Budapest Events
Budapest Farewell Festival on the Budapest Hajógyári Island on the weekend of June 26-27th. Among the programs there are reproductions of fighting on horseback as our ancestors did it around the year 1000 when they arrived to the Carpathian Basin, world famous wrangler features presenting the traditions of the Hungarian 'puszta', handicraft fairs and western shows. www.festivalcity.hu/english
WOMUFE (World Music Festival)
July
This ever-changing program of cultural music brings together creative and innovative artists from all over the world. The list of attendants is usually released in April.
Island festival (August 4-11)
Thousands of young people move out to a deserted shipyard island (Hajógyári sziget) in tents for a week to participate in a giant pop festival better known as Pepsi Island. Pepsi Island has since grown into the largest concert festival in Central Europe. www.sziget.hu/festival_english
Formula-1 (August 13-15)
Pepsi Sziget (Island) Festival
Mid August
This fesitival was first held in 1993, with over 40,000 people attending the week of music and entertainment. Pepsi and MTV have teamed up to present the hottest groups, such as David Bowie, the Asian Dub Foundation, Goldie, Chumbawumba and the Prodigy. In 1999, 170,000 people attended the event. For further information contact: Óbudai-sziget Sziget Kulturális Menedzseriroda Kft, ('Island' Cultural Management Office Co.), 1117 Budapest, Orlay u. 5-7, Tel: (36-1) 372-0650.
Budafest Summer Opera and Ballet Festival
August
Budapest traditionally holds its concert season between September and June, but August is the best time to see some world-class opera and ballet during Budafest. Both Hungarian and foreign acts converge in the Opera Houseto perform for locals and tourists holding insanely low-priced tickets. For further information contact: V.I.P. ARTS Management, 1065 Budapest, Hajós u. 13-15, Tel: (36-1) 302-4290
St. Stephen's Day
20 August
Magyars celebrate their patron saint (Szent István), who was coronated on this day in 1000AD, thereby establishing the Magyar State. The city hosts numerous events, including folk dancing on Castle Hill, and a fireworks display on Gellért Hill.
Festival of Folk Arts (August 20-23)
An event around August 20 in the Buda Castle giving the visitor an introduction to folk art and crafts from different regions of Hungary. (e-mail us destinations AT destinations-info DOT COM for more info. Just replace the words with the correct symbols. It is to battle spam).
Foundation of state (August 20)
As part of the celebrations a large-scale fireworks display is held in Budapest. All are welcome to join the crafts fair and concerts held along the Pest side of the Danube Embankment in the days before and after the festivities.
Budapest Parade (28th of August)
The most significant hungarian street-party, last year 600 thousand people were partying along the Andrássy street and the Felvonulási square. This year the event tries to make up something for the cancelled Berlin Love Parade. The procession convoy goes through one of the most beautiful route of the capital between Roosevelt tér (Roosevelt Square) and Hosök tere (Hero's Square).
Jewish Summer Festival (August 31 – September 7)
Jewish Summer Festival organized late August - early September featuring concerts, film festivals, Book Week, Gastronomy Days and exhibitions.
18th Nike Budapest International Half Marathon
(August 31st)
It is the eighteenth time in 2003 that the Budapest Sports Office (Budapesti Sportiroda) organises the most popular international half-marathon competition of Central-Eastern Europe.
The organisers expect 4-5000 participants to come to the event. The route of the race goes through the most beautiful parts of Budapest. (www.budapestmarathon.hu.)
Budapest International Wine and Champagne Festival (September 6-16)
The International Wine Festival presents famous Hungarian wine specialities and wine regions.
18th Kaiser's Budapest International Marathon and Running Festival (September 28)
The race is held within the frame of a grandiose festival. Besides the classic marathon distance (42 km), a marathon relay race (8 km, 13 km, 21 km), a mini-marathon (8 km) as well as a family running competition (800 m) await the participants. Concerts and other attractions ensure the entertainment of the spectators all day long. The route of the marathon race goes along both banks of the Danube, across the most beautiful bridges of the town, showing the remarkable tourist sights of Budapest.
Budapest Autumn Festival (October 17 – November 2)
Festival recommended to friends of contemporary art. Programmes include dance, theatre performances, films, photograph expositions, computer art, etc. (www.festivalcity.hu )
Budapest Christmas Fair (November 28 – December 24)