Festivals, cool concerts, cultural events and amazing parties – Budapest is always buzzing. Every month, we bring together all the important happenings taking place in and around Hungary’s capital so you can plan ahead. For January, you can look forward to daredevil documentary drama, the groundbreaking choreography of STOMP and an ice hockey clash between bitter Budapest rivals.
1/8
Yoga Brunch
A long-term favourite for locals, Yoga Brunch has moved to a new location for 2020, and is now being held in the elegant surroundings of the winter garden at the neo-Renaissance villa in Haris Park. Surrounded by Buda greenery, a 60-minute flow yoga session will be followed by a vegan brunch food created by the chefs at the signature restaurant here. The first session of the year takes place on Sunday, 5 January, starting at 10.30am. Register at yogabrunchbudapest@gmail.com. For more information, see here.
2/8
Újpest-Ferencváros
There is no more bitter clash in Hungarian sport than when the two Budapest rivals, Újpest and Ferencváros, come together. And that holds true for ice hockey, the main winter team sport here, just as it does for football. Just after Christmas, Ferencváros edged Újpest 6-5 in a real cliff-hanger – now the pair meet again, and the fur will fly. An Újpest win might hinder their opponents’ hopes of catching up with Csíkszereda in the Erste Liga race between teams from Hungary and Transylvania. The match, the last for this round of the season, takes place at 6pm on Wednesday, 8 January at Megyeri út in Újpest. Ticket information here.
Born of Brighton’s festival culture of the early 1990s, the STOMP show of physical theatre, acrobatics and bashing everyday objects, in particular dustbin lids, has being wowing audiences across the world for decades. There’s usually at two troupes touring at any one time – concurrent with dates in North America, a lively team of Stompers is traversing Europe, starting in Naples and calling into Budapest for five shows between 9 and 12 January. For more details, see here.
4/8
Globalist Kitchen
Every month, Globalist Kitchen showcases the handiwork of a renowned international chef. For January 2020, it’s Japanese-born Saori Ichihara, who co-owns and oversees her own fusion of Nordic and Japanese cuisine at Michelin-approved ICHI in Stockholm. Awarded the bronze medal by the Swedish Gastronomic Academy for her previous work at other top restaurants in the Swedish capital, Ichihara will be presenting her culinary expertise in the stylish surroundings of the Bazaar Eclectica in the Várkert Bazaar over two nights, 15 and 16 January, from 7pm. For information and reservations, see here.
The Ballet Pécs brings Bizet’s timeless masterpiece to life thanks to director/choreographers Balázs Vincze and Zoltán Imre. Award-winning Katalin Ujvári takes the lead role, Márton Szabó plays Don José. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2020, the Ballet Pécs was the first modern company of its kind in Hungary and is based in the city’s Zsolnay Cultural Quarter. This performance at Müpa Budapest takes place on 21 January, from 7pm. More details here.
One of Hungary’s brightest and most original acts launch their seventh studio release, Carbonsun, at the A38 Ship, on 23 January. Hot on the heels of 2018’s Carbonflames, the album showcases the fervent musical invention of DJ Titusz, one of the brains behind seminal outfit Bëlga. Expect snippets of rock, rap and relevant contemporary genres with a danceable bedrock and intelligent lyrics. More information here.
7/8
Budapest Wedding Fair
For anyone planning on getting hitched this year, Budapest is a great place to do it – see our guide here. In the meantime, over 25-26 January from 10am each day, dresses, bouquets, cakes and entertainment packages are showcased at the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna for you to peruse. More information here, tickets here.
Presented around the world but especially popular in Budapest, the Reel Rock Film Tour shows the high-adrenaline adventure of the world’s bravest climbers pushing the boundaries and cheating death. Buckle up and watch arduous ascents before breathtaking backdrops, brought here to the Corvin cinema on 27 January. Among these all-action documentaries, look out for The Nose Speed Record, when legends Tommy Caldwell and Alex Honnold battle Yosemites Jim Reynolds and Brad Gobright in a race for greatness. Screens in English, with Hungarian subtitles.
