Want to get more out of your holiday in Budapest? Time your trip with one of these fantastic festivals.
As a Budapest airport shuttle driver, I now know the city very well, and it is always a pleasure seeing the delight that my passengers take in this fantastic place. It is on its way to becoming one of Europe’s most exciting and diverse capitals, with handsome architecture, a rich cultural scene and an active nightlife, all playing their part in making Budapest a hugely exciting destination.
Throughout the year, Budapest also hosts a wide range of festivals, from cultural occasions to major music festivals. See if you can make your visit coincide with one of these exciting events…
MOL Budapest Jazz Festival
Jazz fans should make sure they head to Budapest in the middle of September, for a chance to catch the city’s main jazz event. It has only been running for seven years, but with numerous performances from Hungarian and international jazz stars, it is well worth checking this one out.
Museum Festival
Taking place in mid-May, during this festival members of over a hundred museums from all of the country come to the National Museum at the heart of Budapest, staging a series of cultural events over a single weekend, including arts, crafts, music, and folk performances. If you are looking for an insight into Hungarian culture, the Museum Festival is a great place to begin.
Summer on the Chain Bridge
This fun festival takes place entirely on Budapest’s most famous bridge in June and July. On both the Buda and Pest sides of the bridge you will find musicians, tradesmen, and food vendors. The atmosphere is vibrant, the location is great, and best of all, all events are free to attend!
Budapest Spring Festival
The biggest event on Budapest’s cultural calendar, the Spring Festival is a two week extravaganza of art and culture. Hundreds of events take place in venues scattered all over the city, from classical music and ballet to opera and theatre. It won’t be for everyone, but if you have an interest in high art, this is a great time to visit the city.
Sziget
For music lovers of all stripes, this is one you simply can’t miss. Taking place on a large island on the Danube for an entire week in August, this is Europe’s biggest open air music festival. It features well known acts such as Snow Patrol, Lily Allen and the Prodigy on the main stage, but with other stages dedicated to jazz, gypsy, metal, and world music, the range of music on offer is simply superb. You can buy week or individual day tickets, and if you are visiting Budapest in August, make sure you check out the line up at the Sziget Festival – there’s sure to be something that you’ll like.
This is just a selection of the great festivals that are on offer – there are many other smaller events that run throughout the entire year. When you arrive in the city, be sure to ask your Budapest airport shuttle driver what festivals and events are on for the duration of your stay!
Gergely Garami is Budapest airport shuttle driver for Shuttle Direct. They provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.
