1. 'Fresh Meat' and 'Faces. Colors. Stories.' at the Budapest Photo Festival
To admire an outstanding collection of Hungarian and international contemporary art, explore the events of the Budapest Photo Festival. It spoils us with exciting exhibitions in several locations, with some being completely free of charge. You can appreciate art without spending a penny at Fresh Meat – spotlighting photographers under 35 (until April 23rd) or Faces. Colors. Stories. – displaying 12 photos taken in Cuba and excerpts from a short story set in Havana (until May 4th).
Flick through the full programme here.
2. Live Music Nights at Nomad
If you are up for a vibrant night out surrounded by an international crowd while seeing local bands play, head to Nomad Travelers' Bar. The party-district hangout hosts free music events on Thursdays: this month, you can catch the dynamic duo of Strange Riders (every 2nd and 4th Thursday) and Dominika & Károly Duo (every 3rd and 5th Thursday) who play soulful melodies from R&B to reggaeton, which will leave you spellbound.
More details here.
3. I bike Budapest – Cycle Parade
On April 20th, experience Budapest in a whole new way! Join the 'I bike Budapest' cycle parade and demonstration to pedal through the city like never before. Begin with a music-filled picnic in Népliget (People's Park) before embarking on the scenic route to City Park – passing through Üllői út, Petőfi Bridge, Attila út, Tunnel, Chain Bridge, József Attila utca, Andrássy út, and Heroes' Square. The party goes on after the parade: head to the car-free embankment to join more activities!
4. Car-free Embankment
Speaking of the car-free embankment: every April weekend (then until October 23rd), you can walk, cycle, or skate on a pop-up promenade between Margaret Bridge and Elizabeth Bridge. Bask in the sunshine, enjoy stunning views (the Parliament on one side and the Buda Castle on the other), and join pop-up events! On April 20th, that will mean testing a new volleyball pitch, participating in a recycling workshop, frying (your own) fish on a grill terrace, and signing up for a chalk drawing competition. You can follow the events on the Hungarian site.
5. YOU ARE NOT LIKE THOSE exhibition
At the Bura Károly Gallery's new exhibition in the 8th district, you can explore gender and ethnicity from the viewpoint of four talented women. Coming from diverse backgrounds, they touch on overlooked aspects of female and Roma narratives. Well, these topics are definitely not absent from the displayed photos and paintings! On the contrary: they vividly intertwine these themes, challenging societal expectations and assigned roles.
More details here.
6. Jazz Nights at Tütü
Tütú tangókert café is a relaxed and open-minded bar near City Park – also boasting a lush garden. While any day is pleasant for sipping beer here, Thursdays are particularly special for jazz enthusiasts. Free jam sessions come alive, thanks to talented jazz musicians – so if you are into soulful rhythms and improvisation of jazz music, mark your calendar!
More details here.
7. Dancing together
Rock at the top of the Tunnel? Or salsa on Madách tér? At the end of April, you can experience both, as two free dance events pop up – to be enjoyed as spectators or dancers, up to you. On April 20th, a dance picnic will jazz up the surroundings of the terrace above the Tunnel, with mixed ballroom music playing (featuring standard, Latin, rock, salsa, and bachata among others). On April 28th, as an opening of the Budapest Spring Festival, the Tavaszi TáncTér (Spring Dance Square) arrives with various genres from Argentine tango demonstrations to swing.
(Cover photo: Krisztián Bódis - Budapest Images)
