The first Mangalica Festival will take place in Vajdahunyad Castle in City Park on the 2nd weekend of February.

Mangalica is a pig with curly hair indigenouous to Hungary and its breeding has been revived in recent years.
Though mangalica meat is sligthly fatter than that of ordinary pig’s its fat contains higher portion of unsaturated fats than saturated fats which is good news for the health-conscious ones.

Apart from that mangalica meat is healthier it’s much more tasty, too. Nowadays more and more retailers recognise the marketing potential of mangalica products’ health benefits and consequently mangalica sausage, salami and other meat stuff cost much more than products made from ordinary pork meat, even though breeding of mangalica cost less due to its undemanding nature.

So visit the Mangalica Festival to have a taste of fried sausages, black pudding, pickles, Hungarian wines and pálinka, homemade jams and honey.

Sausage stuffing competition, cooking contest, craft fair and folk music are a few selections from the two-day program.

Admission is free. Find more info on the organiser’s website (though it’s only in Hungarian but the photos will surely whet your appetite).

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More than 70 performances in different categories of contemporary art welcome culture lovers in Budapest and in other Hungarian towns. The Budapest Autumn Festival focuses on modern art introducing new artists and productions from around the world.

The festival has a very varied programme so that everyone will be able to find an interesting and exciting performance.

The aim of the festival is to bring art closer to people and the many different venues include the streets and squares of Budapest.

An intriguing programe for architecture and history lovers will be two guided city walks, both taking visitors to two hidden and lesser known spots within the capital:

1. the Kőbánya Brewery (13th Oct, 11.00, and 13.00)
2. Control room of the Kelenföld Power Plant (20th Oct, 11.00, and 13.00)

The two places cannot be visited by average tourists so this is a good opportunity to learn about these two industrial monuments’ history and the role they play in the life of the capital.

Other programs I selected include a whole day devoted to the legendary musician, Frank Zappa (100% Zappa, Millenáris Theatre 13th Oct), Russian Film Days (in Toldi and the Cirko-gejzír cinemas).

Various dance performances, music concerts, and exhibitions make Budapest Autumn Festival one of the cultural highlights of Europe during the 10 days.

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The 2nd weekend of September is dedicated to fine wines from both Hungary and foreign countries. As usual the historic castle District gives home the festival which offers several wide selection of programs.

The most visited event of the festival is the Wine Exhibition & Fair (5th-9th September, on 5th-6th between 14.00-23.00, on 7th-9th: 10.00-23.00)) where you can taste cream-of-the-crop Hungarian wines. Every year a guest country is chosen to be a highlight of foreign wine producing nations. This year South Africa will introduce its delightful wines to both local wine lovers and to tourists who decide combine sightseeing with wine sampling.

In the Vinagora tent wine experts help you to become a wine tasting judge for some time and select the the Wine of the Festival.

On 9th September, at 13.00 a harvest parade takes place starting from Szentháromság tér and ending at the festival stage.

Admission: 2100 HUF for whole day, for which you’ll get a tasting glass with the festival’s logo and a small haversack in which you can carry your glass. Some coupons for wine tasting (cc. 300 HUF) are also included in the entrance ticket. Prices of tasting coupons range between 80-800 HUF.

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Budapest indulge both tourists and locals with a avriety of program in August. The Festival of Folk Arts will be held for the 21st time at the Royal Palace in Castle District.

Craftsmen (woodcarvers, embroiders, weavers, potters, blacksmiths, musical instrument makers) introuduce their works and work methods. This year leather works will be in the focus of the festival.

If you want to buy a special souvenir the festival provides you a perfect opportunity to select from quality and authentic folk art works.

Folk concerts and dance performances, puppet theatre entertain both adults and kids.

As usual the festival’s program culminates on 20th August (St Stephen’s Day a national Holiday in Hungary) with the march of the craftsmen and blessing of the New Bread in front of Matthias Church.

Admission: 1000 HUF/adult, 400/students, pensioners

Date: 17th-20th August, 10.00-23.00

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If you’re spend the whole day in an air-conditioned room during the heat wave in Budapest you certainly start feeling claustrophobia by evening.

Here’s a great, free outdoor program after sunset.

Go to the Tér-Film-Zene Fesztivál (Space-Film-Music Festival) at the Parliament building where approx. 200 films are shown on giant sceens daily between 16.30-23.00 including animations, musical, silent and dance movies.
During silent films piano music is played by István Gyarmati.

You can even have your dinner there because a large dining area welcomes the hungry guests with food stalls offering roast dishes, grilled sausage, salads and drinks.

Date: between 6th -29th July

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