Budapest is a great destination for those on the lookout for banging concerts in 2025. We've picked out a selection of artists who'll be performing on the city's biggest stages. Some are playing a couple of gigs this year, others are coming back after ages, and some are making their first solo appearance.

1. Pantera

Budapest's in for a proper metal treat on 3rd February, as American heavy metal legends Pantera are back. With half the original band – lead vocalist Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown – and a new bunch of younger musicians, they've been back together since 2022. They're starting the year with a European tour, and Budapest's getting what's bound to be a huge, explosive gig.

  • Where: Papp László Budapest SportArena
  • When: 3 February
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2. Cyndi Lauper

The American singer had some massive hits back in the 80s (like Girls Just Want to Have Fun and Time After Time). But then, things quietened down a bit, and she wasn't quite as big on the pop scene anymore. Turning 70 in 2023 has prompted Cyndi Lauper to call it a day, but not before she bids farewell with a big tour, which is coming to Hungary. So, it's a bit of a strange one: the first time we'll see her live in Hungary will also be the last time she plays in Budapest.

  • Where: Papp László Budapest SportArena
  • When: 19 February
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3. Iron Maiden

British heavy metal icons Iron Maiden have chosen Budapest to launch their highly anticipated Run For Your Lives tour, with two opening shows at the end of May. This year marks a significant milestone – their 50th anniversary – and the tour will celebrate this with a unique concert experience. Expect tracks from their first nine albums, alongside a selection of songs rarely, if ever, performed live.

  • Where: Papp László Budapest SportArena
  • When: 27 and 28 May
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4. Santana

The undisputed king of Latin rock, Carlos Santana, is back on the road, and his Oneness world tour is heading to Hungary at the beginning of the summer. Expect a setlist full of his most iconic hits – a real must for fans of Afro-Latin blues-rock and the distinctive Santana sound.

5. Imagine Dragons

The American pop band will also be visiting the Hungarian capital for two nights in June. Their sixth album, Loom, was released exactly a year prior to the Budapest shows, and they will be touring in support of it. This marks the American band's first solo arena tour, so they will undoubtedly be striving to make it a resounding success. It's definitely not a problem on our end – we're going to have a brilliant time!

  • Where: Puskás Arena
  • When: 14 and 15 June
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 6. Cat Power

The American singer-songwriter is one of those timeless performers – always worth seeing, no matter what they're doing. And Cat Power's bringing something really special this summer: a one-off reimagining of Bob Dylan's legendary 1966 Royal Albert Hall gig (you know, the one where he went electric). She's not only recorded it, she's been touring it too, and it's coming our way.

  • Where: Akvárium Klub
  • When: 18 June
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7. Fontaines D.C.

The underground Irish post-punk band have, remarkably quickly, become a stadium-filling sensation. The good news is that this rapid rise to prominence hasn't compromised their creative output, as their recent albums demonstrate. Their first ever headline show in Hungary will showcase their fourth album, Romance, released at the end of last summer.

8. Guns N' Roses + Public Enemy

It's certainly an unusual pairing, but if the performers and organisers are confident it will work, why should we doubt them? Guns N' Roses, currently back on tour, are coming to Budapest for a single performance, bringing a different support act to each venue. We've been rather fortunate, as they'll be joined by the legendary American rap group Public Enemy, known for their powerful political messages. That alone is reason enough to attend. But if you require further persuasion, we'll simply say, "take me down to the Paradise City...".

  • Where: Puskás Arena
  • When: 15 July
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9. Alanis Morissette

The Canadian American singer-songwriter's Triple Moon US tour last year was such a hit that they quickly announced it would be coming to Europe, the UK, and Latin America this year. And good news – the world tour's heading our way later this summer. The setlist will feature tracks from Alanis Morissette's tenth album, released in 2022, alongside her most memorable hits, as one would expect from a proper summer concert.

  • Where: Budapest Park
  • When: 21 July
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10. Robbie Williams

The Robbie Williams film, Better Man, has just come out in cinemas, and it's a bit of a weird one – the world-famous singer's played by a CGI monkey. Quite why, we might find out this autumn when Robbie comes to Budapest on tour. The tour's promoting the film, focusing on the songs from it, but with all his big hits thrown in for good measure. So, with no new album on the cards, we're looking at a classic 'best of' set.

  • Where: MVM Dome
  • When: 12 September
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(Cover photo: SOPA Images - Getty Images)

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