Budapest’s Várkert Bazaar (Várkert Bazár) is gearing up for a stacked run of concerts and music programs across 2025 and 2026. The city’s architectural jewel box blends art and nature, classic and modern, culture and fun, making it a perfect stage for everything from improv supergroups to operetta gala nights, family shows, acoustic love letters, and a prog-rock milestone. Most events include a nice perk: free parking in the underground garage for 3 hours on the day of the show (entry from Szarvas Square [Szarvas tér]), subject to availability—validate your ticket at the counter in the Event Hall lobby.
Random Trip: Freestyle Fire Before New Year’s
December 30, 2025, Tuesday, 20:00
The pre–New Year’s tradition rolls on: Jávor Delov and the Random Trip collective return with an all-star, genre-blurring improv blowout. Expect surprising combos and left-field musical journeys from a cross-section of Hungarian pop and underground heavy-hitters, pouring heart and intuition into a freewheeling night.
Featuring: Sena (Irie Maffia), Kati Wolf, Bence Vavra, Kemon (Irie Maffia), Johanna Lengyel (Vasovszky Live), Andy Helfer (Blue Rabbit [Kéknyúl]), Máté “Kakas” Palágyi (Bohemian Betyars) on violin, Mihály Gotthárd (Godfathers) on guitar, Zoltán Cséry on keys, Kristóf Töröcsik (ex–Margaret Island) on bass, Bence Táborszky on trumpet, DJ Q-Cee on turntables, and Jávor Delov on drums.
Free 3-hour parking available on show day with validation in the Event Hall foyer.
Be Massive New Year’s Eve Party
December 31, 2025, Wednesday, 22:00
Turning 22, Be Massive is one of Hungary’s flagship underground electronic party series, famous for audacious venues: a ferry in the middle of Lake Balaton, a glacier at 10,500 feet in the French Alps, and—of course—the Várkert Bazaar (Várkert Bazár) on New Year’s Eve. Over the years they’ve premiered in Hungary artists who are now global names, including Charlotte de Witte, Sam Paganini, Innellea, Aether, Coeus, Denis Horvat, Marino Canal, Yubik, and ENOS.
Founder Metha keeps pushing the Be Massive Horizon concept to never-before-used sites—think lavender fields in Kőröshegy, the Danube Bend, and last year, a show beneath the dome of Buda Castle. NYE editions sell out fast, so grabbing tickets early is smart. Expect a night of sharp visuals and a clear-cut motto: “Style doesn’t matter, only the good music does.”
Lineup: Metha, Dubecticut, Robert Makai, Lenny Lenoks, Somazed, Blas.
Free 3-hour parking with on-site validation. VIP Lounge tickets include admission, priority entry with no queuing, and access to a small private area.
Budapest, You Beauty! New Year’s Gala Concert
January 1, 2026, Thursday, 19:00
Kick off the year in the Várkert Bazaar’s (Várkert Bazár) grand hall with a festive gala of beloved operetta hits. Star guests Marika Oszvald, Kata Simon, Dénes Kocsis, and Károly Peller promise charm, laughs, and sparkle, backed by the Dunakeszi Symphony Orchestra for full-bodied live sound. An elegant, joy-forward start to 2026, wrapped in the magic of the venue.
Free 3-hour parking with validation at the Event Hall lobby desk.
Apacuka: Carnival Family Day
January 25, 2026, Sunday, 11:00
An interactive, playful, dance-ready concert for kids and parents, performed fully live and drawn from the albums Colorful World (Színes világ), Speaker Bites (Hangfalatok), and Our Family Tree (Családfánk). Apacuka blends rock, world music, and reggae with vibrant instrumentation. Singer and poet Kriszta Pálfi’s voice and personality enchant all ages, while the messages, unique style, and engaging stagecraft make the band a standout of Hungary’s children’s music scene.
Acoustic Love: Juli Horányi Trio — Várkert Acoustic (Várkert Akusztik)
February 16, 2026, Monday, 19:00
Against the historic stone of the Várkert Bazaar (Várkert Bazár), Juli Horányi serves an intimate, acoustic evening of romantic favorites and stripped-back versions of her own songs. With two top musicians alongside her, the focus is on clean arrangements, emotion, and atmosphere—a quietly unforgettable choice around Valentine’s Day.
Free 3-hour parking on show day, subject to availability, with validation in the Event Hall foyer.
Vera Tóth — Divas’ New Year
March 7, 2026, Saturday, 19:00
A rollicking New Year’s celebration with Vera Tóth and her beloved big band, the 25-year-old Budapest Jazz Orchestra, plus special guest Linda Király. Expect a joy-charged night that blasts away early-January gloom with powerhouse vocals, orchestral punch, and plenty of feel-good glow. Lineup: Vera Tóth (vocals), Linda Király (vocals), Budapest Jazz Orchestra. New year, new vibes—bring the energy.
Solaris 45: Chronicles of Mars (Marsbéli krónikák) Anniversary Concert
March 21–22, 2026, Saturday–Sunday, 19:00
A rare feat in Hungarian music: Solaris marks 45 years with a monumental double studio album, Chronicles of Mars III (Marsbéli krónikák III), introduced live in a two-part concert at the Várkert Bazaar (Várkert Bazár). The first half revisits the legendary debut Chronicles of Mars (Marsbéli krónikák), released 40 years ago, and its sequel 20 years later, Chronicles of Mars II (Marsbéli krónikák II). After the break comes the centerpiece: the premiere of Chronicles of Mars III (Marsbéli krónikák III).
Subtitled Are We AI (Mi vagy M.I.), this double concept album weaves stories about artificial intelligence across richly composed suites, backed by an immersive visual world of video and graphics. Two years in the making, it’s already stirred international buzz, winning multiple year-end polls for Progressive Rock Album of the Year.
Band: Csaba Bogdán (guitars), Róbert Erdész (keyboards, vocoder), László Gömör (drums, percussion), Gábor Kisszabó (bass), Attila Kollár (flute, recorder, synth, vocals, whistle), Tamás Pócs (bass), Ferenc Rausch (drums), Attila Seres (bass).
Guests: Zsuzsa Ullmann (vocals), György Demeter (vocals), Ferenc Gerdesits (vocals), a 10-piece choir, plus Ferenc Muck (saxophone) and Máté Hámori (guitars).
Free 3-hour parking available with validation at the Event Hall lobby counter.
Budapest dates:
2025.12.30. • 2025.12.31. • 2026.01.01. • 2026.01.25. • 2026.02.16. • 2026.03.07. • 2026.03.21–22.
