Free Summer Mini Concerts in Budapest

Outdoor Concerts at 4 Venues, 01. July – 19. August 2023

brass band in green and red hussar uniform
Hussar band at Várkert Bazaar

The 15 – 20-minute performance series in various genres are part of the “Budapest, The City of Music” program organized by the Festival & Tourism Centre of the city.

Music lovers can select from 600 miniconcerts, 10 grand concerts at 16 venues all summer, till 18. August.

A fine cultural program for free!

Genres cover:

  • folk music
  • classical pieces with jazz instrumentation
  • women’s string quartet
  • gypsy music
  • bell and flute music
  • brass band in hussar uniform.

The concerts are held at the most prominent historic and cultural locations of Budapest:

Venues:

Buda Castle (Szentháromság Sqr.)Buda Castle (Raven’s Gate) – National Gallery (Buda Castle)Basilica –  Great Market HallMárcius 15. SquareMargaret IslandVajdahunyad CastleNational MuseumArt Hall (Heroes’ Sqr.)Fine Art Museum (Heroes’ Sqr.)Várkert Bazaar

Mini Concerts in Pest

Március 15. Square

Getting there: tram 2

This lovely park facing the Danube and the Gellért Hill hosts smooth jazz concerts at Tuesday evenings starting at 19.00.

St. Stephen’s Basilica

  • chimes and flute on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays at 16.00 and 16.30

The largest church of the Hungarian capital on Szt. István Square is on every tourist’s must-see list. Time your visit this summer when the mini chime and flute performances take place.

Great Market Hall

front view of the market on a cloudy day

Address: Vámház krt. 1-3., district IX., tram 2, M4 metro

Gypsy music on:

  • Fridays at 11.00 and 11.30

The spacious, 19th century central market hall at the Pest end of the Liberty Bridge is full of local produce, cheese, wine, pálinka and tasty food on the first level gallery.

The venue is fitting for the haunting melodies of gypsy music.

Hungarian National Museum Garden

Address: Múzeum krt. 12, Bp. 1088

Getting there: trams 47, 49. M3 (blue) metro: Kálvin tér station

Woodwinds with an opera singer will entertain visitors on Saturdays and Sundays, except on 01., 02., 15., 29., and 30.

June 2019. Concert starts at 17.00 and 17.30.

Hungarian National Museum Garden – Children’s Concert

Address: Múzeum krt. 12, Bp. 1088

Getting there: trams 47, 49. M3 (blue) metro: Kálvin tér station

Dates: Saturdays at 11.00 in July 2019

Margaret Island – Musical Fountain

a wide walkway, flower beds and green lwan with trees on the island

(northern end of the isle)

  • Female string quartet with a clarinet artist on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 17.00 and 17.30.

Margitsziget, the popular leisure park of the locals, is great for strolls, jogging, or a picnic under the shade of the ancient trees.

TIP: You can get there by a public boat service: it’s an affordable way to cruise the Danube. Hop on boat lines D11 or D12. One way tickets: adults: 750 HUF, children (till 15 years of age): 550 HUF.

TIP: The island also gives home to the Open-air Stage, venue of the summer-long cultural festival (concerts, musicals, theatre, opera, ballet, performances, children programs).

Vajdahunyad Castle Courtyard (City Park)

front view of the castle
  • Transylvanian folk music with a solo singer on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 11.30 and 11.30.

A copy of the original castle located in Transylvania was built in 1896 for the Millennial celebrations.

Today it houses the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture.

TIP: The Vajdahunyad castle is also a venue for summer concerts in July-August.

Art Hall (Műcsarnok) on Heroes’ Square

Classical music with jazz instrumentation on Fridays and Sundays at 11.00 and 11.30, [highlight color=”yellow”]except on 14., 16. June 2019[/highlight].

The Art Hall, the biggest exhibition hall in Budapest, is the centre of contemporary art.

The historic building stands next to Heroes’ Square (Hősök tere).

Museum of Fine Arts

Address: Dózsa György út 41, Bp. 1146, next to Heroes’ Square

Getting there: M1 metro (yellow line), Hősök tere stop

Saxofon quartet every Saturday at 11.00 and 11.30, except on 01., 08., 15. June 2019.

TIP: The museum has been nicely refurbished and renewed displays, exhibitions halls await visitors. It also has awesome cafe & bistro.

Mini Concerts in Buda

a saxophone quartet performing

Buda Castle, Szentháromság Square

The music pavilion gives home to church and secural choral works on Sundays in June and July starting at 17.00 and 17,30.

Buda Castle, Raven’s Gate

A hussar orchestra will play on Fridays betweem 07. June – 12. July at 17.00.

Várkert Bazaar Gloriette

  • A brass band dressed in Hussar costume gives concert on Saturdays, Sundays at 17.00 and 17.30.

The Várkert is a series of buildings at the foot of Buda Castle hill.

The complex was built between 1875 – 1883 according to the designs of Miklós Ybl architect.

Today the neo-Renaissance palaces house exhibitions, events and concerts.

The lush garden is perfect for a walk and admiring the view on the Pest side of the river.

TIP: The garden is a place for picnics on weekends in summer. You can rent a blanket and basket (1 000 HUF + 5 000 HUF deposi), food is provided by the best local street food vendors.

Between 20 – 31. July Dance Evenings entertain visitors in the Foundry Court

Address: Szent György tér 2., Royal Palace/Buda Castle

  • performance by painters and jazz guitarists, every Saturday at 16.00 and 16.30, except on 01. and 29. June 2019.

Related:

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