April in Budapest

Festivals, Programs, Concerts, Exhibitions

Budapest is most lovely to me at this time of the year when parks, gardens are are all green and flowery.

We have lots of festivals and things to do to choose from. Here is our selection.

Easter Programs, Events, 01 – 02. April 2018

You can choose from a range of activities and programs in and outside the Hungarian capital during spring’s most awaited holiday.

Find more recommendations on Easter Things to Do in Budapest!

Budapest Spring Festival, 30. March – 22. April 2018.

Venue: around 30 locations in the city

The Budapest Spring Festival has grown into Central Europe’s biggest cultural event with more than 100 programs in multiple genres:

One of the the biggest name of the 2017 festival is John Malkovich performing in the Just Call Me God: A dictator’s final speech theatre and music production.

Franz Liszt‘s an Zoltán Kodály’s works will also be in the focus of the nearly 4-week program.

Ticket prices to the programs vary between cc. 1500 HUF – 10.000 HUF (depending on venue and seat category). It’s good to buy tickets well in advance because lots of programs sell out quickly.

See more programs on the event’s official website.

Budapest 100 – Celebration of 100-Year Old Buildings, 21 – 22. April

Location: several venues in the city

The Budapest 100 is a wonderful event devoted to all buildings in the city that turn 100 year old in 2017.

Historic houses otherwise closed to the public welcome everyone around the 100th day of the year.

This year the Danube riverfronts and the bridges will be the main venue of programs.

Programs include:

Budapest Art Week, 17 – 22. April

Venue: various art galleries and museums in Budapest

Tickets: full price: 3 000 HUF, students, seniors: 2 000 HUF, family: (2 adults + max. 3 kids): 8 000 HUF. Note: You’ll receive a wristband with which you can visit all programs during the 6 days.

The Budapest Art Week is a brand new series of programs that aims to inspire and provide guidance to fans of art. It’s part of the Spring Festival listed above.

You can experience the thriving art world of the city in close to 50 art venues: galleries, museums, workshops, community places.

You can go on studio visits, guided gallery tours, museum exhibitions, performances and talks to get an insight into Budapest’s varied art scene.

The 6-day event complements the Spring Festival’s repertoire of classical art programs synchronizing nearly 60 programs to highlight the most significant and current venues of the city’s art world.

The exhibitions can be visited during the opening hours of the venues. For more information on the programs visit the event’s website.

International Book Festival, 19 – 22. April, 2018.

Venue: Millenáris, Kis Rókus u. 16–20., Buda

A 4-day International Book Festival is focusing on literature and books.

This year Orhan Pamuk will be the guest of honour.

The European First Novel Festival is also organized within the Book Fest.

Visit the official website of the event for more details.

Spring Fair at Vörösmarty Square, till 29. April 2018

Address: Vörösmarty tér, city centre, district V. M1 underground stop, M2, M3 lines at Deák tér, tram 2., Vigadó or Széchenyi tér (a short walk from there)

Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs: 10.00 – 21.00, Fri-Sun: 10.00 – 22.00

The square that hosts the city’s popular Christmas market has been given home to a Spring Fair too for a couple of years now.

The event organized by Budapest’s official Tourist Centre is an ideal place to meet and chat with local craftsmen, and artists and buy something unique.

A variety of cultural programs, a wide choice of food and drinks are the additional highlights of the 4-week Budapest Spring & Easter Fair.

Sightseeing, Tours

April is an ideal month to explore the city by walk: pleasant spring weather, warm sunny days, longer daylight hours.

The most scenic parts of the city perfect for a short or longer stroll are:

Giant Ferris Wheel on Erzsébet Square

The Budapest Eye re-opened in mid-March and offers an amazing birds’ eye view of the city from its 42 cabins.

The new attraction is open every day, 10.00 – 24.00, all year.

Explore Green Budapest!

April is also ideal for leisurely strolls in parks, gardens and arboretums.

Here are some tips where to enjoy a bit of green in the city!

Kopaszi Dam & Park

The Kopaszi Dam in southern Buda close to Rákóczi Bridge was turned from a neglected area into local’s favorite park in 2007.

The 10 hectare/24.7 acre landscaped area surrounds Lágymányosi bay and is bordered by the artificial Kopaszi dam south of Rákóczi Bridge.

Great for family outings, picnics, jogging and enjoying a meal or just a drink at one of the terraces (Veranda, le Bistro, Fruska Bistro).

TIP: View our photos taken on a Sunday morning in April.

Find more tips on parks and arboretums in Budapest.

Concerts

Budapest is home to a couple of great concert halls like the

Concert of the Dilemma Ensemble, St. Anne Church

Venue: Church of St. Anne, Buda, Batthyány tér, M2 metro (red line)

Program:

Exhibitions in Museums

The more than 100 museums of Budapest offer exciting exhibits all year round. Here’s our top choice for the month of April:

The Magical Easter Egg – Exhibition in Danube Palace

Date:

Entry: free

An amazing collection of artfully painted Easter Eggs by Ildikó Fekete folk artist.

Eggs made with traditional Hungarain folk motifs demonstrate the skillfulness of people living in the countryside.

For Families with Kids: Magical Ocean – Interactive Exhibition, till 29. April

Address: Városliget, Vajdahunyadvár district XIV.

Open: Tue-Sun : 10.00-17.00, Open on Easter Sunday & Monday

Admission: children ages 3-14 and retirees over 62: 1 450 HUF, adults: 1 650 HUF, families (2 adults +2-3 kids): 5 490 HUF.

Devote at least 1 – 1,5 hours to explore the displays and games.

If you’re in Budapest with children visit the Magical Ocean Exhibition & Game in the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture, housed in Vajdahunyad Castle in City Park.

You’ll enter an imaginary enchanted Ocean world where your courage and skill will be put to test on a mystical adventure.

Hotel Tips for April

We recommend a lovely bohemian boutique hotel in Buda castle with a great restaurant and wine bar, the Baltazar Hotel in Országház utca.

Pick the Lovers package with your room to surprise your loved one with a bottle of champagne, chocolate glazed strawberries and a dessert in one of three cafes of your choice.

Great location in a historic area packed with must-see sights (Matthias Church, Royal Palace with the National Gallery and the History Museum), lots of cafes and fantastic view.

Our other pick is the Hotel Nemzeti MGallery Collection, a 4-star establishment in a historic building on the József körút part Nagykörút.

The hotel belongs to the MGallery division of the Accor group, known for unique hotel all around the world highlighting local architectural and cultural characteristics.

The 80-room hotel offers modern, eclectic design combined with21-st century amenities.

Highlights are

An ideal choice if you look to stay at a place that offers something unique in a city!

Thermal Baths – Relax and Heal

Baths in Budapest are a wonderful source of recreation, healing and historic ambience.

You can admire the architecture and enjoy the hot pools in baths from the era of Ottoman occupation (15-17. centuries): the Király Bath and the Rudas Bath.

Or you can have a great time and soak up he grandeur of two more recent spas: the Gellért in Buda and the Széchenyi in Pest.

More Program & Activity Tips

Easter in Budapest – May Day Programs – More May Events, Programs – Gourmet Festival in Buda – Budapest Summer Festival – Top Summer Things To Do – Budapest in June