Heralding spring, February is also the month of purification. By tradition, it is the beginning of the fasting period leading up to Easter, and also the time of Valentine’s Day, fancy dress parties, and anything to do with carnival: a season of feasts and parties. Let’s have a look at the best programmes coming up this month: superstars, classical music, jazz, art, gastronomy, sport and so much more excitement! 3RD MULLED WINE FESTIVAL / 2–3 February, WESTEND CITY CENTER For the third year running, the Mulled Wine Festival takes place over the first weekend of February. In addition to various mulled wines, expect coffees, hot chocolates, cocoas, a special selection of teas, as well as punch, mulled beers, pálinkas, and other hot drinks galore. These heart-warming drinks will be complemented by true winter dishes. Free entry! MAXIM VENGEROV & MÁV SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA / 7 February, 19:30, PALACE OF ARTS Get your ticket for this 7th February concert in MÜPA, to see the MÁV Symphony Orchestra and Maxim Vengerov performing together. Vengerov – one of the most sought-after violinists of our time – will also act as conductor at the event. On the programme: Bruckner’s 9th Symphony and Mozart’s Symphony in E-Flat major. TOM ODELL / 8 February, 19:00, BARBA NEGRA MUSIC CLUB After a number of festival appearances, Tom Odell, the British singer and songwriter of Another Love and Heal fame, finally gives his first solo concert in Budapest. 12TH MANGALICA FESTIVAL / 8–10 February, SZABADSÁG TÉR Meet farmers and agricultural producers from all over Hungary at this festival, conducted in support of the fair trade movement. Alongside various Mangalica products, visitors can find Hungarian craft products, live music, children’s programmes, live animals presentations, Mangalica dishes made on the spot, whole roast pig, wines and pálinkas, as well as a cooking competition. Free entry! 4TH INDOOR BEER FESTIVAL / 15-17 February, HOTEL GELLÉRT At the second weekend in February, you can wander around in the imposing building of the Hotel Gellért if you head to the indoor beer festival organised by Danubius Hotel Gellért for the fourth time. Nearly a hundred different beers on tap, beer gastronomy, beer brunch and unlimited beer to be consumed await ale lovers. And for a fitting end to the day, why not head straight to the adjoining famous baths afterwards? 7TH BUDAPEST FISH FESTIVAL / 16–17 February, 1 PÁZMÁNY PÉTER SÉTÁNY, 11th District The full spectrum of fish-related Hungarian gastronomy (and the most important international culinary trends) will be on display, in close proximity to the Danube. This year, bream will take centre stage: come and discover the taste of “keszeg” on the spot. Definitely on the programme: heated tents, concerts, fairground rides, adventure fishing, giant casserole and hundreds of fish dishes. Free entry! ADAGIO – VALENTINE’S DAY CONCERT / 17 February, 19:00, MOMKULT After a short break, the Hungarian music trio with four platinum albums to its name will be on stage once again, with a repertoire of well-known and popular Hungarian and international pop songs as well as classical music pieces. MENTES FESZT / 23–24 February, 1 PÁZMÁNY PÉTER SÉTÁNY, 11th District If you are conscious of what you eat, or suffer from a food allergy, this is the place to be on the last weekend of February. You’ll be guaranteed to find something to your taste from all the free-from food on offer on more than 1000 m2 and two floors at the Mentes Festival. Moreover, expert presentations will provide guidance to those who wish to improve their health awareness. MARTHA HIGH & THE SOUL COOKERS / 27 February, 20:00, 18 CSÖRSZ UTCA, 11th District This goddess of soul music, a permanent performing partner to James Brown for thirty years, finally reveals her musical roots to the Budapest audience. From jazz to soul, blues to funk, everything will be there, with virtuosity and an excellent atmosphere guaranteed. UNDERGROUND RUN / 23 February, 9:00, 1 ELŐD UTCA, 10th District The extraordinary maze of underground caves that once used to be a storage facility for the Dreher brewery in Kőbánya is now all set to welcome runners. This year, the race has a special theme; apparently, the underground track will be “invaded” by “aliens” for the duration of the race! Photo: Pixabay