Budapest

January

• New Year's Day Concert: A programme of classics from some of the world's greatest composers – including Liszt, Bizet, Strauss and Kodály – performed in the magical setting of the Hungarian State Opera House.
  

March

• Budapest Spring Festival: This parade of music offers a glimpse of the city's cultural diversity. The festival celebrates many different cultural styles, with exhibitions and performances of classic opera, operetta, ballet, classical music, folk programmes and more.
  

June

• Budapest Equestrian Summer Festival: A programme, held on Hajógyár Island, showcasing the best of Hungarian equestrians as well as performers from other countries.
  
• Night of the Museums: Have a sleepover with history; spend the night at Budapest's museums and find out if museums really do come to life after hours. Museums open their doors to visitors until 2:30 am for this annual event.
  

July - August

• Budapest Summer Opera and Ballet Festival: The State Opera House hosts the BudaFest Summer Opera and Ballet Festival in early August, featuring internationally known Hungarian and foreign artists, opera singers and ballet dancers.

• Budapest Parade: This street carnival, held at the end of the summer, features a procession through one of the most beautiful routes in the capital – Szechenyi tér (Szechenyi Square) and Hősök tere (Heroes' Square).

• Festival of Folk Arts: An event in the Buda Castle that gives visitors an introduction to folk art and crafts from different regions of Hungary.

• Formula One: Speed fans will enjoy the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix, held every August at Hungaroring.

• Foundation of the State and Constitution Day: As part of the celebrations, a large-scale fireworks display is held in Budapest. All are welcome to enjoy the crafts fair and concerts held along the Pest side of the Danube embankment.

• Pepsi Island Multicultural Youth Festival: Thousands of young people move out to a deserted shipyard island (Hajógyári sziget) for a week to participate in a giant pop festival better known as Pepsi Island. Pepsi Island has grown into the largest concert festival in central Europe.

August

• Beer Festival: A real, traditional beer festivity will take place in the Royal Palace of Budapest, taste hundreds of perfect beverages.

August - September

• Jewish Summer Festival: This annual event showcases concerts, film festivals, Book Week, Gastronomy Days and exhibitions.
  

September

• Palinka and Sausage Festival: More than twenty pálinka (a type of Hungarian brandy) distillers and renowned sausage makers participate at this unique and very Hungarian gastronomic event, held annually in one of the most beautiful spots in Budapest, Castle Hill. The festival offers a combination of the best in pálinka, great food and entertainment. Visitors to the festival will have an opportunity to be the first to taste this year’s new pálinka distillates.
• National Gallop is an annual cultural event celebrating Hungarian equestrian traditions. It's a horse race reviving Hungarian military history and the famous 'hussar' culture. The center of the event is a national horse race, a spectacular show, where Hungary's towns and villages prove their horse riding skills.
  
• FalkArt Forum: Located between Parliament and Margaret bridge, the famous antique row awaits you with spectacular exhibitions, stage performances and culinary delicacies! This bi-annual event makes a neighbourhood that attracts art collectors all year round accessible to a wider public.
  

September - October

• Budafok Champagne and Wine Festival: Budafok's fame rests on the Hungarian Törley Champagne Factory. Several of the wine cellars in the area can be visited. The programme is spiced up with folk dance performances.

• Budapest International Wine and Champagne Festival: The festival presents famous Hungarian wine specialties and wine regions.
  

December

• Budapest Christmas Fair: Christmas fairs are held in several parts of the city during December; perhaps the best can be found at Vörösmarty Square. Museums evoke the folk traditions related to Christmas, and fairs sell a variety of applied artwork. Advent concerts are held in Matthias Church.

• Gala Concert of the Gypsy Orchestra: Held in the Budapest Congress Centre, the gala concert of this 100-member orchestra is a must for all who appreciate traditional folk music. Hungarian cuisine and wines round out the pre-New Year festivities.

• Europe New Year's Eve Gala and Ball in the Opera House: Guest stars from abroad join artists from the Hungarian State Opera House in this gala concert, staged in one of Europe's most magnificent buildings. Revellers then enjoy a banquet and dancing until dawn, to bring in the New Year.

Whether you need to know local public holidays or highlights through the seasons, we hope you will find the facts gathered below useful tools for your travel planning. Please feel free to contact us if we can assist you further.