August is an eventful month with Sziget Festival (The Island of Freedom), B My Lake, the Debrecen Flower Carnival – just to name a few.
What to expect in August
Being the last and often hottest month of the summer, August is primarily about outdoor programs. Even the programs are diverse. Thus, in addition to popular and classical music festivals, visitors can also attend cultural and historical events.
It is especially true in the case of the latter as 20th August is the commemoration of the Foundation of the State which is celebrated both in Budapest and the countryside.
Average temperatures in August
Sports and children’s programs are not absent either as this month owns such family festivals as the Debrecen Flower Carnival.
Programs and festivals in Budapest in August 2022
Sziget Festival (The Island of Freedom)
- Date of the event:
- Venue: N/A
- Paid
Although the names have changed, the event has been organized on Óbuda Island in Budapest since 1994. By now, the festival has become one of the largest events in Europe with visitors from all over the world every year.
In 2011 it won the Best Major European Festival in the contest of so-called major festivals. More than half a million people visit its concerts every year.
In addition to the main stage, there are numerous smaller stages with rumbling concerts covering the whole palette of the pop music scene.
Of course, it was essential for the success of the festival that organizers brought the greatest stars to fans each year. Luckily, there is an opportunity for emerging bands as well to make a name for themselves at smaller stages.
Budapesti Denevérnász (Bat mating in Budapest) – Pálvölgyi Quarry
- Date of the event:
- Venue: 1025 Budapest, Szépvölgyi út 162.
- Paid
Our longest cave is mostly famous for its beautiful stalactites which can be visited all year round. Yet, the cave not only serves touristic purposes, but also it is home to several species of bats that mate in August.
So, if you like bats, and can’t be scared easily, you might want to enjoy this rarity one August night. Specialists of the National Park stretch out bat-catching nets at the entrances of several caves so that those interested can get to know more about the different bat species.
Night programs require registration in advance and these walks among the nets and bats offer an unforgettable experience.
Mesterségek ünnepe (Festival of Folk Arts)
- Date of the event:
- Venue: Buda Castle
- Paid
The Festival of Folk Arts – organized in Budapest for over three decades – is the largest folk art festival in Hungary.
The Buda Castle is the perfect venue for the event as the spirit of former fairs comes to life under the ancient walls. Thousands of craftsmen show off their products every year and visitors can watch stage performances all day.
There are almost one hundred display workshops where everyone can freely try different trades. Each year, an honorary guest country is invited, thus we can get to know its folk culture, traditions, and traditional trades.
The stage is taken by the finest folk musicians, singers, folk dancers and storytellers of the country entertaining the audience.
Budapest Short Film Festival
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: N/A
- Paid
The Budapest Short Film Festival – the niche event of the film industry – is organized annually.
Fiction, animation and experimental short films from Europe and the whole world appear at the festival to the delight of the profession and lay fans.
The event features film school shows, different workshops and music concerts entertaining the audience. Last but not least, films nominated for awards by the European Film Academy are also screened, which can be seen by anyone.
The special mission of the festival is to promote the Central and Eastern European audiovisual sector, which it seems to do successfully.
Óbudai Nyár (Óbuda Summer)
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: N/A
- Free
The series of events – that date back to two decades – offers something great. In this spirit, there are pop and classical music concerts, art exhibitions, theatre performances, circus shows, and even film screenings.
Visitors are awaited at approximately twenty venues from June to August with over 250 programs spicing up the hot August days.
Outdoor programs can be visited free of charge, so this romantic part of town is worth checking out even if you are not a resident in Óbuda. Just walking around the area is amazing.
Pesthidegkúti Művészeti Fesztivál (Pesthidegkút Arts Festival)
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: N/A
- Free
Pesthidegkút Arts Festival awaits visitors with a colorful bunch of programs each year, introducing not only Hungarian but also foreign performers.
In the morning and early afternoon, everything is about children. With this in mind, puppet shows and stage productions entertain kids and parents.
However, the late afternoon and evening focus on adults with folk and world music concerts, but there is no shortage of a variety of theatre performances either. Let me highlight history-themed productions, which are often put on stage here.
Vegetáriánus Fesztivál (Vegetarian Festival)
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: N/A
- Free
Whatever your taste in gastronomy, it is certainly welcome because amidst all the pig slaughterhouses the capital is home to a vegetarian festival.
It is also considered a free-of-charge lifestyle weekend built around a healthy diet and lifestyle. In addition to vegetarian food tasting and eco- and bio-approach product demonstrations, you can mostly listen to professional lectures on the topic.
But there is also a chance of cooking together. Naturopaths also come to the event and give advice on a wide range of topics for free.
There are even documentary screenings about a vegetarian lifestyle and the dispelling misconceptions about it. The latter is also the primary aim of the event.
Tűzijáték (Fireworks) – 20th August
- Date of the event: August 27, 2022
- Venue: Danube Bank
- Free
Our most spectacular celebration is, without a doubt, the fireworks on 20th August, when rockets fly high up from the Danube to light and color the sky.
Approximately 6000–7000 software-controlled rockets are fired into the sky from several venues, making the one-hour celebration an unforgettable sight.
The Foundation of the State is not only commemorated with fireworks – there are programs awaiting visitors all day long. The annual event starts on Kossuth Square, where the national flag is hoisted along with military honors.
After that, celebrations take place in different parts of the city with the Holy Right procession at St. Stephen’s Basilica and the visit of the Holy Crown in the Parliament.
Recommended events in the countryside in August 2022
Velencei-tavi Nemzetközi Hőlégballon Karnevál (Lake Velence International Hot Air Balloon Carnival)
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: N/A
- Free
In Agárd Forest Park, hot air balloons rise for three days to color the skies above Lake Velence.
Additionally, braver ones can go helicopter flying during the spectacular sports event. But getting back to the ground for a bit, we can see the car and motorcycle exhibition every year.
However, this is only the beginning, as the event includes a street fair, children’s shows, stage programs, and a beer tent. The highlight of the event is the always cheerful evening street party.
Savaria Történelmi Fesztivál (Savaria Historical Festival)
- Date of the event:
- Venue: 9700 Szombathely
- Free
The first Savaria festival was held in 1961 and after a long break, it has been organized annually.
For a couple of days, the magnificent city turns into the Roman military camp it once was. The city was founded by none other than the Roman emperor Claudius in 43 AD, as a result of which he deserves to be celebrated.
During these days, alongside Roman soldiers, Celtic warriors, barbarian Huns, and Germanic hordes swarm the city to compare their combat skills making the carnival atmosphere complete.
The events take place at several venues, and in addition to traditional programs, there are music and theatre shows in the city.
B My Lake Festival
- Date of the event:
- Venue: 8621 Zamárdi
- Paid
Thanks to the organizers who invite world-famous artists every year, B My Lake is the most popular outdoor underground electronic festival in Central Europe.
The venue of the meeting is typically the lakeside town – Zamárdi, where music usually rumbles for several days.
It is a must if you like the genre – the world of techno and house – as shows are performed by the best of the electronic music scene.
Barokk Esküvő (Baroque Wedding) – Győr
- Date of the event:
- Venue: 9022 Győr, Széchenyi tér
- Free
Which other places would be more perfect to house a baroque wedding than Győr – the most well-known baroque city in the country?
The unique event in the country is much more than a simple wedding, firstly because it lasts for three days.
Győr is adorned with baroque decoration and people wearing baroque costumes swarm the streets – where there is an art and craft fair – from the very first day.
The second day is basically about the wedding, which is preceded by a foolish wedding. There are also themed film screenings and theatre premiers bringing love in that period to life.
Dunakanyar kézműves Sörfesztivál (Danube Bend Craft Beer Festival)
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: N/A
- Free
The organizers couldn’t have picked a better place for this great beer festival than the magnificent Danube Bend in Vác.
You can taste more than 100 craft beer specialties, and the tranquilizing flavors are made complete with amazing programs.
A good atmosphere is generated by renowned Hungarian performers’ concerts, and there is an art and craft fair and – for the joy of children – a theme park arrives in the city every year.
The series of programs are concluded with an epic fireworks display, and before that, you can even attend the election of the most beautiful lady of the Danube Bend.
Ősök Napja (The Day of Ancestors) – Bugac
- Date of the event:
- Venue: 6114 Bugac
- Free
The Day of Ancestors is a unique event in Hungary and the whole Eastern Europe since this is a huge tribal gathering where related nomad riders of the steppe meet.
Hundreds of artists, scientists, traditionalists from 27 related nations attend the three-day Kurultaj that is the Hungarian Tribal Meeting.
Visitors can choose from over 50 programs free of charge. Those attending the commemoration take part in real-time travel as the steppe turns into a yurt town from the time of the Conquest with everything from clothing to music representing past times. In addition to equestrian and combat shows, there is also a place for significant cultural programs in Bugac.
The Hun leader’s yurt is the largest tent in the world made of natural materials with an anthropological and archaeological exhibition inside.
Yet, there are sacral programs as well. The other famous tent – the Tent of Ancestors – gives us some insight into the lives of former nomad riders, Scythians, Sarmatians, Avars, etc.
But there are several stages where you can get acquainted with our Turanian relatives’ folk dance and music.
Szentendrei Teátrum és Nyár (Summer Theatre in Szentendre)
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: N/A
- Free
Different cultural and artistic events take place at six different locations during the one-and-a-half-month event in the magical downtown of Szentendre.
The festival of more than fifty years offers both classical theatre programs and exciting alternative theatre productions. In addition to the above, there are also classical music concerts, literary evenings, book premiers and numerous children’s programs awaiting kids.
Since Szentendre is conveniently accessible from Budapest, it is definitely worth visiting some of the programs.
Debreceni Virágkarnevál (Debrecen Flower Carnival)
- Date of the event: August 20, 2022
- Venue: Debrecen-downtown
- Paid
The Debrecen Flower Carnival that has been organized for over 50 years is one of the most visited and known cultural events in Hungary.
The highlight of the one-week festival is the procession held on 20th August, the day of King St. Stephen’s canonization and the celebration of New Bread Day.
Everyone should see this unique festival in Europe. Just a bit of a teaser: millions of flowers are used for the show, and the decoration of one cart is made up of 150–250 thousand fresh flowers.
In the name of the excellent atmosphere the flower compositions – often 5 meters high and 12 meters long – are accompanied by dancers and traditionalist groups.
FEZEN Fehérvári Zenei Napok (Fehérvár Music Days)
- Date of the event: N/A
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- Paid
The successful pop music festival aims to introduce numerous artists and genres from both the domestic and foreign music scenes.
In this spirit, there are performers from abroad, and smaller bands get the chance to introduce themselves, too. The event, which has a history of more than twenty years, has attracted world stars such as Deep Purple, Judas Priest, and Dream Theater.
Füredi Borhetek (Balatonfüred Wine Week) – Balatonfüred
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: N/A
- Free
The Wine Week is the most popular culinary festival of Balatonfüred, attracting thousands of visitors to Tagore Promenade every year.
All the great quality wines are introduced during the week as everything that is wine can be found here. Excellent rosé, sparkling wine, Rieslings and red wine are all part of the 300 types that can be tasted. In addition to wine tasting, fairy festival and live music await guests.
Everyone visiting this popular town by the lake can have a great time until late at night, as the concerts only end at midnight, while in the morning hours there are children’s programs.
Hortobágyi Hídivásár (Hortobágy Bridge Fair)
- Date of the event: August 20-23, 2022
- Venue: 4071 Hortobágy, Petőfi tér
- Paid
The Hortobágy Bridge Fair has been organized on 20th August every year for over half a century to commemorate our founding father, King St. Stephen and New Bread Day at the foot of the Nine-hole Bridge.
It is one of the most ambitious streets and folk fairs in the country. The event is accompanied by folklore and culinary programs and aims to preserve Hungarian folk traditions.
In addition to folk dance and music, you can also learn about old trades and the rich history of Hortobágy.
Királyi Napok (Royal Days) – Székesfehérvár
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: N/A
- Free
True to its name, the former coronation town commemorates the Foundation of the State and honors our first king between 9th and 20th August.
The series of events consist of several important elements, but the highlight is the Coronation Ceremony Games when the past comes to life again.
The coronation ceremony is spiced with light painting, huge royal puppets and a medieval fair making the event a perfect reminiscence of the past.
In addition to the coronation, there are numerous folklore and cultural programs awaiting visitors.
For example, the Royal Days International Folk Dance Festival, where world-famous dance performers entertain the audience with lavish performances.
Királyi Napok Nemzetközi Néptáncfesztivál (Royal Days International Folk Dance Festival) – Székesfehérvár
- Date of the event: N/A
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- Free
The Alba Regia Dance Ensemble organizes the Royal Days International Folk Dance Festival every year as the highlight of the Székesfehérvár celebration series.
There is a wide range of programs with not only Hungarian renowned dance bands but also ones from Bulgaria to Mexico.
Not only do bands come from all over the world, but also it is the best of the best performing at this prestigious festival. For those of you into folk dance, this event is a must.
Ördögkatlan Fesztivál (Devil’s Cauldron Festival) – Villány
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: N/A
- Free
Villány awaits everyone with a devilishly good family and music festival that was first organized over ten years ago.
We can enjoy concerts from pop music and jazz to world and folk music in a magnificent environment. But this is only the beginning, as there are also literary events, theatre, and dance performances, as well as children’s programs.
If we add the tasting of world-famous Villány wines to this, then it is an end-of-summer festival that should be attended by everyone who loves the above.
Strand Fesztivál – Zamárdi
- Date of the event: August 18-21, 2022
- Venue: 8621 Zamárdi, Margó Ede stny. 14
- Paid
The last summer music festival in Zamárdi traditionally features the best Hungarian and foreign electronic music artists.
Some of the performers who have already taken the stage here are Parov Stelar, Timmy Trumpet, Martin Solveig and Milky Chance.
One of the unequivocal aims of the festival is to attract tourists to Lake Balaton at the end of summer that is already off-peak season.
Rózsakő Fesztivál – Badacsony
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: N/A
- Free
“Mountains, water, wine and love” – Rózsakő Festival is held in Badacsony in this spirit every two years.
And let’s admit, those four already sound quite well on their own. The multi-day event awaits the audience with pop music concerts from early afternoon, while the mornings are all about children’s programs.
In addition to kids’ programs, visitors can also attend a wine tour as passengers of a nostalgia jeep, but there are also a sightseeing train and a region-seeing bus awaiting those of you wishing to see this amazing city by the Lake Balaton and its surroundings.
Szent István-napi Zenei Fesztivál (St. Stephen’s Day Music Festival) – Esztergom
- Date of the event: August 15-22, 2022
- Venue: 2500 Esztergom, Nagy Duna sétány 1.
- Paid
Concerts till you drop – this is exactly what St. Stephen’s Day Music Festival has to offer with the greatest ones of Hungarian pop music on stage.
The multi-day event is mostly favoring rock-lovers with both the great old ones and the emerging titans of the music genre showing off their skills at a concert.
In addition to music shows, there is also a Mesterségek udvara (Yard of crafts) exhibition as part of the festival with a themed program – for instance a film or music history – for visitors each year.
Végvári Vigasságok (Border Castle Merrymaking and Siege-play) – Eger
- Date of the event: August 14-16, 2022
- Venue: Castle of Eger
- Free
It is the most legendary and heroic battle of Hungarian history –the Battle of Eger of 1552 – that is brought to life at the Eger Merrymaking.
The highlight of the historical festival is the re-enactment of the siege with 200 Hungarians and the same number of evil Turks engaging in battle again.
There are also armed demonstrations, knight tournaments, and – to cheer children – a hussar virtue, but historical exhibitions and medieval trades can also be visited.
Panyolafeszt – Panyola
- Date of the event: N/A
- Venue: N/A
- Paid
Panyola festival is said to be one of the coziest festivals in the country, where rushing time slows down to give way to enjoyment.
Famous for its plum, the town will not deceive visitors but offer plum jam, plum pálinka (brandy) and several other culinary specialties made from this fruit can be tasted in a romantic landscape.
Of course, music is a must for food and drink tasting, and theatre performances, literary programs, and exhibitions can also be visited at the festival. But there is no shortage of children’s programs, and even hiking is included in the event.
Zempléni Fesztivál (Zemplén Festival)
- Date of the event: August 14-23, 2022
- Venue: more info here
- Free
The Zemplén Festival located in Tokaj-Hegyalja offers ten days of carefree entertainment. The focus of the thirty-year event is classical music and jazz every year.
In this spirit, concerts, opera, operetta, theatre, and dance clubs await visitors in a marvelous environment.
The venues of the performances include the Castle of Zemplén, a church, wine cellars and cafés where all music- and art-lovers are welcome.
In addition to music programs, literary evenings and fine art exhibitions also widen the range of events of the ten-day festival. During the day, you can go on wonderful excursions in the area.
