Events on the Northern and Southern Shores of Lake Balaton

The northern shore of Lake Balaton offers a varied landscape of hills and valleys, secluded small villages and vineyard after vineyard – the perfect choice for relaxation close to nature. The more outdoorsy type will love the hiking trails guiding the tourists to lookout points and a range of other local attractions. And what could be a better conclusion of a long, delightfully exhausting walk than a glass of delicious local wine and some equally exquisite local dish? Rest assured, the local restaurants won’t disappoint. 

In the summer, the northern shore offers a multitude of cultural and musical programmes. The past years these have more and more bitten into the autumn and, lately, even into the winter months. 

The most popular of these are the Paloznak Jazz Picnic and the Valley of Arts, but let us not forget about the nearly 200‑year‑old tradition of the Belle of the Anna-ball in Balatonfüred and the annual Veszprém Fest, which features a line‑up of headline‑act names of classical and jazz music year to year.

The buzz of lakeside life never subdues on the southern shore. An endless promenade of music festivals throughout the summer season will leave everyone entertained. The largest event is the Balaton Sound in Zamárdi, boasting over a hundred thousand visitors each year. And it is easy to understand: the music is accompanied here by a spacious beach, the shallow water of Lake Balaton and a wonderful panorama. 

But cultural tourists and those with a keen palate won’t leave disappointed either. Looking back on over two decades of history, the Kultkikötő open‑air theatre was originally a spectacle in Balatonföldvár, but have since then conquered Balatonboglár, Balatonfenyves, Balatonszárszó, Alsóörs – even Badacsony on the other side of the lake!

Wine weeks are a hallmark of the summer on both the northern and southern shores of Lake Balaton. 

You do not want to miss out on one of the oldest and longest wine festivals around the lake, the Balatonfüred Wine Weeks in August. And you can’t go wrong with the Badacsony Wine Week either, where you can enjoy the exquisite combination of excellent concerts and a diverse selection of wines. 

The southern shore offers a wealth of wine tasting programmes. The Lelle Wine Week features the finest wines of the local vineyards, which you can enjoy to the tunes of varied musical programmes. At the end of the event the Wine of the Festival and the Wine Queen are voted. An important state holiday of Hungary, the 20th of August, also known as the “celebration of the new bread”. The Wine and Bread Festival in Siófok held around this day caters to enthusiasts of both wine and culinary delights.