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With a little planning you can come to Budapest at a time that will coincide with one or more of the city's cultural events; however, if you miss these, there is always something worthy happening; it is a city of festivals.
March
Budapest Spring Festival. For 2 weeks, performances of everything from opera to ballet, from classical music to drama, are held at all the major halls and theaters of Budapest. Simultaneously, temporary exhibitions open in many of Budapest's museums. Hotels book quickly for this time of year, so plan ahead.
Hollóko's Easter Festival. During Easter in this charming small town in northeastern Hungary, villagers wear traditional costumes and participate in a folk festival. It features traditional song, dance, and foods. Held on Easter Day, it is just as popular with Hungarians as with travelers, so expect a crowd.
June, July & August
Open-Air Theater Programs, Budapest. A rich variety of open-air performances are given throughout Budapest during the summer. Highlights include opera and ballet at the Margaret Island Open-Air Theater, folklore and dance at the Buda Park Theater, musicals in Városmajor Theater, and classical music recitals in the Dominican Courtyard at the Hilton Hotel.
Sziget Summer Festival, Szeged. Szeged, the proud capital of the Great Plain, is home to a summer-long series of cultural events (ballet, opera, rock opera, open-air theater).
Concerts are given in the Matthias Church, in the lovely Castle District of Buda. June through August. In addition, Budapest's largest church, St. Stephen's Basilica, also hosts concerts outside the front doors. If you don't care about sitting, you can listen for free. July through August.
International Palace Tournament, Visegrád. Each summer, this ancient town on the Danube hosts an authentic medieval festival replete with dueling knights on horseback, and early music and dance. Second weekend in July.
"Budafest" Summer Opera and Ballet Festival, Budapest. This summer festival (usually held during most of July and August) is the only time to see a summer performance at the wonderful Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest.
International Guitar Festival, Esztergom. This stately little town on the Danube hosts a guitar festival that features performers from around the world. The Basilica hosts the classical concert performances.
Formula One Grand Prix, Budapest. One of the European racing circuit's most important annual events is held at Budapest's HungaroRing in Mogyoród. Hotels book quickly for this event, so plan ahead. They also increase their rates considerably.
Island Festival (Sziget Fesztivál), Óbuda Island in the Danube. Established in 1994 as Hungary's very own Woodstock, the Sziget Festival is a weeklong music festival that draws young people from all over Europe. It is now one of the largest music festivals in Europe. The event features foreign and local rock, folk, jazz, world music, and other groups on dozens of stages playing each day from early afternoon to the wee hours of the morning. Camping is available. You can get details and pick up a program schedule at Tourinform or check out their website. Usually begins the second week of August.
Traditional Handicraft Fair, Budapest. The Castle District is the site of a 3-day annual handicraft fair, which draws vendors from across Hungary and from Hungarian enclaves in neighboring countries, especially Romania. The wares are generally handmade and of high quality. This is a part of the St. Stephen's Day celebrations. August 20.
St. Stephen's Day, Budapest. This is Hungary's national day. The country's patron saint is celebrated with cultural events and a dramatic display of fireworks over the Danube at 9pm. Hungarians also celebrate their constitution on this day and ceremoniously welcome the first new bread from the recent crop of July wheat. August 20.
National Jewish Festival, Budapest. In 1999 this annual festival arrived on the Hungarian cultural scene. The festival features a variety of Jewish culture-related events. Features range from klezmer music to a book fair, from ballet to cabaret held at various locations for the different venues offered.
September
Budapest International Wine Festival. This festival, in Budapest's Castle District, features wine tastings, displays, and auctions, as well as folk and classical music performances. Each year, there is a guest country that shares its wines. In 2007, it was South Africa. Early September.
Budapest International Fair. For 10 days, Budapest's HungExpo grounds fill up with displays of Europe's latest consumer goods.
Budapest Art Weeks. In celebration of the opening of the fall season, special classical music and dance performances spring up for 3 weeks in all the city's major halls. For information, contact the Hungarian Arts Festivals Federation. The festivals' traditional start is September 25, the day of Béla Bartók's death.
Contemporary Music Weeks, Budapest. Held in conjunction with the Budapest Art Weeks, this 3-week festival features contemporary music performances in all the capital's major halls. |
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