11 Things to Do in Budapest in August

August is a month renowned for its festivals and concerts, which go hand in hand with the summer atmosphere, marked by the opening of more swimming pools and water parks to beat the rising temperatures.

Highlights include the A38 open-air concerts, the Sziget Festival, the Dreher Festz and other festivals centred around food and art.

WAMP isa local design festival that takes place at least once a month, usually on Sundays in August, where young Hungarian designers and craftspeople showcase their creations. This is the perfect place to discover Hungarian fashion and emerging Hungarian designers, and to buy unique and authentic gifts.

The best way to get to WAMP at Erzsebet tér (opposite Deák Tér metro station) is to take the blue metro line (M3) and get off at Deák tér Erzsebet tér station, right in front of Deák tér (a major square in Budapest, very close to the Anker Palace).

At the northern end of Margaret Island, in the shadow of the Water Tower, an open-air concert venue hosts the Budapest Summer Festival in mid-August. Here you can enjoy some of the city’s best concerts, an open-air musical atmosphere well worth a visit. For more information, I recommend the event’s official website.

The green heart of the city, Margaret Island, lies in the middle of the Danube between Margaret Bridge and Árpád Bridge. This is the place for you if you’re visiting Budapest in summer, thanks to the Hajós Alfréd National Sports Swimming Pool, the popular Palatinus Lido, the petting zoo, the musical fountain and the Japanese garden. It also features a rubber-surfaced jogging track nearly five kilometres long, bike hire and guided bike tour services, not to mention the numerous picnic spots.

20 August is a national holiday in Hungary, when the country honours its founding king, St Stephen, who was crowned in the year 1000 AD, with fantastic festivities and spectacular fireworks that light up the night sky over the Danube shortly after sunset. The celebrations begin at 8.30 am in various locations and continue throughout the day until 9 pm, when spectacular fireworks will be set off over the Danube from different spots such as the Elizabeth Bridge.

A great way to spend the evening during the 20 August celebrations is by dining on a Danube cruise whilst admiring the stunning night-time views of Budapest and the traditional colourful fireworks that bring the celebrations to a close. I can assure you it will be an unforgettable evening!

Throughout August, you can enjoy a variety of pool parties at Széchenyi Baths. Making the most of the area’s natural features, the city transforms the thermal baths into the ultimate party venues. The aim of these parties is to combine Hungarian bathing traditions with party culture, creating a unique musical and visual atmosphere that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

The Szechenyi Bath parties take place on hot summer days and late into the night after official closing time; that is, from 10.30 pm to 3.00 am. All you need to bring is a good swimsuit and your own towel.

Every hop lover’s dream will come true over four days at the end of August, as Serföző organises a Hungarian festival dedicated to German beers on Kőrösy József Street. During the four-day street party, you’ll be able to sample all sorts of alcoholic treats from Germany, as well as various types of beer, very different from those already tried by local beer drinkers.

As well as the liquid delights, you’ll also be able to try all sorts of dishes related to German cuisine and the culture of food and drink pairing. A real gastronomic tour!

On the third weekend of August, the most talented artisans from all over Hungary gather at Buda Castle to exhibit, share and demonstrate how they keep their folk art and traditions alive. For more information on admission and opening hours, visit the event’s official website.

This festival is the most authentic showcase of Hungarian folk art culture, with interactive craft workshops, folk musicians, traditional Hungarian dance performances, traditional Hungarian cuisine and wine tasting stalls being just some of the many activities taking place at the Festival.

In August, dozens of brilliant concerts will rock the A38 Ship, a repurposed Ukrainian cargo vessel that is now one of Budapest’s most popular venues. There are plenty of parties on board, though they usually follow a pattern: in early August you can enjoy alternative rock bands, whilst in the middle of the month hardcore and punk genres take centre stage.

That said, the highlight of the event takes place at the end of August, usually on the 31st, when legendary figures from one of the aforementioned genres are often invited. It’s an exclusive August event you simply can’t miss, as it promises plenty and always ends up delivering surprises. For more information, I recommend visiting the website for this fantastic event.

Weekends in August are very different from those in other months, as a picnic event is held on the Liberty Bridge itself. What a spot! During this period, this historic bridge will be closed to traffic for four weekends and the space will be completely free for everyone to enjoy.

The atmosphere here is usually brilliant, with local bands, flamenco and swing dancers, Zumba and yoga instructors, and all sorts of aspiring artists entertaining the crowds. So bring your friends and enjoy a lovely picnic at sunset with spectacular views.

Party-goers from all over the world flock to Budapest’s Liberty Island every August for one of Europe’s biggest open-air music events, the Sziget Festival. International superstars and promising local artists from all genres take to the stage, whilst various cultural acts and events can also be enjoyed on Budapest’s Óbuda Island.

This is one of Europe’s biggest open-air concerts, lasting a week and usually held in mid-August. Explosive concerts, artistic performances and extravagant entertainment, alongside plenty of chill-out zones and psychedelic settings. One of the best nightlife experiences in Budapest and an unforgettable experience for all kinds of music fans. No matter your age, where you’re from or how many days you’re spending in Budapest, if you’re visiting in August, you should consider going to this festival. For more information, visit the event’s website.

Over two days at the end of August, the Dreher beer festival, DreherFeszt, will take place in Kőbánya, featuring unique beer specialities (almost 140 beer taps) and concerts on two stages. The line-up includes folk-pop and rock bands.

Local Dreher breweries will be serving throughout the two-day programme. If you find the location a bit out of your way, don’t worry: during the event, free buses run between Örs vezér Square and the festival every 30 minutes. For more information, visit the website below.

Zenélő Budapest is a summer music initiative in Budapest, featuring local virtuosos performing at 16 iconic venues across the city. If you happen to be passing by the Várkert Bazaar, the Hungarian National Museum or Millenáris Park at the right time, you can expect live classical music, jazz or rock, all free of charge.

The series begins in mid-August and participants include the National Philharmonic, the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, folk performers, jazz bands, gypsy musicians and renowned choirs. You can find all the details on the Zenélő Budapest website.

One of the main reasons to visit Budapest in August is the pleasant weather. Unlike the winters, which turn cold at night, the summer season in Budapest is the perfect time to explore the city and go on day trips from Budapest.

The average maximum temperature in Budapest is around 27 °C, and the average minimum is 15 °C. The overall average temperature ranges between 21 and 22 °C. Furthermore, the city experiences an average rainfall of between 60 and 70 mm.

First and foremost, pack plenty of breathable clothing; lighter colours are also a good choice. If you’re planning to do a lot of walking, take a pair of comfortable trainers and a small reusable water bottle. Sunscreen is also important, as it’s not uncommon to experience high temperatures and strong UV radiation.

Swimwear and beachwear are also recommended given the numerous swimming pools and Lake Balaton itself. Don’t forget to pack light jackets or spring clothing in case the weather turns.

One of the best things about Budapest is its public transport options. There are several options to choose from, including the metro, suburban railways, boats, trams and buses.

There are two separate categories of public transport depending on the time of day. Daytime transport runs from 4.30 am to 11.50 pm and night-time transport runs from 11.50 pm to 4.30 am. To make getting around the city easier, there are many travel cards such as the Budapest Card to save money on public transport, including a 24-hour travel card, a 72-hour travel card and even a 7-day travel card.