Top Tips
The Sziget Festival in August
Organised on a huge island between Buda and Pest, the Sziget Festival is the clearest example of a festival that only Budapest can offer. Launched in the early 1990s as an alternative rock festival, it gradually evolved into an annual world-class mega-event, and since then its appeal has been enhanced by the addition of world music and opera, and non-musical events from extreme sports to civil rights and green education. Part of its success is due to the fact that it takes place on an island, and you have to cross a bridge to enter. Hardcore fans spend the night in tents on the island, while others visit it in the evening, staying until at least 2 a.m. Many arrive and leave by boat.
Show map
Address: III. Hajógyári sziget
Web: http://www.sziget.hu/fesztival/?language=en
20th August
This popular holiday is St. Stephen’s Day, in honour of the founder of the Hungarian state. It is a traditional public holiday, with fireworks, free public concerts, and a crafts fair in the Castle District. A new attraction is the ‘Red Bull Air Race’ over the Danube. This is not simply about speed, but also precision and skill. Do not miss the spectacular fireworks show on the Danube and Gellért Hill – make sure you arrive in time to get a good view!
Authentic Hungarian traditions
Learn more about Hungarian traditions and dance culture by visiting the National Dance Theatre in Buda Castle, for prestige performances from ballet to folk and contemporary shows. If you prefer to familiarise yourself with the traditional music and dance of different regions, buy a ticket for the Duna Palota (Danube Palace), close to the Basilica. And if you are prepared to try the moves yourself, visit the ‘House of Traditions’ in Buda, for authentic Hungarian dance evenings, with lessons for young and old.
‘House of Traditions’ (Corvin tér 8, District I: www.hagyomanyokhaza.hu)
Duna Palota (Zrínyi u. 5, District V: www.hungariakoncert.hu)
Nemzeti Táncszínház / National Dance Theatre (Színház u. 1-3, District I: www.dancetheatre.hu)
This institution is a member of the Cultural Budapest Group: www.culturalbudapest.com
Morning concerts
...at the old music academy. The first purpose-built home of higher music education in Budapest was completed in 1879. Its founder, Franz Liszt, also had his home here, and this is now a lovely museum. This is a venue for free Saturday morning concerts at 11. a.m., and is now part of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, the main building of which is in Liszt Ferenc Square: in the ‘new’ music academy, completed in 1907. (Vörösmarty utca 35, District VI)
This institution is a member of the Cultural Budapest Group: www.culturalbudapest.com
Tűzraktér
This independent cultural centre – which is rather a space – is a great favourite: it hosts programmes, provided they supply their own budgets. Theatre performances, exhibitions, concerts, lectures and a pleasant bar area. This is its second venue, a former school building just two minutes from Liszt Ferenc Square and its cafés.
Show map
Address: VI. Hegedű utca 3.
Web: http://www.tuzrakter.hu
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