Makó’s main square, Széchenyi Square (Széchenyi tér), turns into a beer lover’s playground this summer as the BEERlak Beer Festival (BEERlak Sörfesztivál) takes over from Friday to Sunday, July 10–12, 2026. Entry is free, the taps are cold, and the lineup is built for long, lively evenings under the open sky. For three days, the BEERlak Festival mixes concerts, specialty brews, street food, artisan markets, and family programs in the heart of the city, drawing locals and travelers to a weekend that’s equal parts party and community fair.
Where and When
The action lands at 6900 Makó, Széchenyi Square (Széchenyi tér). Gates, grills, and music fire up across three nights:
– Friday, July 10 (péntek)
– Saturday, July 11 (szombat)
– Sunday, July 12 (vasárnap)
Music Headliners and Nightly DJs
Friday kicks off with Zanzibar at 20:00, laying down pop-rock energy before Vasovski Live takes the 22:00 slot with a club-ready live-electronic spin that always gets feet moving. DJ OceanEyes keeps the vibe humming through the night, knitting the main acts together with upbeat sets that turn the square into one big dance floor.
Saturday stacks a full rock-to-retro arc: Dirty Slippers tune up at 17:00, followed by Big Gunz at 19:00, a thunderous AC/DC tribute that promises all the riffs, swagger, and singalongs. At 21:00, Party Art’s OK shifts the evening into full party mode. Through the night, DJ Vader and the DJ Molnár Retro Show take over as the designated “mood managers,” blending radio classics and crowd-pleasers for a classic festival Saturday blowout.
Sunday leans family-friendly before rolling into film and late-sunshine lounging. At 16:00, kids get their own spotlight with Mimi the Bee, an interactive children’s show that invites young festivalgoers to sing, play, and join in. The square then morphs into a garden cinema: at 17:00, Garden Cinema (Kertmozi) screens Ratatouille (L’ecsó), and at 19:00, Coyote Ugly (Sakáltanya), perfect for settling into festival chairs with a drink in hand.
80 Beers, 8 Breweries, One Square
Across the entire weekend, eight breweries pour roughly 80 kinds of beer—a tasting trail of crisp lagers, juicy IPAs, creamy stouts, sours, and seasonal specialties. Expect tap takeovers and firkin-fresh flavors you won’t find at your corner bar. It’s not just about the beer, though: a bustling “gastro plaza” (gasztro placc) lines the square with street food and regional bites, ideal for pairing with your tasting paddle. Think smoky grills, local favorites, and the kind of festival fare that keeps you going late into the evening.
Crafts, Rides, and Family Fun
The Kiskaska artisan market brings handmade goods and crafty finds to browse between sets—jewelry, design pieces, and gifts from local makers. Kids can burn off energy on the bouncy castle and hop onto the carousel, making the festival a real option for families who don’t want to choose between entertainment for adults and a day out for children. Between the music, beer, market strolls, and rides, there’s an all-day rhythm that keeps everyone entertained.
Stay the Weekend
If you’re making a trip of it, Makó’s got your back. The Autós Panzió welcomes guests right at the city’s gateway, near Route 43 and the Maros River, wrapped in greenery. Choose between 2- and 3-bed rooms or 4-person apartments, all with secure parking, safes, and luggage storage for peace of mind.
Prefer a city-center retreat? Just a five-minute walk from the Hagymatikum spa, a hotel with a more than 10,764-square-foot (1,000-square-meter) relaxation park offers gurgling fountains, secluded nooks, and a big lawn. The interior swaps the typical hotel feel for a curated mix of high-value antique furniture blended with modern comfort—quiet, characterful, and calm, right in downtown Makó.
For style seekers, the Grand Hotel Glorius Makó adds 1920s glamour to your stay. This Art Deco–inspired, four-star design hotel sits beside the Hagymatikum spa and pairs standout gastronomy with wellness and bath services. The Glorius balances exclusive ambiance with practical comforts, merging elegance and homey warmth in a city with a Mediterranean vibe and one of Hungary’s most remarkable thermal baths.
Eat and Unwind
Cafés and restaurants nearby add flavor to the festival orbit. Gábli—its name a nod to the German “Gabel,” meaning “fork” and evoking “brunch”—fills a missing niche in Makó with a stylish yet relaxed café-restaurant. It’s polished enough to feel special, but you won’t stress about dress codes or whether the kids are behaving perfectly.
Looking for classic European-style dining? A local restaurant serves tasty Hungarian and specialty dishes in a pleasant, business- and tourist-friendly setting. The city’s bowling spot doubles as a social hub—drop in for fresh juice, coffee, and a full range of hot or cold drinks alongside easy eats.
Date-night vibes? Rocco Restaurant and Pizzeria (Rocco Étterem és Pizzéria) sits about 984 feet (300 meters) from the spa and a one-minute stroll from the Glorius Hotel. Expect a rustic setting, candlelit tables, Makó and international specialties, a cozy terrace—and, naturally, pizza.
Craving tradition? St. Gerard Winery and Inn (Szent Gellért Borház és Vendégfogadó) preserves old-world charm with a 19th-century inn atmosphere, oven- and cauldron-cooked dishes, and a curated list of quality Hungarian wines and pálinka. It’s a portal to the calm of bygone times, served warm.
Good to Know
The organizers reserve the right to change the schedule and dates. But one thing’s fixed: for three days in July, Makó’s Széchenyi Square (Széchenyi tér) is where the city’s heart beats, one pour and one chorus at a time. Entry is free—bring your thirst, bring your friends, and bring your appetite.
