Programs, Activity Recommendations
August in Budapest offers the richest selection of events, festivals and other programs in Budapest.
The main event of the month is St. Stephen’s Day, on August 20.
It’s Hungary’s grandest National Holiday that ends with an amazing fireworks show at 21.00.
Table of Contents – August in Budapest
- 🌞 Weather in August
- 🛴 Danube Embankment Programs (RAKPART-24)
- WAMP Design Fair, Aug 11
- Sziget Festival, Aug 05-10
- TIP: 🍕🚢 Danube Cruise + Pizza + Drinks
- St. Stephen’s Day (Aug 20) Programs
- Folk Art Festival, Buda Castle, Aug 17-20
- 🍺 Craft Beer Festival, Óbuda, Aug 25-27
- 🍾 Wine & Champagne Festival, Downtown BP, Aug 27-Sept 01
🌞 Weather In August – Hot & Sunny
August tends to be scorching hot and dry in the last month of summer.
There are heat waves with no clouds and rain in sight, so do bring your
- Sunglasses,
- Summer cap,
- Sunscreen and
- Comfy, light clothes and shoes.
Plan your program to avoid the hottest hours on the midday sun, or if you do have to be outside, take frequent rests and have a bottle of water with you.
It’s not rare in August that intense storms with strong winds interrupt the hot spells making the air very humid afterwards.
🍕🍺 Pizza On the Danube + Drinks
TIP: We’ve been on a Street Food (Pizza/Lángos) cruise in Budapest and were able to see all the major bridges, including the Chain Bridge up close.
Highly recommended program!
Why Go On A Pizza / Drinks Cruise?
✅ Comfortable way to see all the famous landmarks on the riverbanks and the picturesque, UNESCO World Heritage protected city scape
✅ Have pizza choose from 5 types (from salami, to 4-Cheese, there’s even Hawaii) – true it’s not the best pizza in the world but it’s Ok.. If you have kids with you they will appreciat it and keep them happy
✅ Drink to your hearts content – it’s summer, the sun is shining, it’s scorching hot outside – you’re on vacation – why not have a couple of beers, prosecco or wine?
Note: Soft drinks, coffee tea are also available if you aren’t abooze drinker.
✅ Several departure times per day, between 17.00 and 21.00/22.15 – you can do a nighttime Danube tour or enjoy the sunset in the evening and appreciate the different faces of Budapest.
✅ Affordable for a 80-minute boat excursion – daytime cruise costs 42 EUR, most night cruises cost 46 EUR – not a bad price for a pizza and all-you can drink thing.
🏖 Danube Embankment Programs – RAKPART~2024
On weekends till September there will be no car traffic on the section of the lower embankment in Pest, between the Chain Bridge (Lánchíd) and Elizabeth Bridge (Erzsébet híd), specifically on Jane Haining rakpart (view on Google Map), during weekends.
RAKPART~2024 is about the community and our river, the Danube.
This stretch of the riverbank turns into vibrant public area with exciting programs ranging from
- Concerts,
- Movie screenings,
- Yoga (every Saturday & Sunday at 08.00-09.00), to
- Dancing,
- Art & craft fair,
- Exhibitions,
- Workshops and more.
Viadukt Bar & Exhibition Centre – Festival, July 26 – August 15
A short section – between Elizabeth Bridge and Eötvös Square – of the embankment in Pest will be closed for car traffic not only on the weekends but weekdays till August 15.
A whole festival will entertain visitors during this time organised by the Viadukt Bar.
Drop by Viadukt Bar, the art & gastro centre of the RAKPART 24 program series (Jane Haining Rakpart, Budapest, Hungary, 1052) for a cold drink and a range of activities and programs.
It’s located in the arcades under the tram tracks.
A popular reasturant operated here more than 100 years ago so the place oozes history.
Viadukt also hosts a colourful array of programs including exhibitions and concerts, so defineitely walk in if you happended to be strolling along the Danube Promenade.
WAMP Design Fair In Várkert Bazaar & Gardens, August 11, 2024
Don’t miss WAMP, the local design festival that happens at least once a month on a Sunday all year round. Entry is FREE.
Venue/Getting There:
- Várkert Bazár/Castle Bazaar& Renaissance Gardens, Ybl Miklós tér 2-6. (See on Map)
- Getting There:
Why Go, What To Expect?
It’s a great place to learn about the creations of young Hungarian designers and craftsmen, giving you a chance to discover Hungarian fashion and find unique gifts.
Besides viewing and shopping all things design, you can enjoy good food and drinks, relax at a workshop or just wander around at the scenic venue.
TIP: While there, take your time to explore Várkert Bazaar, the beautiful palaces that host exhibitions. See more below.
👯♀️ Sziget Festival, August 05-10, 2024
One of Europe’s most popular outdoor pop-rock music festival takes place on an island in the Danube (hence the name: Sziget which means island).
The week-long Sziget Festival on Hajógyári-sziget brings an impressive line of international and local performers each year.
Besides concerts all sorts programs and activities await visitors of all ages.
Find out more about the programs of the Sziget Festival in 2024!
✨ Fireworks Show & Cruise With Dinner, August 20.
Date & Time:
- 20. August/Tuesday, 19.00 – 21.00
Location:
- Banks of the Danube Between Petőfi Bridge & Margit Bridge
The spectacular fireworks that ends the St. Stephen’s Day festivities in Budapest will be launched from ships on the Danube between Petőfi and Margaret Bridges and the Gellért Hill on August 20. at 9 pm.
Drone and light show, visual painting on the facade of the National Gallery and the Parliament enhance the whole display.
Enjoy the show is from the deck of a cruise boat, along with a splendid dinner, snacks or just drink(s).
Prices: 55 EUR – 249 EUR (Likely To Sell Out!)
What’s Included?
- A cruise on the Danube,
- Depending which program you choose: drinks, snacks, dinner or just watching the show
- Watching the fireworks from one of the best possible viewing points
Book Your Place For The Fireworks Cruise, No-Risk, Free Cancellation
St Stephen’s Day Fireworks Cruise Cocktails (3 / person)
Cruise Starts: 18.30
Duration: 210 min.
Price: €109
Fireworks Cruise with Buffet Dinner & Unlimited Drinks
Cruise Starts: 19.00
Duration: 180 min.
Price: From €179
Fireworks Cruise with 4-Course Dinner
Cruise Starts: 18.00
Duration: 270 min.
Price: From €190
🎆 St. Stephen’s Day Festivities, August 18 – 20., 2024
We pay honor to our first King, St. Stephen (cc. 970-980 – 1038.) who formed a stable Christian Kingdom of Hungary out of the seven nomadic tribes arriving in the Carpathian basin at the end of the IX. century.
It is also the holiday of the new bread baked from the newly harvested wheat and rye, as well as a thanksgiving for good harvest.
It is a sort of closing celebration of summer helping everyone to prepare in mind for the coming of autumn and the new school year.
The holiday ends with spectacular fireworks over the Danube and the bridges that you can enjoy from the open deck of a cruise ship.
This year the display will be even more impressive than in previous years the close to 40 000 fireworks and pyrotechnique effefcts will be launched between Margaret and Petőfi bridges on a 4.5 km long stretch from
- 65 pontoons,
- 7 barges and
- two bridges: the Elizabeth and Liberty
Quick TIP: If you wander around the city centre: Vörösmarty Square, Liberty Square, Szent István Square/Basilica, Vigadó Square, and the banks of the Danube you will definitely bump into a festival, concert or other program that catches your interest over the 3 days of the festivities.
Programs During The 3 Days Include:
- State ceremonies on Kossuth tér in front of the Parliament building, 8.00 – 9.15
- Air Show over the Danube in front of the Parliament starting at 09.00 – 10.00
- Festival Of Folk Arts in Buda Castle offers craft fair, folk dance and music, children activities, food and drinsk, 17 – 20. August
- Csárdafesztivál/Festival of Inns/Taverns On Vörösmarty Square, 18 – 20. August,
- Street of Hungarian Flavours August 18 – 20.: Gastro promenade between Várkert Bazaar and Döbrentei Square in Buda, starts at 10.00 on 18. August. Here you can taste and buy traditional local food, Hungary’s Cake and bread, as well as other bakery goods.
- Food Truck Show & Concerts – Liberty Square/Szabadság tér, 18 – 20. August.
- Blessing of the new bread at cc. 15.00 at the Statue of St. Stephen in Buda Castle (Part of the Folk Art Festival)
- Holy Mass and the procession of Saint Stephen’s alleged holy right hand at St. Stephen’s Basilica starting at 17.00,
- An impressive fireworks show that you can watch from the Danube.
👉 See detailed program on 17 – 20. August 2024 here!
💃 🎵 Festival of Folk Arts, Buda Castle, August 17 – 20., 2024
Admission:
- FREE for everyone
Opening Hours:
- 10.00 – 23.00,
- except on 20. August: 10.00 – 21.00 (the folk art fair is open between 10.00 – 21.00 each day)
The 4-day festival is organised each year in the courtyards of the Royal Palace on Buda Castle Hill.
An ideal program for families because the festival offers a couple of great activities for children of all ages:
- Folk dance and music performances and
- Craft fair
- Folk art workshops,
- Kids’ programs: puppet show, toys and games, craft workshops
TIP: There is also a folk art market where you can buy quality products (ceramics, glass, wood, leather, and enameled artifacts).
At the Folk Pub you can chill and relax with a cool drink and tasty food while enjoying the melodies and dance performances.
Concerts, culinary delights, a harvest process round up the event that is tightly connected to St. Stephen’s day on 20. August.
👉 See detailed programs on our Folk Art Festival in Buda Castle page or visit the organiser’s website.
🍺 Craft Beer Festival In Óbuda, August 23 – 25
Location/Getting There:
- Óbuda, Fő tér/Main Square (view on Google Map)
- Getting There:
- Trams 4, 6 to Margit híd Buda Bridgehead, then take H5 local railway (HÉV) to Szentlélek tér (3 stops, 6 min), walk cc. 250 m till Fő tér
- Tram 1 also has a stop at Szentlélek tér in Óbuda, from there walk 250 m to Fő tér/Main Sqr.
The craft beer festival is a good reason for you to visit Óbuda, the III. District of Budapest.
The charming Main Square hosts the festival where you can taste the best of Hungarian carft brews along with quality street food by Food Truck Show.
Concerts in the evening ensure that you’ll have a great time especially after a couple of mugs of local beer.
Entry is FREE.
🍾 Wine & Champagne Festival, Downtown Budapest, Aug 27 – Sept 01, 2024
Summer’s biggest wine event will take place in the city center between August 27th – September 1st at one of the most beautiful locations in Budapest, Szabadság Square.
The best wineries and champagne houses in Hungary will be there for 6 days so this an excellent opportunity to sample local wines and food at one place.
Location:
- Szabadság tér/Liberty Square, Budapest 1054 (View on Map)
Tickets:
- Entry is free to the festival, but to taste wines you have to by a festival glass, the price of which is 3 499 HUF or 4 999 HUF.
👉 Find out more about the Downtown Wine and Champagne Festival in Budapest 2024!
🏊♀️ Gellért Thermal Bath – Outdoor Pools In The City Centre
The open-air pools of this magnificent, historic spa are an ideal place to relax at on a sultry August day.
There are two pools:
- A larger one with wave function and a
- Smaller one a level above the wave pool with some neck and back massaging jets.
You can also try the pools inside (children under 14 are not allowed to visit the thermal scetions).
TIP: If you go early enough in the morning you will avoid the crowd and the hottest hours of the day.
After splashing and sunbathing do look around inside the bath.
It boasts great turn-of-the-19th-20th century architecture with beautiful stained glass windows and mosaics.
👉 Find out more on the history of Gellért Bath and pools, services available!
Location/Address:
- Kelenhegyi út 4., district XI., Buda, at the bridgehead of the Szabadság Bridge, at the foot of Gellért Hill
Getting There:
The bath is easily accessible either on foot or using public transport. It’s centrally located in Buda, next to the Liberty Bridge and Gellért Hill, also must-see attractions of the city.
- M4 (green) metro,
- Trams 47, 49, (from Deák Ferenc tér metro hub in Pest), get off at Gellért tér stop, or
- Trams 19, 48, 49, 56, 56A also ahve a stop at Gellért Bath
- Buses 7, 133
Opening Hours:
- Every day 09.00 – 19.00
- Pools close at 18.45
- Casheir closes at 18.00
Tickets:
- Weekdays: 7 100 HUF (cc. 18 EUR, use of locker is included)
- Weekends/Holidays: 7 600 HUF (cc. 19 EUR, use of locker is included)
TIP: The hot August weather is ideal for visiting other famous Budapest Baths (Széchenyi, Veli Bej), especially the outdoor pools, like the Palatinus or the only bathing spot in the Danube at the Római -part Beach in Óbuda (north Buda).
👉 Read also our Tips on How to Beat the Heat in Budapest.
Attractions Not To Miss In August, Unique Tour Tips
Várkert Bazaar – Guided Tours
- Location: Ybl Miklós tér, district I., between the Chain Bridge and Elizabeth Bridge
- Getting There:
Opening hours:
- Exhibitions are open Tuesday – Sunday: 10.00 – 17.00
What To Do At Várkert Bazar?
The refurbished Castle Bazaar & Royal Gardens (Várkert Bazár), historical building complex designed by Miklós Ybl, was inaugurated a few years ago
Explore the beautifully restored arcaded buildings and promenade to enjoy
- A fine view of the Danube and the Pest side,
- The green peacefulness of a neo-Renaissance garden on 5000 sqm,
- Exhibitions on various topics
- Shops,
- Cafes, bistros and an
The underground event hall usually offers great program for a summer afternoon.
There’s an escalator that takes you up almost to the Royal Palace (you have to walk a bit to get there).
The southern palaces regularly host exhibitions usually on Hungarian historical topic.
TIP: We’ve already recommended a fantastic program here in Várkert, the WAMP Design Fair on August 11, Sunday. The place hosts another awesome event, the Street Of Hungarian Flavours gastronomy festival between August 18 – 20.
Guided Tour Tip:
You can visit the palaces and gardens on a 90-minute guided tour, titled Buda Castle Highlights. Expert guides will tell you about the 800-year history and construction of the Royal Castle and other parts of Buda Castle
During the walk you will also get a glimpse into the history beautiful neo-Renaissance garden.
Price: 6000 HUF/prs.
Tours depart from Savoyai 1014 Budapest, Buda Castle, Savoy Terrace
Registration is required at the (+36 ) 30 -198 5274 mobile number. Tickets can be bought at the Ticket office in the Testőrpalota/ Guards’ Palace/(Ybl Miklós tér 2., distr. I.).
See more at the official website.
🎷 Summer Mini Concerts At The Parliament
Location: Kossuth Square, In front of the Parliament Building
Getting there: trams 2, 2B, 23, M2 metro (red line)
The impressive Parliament building provides a backdrop for free mini concerts on Kossuth Square every thursday starting at 17.00/5 pm.
Performances by various bands range from classical music, swing, to jazz and acoustic pop music.
Concert Dates & Time:
- August 03 – Capriccio String Quartet and Nándor Götz (saxophone),
- August 10 – Szabó Henrik Quartet,
- August 24 – Woodwind Quartet,
- August 31 – Concert of the Finance Guard Band (Magyar Pénzügyőr Zenekar.
Concerts start at 17.00/5 pm. All concerts are free.
Locations & Schedule – 5 Budapest Venues
- Castle Bazaar & Garden, Gloriett, Brass in Hussar Uniforms (Handel, Carpantier, Purcell), Sundays at 17.00
- Buda Castle, Csikós Udvar (Csikós Courtyard), Brass in Hussar Uniforms (Handel, Carpantier, Purcell), Sundays at 18.00
- Hungarian National Museum – Con Fuoco Clarinet Quartet and András Káldi Kiss opera singer, Saturdays at 11.00 and 11.30
- Museum Of Fine Arts – Leggiero Saxophone Quartet, Sundays at 11.00 and 11.30.
- Margaret Island, Musical Fountain (Northern tip)
The Hungarian capital deserves to be called “The City of Music” besides other nicknames such as the “Pearl of the Danube” or the “City of Healing Waters”.
This summer you can listen too mini concerts for free at various locations:
For example in Castle Bazaar at 17.00 then in Buda Castle at 18.00 on Sundays you can enjoy Brass in Hussar Uniforms (Handel, Carpantier, Purcell). Take tram 19 to get there.
Concerts last cc. 15-20 minutes and are performed by musicians of Budapest’s prestigious orchestras.
👉 More info on the free summer concerts in 2024!
Concerts in Matthias Church
The Church of Our Lady in Buda Castle (better known as Matthias Church) gives home to wonderful classical music performances played by orchestras from around the world.
The repertoire includes classical pieces ranging from Gregorian, Baroque to spiritual music and contemporary church works.
Tickets To The Concert
Prices depend on seat category.
- Category A tickets price (right behind the VIP seats): 42 EUR
- Category B tickets price: 34 EUR
- VIP tickets (at the best spot for the best experience): 50 EUR.
Free cancellation if something comes up and you aren’t able to attend the program.
Concerts In St Stephen’s Basilica
The largest church of Budapest located right in its heart has perfect acoustics for classical concerts.
Take the opportunity to listen to a 70-minute organ recital whitin the walls of this stunning neo-classical building.
Program Of The Concert:
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791): Fantasie in F minor K 506
- Alessandro Stradella (1639-1682): Pietà Signore
- Tomaso Albinoni (1671-1751): Adagio
- Liszt Ferenc (1811-1886) – Camille Saint-Saёns (1835-1921): Legend in A major (St. Francis of Assisi’s Sermon to the Birds)
- Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901): Prayer of Fiesco from opera Simone Boccanegra
- Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750): Polonaise, Minuet and Badinerie from Suite in B minor BWV 1067
- Johann Sebastian Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565
🎻 Concert of the 100-Member Gypsy Orchestra, August 19, 2024
The legendary 100-Member Gypsy Orchestra will geive a festive gala concert on te Open-Air Stage of Margaret Island on August 19 a spart of the St. Stephen Day programs.
They play a unique blend of classical and folk music that you can enjoy now in Budapest.
Tickets are between 5 900 HUF and 18 900 HUF.
Museum Exhibits in August – Last Chance To See The Van Gogh Exhibition
The more than 100 museums and exhibition halls of Budapest always offer some exciting exhibits.
Van Gogh Budapest – The Immersive Experience, Feb 02 – Sept 01, 2024
The globally acclaimed Van Gogh – The Immersive Experience, a 360-degree multimedia art installation is in Budapest till September 01, 2024.
Using the latest visual techniques, the exhibition helps visitors to immerse into the unparalleled world of Van Gogh.
If you happen to be in our city and haven’t seen the exhibition then this is a great opportunity to learn why visitors worldwide, from Seoul to Los Angeles, from London to Berlin, are captivated by this super production.
Address:
- BOK Sportcsarnok/BOK Sports & Conference Center, Budapest, Dózsa György út 1, 1146 (See on Map)
- Getting there: use M2 metro (red line) to Puskás Ferenc Stadium station, from there the xhibition venue is a 2-min walk
Opening Hours:
- Monday – Sunday: 10.00 – 19.00 (last entry at 18.00)
Tickets:
- Ticket prices differ on weekdays and weekends and whether you go between 10.00 – 14.00 or 14.00 and 19.00. Prices are in the range of 6 000 – 7 500 HUF.
More info and ticket prices on the event’s official website.
Cafe-Pub-Restaurant TIP
Budapest is chock full of restaurants, cafes bars and pubs. Here are our picks to try in August.
Budapest Baristas
Address: Múzeum krt. 15.
Open:
- Mon – Fri: 07.30 – 19.00,
- Sat – Sun: 09.00 – 19.00
A new specialty coffee bar is behind the unoriginal name on Múzeum krt (just across the Hungarian National Museum) in a spacious, airy historic building (
The cafe – formerly antique and used books shop incorporates parts of the medieval city wall of Pest.
The road already has a new wave coffee shop, Fekete (translates to black, though they seem to focus more on milky coffee beverages) just a few blocks from Bp baristas.
Anyway, the compulsory
- La Marzocco espresso machine,
- Hario V60,
- Chemex
- AeroPress and
- other gadgets for alternative ways of getting the most out of the freshly roasted beans supplied by one of Hungary’s best micro-roasteries, Casino Mocca are all there on the shiny new counter.
You can enjoy your choice of drink up on
- the gallery, though it seemed a bit narrow when I first visited the place, or
- behind the shopwindows facing the street.
Besides quality coffee, you can have muesli, fresh croissant, and cake and dessert creations ranging from brownie, strawberry cheesecake, tapioca pudding, and paleo (sugar and dairy free) goodies.
TIP: If you love specialty coffee try also Fekete just a short walk from BP Baristas also on Múzeum körút, No. 5.
It started out as a tiny cafe with a La Marzocco machine then opened a second place in the courtyard next door where they’re focusing more on filtered coffee and also serve cakes and simple, tasty food.
See other favourite cafes, espresso bars in Budapest!
😎 Partying in Budapest August
Budapest’s outdoor clubs are full of life at night. The major clubbing hot spots of the city are:
- Kazinczy utca in district VII. – a range of retro, garden pubs like Szimpla Kert, Kirakat, Kocka, or 400 Bar
La Movida Cuba, Wednesdays, raqpart
Every Wednesday starting at 19.30, La Movida Cuba brings the heat to Raqpart! Enjoy the Havana vibes, hot rhythms, and free entry.
Dance the night away at a party hot spot next to the Chain Brigde.
Venue:
- raqpart: Jane Haining rkp., Bp 1051 (See on Map)
Pontoon – On The Danube Bank
Pontoon is another exciting outdoor party venue situated on the Danube River in downtown Budapest. Picture yourself relaxing on a floating platform withthe city1s famous skyline all around you.
Enjoy great food, cool drinks, and dance to the latest music vibes.
Address:
- Id. Antall József rkp. 1, Bp 1051 (See on Map)
Salsa in the Park, House of Music/City Park – Sundays at 17.00
The Salsa in the Park dance program, which has been a huge success since the summer of 2022, entertains Latin music fans at the Open-Air Stage of the House of Music this year.
The Budapest-based Son tres band which has toured all over Europe will provide the live music.
This a really fun and romantic outdoor program for a sumemr evening!
TIP: The House of Hungarian Music and the Ethnography Museum are two new additions to the City Park/Városliget. Besides offering interesting exhibits and activities, both buildings are a great example of impressive and unique architecture.
Budapest Park – Outdoor Concert venue
If you’re into open-air parties, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the famous Budapest Park.
This massive outdoor venue hosts some of the biggest concerts and parties in the city.
From international DJs to live bands, the lineup is always impressive.
The spacious dance floor and the energetic crowd create an electrifying atmosphere that you won’t want to miss.
Address:
- Fábián Juli tér 1, Bp 1095 (View on Map)
Dürer Kert
Address:
- Öböl utca 1, Budapest 1117 (See on Google Map)
Dürer Kert is one of the most popular underground party places in Budapest in Újbuda, District XI right on the bank of the Danube.
- Several dance rooms,
- a garden,
- great parties and
- DJ nights.
It’s a lively music venue where you can catch some amazing concerts and gigs, especially if you’re into indie, alternative, or underground music scenes.
The atmosphere during these shows is absolutely electric, and the crowd’s energy is contagious! But that’s not all – Dürer Kert has even more to offer!
There are art exhibitions, film screenings, and theater performances taking place here, making it a diverse cultural space.
It has a lovely and spacious courtyard with
- Cozy seating areas, bars serving
- Refreshing drinks, and
- Delicious street food stalls. It’s the ideal spot to chill with your friends or meet new people while enjoying the lively ambiance.
Although it’s a bit far from the centre, Dürer is an excellent place to have a great time on a warm August night.
Related:
Top Summer Activities – July Things To Do – Budapest in June – September Programs, Festivals – October Programs Budapest – November Things to Do
