Summer Festival Go-To Guide 2013

By Fahime Tehrani 

We are thrilled to bring you a short overview of Budapest summer life. Regardless of the high temperatures these sweltering days, Hungary provides people with the most memorable experiences during summer, which satisfy a wide variety of tastes. From high-brow classical music courtesy of Wagner to one of Europe’s most popular rock cum alternative culture festivals, there is truly something for everyone.

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Wagner festival in Budapest

Where: The Palace of Arts

When: June 8 – June 23

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This is a terrific opportunity for those who are interested in classical music, on the 200th anniversary of Wagner’s birth. It features seven of Wagner’s operas and three documentaries about Germay’s legendary composer. This year the Wagner celebration serves up a unique happening on June 21, when Karine Babajanyan, Bernadett Wiedemann, István Kovácsházi and Miklós Sebestyén, accompanied on piano by Emese Virág, take to the stage to make a fascinating event. The evening entitled Wagner the Songwriter – The Complete Songs of Richard Wagner will feature Sándor Kovács as presenter and guide.

Remaining events:

20 June 2013

How much?

Ticket price for opera performances: 19 900, 14900,10 900, 7900, 5500 Ft

Ticket price for evening: 2500, 3200, and 3900 Ft

www.mupa.hu/en/wagner

Budapest summer festival – delayed due to flooding!

Where: Margaret Island

When: June 14 – September 5

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This festival is an enticing opportunity for family and friends of all ages, to have fun and listen to music in the open-air. It runs for almost the whole summer and everybody could find a time during this long period to spend a day chilling out in nature with music. This is the 75th anniversary of Margaret Island Open-air stage. However, due to flooding, the open-air stage performances on June 14, 15 and 19, as well as the Danube Carnival June 21 and Spartacus on June 28 and 30, have been cancelled.

How much? approx. 2,000 Ft, (free to listen from outside)

www.eng.szabadter.hu

Night of Museums

Where: Budapest

When: June 22

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The Night of Museums is an event taking place in Budapest every year and is the best opportunity for all people no matter whether they are in to art or not, to experience Hungarian culture late into the night. Many institutions have participated in this cultural extravaganza each year and fortunately there are always new candidates queuing up to take part. There are more than a hundred museums and cultural institutions who welcome people this year in Budapest, such as the Hungarian National Museum, Museum of Applied Arts, Hungarian Natural History Museum and the Terror House. In addition, heaps of cultural gems from across the country will be opening their doors on the night of Saturday, June 22.

How much? 1,500 Ft for adults, 600 Ft for children (Budapest prices)

www.muzej.hu

VOLT Festival

Where: Sopron, Hungary

When: July 3- July 6

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The VOLT festival is a great chance to enjoy listening to nearly thirty world famous stars such as; Billy Talent, Queens of the Stone Age, Hurts, example and Parov Steral band, beside enjoying the beautiful city and the sprawling festival site itself. Just get ready for a long walk with your beer and enjoy the world. Brace yourselves for the 21st VOLT festival.

How much?

Festival pass for 4 days: 90 Euros

www.sziget.hu/volt

Heineken Balaton Sound

Where: Zamardi, Szabadstrand (southern shore of Lake Balaton)

When: July 11- July 14

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The charming lakeside town of Zamardi at Lake Balaton host the most exiting event of the year for electronic music lovers: Balaton Sound. The world famous gathering of electro artists doubles the beauty of Balaton. The line-up satisfies includes mega names in the electro music field: Ceelo Green, Solomun, Seth Troxler, Nervo and David Guetta. This is four days to let loose, have fun, make new friends, sunbathe and enjoy delicious food, such as fried fish.

How much:

Balaton Sound day ticket from the site: 55 Euros

www.sziget.hu/balatonsound

Sziget Festival

Where: Obudai sziget, Budapest

When: August 5- August 12

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This year is the 21st anniversary celebration of one of the most exiting festivals in Europe.  This week-long event is one of the largest cultural and European rock festivals.  In 2011 it won the European Festival award in category best major European festival.  It takes place every August in Obudai Sziget and if you did not have a chance to be there in the past, do not miss it this year. The line-up includes Blur, Franz Ferdinand, Noisia and The killers, Molotov and so many more artists.

How much:

Daily ticket from the site: 49 Euros

www.sziget.hu

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