Hungary, the country of music festivals

Whether they prefer the classical repertoire, opera, jazz, folk, electronic or rock music, real music fans will find their calendars full for the summer even at the beginning of the year. And you don't even have to leave the country, as you will find a selection of music events and festivals in Hungary almost every week of the summer, even to the extent that you may not be able to fit anything else onto your list.

The pop music palette

Sziget Festival is known to almost everyone in Europe, and even worldwide. Over the decades, the former Student Island has grown into one of the largest and most famous festivals in Europe, with daily and weekly guests arriving from all over the world. Slowly, the VOLT festival in Sopron has caught up to it – with its huge wealth of genres, it appeals to fans of other light music trends every day. FEZEN in Székesfehérvár is similarly popular, where many fans of various genres, from rock and heavy metal to pop music, are considered regulars. But there is plenty on offer for fans of electronic music too: Balaton Sound and B. My Lake, among others, are the destinations for them.

In classical waters

Classical music lovers will not be left without festivals either. The Miskolc International Opera Festival attracts famous performers and a full house each year. Kaposfest, the Kaposvár International Chamber Music Festival, already enjoys at least as much fame among classical music festivals as Sziget in pop music. The organisers boldly experiment with genres and performers, and their stated aim is to make classical music popular with children as well. The historical environment provides an exciting background for the Sárvár Wind Music Castle Festival, while at the International Guitar Festival in Balatonfüred, fans can listen to the best of different genres and styles written for guitar.

Folk genres

Artists of folk and world music also perform at a number of festivals each year. In Gyula, the Béla Halmos Folk and World Music Festival is organised within the walls of the castle, commemorating the outstanding Hungarian folk musician and folk music researcher after whom it is named. The Folk and World Music Festival in Győr brings folk music and traditional melodies from different parts of the world to the western corner of Hungary, while the Babel Sound festival is held in Balatonboglár and the Budapest Ritmo covers the capital.

Timeless jazz

Jazz has lost none of its popularity since the early 20th century, and can boast a serious fan base around the world. It’s no coincidence that tickets to the most popular jazz festivals are in high demand every year. The Paloznak Jazz Picnic, the Debrecen Wine and Jazz Days, the Louis Armstrong International Jazz Festival at Lake Bánki, the Szent Márton Jazz Festival in Pannonhalma and the Újbuda Jazz Festival are prestigious international events in terms of both performers and audience.