-up comedian and writer from Birmingham. She appeared in the Graham Norton Show and Celebrity MasterMind (among others), and her latest show 'Coconut' was nominated for a Channel 4 National Comedy Award. She has toured all over the world and is now coming to Budapest on April 15th. So warm up your diaphragm and facial muscles and get ready for some spot-on dark humour and British sarcasm. Naveed Mahbub, a Bangladeshi comedian and columnist is warming up the stage. Get tickets here.
Tip: If you miss this show, check out Hot Paprika Comedy's event calendar. They regularly organise English-friendly, donation-based comedy nights across Budapest.
7/10
Buy from local designers at the Makers' Market
The Makers' Market Budapest is a monthly fair, where you can get your hands on contemporary, artsy and designer products made by Hungarian designers. While at it, you can also chat with them and learn more about the items, which can also make beautiful presents too. Their upcoming event is on April 16th (10 am - 5 pm), and apart from stocking up on super cool designer goodies, you can also join workshops and listen to live acoustic music.
8/10
Explore contemporary art at the Budapest Photo Festival
Between 30 March and 15 May, the annual Budapest Photo Festival presents a contemporary overview of Hungary and beyond. Exhibitions pop up across museums, galleries, and cultural institutions - and the majority of them can be visited free of charge (except for the Kunsthalle, the Kiscell Museum and the Military History Museum). If you only have time for one event, make it a festival highlight, the Fresh Meat. It showcases the winning works of the young photographer generation in the Klauzál6 Project Gallery.
More details here.
9/10
Catch English-friendly theatre shows
Finding English-friendly performances in Hungarian theatres is no picnic. However, this month, we rounded up 3 shows, which you can enjoy without speaking a word of Hungarian. First up, we have the country's most popular improv theatre dedicate its upcoming performance to spring and songs. On April 15th, you can hear different genres blending and random words shaping up as lyrics. Read more and get tickets here.
On April 24th, you can see Beauty by the Asterion Project Budapest. The show at the 6SZÍN theatre will take you to a world where having cosmetic surgeries is the norm. Read more and get tickets here.
On April 29th, you can see the drama Liliom at Örkény István Theatre. The language will be Hungarian, but English subtitles will be added in consideration of foreign guests. So we say, grab the opportunity as this drama will bring love, problems, desires and traumas of modern people under one roof. Read more and get tickets here.
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Check out the newly reopened restaurant of Baltazár Budapest
The Castle District's quirky hotel Baltazár Budapest, listed among the 50 best hotels in Europe by the National Geographic Traveller, recently reopened its restaurant. The Spanish charcoal grill, Josper, has been fired up, meaning succulent steaks and burgers for us. But there is something for everyone: Hungarian classics for the parents, and a superfood bowl for the health-conscious souls (Buddha Bowl is a big favourite of ours, coming with crispy sweet potato, chargrilled tenderstem broccoli, and guacamole). Finish your meal with grilled pineapple, and sit on the terrace if the weather is nice. Because that way, you will find yourself in Montmartre, France all of a sudden. See our full review of the place here.
