May

Pentecost/Whit Sunday Programs in Budapest

Date: May 19 – 20, 2024

Location: Various Venues In Budapest

Pentecost is a two-day public holiday in Hungary: Sunday, May 19. and Monday May 20. in 2024.

It is a Christian holiday held on the 50th day after Easter. Many traditions and folk customs relate to the day that are kept alive on Pentecost festivals.

Although shops, markets, banks etc. will be closed, a couple of exciting festivals and programs await visitors in Budapest over the weekend.

Take A Cruise On the Danube – The Best Way To See Some Of The Top Sights

River tours – available with meal and/or drinks – are a great and relaxing way to see the beautiful cityscape during the day, in the evening or at night.

Advanced booking is highly recommended because places tend to sell out quickly during major holidays like Pentecost. You can cancel anytime free of charge!

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Pentecost Market on Római Part, Saturday, May 18 2024

Location:

  • Nánási út 47-49., Budapest, 1031, district III.

Getting There:

It will take cc. 50 minutes to get to Római Part/Roman Beach by public transport. It’s much quicker by bike, only 35 minutes and you will definitely enjoy the ride along the scenic Danube river.

If you still prefer to use public transport the best option is to take suburban railway H5 (HÉV) from Margaret Bridge Buda end, get off at Aquincum stop. Then look for the stop for bus No. 106. Get off at the 5th stop at Nánási út.

Here are the directions on map.

Opening Hours:

  • 08.00 – 14.00

For an off-the-beaten-path, memorable experience visit the Róma-parti Piac farmers’ market right on the bank of the Danube in Óbuda district, held on Saturdays.

farmers selling their produce under shade umbrellas on the river bank
Farmers’ Market At Roman Beach

From the vendors stationed along the lovely promenade you can buy

  • fresh fruits, veggies,
  • bread and pastries,
  • cheese and sausages from local, small producers.

This time the organizers welcome families with exciting kids’ programs to celebrate International Children’s Day.

Kids can have fun in the Village PLayhouse, participate in a Mushroom Hunting Adventure

You can grab some really tasty, authentic local food too.

  • Dumpling soup Nyírség style,
  • Lángos – round dough deep-fried then topped with sour cream and cheese, and
  • Nutella-banana pancakes (OK this isn’t really typical Hungarian food, but who doesn’t love pancakes!

💃 Folk Dance, Concerts, Cultural Programs

Hungarian Folk Dance

Indulge in a 20-minute folk dance performance on a river tour.

Besides admiring the city scape from the Danube – and savoring a delicious dinner or refreshing drink – you get to experience a spectacular journey into Hungarian folklore.

The show will captivate you with traditional music, mesmerizing dances, and vibrant costumes.

Highlights:

  • Witness the fascinating performances of a dynamic folk duo, as they showcase their talent in authentic traditional clothing.
  • Enjoy awe-inspiring dances that have been passed down through generations, dating back hundreds of years.
  • 1.5 hour/2-hour Danube excursion with dinner (local gastronomy or international dishes in buffet style) or 3 drinks of your choice
  • Take amazing photos at sunset or night when the city’s attractions rae illuminated gainst the dark sky

👉 Dazzling Folk Dance Show on a Danube Cruise At Pentecost Weekend:

hungarian folk dancers

Drinks & Folklore Show Cruise

Departures: 19:30 / 20:00

Duration: 120 min.

Price: From €45

hungarian folklore dance

Hungarian Dinner Cruise with Folk Show

Departure: 19:00

Duration: 120 min.

 Price: From €69

man and woman dancing in folk costume

Night Cruise with Buffet Dinner & Folk Show

Departures:  22:00

Duration: 90 min.

Price:  From €89

Museums/Exhibitions on the Pentecost Weekend

Some museums will be open on Pentecost Monday – Budapest museums are usually closed on Mondays – others will be closed. Please visit the webpage of individual museums for up-to-date information.

Van Gogh Budapest Exhibition – Open During Pentecost

Budapest hosts the globally acclaimed Van Gogh – The Immersive Experience, a 360-degree multimedia art installation.

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.

one of the multimedia installations in Van Gogh The Immersive Experience exhibit: featuring the Starry Night painting

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.

Address: Szent György tér 2., district I. inside the Royal Palace

The National Gallery in Buda’s Royal Palace will be open on 20 – 21. May between 10.00 – 18.00.

Hungarian National Museum

Address: Múzeum krt. 14-16., district VIII.

The museum will be open on Pentecost Sunday, 20. May between 10.00 – 18.00,  but remains closed on 21. May, Monday.

It has an extensive exhibit on the history of Hungary. The most precious treasure you cna view is the coronation mantel of King St. Stephen.

House of Terror

Address: Andrássy út 60., district VI.

Getting there: Millenium Underground, get off at Vörösmarty utca or trams 4, 6, Oktogon stop, a short walk from there

General opening hours: Tue – Sun: 10.00 – 18.00, cashier closes at 17.30

Note: The Great Synagogue in Dohány Str. and the Jewish museum will be closed.

Bath Opening Hours

The Veli Bej Bath is closed on public holidays so it won’t be open on 20. May and 21. May.

The Gellért and Széchenyi Baths will be open  as usual on both days of the holiday (with weekend pricing):

Some of the outdoor pools – Palatinus – are also welcome visitors over the Pentecost weekend.

Rudas Bath – Rooftop Jacuzzi

The Széchenyi and gellért bath tend to be a bit crowded on special occasiosn like Valentine’s Day so we recommend instead to try the Rudas Bath also near the Gellért Hill .

This more than 450-yrs old historic spa has an

  • Amazing rooftop jacuzzi besides the
  • Hot Turkish pool, and a
  • Range of various massages.

Check out the couple’s massages for a valentine’s day surprise!

the hexagonal Turkish pool in the Rudas bath
Turkish Pool in The Rudas Spa

Take your loved one to the Rudas Thermal Bath, a 450-year-old historic spa complex!

Enjoy the

  • Healing warm waters: 42-degree pool, an
  • 11-degree plunge pool,Sauna zone, and a
  • Pool on the sky terrace with panoramic views of Budapest.
  • Later, relish a 3-course meal at the bistro.
  • Choose wine or champagne to accompany your meal.
a young couple sipping on champagne in the rooftop jacuzzi of the Rudas Spa
Jacuzzi With A View

Dine With A View Of The Danube River And The City!

A unique wellness experience in Budapest.

Public Transport on the Pentecost Weekend

On May 18/Saturday metro, tram bus and other public transportation will run according to Saturday schedule on May 19 and 20 (Whitsun and Whit Monday) according to Sunday-holiday schedule.

  • The M2 and M4 metro lines will operate till 01.00 am on Friday, Saturday and Monday.
  • M3 (blue) line: on Saturday/08. June replacement buses will operate along the whole line. On Sunday and Monday M3 metro will run between Kőbánya-Kispest termini and Lehel tér all day. Between Lehel tér and Újpest termini replacement buses will carry passengers every day.

Opening Hours of Shops, Markets

Grocery stores, shops, food markets (the Great Market Hall) will be CLOSED on 20 – 21. May.

Most restaurants, cafes, bars will be open though over the weekend.

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