Balatonfüred Kicks Off With Fish And Wine Fest

Balatonfüred Fish & Wine Festival brings lakeside tastings, fresh Balaton fish, live concerts, and family fun on Tagore Promenade, May 22–25, 2026. Discover top wineries, culinary pairings, and kids’ programs.
when: 2026.05.22., Friday - 2026.05.25., Monday

Balatonfüred’s season opens on the waterfront with the Balaton Fish and Wine Festival (Balatoni Hal- és Borünnep), taking over Tagore Promenade (Tagore sétány) from Friday, May 22 to Monday, May 25, 2026. Expect a full-on festival vibe for Pentecost: daily wine tastings and a wine market, plates of fresh Balaton fish, and nightly concerts on the outdoor main stage.

Where and when

Dates: 2026.05.22–2026.05.25 (Friday–Monday).
Location: 8230 Balatonfüred, Tagore Promenade (Tagore sétány).
The festival is the city’s official gastronomic season opener, running for four days on the shore.

Wineries and flavors

The cream of the Balatonfüred–Csopak Wine Region takes over the promenade. Pouring across the stalls: Arias, Balogh, Bökő, Figula, Gyukli, Koczor, Koronczai, Lázár, Piffáth, Szabó & Son (Szabó és Fia), and Zelna. Alongside the glasses, food stands serve freshly fried fish and regional specialties. Look for Füredi Halas and Spicc Bistro (Spicc Bisztro) at the grills, plus Alföldi Cheese Workshop (Alföldi Sajtműhely) pairing cheeses with the wines. Tradition continues with halászlé fish soup cooked right on the promenade.

Music every evening

The main stage lights up nightly with Ildikó Keresztes (Keresztes Ildikó), Evelin László (László Evelin), Füred Dixieland Band, Renáta Damu & Tibor Kónyai Duo (Damu Renáta & Kónyai Tibor Duo), and Miry & Co. Don’t miss Marcello and the Flaming Boppers, whose look and sound channel the American rock ’n’ roll era for a lively throwback set.

Kids covered

Parents can sip while children dive into daily programs: a play park and toy library, puppet theater, and even a dedicated fishing competition for youngsters.

Daily highlights

– Wine tastings and a wine market every day
– Tastings of Balaton-caught fish dishes
– Appearance by last year’s Balatonfüred Winemaker of the Year with their wines

2025, adrienne

Pros
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Family-friendly vibe: kids’ play park, puppet shows, and even a junior fishing contest mean you can sip while they stay busy
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Easy timing for a long weekend trip over Pentecost (Fri–Mon) with nightly concerts to keep adults entertained
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Strong local flavor: fresh Balaton fish, halászlé cooked on the promenade, and top Balatonfüred–Csopak wineries pouring all day
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Music mix works for U.S. visitors too—there’s an American rock ’n’ roll throwback set alongside local acts
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No Hungarian required for enjoyment; food/wine are visual, and vendors in touristy Balatonfüred often speak basic English
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Location is right on Tagore Promenade, a scenic, flat waterfront stroll that’s stroller-friendly
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Getting there is manageable: trains from Budapest to Balatonfüred, local buses/taxis, or rental car via M7 with plentiful lakeside parking in shoulder season
Cons
Balatonfüred isn’t as internationally famous as Budapest or Lake Como, so you’ll have less name recognition when planning with friends
English signage and menus appear, but not everywhere—some winery/food details and stage banter may be Hungarian-only
Peak evening crowds on the promenade can be tight with strollers; popular fish stands may have long lines
Compared with big wine/food festivals in Napa or Tuscany, it’s smaller-scale and more rustic, with fewer premium tasting experiences

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