Budapest Event Guide April 2016
Things to Do in Budapest in April brings you a list of events and interesting things to do in Budapest this month.
There are plenty of fun things to do in Budapest in April. During this month the city becomes lively with lots of festivals, concerts, open air theater and all sort of activities to do for locals and tourists alike.
Budapest weather in spring is very pleasant, days are sunny, temperatures rise and the whole landscape becomes green. Despite of the warmer weather I recommend you bring a light jacket, sunglasses and a raincoat. Do not forget your bathing suit, as you shouldn’t miss the thermal baths!!
Please find below our top picks’ list of things to do in Budapest in April, you might be interested in doing something else besides sightseeing while visiting Budapest.
Budapest Spring Festival 2016
When: April 8 – April 24 , 2016
Where: Various locations. 
The Budapest Spring Festival is one of the city’s most important cultural events of the year offering the best variety of classical music, jazz, opera, ballet performances, folk dance and art exhibitions.
The events take place in the most important concert halls and theaters of the city. Below you can find link to the venues and programs for the festival, there is a great variety of artists for all kind of tastes.
An opening parade will start with many of the participants in several points of the city: Fővám Square, Városháza Park, Szent István Square. The Parade will continue all along Andrássy Avenue where there will be performances to celebrate Liszt. on Liszt Ferenc Square and Kodály körönd. Upon arrival at Heroes’ Square, the performers will join a large production that involves several art forms. The audience should also feel free to participate!
This year the festival is celebrating its 35th edition and it is bringing a great variety of world stars in several cultural genres. For more information visit the Budapest Spring festival official website.
Dinning Cruise with Live Music
When: Every day in April, 2016
Where: Meeting Point. Danube Palace, Zrinyi u. 5.
A romantic dinner cruise with live music on the river Danube is a wonderful thing to do in Budapest in April. These cruises offer a great 4 meal course of traditional Hungarian food created by the well known Hungarian chef, Klöter Gregor-Grex.
The musicians, 3 members of the Zoltan Kodaly awarded Hungaria Orchestra, including the world-famous violinist Zsigmond Vidak, who was awarded the Merit Cross of the Hungarian Republic will entertain you with melodies of classical and traditional Hungarian music as they witness fabulous night views of Budapest at the background.
Do not miss the opportunity to get enchanted by the spectacular night views of Budapest world cultural heritage panorama. From a river tour like this, you see Budapest from a different perspective: the illumined bridges, the Parliament,the Buda Castle and Citadella are simply stunning at night.
More information: Check the Dinner Cruise Website for detailed information on dates, menu and prices.
Janos Hill lookout by Chair Lift
When: April 2016
Where: Zugligeti út 97.
János Hégy is a wonderful place located in one of the most beautiful areas of Buda Hills from where you can admire the entire city of Budapest.
You can reach János Hill by chairlift (libegő).
The ride takes about 15 minutes through a leafy green forest with fantastic views of surrounding neighborhoods and Budapest.
János hégy is the highest point in the Buda Hills where you can walk up to Elizabeth lookout and enjoy 350°breathtaking views of the city and surroundings, have a relaxed walk or even take a ride back to the city on the children railway.
The chairlift to János hegy (John’s hill) works daily from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm Monday to Sundays and Public Holidays.
The chairlift runs depending on weather conditions ( It doesn’t operate on windy, stormy, foggy or rainy weather).
Please keep in mind that on April 4-8 the chairlift will be closed due to maintenance works.
Cost: 850 ft per adult per ride. And 550 ft per child per ride.
Return Ticket: 1,400 ft for adults and 800 ft for children. Children under 3 years old can travel free of charge.
How to get there: The easiest way to get to Zugligeti Libegő station is to take bus number 291 at Nyugati Station, get off at the last stop and walk up about 200 mt. On the right side you will find the Zugligeti Libegő station (Next to Zugligeti campsite where there is a yellow tram car that works as the campsite’s shop).
For more information visit their website .
Night Spa at Rudas baths
When: Every Friday and Saturday Night of April, 2016. From 10:00 pm to 4:00 am.
Where: Rudas Baths – Budapest 1013, Döbrentei tér 9.
Price: 4,400 ft.
Rudas Baths is one of the remaining Turkish baths in Budapest. It was built during the 16th century and still preserves the unique architecture, its Ottoman interior and Turkish character.
It opens its doors every Friday and Saturday night to enjoy a quiet spa experience. Visiting Rudas baths at night can be a unique thing to do in Budapest in April.
How to get there: The best way to get to Rudas Baths is taking trams 18 or 19 (from Bathyanyi tér Red Metro Line) as well as buses 5, 7, 8 and 86 to Dobrentei tér. (at the foot of Elizabeth Bridge on the Buda side).
Classical Music Concerts at Budapest Basilica
When: Every Tuesday and Sunday of April, 2016. 8:00 pm.
Where: St. Stephen’s Basilica
Cost: 30-56 Euro
Saint Stephen’s Basilica is one of the most stunning neo Classical buildings of Budapest.
Its great acoustics makes it the perfect place to enjoy a series of beautiful classical music concerts where the organ and the flute are the main players together with outstanding performers.
How to get there: The best way to get the Basilica of Budapest is taking Blue Metro Line 3 and getting off at Arány János station.
More information: Check the Basilica’s organ Concerts Website for detailed information on dates, concerts and prices.
International Book Festival Budapest
When: April 21-24, 2016
Where:Millenaris Park. District II Kis Rókus utca 16-20.
Entrance:500 ft.
This year Budapest is holding the 23rd version of its International Book Festival, a cultural event that brings together contemporary literature authors from all over the world and their Hungarian readers.
The festival offers a big variety of cultural activities such as signing sessions, concerts, theater performances, films,photo exhibitions, meetings with authors, book premiers and presentations and cultural programs for children.
This year the country guest of honor is Slovakia and our author guest of honor is the Norwegian Jostein Gaarder, internationally acclaimed for his novels.
This event brings well known authors and also young talents from all over the world. There are more than 30 guests countries bringing the best of their contemporary literature.The United States, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Germany, Finland, Poland, Croatia and of course Hungary, are some of the participant countries in the Festival.
The International Book Festival Budapest is mainly addressed to the public and all books exhibited can be purchased. The entrance ticket to the festival costs 500 ft but can be used as a voucher if you buy a book.
More information: Check the Hungarian Book Fair for detailed information on programs.
Titanic International Film Festival
When: April 7- 16, 2016
Where: Budapest Art Cinemas: Kino, Toldi, Örökmozgó, Uránia and A38.
Titanic International Film Festival is the most important international film festival celebrated in Hungary since 1994. Every year the festival brings to its audience the most daring, original and trend-breaking pieces of international film production from every possible corner of the world.
Dark comedies, emotionally charged dramas, the best of Raindance, genre films or documentaries are all present in the film selection of the festival.
This year the 23rd version of the festival brings 54 films (34 countries divided into 8 sections) from well-known directors to first-film directors. Attending to this festival is a really unique thing to do in Budapest in April.
The films are screened in original language with English subtitles and Hungarian voice-over translation, except when indicated otherwise.
This year, five locations await the audience: the Urania National Film Theatre , Toldi cinema, Pushkin cinema, Sugar cinema and A38 Boat.
More information: Check the Titanic Film Festival website for detailed information on dates, films and tickets.
Budapest Palace of Arts
When: April 2016.
Where: Komor Marcell u. 1, Budapest IX District
The Budapest Palace of Arts offers an amazing variety of cultural events all year round. Musical concerts from diverse genres, opera, dance performances, art exhibitions and art workshops among many other kind of events take place in the Palace of Arts.
If you are interested in any type of art, visit Budapest’s Palace of Arts and enjoy Hungarian’s rich cultural life.This is truly one of the things to do in Budapest in April you shouldn’t miss. Take a look at the concerts and programs available for April 2016, I am sure that you will find something you would like to enjoy.
How to get there: The best way to get the Palace of Arts is taking tram number 2 and getting off at Közvágohíd (Millenium Kulturalís Központ)
More information: Check Palace of Arts Events for detailed information on current programs.
Cultural Night at Budapest Opera House
When: April 2016
Where: Hungarian State Opera House. Andrassy út 22
Time: 19:00-22:00
The Hungarian Opera House and the newly renovated Erkel Theater proudly present the following performance in April:
- The Sleeping Beauty, Marius Petipa / Sir Peter Wright / Pyotr Ilyich
Erika Miklósa as the Queen of the Night in Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte.” Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera Tchaikovsky. Ballet in three acts.
- La Traviata. Giusepe Verdi. Opera in two acts. In Italian language.
- The Queen of Spades. Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Opera in three acts, in Russian, with Hungarian and English subtitles.
More information: Check the Hungarian Opera House website for detailed information and prices.
WAMP Arts and Crafts Fair
When: April 24, 2016.
Where: Erzsebet tér.
WAMP is a local design festival that takes place at least once a month, usually on Sundays where young Hungarian designers and craftsmen exhibit their creations. This is the perfect place to get to know Hungarian Fashion, emerging Hungarian designers and to buy unique colorful and authentic gifts.
If you happen to be in Budapest at this time, don’t miss this festival! Take advantage of this fair to look for unique souvenirs for relatives and friends.
How to get there: The best way to get to WAMP in Erzsebet tér is taking Blue Metro Line (M3) and getting off at Deák tér station. Erzsebet tér is just in front of Deák tér.
Gouba Bazaar – Art Street Market
When: Every Sunday in April, 2015 10 am- 7 pm
Where: Gozsdu udvar. VI District. Király utca 13
Entrance: Free
Gouba is a Sunday street market where you can find interesting, colorful, creative and fun arts, crafts, books, antiques and gastronomy. From Spring to the end of Autumn this is the place where every Sunday young Hungarian musicians, ceramists, painters, jewelers and artists in general exhibit their own creations.
The bazaar takes place at Gozsdu Udvar, a beautifully renovated courtyard on Király utca (Budapest Jewish Quarter) full of restaurants, cafés and fancy bars. If you are looking for something fun to do on Sundays, Gouba bazaar is the place to be.
Easter in Buda Castle
When: March 30 – April 1, 2016
Where: Buda Castle (Hunyadi Courtyard and Saboyai Terrace)
Entrance: Adult: 1800 ft. Child/Senior: 800 ft.
Easter in Buda Castle promises to be a very entertaining event for adults and children alike. This festival features all kind of Hungarian Easter traditions such as folk dance, arts and crafts, gastronomy and live folk music.
During these three days visitors will be able to get to know and enjoy Hungarian Easter traditions by tasting traditional Easter dishes, learning different techniques for egg painting and making crafts as well as getting familiar with Hungarian folk music and dance as well as popular Hungarian musicians.
Information on how to get there: Check the Buda Castle Page
Spring Market at VörösMarty Tér
When: March 25 -April 24, 2016
Where: Vörösmarty Square
The Easter market at Vörösmarty square welcomes Spring time with all kinds of Hungarian Easter crafts, traditions and cuisine. This is the perfect place to get a bit closer to Hungarian traditions, not only Easter customs but in general this is a sample of how creative Hungarians can be.
At this Easter market you will most probably fall in love with all kinds of hand made utensils, taste several authentic Hungarian delicacies such as jams, cheeses, sausages,salami, Hungarian caviar and wines and even learn how to paint Hungarian Easter eggs.
If you are in town during this week, don’t miss the opportunity to experience Hungarian Easter the way locals do.
How to get there: There are several ways you can get to Vörösmarty Tér:
– Take Metro Line 1 (Millenium underground)
– Take Metro Lines 2 or 3 to Déak Tér.
– Take Tram number 2 to Vigadó Tér.
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