Do you find yourself with a bit of free time on your hands? Whether you’re a local in Hungary or just passing through, we’ve got plenty of programme suggestions to keep you entertained! From a diverse selection of films, concerts, and a special walk tour in nature to carnival celebrations and art exhibitions, there’s something for everyone. What’s your favourite?
Italian Film Festival and more…
Craving a taste of Mediterranean Italy in the midst of winter? Head to Uránia National Film Theatre for the ongoing Italian Journey event. This Monday, you can tune in and watch Settembre, a romantic film directed by Giulia Steigerwalt. Beyond the Italian Film Festival, you can also watch the pre-premier screening of Smoke Sauna Sisterhood on 31 January. After the screening, you will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a special Q&A with producer Marianne Ostrat. For further screenings, you can check out Uránia’s website.
Transparent Sound New Music Festival
This year’s Transparent Sound New Music Festival events will take place at the Budapest Music Centre, the Liszt Academy, the Hungarian House of Music, Trafó, Fonó, Fuga, Nádor Hall, the Három Holló, Műcsarnok, Eötvös 10 and the Lóvasút Event Centre. Astonishing concerts and musical productions can be visited from the 6th of January to the 2nd of February. Here are the event’s closing programmes on the 2nd of February:
- 7.00 PM 2+2 Buffa/Matuz
- 8.00 PM Quelquefois: Blooming Vinyl release
Jazz Kamra – Orbay Lilla Quartet 2024 Gyenesdiás
Experience the extraordinary musical prowess of Lilla Orbay, a standout figure in the emerging jazz scene. Orbay’s multifaceted talents extend beyond her captivating vocal performances, as she shines equally bright as a skilled composer and a dynamic bandleader. This gifted artist’s rise to prominence was marked by a captivating display of her abilities at the Young Jazz Musician of the Year final, a prestigious event organised by the Hungarian Jazz Association in 2021. The concert will take place in Gyenesdiás on the 3rd of February.
Snowdrop Festival – Alcsút Arboretum 2024
Visitors are greeted by a two-and-a-half-hectare field of snow-white flowers, a spectacular sight that is unique in the country. Twenty-four varieties of Mediterranean snowdrops in seven species are on display for visitors to see. The special event will start in February, as snowdrops start to flower. The arboretum awaits visitors between 10.00 AM and 5.00 PM on every day of the week. The snowdrop blooming is expected to last 4–5 weeks.
Read also:
- Here are the 5 best vegan places in Budapest – PHOTOS
- Budapest Independent Film Festival 2024 – programme guide
Hungarian Carnival (Farsang) celebrations
February is the Hungarian Carnival season, meaning that almost every town and city awaits visitors with a colourful pallette of traditional programmes. Although the programmes vary in every location, numerous places offer an introduction to the season’s special gastronomical delicacies, such as doughnuts, pálinka, and lots of pork in every single form you can imagine! Here are some of the towns that offer great programmes on the 3rd of February: Balatonfüred, Panyola, Paloznak, Keszthely, Balatonalmádi, and Szigetszentmiklós.
Exhibitions
Van Gogh Exhibition: The Immersive Experience
As we step into February this week, the long-awaited Van Gogh Exhibition: The Immersive Experience opens its doors. The attraction conquered numerous cities worldwide before it arrived in Budapest. The exhibition provides you with a unique experience for diving into Van Gogh’s masterpieces with the newest 4k technology and visuals. The exhibition is located in the BOK Sports Hall, in District 14. For more information about the prices, you may visit the official website.
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Françoise Gilot: Rising Phoenix
This week will be the last chance to visit the astonishing Françoise Gilot: Rising Phoenix exhibition in Műcsarnok. Discover the artist’s diverse legacy; from dramatic self-portraits to floating canvases, a unique eight-decade artistic journey. Private Hungarian collections unveil her profound impact on the nation’s art scene.
Budapest: The First Golden Age
Celebrate Budapest’s 150th birthday with a captivating photo exhibition at the Hungarian National Gallery. Partnering with Fortepan, the exhibition unveils unseen German postcard company photos from 1903–1912. Frigyes Schoch’s stereo photographs add a unique spatial perspective to the city’s golden age. Witness iconic buildings and street scenes, offering a glimpse into Budapest’s vibrant history. Immerse yourself in Budapest’s rich tapestry at this historic exhibition.