For three days in August 2025, the shores of Hungary’s Lake Tisza (Tisza-tó) transform into a lively, open-air cultural extravaganza, blending soul-stirring music and energetic movement in a setting that’s pure therapy for body and mind. Now in its twelfth year, the “Nature’s Opera House Lake Tisza Festival” (Természet Operaháza Tisza-tavi Fesztivál) invites festival-goers to cycle, run, and paddle their way through concerts and performances—all set against the peaceful backdrop of Hungary’s second-largest lake. The goal is simple yet profound: to offer a joyful break from stressful, inactive routines and the confinement of modern life. In 2025, the festival promises another vibrant edition of the Hungarian Lakes Festival (Magyar Tavak Fesztiválja).
Opening Gala on the Main Square
On Friday, August 1, the festival opens at 7:00 p.m. in the main square of Tiszafüred with the free “Lake Opera Gala Concert” (To’Pera Gálakoncert). This spectacular gala brings Erika Miklósa—Hungary’s celebrated coloratura soprano, lauded with Kossuth and Ferenc Liszt awards and a member of the Immortals’ Society—center stage, along with the talented students of the Quintessence Master School (Kvintesszencia Mesteriskola). Péter Novák, acclaimed actor and musician, will direct the evening, while Bea Csete will host. Plenty of surprises await, as the festival reserves the right to spice up the lineup.
Culture by Bike: The Saturday Ride
On Saturday, August 2, the festival shifts gears—quite literally—for “Cycling around Lake Tisza” (Tisza-tó). Participants can register from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. at the Lake Tisza Bicycle Center (Tisza-tavi Kerékpáros Központ) in Tiszafüred ($16, including entry and all concerts). The 42-mile scenic ride is punctuated by musical pit stops in lakeside villages, each offering unique performances:
9:40 a.m. – Poroszló’s Dolphin Pier (Delfin Kikötő) hosts accordionist Zoltán Orosz, winner of the EMERTON and Artisjus awards.
10:50 a.m. – Sarud’s Adventure Village Beach (Élményfalu) welcomes award-winning actors Mátyás Dósa and Péter Harna for music and cover songs.
12:10 p.m. – In Tiszanána-Dinnyéshát, Imre Vadkerti from the band Kormorán takes the stage.
1:30 p.m. – Lunch break in Kisköre, with musical performances by Fonogram winner Attila László and Szilvia Agárdi.
3:20 p.m. – The beach at Abádszalók features Linda Király, nominee for Glamour’s “Singer of the Year.”
4:25 p.m. – The campsite at Tiszaderzs vibrates with Zoltán Nyári’s operatic excellence and the Tiszaderzs Water Lily Folk Song Circle (Tiszaderzsi Tavirózsa Népdalkör).
5:25 p.m. – Tiszaszőlős echoes with the rhythmic traditions of the Kurul Drum Group (Kurul Dobosai).
6:15 p.m. – The finale at Kormorán Pier (Kormorán Kikötő), Tiszaörvény, features the ever-creative Antal Gábor Szűcs and violinist-singer Péter Gál.
Back at the cycling center by 6:55 p.m., riders will have combined fresh air, fitness, and a one-of-a-kind concert crawl across the lake.
Family Boat Day and Riverside Fun
Sunday, August 3, is reserved for families and water lovers at the Kisköre Dam and its beautiful surroundings. Starting at 10:00 a.m., activities continue throughout the day:
– The Hungarian Kayak-Canoe Association (Magyar Kajak-Kenu Szövetség) offers a rafting demonstration.
– A craft fair highlights local artisans.
– MOHOSZ (National Association of Hungarian Anglers) hosts a children’s fishing program.
– The Unidog Dog Sport Center presents a dog-training exhibition.
– Horse-drawn carriage rides by Yellow Foal Stables (Sárgacsikó Lovastanya) from Abádszalók delight both children and adults.
– A bouncy castle keeps the youngest visitors entertained.
On stage, the entertainment continues: Mátyás Dósa returns with Nikolett Molnár, both award-winning performers from the Szigliget Theater, joined by Géza Egyházi and Andrea Mahó (vocalist and voice actress), plus a jazz-blues supergroup featuring steel guitar, guitar, bass, and drums. The iconic children’s band Alma Ensemble (Alma Együttes) wraps up the afternoon for all ages. The event is free and once again hosted by Bea Csete.
Stay and Eat Like a Local
Accommodations reflect the spirit of Lake Tisza’s wild, tranquil landscape. From floating houses and stilted apartments at Kormorán Pier—where you can literally sleep on the water or in the treetops—to Dieter’s Camping, directly opposite the Tiszafüred Bathhouse (Tiszafüredi Termálfürdő), the area offers everything from eco-luxury hotel stays (Tisza Balneum Hotel), family-run guesthouses (Csuszka Guesthouse and Boat Guesthouse [Ladik Vendégház]), riverside campgrounds like Szabics Camping, to spacious caravan parks.
Hungry after all that adventure? Take your pick. Platán Restaurant serves local and international cuisine paired with Tokaj wines and lake views. The Mill Tavern (Molnár Csárda) and Füzes Inn (Füzes Vendéglő) offer traditional Hungarian fare at budget prices. In the mood for a beer? NOPARA Healing Beer House (NOPARA GyógySERtár) brewpub pours fresh craft beer alongside regional dishes and apartments. The Old Fisherman Restaurant (Régi Halászcsárda) delights with time-honored recipes, and the list goes on, whether you prefer a peaceful dinner in a quiet corner or a lively lakeside evening.
With new experiences waiting at every turn and schedule updates possible, the only guarantee is that this festival delivers an annual dose of nature, culture, music, and community like nowhere else in Hungary.
