The capital’s cultural cavalcade welcomes visitors in Budapest with a variety of exciting festivals. Open-air events throughout the summer will provide every generation with extraordinary experiences.

For the 90^th year, book lovers will flock to the Festive Book Week with full wallets only to leave with a stack of summer reads after a few hours of shopping. Due to the renovation of Vörösmarty Square, literature events, book signings and lectures will take place in the area between Duna Corso, Vigadó Square and Március 15 Square this year.

The now traditional Óbudai Nyár event series is a great addition to the diverse leisure activities on offer in the capital that provide the chance to relax in style. Art pieces and performances will be on show at more than a dozen locations, including exhibition halls, museums and public areas, between 14 June and 31 August. Exciting cultural events, open-air concerts, exhibitions, theatrical performances and movie screenings will await the locals and visitors in Óbuda, and excellent activities for children will be organised as well.

The Summer Music Festival in Vajdahunyad Castle will welcome music lovers with open gates for the 28^th time this year. Music fans will have a chance to listen to classical music and popular music concerts in magical surroundings on every Monday and Thursday between 1 July and 1 August.

Armel Opera Festival – a unique event featuring rare opera pieces and contemporary performances – will be organized for the 12^th time this year. The festival was awarded an “excellent” qualification by the European Festivals Association in 2017, the most prestigious form of acknowledgement awarded to festivals in Europe. Prepare to listen to some extraordinary pieces of music at Művészetek Palotája between 2–6 July.

Sziget Festival was first organized in 1993 for a very small audience, but it has since grown into one of the largest music festivals in Europe. More than 1,000 performances and 60 different stages will await visitors for 7 full days. It is a celebration where cultures and arts meet, where no visitors will be left without entertainment. It is no wonder that Budapest itself turns into a multicultural city as well during the week when Sziget takes place. Those who visit Budapest between 7–14 August should not miss the chance to enjoy the festival.

Movie lovers won’t be left without interesting events either: the 15^th BuSho Short Film Festival between 7 August and 1 September will surely keep them entertained. The festival, established by a group of young filmmakers, hit a great milestone in its 3^rd year, when shorts from 45 countries were screened. We should expect excellent short films and extraordinary pieces from young artists this year as well.

Let’s get festive!