July brings a brand-new tradition to Balatonfüred: the First Hungarian International Klezmer Festival takes over the Kisfaludy Open-Air Stage from July 10 to 12, right by the shores of Lake Balaton. Across three evenings, six bands—three from Hungary, plus groups from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Israel—dive into the soulful, celebratory world of klezmer. Alongside the music, visitors can sample traditional Jewish dishes, kosher wines, cakes, and beers, and browse a small market for gifts. Entry is free.
What Klezmer Sounds Like
Rooted in the 16th century, klezmer is the instrumental music of Eastern European Jewish communities, once inseparable from weddings and festive moments. Its calling card is an almost vocal expressiveness—clarinet and violin lines that cry, laugh, and sigh. The sound has absorbed centuries of neighboring influences: Balkan, Romanian, Hungarian, Slavic, and even jazz elements all surface in its winding, dance-ready melodies.
Festival Lineup and Schedule
Friday, July 10
– 6:15 PM – Opening Ceremony
– 6:30 PM – Budapest Klezmer Band: Led by Kossuth Prize-winning composer Ferenc Jávori (Fegya), a cornerstone of Hungary’s klezmer scene for over three decades, balancing concert hall finesse with street-born fire.
– 8:30 PM – Flying Rabbi (Létající Rabín): A Czech touchstone for Central European klezmer, blending Jewish themes with Czech and Moravian folk textures.
Saturday, July 11
– 6:30 PM – Klezmerész Együttes: Over 20 years strong, famed for two-part female vocals and distinctive takes on classic tunes.
– 8:30 PM – Di Gasn Trio: From Israel, fusing Eastern European roots with modern arrangements and sunlit Mediterranean colors.
Sunday, July 12
– 6:30 PM – Sabbathsong Klezmer Band: Since 1998, a Hungarian favorite weaving jazz, classical, and Roma motifs into Jewish repertoire.
– 8:30 PM – Pressburger Klezmer Band (Preßburger Klezmer Band): From Bratislava, uniting Jewish, Balkan, and Central European folklore.
Where to Go
Kisfaludy Open-Air Stage (Kisfaludy Szabadtéri Színpad), steps from the Balaton waterfront in Balatonfüred (8230). All programs are free, from July 10 to 12. Come hungry—there’s klezmer, and there’s plenty to taste.
