Jan - Feb 2010 (biennial)
State Circus, Budapest

Pope John the XXIII once remarked"The circus is the living proof that people of different races, religions, nationalities and views can cooperate and give each other pleasure" Even if you do not agree with him, this festival offers the rare chance to see some of the most outstanding circus artists from all around the world under one canvas.

Budapest, now reputed to be the circus capital of Europe, is hosting its fourth International Circus Festival. The Festival takes place only once every two years and consists of just five shows. The exciting range of acts will be competing in front of an international jury made up of well known representatives of the profession, making it an eagerly-awaited and prestigious event for circus professionals and their spectators.

The event will take place in Budapest's State Circus, one of the few purpose-built circus venues in the world. Here, as ever, the big tent is pitched in the heart of the City Park.

19th  Mar – 5th  Apr 2010 (annual)

The Budapest Spring Festival is the largest annual cultural event in Hungary, featuring orchestral and chamber concerts, jazz, contemporary dance, film screenings and much more. A multitude of venues organised throughout the city welcome the finest Hungarian and International performers.
In 2010 the theatre section includes Victor Hugo's Ruy Blas, directed by András Léner and featuring Lili Horváth, Krisztián Kolovratnik, László Méhes and Gyõzõ Szabó, while Iván Fischer conducts the orchestral concert during the Beethoven Evening. Opera lovers can expect Strauss, Rossini, Wagner and many others, and on the dance front there are performances by the Ballet Flamenco de Andalucía and the Royal Danish Ballet.

Please visit the Budapest Festival Centre's website for full details of the programme, including exhibitions and special events.

Gyori Ballet at the Budapest Spring Festival. Courtesy of the Hungarian National Tourist Office

8th - 18th Apr 2010 (annual)

Budapest's annual Titanic Film Festival is a non-competitive event screening feature films and documentaries at centrally located cinemas. International in flavour, the festival also provides local video and TV directors with a platform from which to display their talents.

Recurring annual themes include the likes of Elements of Crime, Documentaries and World Cinema, while the Titanic Film Festival Special Features section usually includes one on French film as well. The Breaking Waves Award (worth €10,000) is decided by an international jury.

15th   March

The city gets covered in red, white and green and the Magyars celebrate the 1848 national revolution.

1st May

The main event is a rock concert in Tabán in Buda behind the palace.

May - Jun 2010 (annual)
Heroes' Square

One hundred horses and riders compete for €200,000 in prize money at Vagta, the National Gallop in Budapest's Heroes' Square. More than 300,000 spectators enjoy the races, a fair, war games and parades.

Spectators watch the races from grandstands placed around the "Gallop Arena", with six horses racing at any one time. The National Gallop track is approximately six furlongs long and specially designed to fit around Budapest's main historical square, while Andrássy Ut, known as the "Gallop Promenade", is where horse riding processions, exhibitions and Hungarian cultural displays take place.

Hungary's equine tradition goes back to when the seven Magyar tribes settled themselves in the Carpathian basin and soon established themselves as horsemen. Bareback horse shows, riding schools and the National Gallop allow this tradition and heritage to live

The nearest weekend to 21st June

 Venues open up for jazz, folk, rock events as well as many open air concerts.

Last weekend in June

Budapest celebrates the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Hungary in 1989.

July to Mid August
Chain Bridge

The symbol of the Hungarian capital and the oldest bridge connecting Buda and Pest, the Chain Bridge was opened in 1849. This annual festival celebrates the bridge's birthday with events around the Parliament building and under Buda Castle.
Closed to traffic, the bridge is transformed into a huge pavement with performances by brass bands and dancers, musical ensembles, groups of actors telling stories and a handicraft fair on the banks.

On the water, there are rowboat, canoe and motorboat racing, while in the evening lit candles float by, before a firework display brings the birthday celebrations to a spectacular close.

Danube Carnival. Courtesy of the Duna Arts Multicultural Foundation
June 2010 (annual)

The Duna Arts Multicultural Foundation has celebrated the River Danube in a special festival throughout Budapest since 1996. The fun at the Danube Carnival involves folk art events, pop concerts, exhibitions, a handicraft fair and a children's playground.
Highlights include the carnival gala on Margaret Island Open Air Theatre and the procession on Chain Bridge, which features hundreds of Hungarian and international musicians and dancers.

The Duna Arts Multicultural Foundation was founded in 1957 and specialises in both Hungarian folk dance and music, not only cherishing and ensuring the future of the age-old traditions, but also creating new works such as contemporary dance dramas.

Crosstalk Video Art Festival logo, Budapest. Courtesy of Crosstalk Video Art Festival
June 2010 (annual)
Gödör Club

Crosstalk is an international video art festival, bringing the latest media trends to Budapest. It embraces and promotes video art as an art form through video screenings, installation and exhibitions in Budapest's Gödör Club and on the main square.
Exploring the dialogue and intersections between video art and other art disciplines such as dance and theatre, the 2009 edition invites Spain to be guest country. The programme features Barbara Bañuelos Company's 90 DB show and an installation by Barcelona-based Aggtelek

July 2010 (annual)
Lágymányos Bay

Dragon Ship Big Week encompasses the annual Hungarian Dragonboat Festival (4-5 July), and the 13th European Club Crew Dragonboat Championship (10-12 July). Concerts, gastro tents and of course exciting races at Budapest's Lágymányos Bay keep spectators entertained.

Aug 2010 (annual)

Costs: Camping €188; non-camping €156; caravan camping €125; day tickets €42.
Sziget Festival is the biggest and best music festival in Hungary, annually creating a town within a town at Budapest's Shipyard site at Óbudai Island. The musical mayhem on 11 different stages features the finest international and Hungarian acts.

Main stage headliners in 2009 are Lily Allen, Fatboy Slim, The Prodigy, Placebo and Faith No More, while the Burn Party Arena is set to rock to tunes from Pete Tong, Armin Van Buren, Grooverider, Eric Prydz and Paul Oakenfold. Folk music from around the globe comes from acts as diverse as Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club, Khaled and Amadou & Miriam.

With hundreds of thousands of festival-goers, there is an amazing atmosphere. Some camp (arrive early if you want to make sure you can pitch your tent) and many choose specific days to attend.

With theatre, outdoor movie screenings, fitness classes, volleyball, football matches and children's entertainment happening all the time, visitors are spoilt for choice.

First arranged by VIP Arts Management in 1992, the Budafest Summer Music Festival brings opera and music productions to the Hilton Dominican Court, Szent István Square and Margaret Island. Folklore nights and the operetta gala also feature.

Confirmed in 2009 are a series of concerts by the Budapest Klezmer Band, Máté Sipos Szabó, conducting the Vác Symphony Orchestra, and a premiere of Verdi's famous opera Rigoletto with Andrea Rost in the role of Gilda.

Aug 2010 (various dates)

The Red Bull Air race series stages spectacular stunt-flying competitions across the world. Fearless pilots race at speeds of up to 400 km/h through low-level inflatable "air gates". This leg of the competition takes place above the hills of Budapest.

Aug 2010 (annual)
Buda Castle
Cost: HUF 1,500; concessions HUF500 10am-11pm
 
Bringing the finest Hungarian craftsmen to Buda Castle, the Festival of Folk Arts is timed to coincide with St Stephen's Day, Hungary's patron saint. In addition to the craft demonstrations, there are folk dancing and music performances from different nations.

On 20 August, St Stephen's Day itself, the Festival of Folk Arts revolves around a parade of master craftsmen and dancers and there is also a ceremonial blessing of newly baked bread.

August (annual)
                               
Stunning carnival floats cross the city from Roosevelt Square to Hero's Square at the flamboyant Budapest Parade. Thousands of revellers watch and follow the floats, in a scene reminiscent of London's Notting Hill Carnival or the old Berlin Love Parade.

The parade proper ends in a massive firework display, and then the fun really begins, as clubs across the city offer post-parade parties which run long into the night.

Jun - Aug 2010; Fri and Sat only (annual)
Károlyi Gardens
Fri & Sat 10am-6pm

The Palace Garden Evenings fill Budapest's summers with classical music, theatre and dance. Performances (generally on Fridays and Saturdays) take place in the beautiful tree-lined courtyard of the Károlyi Palace.
The distinguished productions of the Palace Garden Evenings are put on from mid-June to the end of August. Concerts and art performances all share the stage, while the stylish restaurant offers pre-theatre dinners and drinks.

In the past the Palace Garden Evenings have featured performances by the Benkó Dixieland Band and a Strauss evening given by the MAV (Hungarian Radio) Symphony Orchestra.

Budapest Half Marathon. Courtesy of Budapest Marathon Organisation
Sep 2010 (annual)
Marathon entry €35 (until 30 Jun); €40 (31 Jun-31 Aug); €50 (from 1 Sep):10am;     

The Budapest International Half Marathon follows a scenic route from Pest, over the Chain Bridge to Buda, before ending in City Park. Those who can not face the full 21km can join the 3.5km Fun Run.

There is usually a field of 6000 runners (including 1000 international entrants), and spectators line the streets to cheer the runners on.

Great Synagogue, Budapest. Courtesy of Hungarian National Tourist Office
Aug - Sep 2010 (annual)

Organised by the Jewish Tourism & Cultural Centre, the Jewish Summer Festival is a firm fixture in Hungary's annual cultural calendar. Art exhibitions, music and culture from klezmer to opera offer a unique mix of Hungarian-Jewishness throughout Budapest.

The 2009 edition focused on "the music of the Mediterranean Diaspora", opening with Bea Palya's Sefard Magic at Dohany Street Synagogue. On 2 September Timna Brauer and Elias Meiri Ensemble presented Songs from Jerusalem at the same venue, and for Latin rhythm fans, the Israeli Compas Dance Company performed a spectacular flamenco night on 3 September at the Uránia National Movie Theatre.

Aug - Sep 2010 (annual)

Discover Eastern Europe and take a closer look at the war and conflict zones of the 1990s with the Caucasian Challenge. Starting in Budapest, this rally leads through Bosnia, Kosovo, South-Ossetia and ends in Yerevan, Armenia. All vehicles can participate.

The challenge is divided into three categories but there are no rules, no cut-off times and no scoring. To see which category suits you best, route information and entry forms, please visit the event website.

Sep 2010 (annual)

The Budapest International Wine Festival takes place at Buda Castle, with a Wine Academy, lectures and workshops supporting the main event. Around 100 exhibitors offer more than 1000 wines for sampling between cellar visits, music and comedy shows.

At the Harvest Parade, representatives from the various wine regions dress in folk costumes and stage a procession with dancing and music around the Buda Castle district, ending with a lively show on the festival stage.

The festival also includes concerts and traditionally ends with a charity wine auction, with proceeds donated to the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service.

Oct 2010 (annual)
Full marathon entry: €55 (until 31 Jul); €65 (1 Aug-18 Sep); €80 (from 29 Sep)
Opening Hours: 10.00

Sponsored by Spar, the Budapest International Marathon follows a scenic route along both banks of the Danube and across its bridges. For those who can't quite run the full course, there are shorter runs, including a breakfast run.

Typically enough, even the most athletic locals can't spend a day devoted to sports without a good dose of culture. In addition to the central sporting event, there's also a full-day series of concerts and entertainment.

Sep - Oct 2010 (annual)
At Szent Mihály Church

Dedicated to different composers every year, the Budapest Baroque Festival boasts an ever-changing programme. Acoustically ideal, the Baroque church of Szent Mihály is the venue for this series of classical music concerts by Hungarian and international orchestras.

In 2009 the festival commemorates the 250th anniversary of G F Händel's death and the 200th anniversary of J Haydn's death. Featured work includes Handel's Judas Maccabeus, Dixit Dominus and Gloria (Hungarian première), and Haydn's The Creation and Nelson Mass.

July/August

Takes place at Hungaroring outside Budapest in July or August each year. The winner of 2009 will return to defend his victory, while the other Formula One drivers will come to revenge their defeat from last year.

The F1 Grand Prix in Budapest has been arranged every year since 1986, and every year hotels, apartments and restaurants are filled up with people coming to Budapest to see and experience the annual Formula One Grand Prix in town. If you are planning to come, make sure to book your hotel room or apartment well in time, if not, it might be to late, or you will have to sleep in some hidden camping somewhere out in the forest, as everything else will be full!

August 20th - Major Event

The biggest celebration of the year, if your stay co-insides with this celebration then you are in store for a big spectacle.

The main celebration event is the procession of St. Stephen's Holy Right Hand around the Basilica. Other spectacular events are water and air parade on and above the Danube.

In the countryside this day is also the day of the new bread. Countrymen sum up their work and celebrate the results by blessing the new bread. The holiday ends with an impressive firework from the Gellért Hill. The Danube embankment on the Pest side is full of people by night, everybody wants to get a good viewpoint to take pleasure in the colourful sparkles.

20th August also symbolizes a sort of closing day of summer. People get some rest before the usual working days starting in September. School for the children begins within 1-2 weeks after the holiday, as well.

Organized annually between the end of November and December 24th on Vörösmarty tér, one of the most attractive central squares of the city. The event has grown to be one of the top Christmas fairs of Europe, and a major off-season tourist attraction of Budapest.

The fair features a number of musical and cultural events on stage. The windows of the famous Gerbeaud Café are transformed into an Advent Calendar, revealing one of the 24 works of art of Hungarian contemporary artists every day. All products on sale are made from natural ingredients only, and the quality and the origin of these are rigorously checked by a jury.

The Budapest Christmas Fair is a favourite of locals and visitors alike, as there are very few tourists who miss out on a visit to Vörösmarty tér. The scent of the freshly-baked "funnel cake" (kürtőskalács), mulled wine (forralt bor), lángos (fried pastry with sour cream and cheese) and other home-made Hungarian foods invites people to eat, shop, or just stroll around.

For those interested in Hungarian culture, the stage on the northern side of the square boasts classical music, Hungarian folk music and dance and shows for children.

6th December

December 6th is the day when Hungary ’s Santa makes his rounds, traditionally, by a horse drawn sleigh. He is said to be accompanied by two helpers, a good angel who gives out presents to good children and a krampusz, a mean goblin who punishes bad children.

Santa is Szent Mikulás (Saint Nicholas) and 6 th December is Mikulás Nap (St. Nicholas day).

New Year

Celebrations, Big parties to be held all over the town, the centre of celebrations is a spectacular firework display along the river