When summer 2025 arrives in Keszthely (Keszthely), the grand Festetics Palace (Festetics Kastély) flings its gates wide for five packed days of concerts, crafts, animals, and aristocratic drama at the FESTetics Park Festival. From August 15th to 19th, this historic spot transforms into an all-ages playground—equal parts sophistication and unpredictability.
Day One: Falcon Finesse, Horsepower, and DIY Style
The action kicks off on Friday, August 15th at 10 a.m., when the palace’s North Wing opens to the public. Inside, expert guides offer a unique look at both the “Carriages, Coaches, Automobiles in Aristocratic Life” exhibition and the hidden treasures of the Model Railway Museum.
Outdoors, the park pulses with folk games from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Twice throughout the day, falconer György Lóki impresses audiences with demonstrations of wild birds of prey—majestic creatures whose instincts remain razor-sharp. Each bird’s character is highlighted, forging a remarkable man-animal partnership that leaves jaws dropping onto the grass.
From 2 to 5 p.m., the Open Workshop begins: bring your own 100% cotton T-shirt (white is best) and immortalize a linoleum-cut design with vibrant red or black ink. No artistic ambitions? Pre-cut stencils are available, so everyone leaves with wearable art—even if the ink needs a day to fully dry.
Also between 2 and 5 p.m., horsepower takes over during aristocracy-themed riding demonstrations: educational showcases illustrate the storied bond between horses and humans, from the earliest days of youth to the refined etiquette of ladies and gentlemen in the saddle.
At 8:30 p.m., organist Gergely Rákász makes the castle park (rain venue: Balaton Theater (Balaton Színház)) sway with “Keszthely – Classic Love – Castle Edition.” Tickets sell quickly—pick yours up at the on-site box office or online at Jegymester.
Canine Class and Equestrian Glitz
Saturday, August 16th follows a similar rhythm from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., with palace tours and guided exhibition walk-throughs. The park remains lively with folk games and a double feature by the National Greyhound Association (Magyar Agár Szövetség). Founded nearly two centuries ago and proudly bearing the “Hungarikum” badge, this organization proves that hunting with the Hungarian Greyhound (Magyar agár) is more than nostalgia: it’s living, breathing heritage, celebrated from schools to world fairs.
Between 2 and 5 p.m., riders saddle up once more for mounted demonstrations. At 8 p.m., actor Tamás Szabó Kimmel takes over the park for a special show, “One Life of Mine,” under the stars, or at Balaton Theater (Balaton Színház) if it rains.
Family Games, Pop-Rock Spectacle, and More
Sunday, August 17th transforms the North Wing into a family wonderland between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Inside, the usual exhibition tours run at 1 and 4 p.m. Outside, children can unleash their creativity in a crafts corner—thanks to the Palace’s own Historical Playhouse team—while bouncy obstacle courses and movement workshops keep them active all day.
As night falls, the castle park rocks out with “The Final Countdown” pop-rock concert at 8 p.m. Get ready for an adrenaline-charged night as Europe’s (the band) anthem leads a setlist powered by the Dunakeszi Symphony Orchestra (Dunakeszi Szimfonikus Zenekar) and Hungary’s top session musicians. Ress Hajnalka, a powerhouse singer and performer, electrifies with covers of everything from Whitney Houston to Queen. Tickets are available as always at the palace and online outlets.
Crocodiles, Music Balconies, and Knights on Horseback
Monday, August 18th gets even quirkier. After the usual open hours, at 11 a.m., historian-museologist Szilvia Iski shares stories in “Summers in Keszthely—How Did a Crocodile End Up in Lake Balaton (Balaton)?”, in the Marbled Hall. The afternoon continues with more guided walks, family playhouses, a liberty training demonstration by Viktória Hamza, and, of course, horseback performances fit for nobility.
As the sun dips, young stars from “Song Derby” light up the palace balcony at 5 p.m., moving into the grand ballroom if it rains. Step into the past with guided “Time-Travel” palace tours departing in three waves: 6:30, 6:50, and 7:10 p.m.
Arts Finale: Graphite, Gallops, and Operatic High Notes
Tuesday, August 19th is all about art. From 2–5 p.m., the Open Workshop unlocks the secrets of the Contemporary Art Studio—hands-on sessions cover a spectrum of design and fine art techniques.
Meanwhile, horse showmanship reigns again from 2 to 5 p.m. The park welcomes laughing families with games and activities (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), and at 5 p.m., the closing balcony concert features a stellar cast: sopranos Eszter Kardos and Katinka Nagy, plus tenors Bálint Németh and Szilárd Horváth. If it rains, the magic moves inside to the ballroom without missing a beat.
Five days, dozens of crafts, animal shows, wild concerts, and a whole lot of palace drama—all woven together in the high-summer splendor of Festetics Park (Festetics Kastély Park). Welcome to the festival where history and madness meet under the Hungarian sun.
