Where should you go in August? We are placing all our bets on Hungary! Hungary is August bustling with activities, including the National Hungary Day on August 20. This enchanting land, steeped in history and cultural heritage, comes alive with a captivating lineup events and festivals.
From the world-renowned Sziget Festival, for music aficionados, to the Budapest Festival of Folk Arts, a celebration of Hungarian traditions and flavors, there's something for everyone. Sports enthusiasts can witness the World Athletics Championships, while foodies can indulge in Hungarian delicacies at the Street of Hungarian Flavours. With wine weeks, beer festivals, and even pool parties, book your tickets, set your GPS to Budapest!
1. Sziget Festival
Date: August 10-15
Location: Óbuda Island, Budapest
Billie Eilish, Imagine Dragons, Lorde, David Guetta, Macklemore, Mumford & Sons, NIall HOran, Bonobo, Diplo, M83 and plenty more, at the Sziget Festival, one of Europe's largest music festivals. With a diverse lineup of over 1,000 artists from around the world, head here if you like music be it rock and pop or electronic and world music. While the six-day extravaganza promises an unforgettable musical journey on the scenic Óbuda Island, pick your tented accommodation at the camping locations. There’s also a not-so-secret party at The Fisherman's Bastion, in the Buda Castle, a neo-Romanesque complex of buildings. Don’t miss that one out if you really want to go all out!
2. Budapest Festival of Folk Arts
Date: August 18-20
Location: Buda Castle, Budapest
A celebration of Hungarian Culture, this one’s is perfect for locals and tourists alike. The annual festival takes place in the historic Royal Buda Castle District, and features traditional crafts, music, dance, and theater from all over the country. Attend workshops to learn how to make traditional Hungarian crafts like woodcarving, pottery, and lacemaking. You can also buy the finished products from the Folk Art Market. On stage, you'll see performances by traditional dance and music groups from all over Hungary. There will also be farce acts, street theater, puppet theater productions, and kiddie programs. And of course, no festival would be complete without traditional food, so you can also enjoy Hungarian delicacies like goulash, langos, and chimney cake.
3. World Athletics Championships
Date: August 19-27
Location: Budapest
A far cry from the beers, music and cultural festival is the World Athletics Championships. And this year, the world's top track and field athletes will be in action in Budapest for the first time. For the 100m men's running, Marcell Jacobs is a favourite with Fred Kerley from the US right on his tail. Botswana's Letsile Tebgo might be the dark horse. In the women’s triple jump final, Yulimar Rojas will have the opportunity to break her own world record. The Jamaican women's 4x100m team, likely made up of trio of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shericka Jackson, will hope to beat out long-term rivals, USA, while for the men, Italy is a favorite to beat USA. Then there’s always the colourful Sha'Carri Richardson to look forward to! Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, who made history for India with his victory in Tokyo, will try to take top spot in the javelin throw, another unpredictable sport. Other events include pole vaulting, long jump, hammer throw and hurdles.
4. Budapest Beer Festival
Date: August 25-27
Location: Heroes' Square, Budapest
Raise your glass to Hungary's beer culture at the Budapest Beer Festival. With a staggering selection of over 400 beers from across the country, this festival is a beer lover's paradise, offering the chance to savor some of Hungary's finest brews from lagers and ales to stouts and porters. In addition to the beer, there will also be food, live music, and other entertainment. There are also a number of food trucks at the festival, so you can find something to suit your taste. The Budapest Beer Festival happens at the Heroes' Square in Budapest, which is easily accessible by public transportation. You can take the metro to the Hősök tere station or the tram to the Deák Ferenc tér station.
5. Csárdafesztivál
Date: August 18-21
Location: Vörösmarty Square, Budapest
The Csárdafesztivál is an annual event that takes place in Vörösmarty Square in Budapest, Hungary. The festival features traditional Hungarian traditional dishes like goulash, langos, and chimney cake. And from various parts of the country since the festival celebrates inns and taverns from across Hungary. Time to drink palinka, tokaji, and beer while there too. And what's a festival without music! Check out all the bands playing popular and folk music to dance the night away.
6. Street of Hungarian Flavours
Date: August 19-21
Location: Várkert Bazaar to Döbrentei Square, Budapest
What better way to explore a country than by its food? Go on a gastronomic journey through Hungary's culinary delights at the Street of Hungarian Flavours. The festival is the biggest gastronomy event in Budapest – apart from the Christmas Fairs at Vörösmarty tér and the Basilica. Sample traditional food like goulash, mutton stew karcag-style, stuffed cabbage-szatmár style, and sausage flavored with ginger, drinks, and pastries along the gastro promenade, savoring the essence of Hungarian cuisine. Visitors can sample traditional local delicacies including the Nation’s Cake (Huncut Szilva Herceg), and the 3 winners of the Bread Baking Contest!
7. Food Truck Show And Concerts
Date: August 18-20
Location: Liberty Square, Budapest
Treat your taste buds to a delightful fusion of food and music at the Food Truck Show And Concerts. There’s a wide spread of delectable dishes from food trucks to choose from while grooving to live music in the heart of Budapest. You’ll find food trucks serving everything from Hungarian classics like goulash and langos to international dishes like tacos and sushi. The live music stage features a variety of genres, from rock and pop to electronic and world music. There are also a number of other activities at the festival, such as a beer garden, a kid's zone, and a silent disco.
8. Romantic Reform Era
Date: August 18-20
Location: Various locations, Budapest
Travel back in time and celebrate Hungary's Romantic Reform Era, a period of cultural and artistic flourishing. The festival celebrates this era by bringing together concerts, theater performances, and art exhibitions that pay homage to the great works of art and literature that were created during this time. It takes place in various locations in Budapest, including the Hungarian National Gallery, the Liszt Academy, and the Hungarian Parliament Building.
9. Paprika Festival
Date: August 12-14
Location: Szeged
Delve into the sizzling world of Hungarian paprika, an essential spice in Hungarian cuisine, at the Paprika Festival in Szeged. Engage in tastings, cooking demonstrations, and other events celebrating this beloved ingredient. There is a wide variety of paprika products to buy, from paprika powder to paprika-infused vodka! Did you know that the paprika-eating contest is a lot of fun and the winner gets a year's supply of paprika?
10. Badacsony Wine Weeks
Date: August 1-31
Location: Badacsony, Hungary
Wine enthusiasts can't miss the Badacsony Wine Weeks, celebrating the wines of the picturesque Badacsony region, which is known for its volcanic terroir and its unique sweet wines. Savor exquisite wine tastings, indulge in wine tours amidst the region's vineyards, and appreciate the art of winemaking. There are over 100 wineries participating in the festival, so there is a wide variety of wines to try!
11. Sparty Budapest
Date: Every Saturday
Location: Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Budapest
Ever wanted to party in a grand pool (think Thermal!) with some great music and have a blast? Well, this is just the place for you to be! Head to Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Budapest’s most beautiful bath complex where you get the best of both worlds: modern electronic dance music with mind-blowing visuals while partying in pools. The magic takes place every Saturday throughout the year.
