For the twelfth time, the Nature Opera House Tisza Lake Festival is gearing up to offer three unforgettable days where music meets the great outdoors. Running from August 1–3, 2025, this festival is all about breaking free from daily routines, inviting everyone to cycle, run, and row for culture around Hungary’s enchanting Tisza Lake (Tisza-tó).
Star-Studded Gala Night
Friday evening kicks off at the Main Square of Tiszafüred (Tiszafüred) with the To’Pera Gala Concert at 7:00 PM, and admission is free. The headliner is Erika Miklósa, the celebrated Hungarian coloratura soprano and a permanent member of the Immortals’ Society, performing with her student group from the Quintessence Master School (KVINTESSZENCIA MESTERISKOLA). The event is orchestrated by Péter Novák, a multi-talented, Jászai Mari Award-winning actor, singer, lyricist, and composer, while Bea Csete hosts. The program promises grand performances under the open sky to kick off the festivities.
Ride, Discover, and Enjoy Music
Saturday gets the adrenaline pumping with the Tisza Lake Bike Tour, starting at the Tiszafüred Bicycle Center. Registration runs from 8:00 to 9:00 AM, with departure at 9:00. Tickets are $16 each, and the tour winds around the lake, blending cycling with live musical interludes at multiple stops.
The route includes a stop in Poroszló (Poroszló), where award-winning accordionist Zoltán Orosz performs, followed by a show at the Adventure Village in Sarud (Sarud) featuring actor-singers Mátyás Dósa and Péter Harna. At Tiszanána-Dinnyéshát (Tiszanána-Dinnyéshát), Imre Vadkerti—known for his work with Kormorán—takes the stage. Cyclists refuel at the Fish Ladder Bistro (Lépcső Bisztró) at Kisköre (Kisköre Fish Ladder), enjoying tunes by Attila László and Szilvia Agárdi.
The afternoon continues at the Abádszalók (Abádszalók) beach, with a show by Linda Király, who was nominated as Glamour Magazine’s Singer of the Year. Further stops include Tiszaderzs (Tiszaderzs), where opera tenor Zoltán Nyári and the Waterlily Folk Choir (Tiszaderzs Waterlily Folk Choir) perform, and at Tiszaszőlős (Tiszaszőlős), the Kurul Drummers (Kurul Dobosok) traditional drum group brings rhythmic energy. By late afternoon, the tour reaches Kormorán Harbor (Kormorán Kikötő) in Tiszaörvény (Tiszaörvény), featuring composer/guitarist Antal Gábor Szűcs and violinist Péter Gál, co-founder of Kormorán. Riders return to the Bicycle Center at about 6:55 PM, after making a full circuit filled with music and beautiful scenery.
Family Picnic and River Fun
Sunday is all about families, boats, and local color at the Kisköre Fish Ladder (Kisköre Fish Ladder) and its stunning natural surroundings. Starting at 10:00 AM, the area comes alive: the Hungarian Kayak-Canoe Association gives rafting demonstrations, local craftsmen set up market stalls, and MOHOSZ organizes fishing activities for children. There’s dog training by the Unidog Canine Sports Center, horse-drawn carriage rides provided by Sárgacsikó Stables from Abádszalók (Sárgacsikó), and, for the little ones, inflatable castles.
A line-up of acclaimed artists and musicians keeps the atmosphere festive—from actor Mátyás Dósa and actress Nikolett Molnár, to Géza Egyházi and Andrea Mahó, both celebrated musical stars, as well as prominent figures in Hungarian jazz and blues: Norbert Nikodém, László Halper, Péter Román, and János Sramkó. The beloved Alma Ensemble delivers a show that spans generations and delights more than just children. Bea Csete returns as host. Entry to the family and boating day is free.
Stay Where Nature Recharges You
If discovering the magic of Tisza Lake (Tisza-tó) tempts you to linger, there’s no shortage of places to stay. Kormorán Harbor (Kormorán Kikötő) offers unique accommodations: floating houses, stilted cabins, and even treetop lodges—a true water village set in tranquility. For campers, Dieter’s Camping, located opposite the Tiszafüred thermal spa, welcomes guests with new amenities and enhanced cleanliness protocols.
If comfort is your style, consider the two-story waterfront apartments featuring air conditioning, minibars, safes, terraces, and bathtubs—perfect for families or friends, with enough space for up to six people. The Tisza Balneum Hotel (Tisza Balneum Hotel), an eco-conscious four-star establishment on the lake, offers conference facilities, wellness amenities, and harmony in the heart of a nature preserve.
The nearby Szabics Marina and Leisure Park (Szabics Kikötő és Szabadidőpark) now offers new guesthouses, ideal for group or family getaways, plus a large campsite for caravan or tent dwellers. Albatrosz Marina (Albatrosz Kikötő) runs a spacious campground, private beach, equipment rental, and meal service, putting all the holiday fun just minutes from the town and spa.
Taste Hungary at the Lakeshore
No festival is complete without great food and drink. The Plane Restaurant (Platán Étterem) pairs international flair with local specialties and Tokaj’s famous wines, all best enjoyed on their summer terrace overlooking a lakeside sunset. Miller’s Inn Füzes Guesthouse (Molnár Vendéglő Füzes Panzió) and NOPARA Remedy Brewery (NOPARA GyógySERtár Sörfőzde) both serve generous portions of regional Hungarian comfort food at budget-friendly prices, with warm service year-round.
Blending nature, music, sport, and community in this magical lakeside setting, the Tisza Lake Festival promises soul-nourishing moments in every sense—don’t miss it!
