In May, there is a huge selection of different thematic festivals to choose from, both in Budapest and the countryside.
If May, then May Day. Although Labor Day is on 1st May, the whole month is full of diverse programs. These aren’t really about the celebration of work, but rather about welcoming good weather and spring.
There are also numerous themed festivals focusing on gastronomy and entertainment in the capital and the countryside. But this is the month for kids as well since Children’s Day is celebrated in May.
It provides an unforgettable experience for the little ones and those who love family programs.
Programs in Budapest in May 2022
Gourmet Festival
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- Free
The Gourmet Festival is probably the most important event of Hungary and perhaps the whole region, with the most excellent master chefs showcasing their food wonders.
The multi-day event organized in the Millenáris (Millenium Park) is worth visiting several times to taste foods according to a pre-planned concept due to the huge variety of foods available.
In addition to tasting, there is also a display of cooking with internationally renowned chefs providing some insight into their science. There is also a culinary playground, doll kitchen, and cooking school entertaining kids.
Budapest Folk Fest
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- Free
With its ten-year history, the Budapest Folk Fest was organized to preserve traditions and to introduce the public to authentic folk music, whether it is Slavic, Turkish, Gipsy or any other type.
The multi-day event takes place at several venues with countless programs, so everyone will find folk performances to their taste.
The popularity of the festival is demonstrated by the fact that every year, several bands premier their new albums here. The all-time internationally acclaimed performers guarantee superior entertainment for everyone over the days.
In addition to live music, the festival also includes excellent folk-dance performances.
Zsidó Művészeti Napok (Jewish Art Days)
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- Paid
The one-week event is organized at several venues in Budapest every year to promote Jewish culture. In addition to theatre and classical music, the festival features folk dance, pop music, and literature.
Thus, we do get a thorough insight into the past and present of the diverse Jewish culture. For the sake of completeness, those interested can also learn about the specialties of Jewish gastronomy during the festival.
Belgian Beer Festival
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- Free
It is a generally agreed fact that Belgian beer is excellent. Unfortunately, that cannot be said about Hungarian beer, as there is a relatively limited supply of brands.
Or at least compared to the Belgian Beer Festival where more than 100 types of bottled beer are introduced every year, and the number of beer taps generally exceeds 40.
With a bit of exaggeration, we can say that all Belgian beers come to the capital. The selection is huge from light fruit beers to Abbey and Trappist Beers, and extra-strong brown beers.
Luckily, the event is multi-day, as a single day wouldn’t be enough to taste all Belgian beers on offer. In addition to beer tasting, we are introduced to the delicious dishes of Belgian cuisine.
The huge variety of well-known Belgian chocolates is just the icing on the cake.
Budafok-Tétényi Tavaszi Művészeti Fesztivál (Budafok-Tétény Spring Art Festival)
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- Free
The Budafok-Tétény Spring Art Festival has been around for almost half a century showing the success of the initiative. The multi-week festival offers a variety of programs from classical and pop concerts to folk music, stage performances, and the good old cabaret.
Literature, fine arts, and folklore are also part of the program, just like the entertainment programs for children. Because of the plethora of choices, it is advisable to gather information on the daily programs in advance so as not to miss the ones we are interested in.
Budapest Coffee Festival
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- Paid
In recent years, we have become connoisseurs in terms of our coffee drinking habits. Parallel to this, a new generation of professional coffee makers grew up.
Therefore, the capital is home to a coffee festival as well, namely Budapest Coffee. It is great news that the knowledge of Hungarian professionals has gained worldwide recognition. Thus, the festival aims to showcase craftsmen and their coffee specialties.
In addition to coffee tasting, visitors can get to know more about the culture of coffee drinking, the different coffee making techniques and several other things related to coffee.
Budapest Coffee is also home to the finals of the Hungarian Barista, Brewers Cup and Cup Tasters Championships. In addition to coffee exhibitors, chocolate and sweets manufactories will also be present.
Tabán Festival
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- Free
The all-day event, also called Tabán May Day, featuring excellent performers of Hungarian pop music, is organized in the hilly area between Gellért Hill and Castle Hill on 1st May every year.
The programs are made up in a way that apart from the living legends of Hungarian pop music, younger and emerging bands can also be introduced in the early afternoon hours.
In the morning, there are children’s programs. In addition to the free concerts, the focus is on beers and spicy sausages, but other dishes and drinks are also available.
Gyermeknap (Children’s Day)
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- Free
On Children’s Day, everything in the capital is about kids. There are countless events at different venues for families with children.
Still, the two-day Children’s Day in Városliget (City Park) stands out of all with 45 different venues for the younger and older ones. Popular performers and musicians entertain the audience on three main stages, while you’ll find everything to your heart’s desire at the other venues.
Musical gymnastics, hula hooping, equestrian performance, puppetry, adventure park, and many more activities await kids here.
In addition to having fun, the organizers also call attention to selective waste collection, a healthy lifestyle and several other topics.
Adults don’t have to be bored either, as there is an exhibition of the culture and traditions of certain countries by several embassies in the Street of Nations.
Florália tavaszünnep – Aquincum (Floralia – Roman Spring festival in Aquincum)
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- Paid
Every year, Aquincum Museum revives a several-year tradition, the most important celebration in Ancient Rome: Floralia.
On this day, the former Rome is brought back to life in the ruin garden of the museum with the legionnaires, gladiators, slaves and simple citizens walking down the streets and barbarian tribes appearing at the gates.
The two-day program offers great entertainment for anyone interested in ancient times. There are themed outdoor theatre performances, traditional programs, while adventurous visitors can try to solve the Aquincum mystery as part of the adventure tour.
Of course, the organizers haven’t forgotten about the children either – there are handicraft activities and period-specific skill games.
Programs in the countryside in May 2022
Eperfesztivál – Tahitótfalu (Strawberry Festival in Tahitótfalu)
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- Free
Tahitótfalu – one of the most beautiful parts of the Danube Bend – is home to the legendary Strawberry Festival every year.
The festival of more than two decades centers around one of our favorites – strawberries. The delicious fruit receives the respect it deserves: there are programs from market comedies, puppetries and fashion shows to rock and roll concerts entertaining us in the nice spring weather.
In addition to strawberries, there are chimney cakes, pies made on iron-cast stove and other gastronomic wonders awaiting guests.
EMU 6 napos ultramarathon – Balatonfüred (EMU 6-day ultramarathon in Balatonfüred)
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- Paid
EMU Magyarország organizes the 6-day running race every year, which has become the most well-known event in 6-day category events.
This is because there have been 20 age-group world records and 50 national records at the several-year event. On the other hand, recognition has been facilitated by an on-line transmitter and interactive result reporting system developed by EMU.
This tool helps track runners’ progress every second. One thing is sure: it’s a good idea to take part in a challenging six-day marathon as a competitor and as a spectator as well.
Flavius Napok (Flavius Days)– Hévíz
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- Free
In Romkert (Ruin garden), in the Egeregy part of the city, there is a day each year when we can travel back in time and see the wonderful world of Ancient Rome come to life. And this isn’t just a coincidence.
According to the legend, the thermal water in the city first cured Flavius Theodosius, later known as the Roman emperor Theodosius the Great. Also, he was the one who spread the fame of the water, so this day is not only about having fun.
It is also a tribute to him. In addition to military and gladiator shows, there is also wood carving, tool and falconer show, handicraft activities waiting for the young and the old.
Lampionos hajós felvonulás (Lantern Boat Parade) – Esztergom
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- Free
One of the most spectacular events of May Day in Esztergom is the lantern boat parade. The water of the Little Danube is filled with decorated boats of different qualities.
These are often home-made lash-ups or water miracles. This is decided at 10.30 pm when the prizes for the most beautiful boats are handed over.
Then, it’s time for the Waterfront Street Festival to begin with parties and concerts for everyone all night long.
Kortárs Művészeti Fesztivál (Contemporary Art Festival) – Székesfehérvár
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- Paid
If spring is the time of awakening, then the four-day festival in Székesfehérvár is the awakening of arts and culture. This event is home to, basically, everything that is arts from comic painting to fine arts and crafts exhibitions, theatre programs and literary nights.
It is certainly a welcome concept that already successful, nationally renowned artists introduce themselves the same way as emerging artists.
Perhaps, the most popular venue of the series of programs is the Jam-Bory-Castle, where talented creator groups from various fields can show their skills and entertain the audience from morning until late night in a unique environment.
Országos Díjugrató Verseny (National Show Jumping Competition) – Hajdúböszörmény
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- Paid
Each year in May, the best equestrian athletes of the country come to Hajdúböszörmény to compare their skills. There are two events they can enter, so the best rider of the year can be found: show jumping and chariot racing.
As a visitor, it is a great and highly exciting experience to watch the races. If you find a rider sympathetic, you can even bet on them.
Tatai Patara (Patara in Tata) – Turkish Historic Festival
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- Free
The Tata Castle is a living history in itself. Thus, it is an excellent venue for a true time travel to the past. Patara in Tata is an Ottoman Age historic festival depicting the life of a medieval castle and Hungary perfectly.
Military bands, equestrian performances, jugglers and stage performers await visitors, and there is even a real medieval harem.
The programs of the two-day event are more than sufficient to provide something to the taste of both children and adults.
As hundreds of people get dressed in period clothing, visitors can feel like they have flown back into the past which is exceptional refreshment and fun in itself.
Gizella Napok Művészeti Fesztivál (Gizella Days Arts Festival) – Veszprém
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- Paid
The one-week festival, the Gizella Days in Veszprém got its name after Blessed Gizella, the wife of King St Stephen who was the founder of the Hungarian State.
Still, there is much more to it than history. Those arriving in the city during the event feel they are in the middle of a multidisciplinary arts festival since history comes alive with concerts, literary programs, and folk art exhibitions.
Of course, the historical costume procession, getting to know the relics of the castle and medieval games are included in the programs as well.
Libamájfesztivál (Foie Gras Festival) – Orosháza
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- Free
It will not be out of place to say foie gras festival has a great feeling to it as it suggests a real gastronomic specialty. And if we visit Orosháza – the capital of foie grass – in May, our presumptions will be fully confirmed: goose liver fried in its fat, goose liver specialties, special dishes, goose leg specialties – only to name a few of the amazing culinary offers.
In addition to gourmet roasts, the good atmosphere of the multi-day event is guaranteed by a wine square, theme park and star performers every year.
Tanúhegyek teljesítménytúra (Witness Mountains Performance Tour) – Badacsonytördemic
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- Paid
The performance tour in Badacsonytördemic is a negotiable one since there are several distances to choose from: 100, 50, 30, 20, 10 and 8 km.
This way, both professionals and those wishing to take a walk can enjoy the scenic landscape. The shortest, eight-kilometer distance tour needs to be performed in three hours, while the 100-km is to be completed in 25 hours.
You might want to find out more about discounts on food and accommodation in advance.
Országos Gulyásverseny és Pásztortalálkozó (National Goulash Competition and Shepherd Meeting) – Hortobágy
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- Free
The National Goulash Competition and Shepherd Meeting fill a gap, as it shows the everyday and lifestyle of an occupation that is unfortunately about to disappear in our modern age.
The festival introduces visitors to the everyday life of shepherds looking after the free-range Hungarian Grey. Those still practicing this traditional craft in the country arrive in Hortobágy to compare their skills.
One of the more important events includes pulling water from a draw well, counting animals, reading ear notches, using the bullwhip, throwing the shepherd’s staff and heel ropes.
If you are interested in nomadic livestock farming and what life used to be like in the countryside, you must visit the event in May to see this occupation on the verge of extinction.
Velencei-tavi Hal, Vad, Bor és Pálinkafesztivál (Lake Velence Fish, Game, Wine and Brandy Fest)
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- Free
Even the name of the festival is promising if you love culinary specialties. Food and drink tastings are accompanied by several kinds of music and cultural programs from folk music to salsa lessons, fashion shows and fireworks in the evening.
So, there are quite a lot of programs to choose from. The multi-venue event awaits children as well as puppet shows, children’s concerts, and handicraft activities.
It is recommended to check out the programs in advance not to be disappointed as the festival takes place in several towns by the lake.
Magyarpolányi Passiójáték (Passion Games in Magyarpolány)
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- Free
The Pentecost Passion Games have been held in Magyarpolány since 1993 with local performers.
Jesus’ sufferings are brought to life on the picturesque Calvary Hill in such a wonderful way that there are still many people visiting the Europa Nostra Award-winning settlement in Veszprém County.
To give an authentic and spectacular performance, locals use parts of the 17th century Passion Games and the Csíksomlyó Mysteries in their performance.
Of course, there are also family and children’s programs besides the main production.
Pünkösdi királyválasztás (Choosing the Pentecostal King) – Ópusztaszer
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- Free
Pentecost is one of the most important celebrations of Christianity. It is the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples. But it is not the only thing happening in Ópusztaszer, as the saying goes: A king is born on horseback!
The two-day event revives almost forgotten traditions and customs of the Southern Great Plains in the Heritage Park. Organizers made programs for younger and older children as well.
There are puppet shows, fun activities and a fairy tale garden for the younger ones, and folk music and dance performances for the older ones.
The most interesting part of the two-day celebration is choosing the Pentecostal King: men fight on horseback to find out who the annual king should be.
Rippl-Rónai Festival – Kaposvár
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- Free
During the festival honoring the world-renowned painter József Rippl-Rónai, Kaposvár becomes a real artist or rather arts paradise.
Since the painter made his breakthrough while living in the city, Kaposvár honors the master’s memory every year with a large-scale art festival.
With concerts and literary shows, this bohemian art festival is reminiscent of the former world of Paris. It has everything connected to painting and fine arts from traditional conservative exhibitions to young, sometimes bold creations of art schools.
Anyák napi hajózás (Mother’s Day Boating) – Siófok
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- Paid
On 5th May each year, ships leave the Siófok harbors to honor all the mothers. It is not yet beach season and the untouched lake offers a spectacular view, so it is a good idea to embrace the opportunity.
Mothers arriving with their children get half-price tickets and enjoy this one-hour relaxing cruise.
Bortriatlon (Wine Triathlon) – Badacsonytomaj
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- Paid
Three weekends, three missions. Wine Triathlon is a thematic wine tasting tour where participants can taste the Badacsony Szürkebarát (Pinot Gris), then the Kéknyelű and finally the Olaszrizling.
The first mission starts in May, while the other two are due in June and October every year. Although visiting and tasting the wine cellars of the area is a great program in itself – provided we like wine –, the excitement of the wine tour is even enhanced by a game.
You can collect stamp marks in wine cellars. To get one, you need to taste a package of three wines. After three stamp marks, you get a badge and six equal a bottle of wine.
Wine dinners and gift vouchers will be drawn among those who collect all the stamp marks. What more can I say after all these? Bring it on!
Lurkócia (Children’s Realm) – Szentendre
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- Free
On Children’s Day each year, Szentendre is turned into a real children’s island with all the great and exciting programs awaiting kids.
There are children’s concerts, puppet shows, handicraft activities, and sports programs taking place at different venues – to name a few.
Both local and countryside sports and dance teams entertain children with their performances, and there is also a street fair. But let’s not forget about adults either – there are culinary exhibitors with special dishes arriving in Szentendre.
The venues to be visited have been creatively named as ministries, making it possible to visit, for example, the ministry of fairy tales, monsters or even relaxation.
