Balatonfüred is packing spring and summer with festivals, races, theater, film, jazz, vintage cars, and, of course, wine. From April 3 to August 9, the lakeside town spreads programs across multiple venues, with boat trips, outdoor terraces, family days, and big-name comedy nights. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs, so check before you go.
April highlights: wine terrace season and Jókai
April opens with Szevasz Terasz! at Zelna Winery’s terrace, April 3–26, as the national Szevasz Terasz campaign brings nearly 100 wineries across Hungary into spring mode over four weekends. Expect panoramic vineyard views and excellent wines by the glass.
April 20–24 and again April 27–30, hop on Balatonfüred’s sightseeing boats, then catch the Balatonfüred Cinema program April 20–26 and April 27–May 3. The 35th Jókai Days run April 24–25, celebrating author Mór Jókai’s ties to Balatonfüred. On April 25, cooks head to Koloska Valley for the Jókai bean soup cooking competition, while boat excursions return April 25–26. Wine takes center stage April 26 with the 35th City Wine Competition and the Balatonfüred Wine Competition. Runners circle the lake during Ultrabalaton April 23–26, and April’s cinema slate fills the evenings.
Late April into May: theater, kids, and cycling
On April 29 at 19:00, Arács People’s House stages A mi utcánkban, an effervescent one-act comedy by Lili Fabacsovics about a mystery guest crashing a lavish wedding in an unnamed Hungarian town. The cast features Mátyás Kós, Lenke Szalma, Géza Bodor, József Jámbor, Klári Varga, Nikoletta Tőkés, Márk Pásztor, Viktória Stauróczky, and Csaba Papp, directed by Barnabás Janka. Admission is free.
May 1 turns into a family fest: the Balatonfüred Runners’ May Day Children’s Race on Kossuth Lajos Street is free but requires registration; starts from 11:30 by age group, awards at 13:00. Also on May 1: local history and the Jókai Museum May Day, BalatonFondo cycling, a Library Picnic and May Day, plus boat excursions May 1–3. On May 2, at 10:00 in the Huray Villas (Blaha Lujza St. 2), chef Attila Villám presents his book How Does a Hungarian Chef Reach the Royal Family’s Kitchen? Free, with registration. That evening at 19:00, the Balatonfüred Congress Center hosts the comedy Easy Virtue (Könnyű erkölcsök, two acts) by Csillagfény Produkció. Tickets: about $12. On May 2 at 18:00, the House of Jewish Excellence welcomes Lutheran pastor and writer Sándor Gabnai for a talk in the Living With Our Luminaries series.
Mid-May: vintage elegance and sailing season
Film club lands in Balaton Cinema May 5 with Sergei Parajanov’s The Color of Pomegranates. Weekly boat and cinema programs continue May 4–17. From May 15–17, the Balatonfüred Concours d’Elegance rolls in with a vintage car beauty contest on the promenade. May 16 officially opens the sailing season with the Sail Ho ceremony and the Season-Opening Regatta. The Tour de Hongrie peloton rides through Balatonfüred on May 17 around 14:26 along Route 71, turning at the Tesco roundabout toward Fürdő Street, then out via the next roundabout toward Balatonszőlős.
Late May into June: fish, wine, and kids’ weekend
Expect steady boat trips and cinema listings throughout May and June. From May 22–25, the Balaton Fish and Wine Festival brings lakeside bites and bottles. Children take over May 30–June 1 with a Children’s Day weekend, and there’s a special Children’s Day sightseeing cruise on May 31. In early June, the Congress Center stages The Poor Rich (Szegény gazdagok) on June 7, tickets roughly $20–$21. The Book–Wine–Jazz Festival pops corks June 11–14, followed by the Hungarian Motion Picture Festival June 18–20. June 20 brings comedians András Péter Kovács and Eszter Ráskó to the Balaton Leisure and Conference Center, tickets about $21. The Balatonfüred International Guitar Festival runs June 20–27. On June 27, join the Rabbi of Füred tour: synagogue visit, city walk, and the House of Jewish Excellence with an expert guide.
July: klezmer, open-water crossing, and comedy marathon
July fills up fast. On July 1, organist Gergely Rákász plays Mozart in the Evangelical Church (about $16). July 4 brings two Túrajó outings—From Tree to Forest walks and Füred KERÉKkaland rides—each around $10. The first Hungarian International Klezmer Festival takes place July 10–12. On July 11, thousands dive in for the Allianz Bay Crossing and SUP Challenge.
Open-air theater lands July 14 with Hyppolit, the Butler (Hyppolit, a lakáj; musical comedy, 2 acts) at the Balatonfüred outdoor stage, tickets about $16. Dumafüred 2026, July 17–26, drops a full slate of stand-up: István Dombóvári, András Péter Kovács, Gergely Litkai, Eszter Ráskó, Zoltán Kőhalmi, Ádám Kiss, Dániel Mogács, Dávid Dennis Musimbe, and more. Prices run roughly $21–$28 depending on the show. Look out for Duma Jam nights, All Stars lineups, László Hadházi’s The Last Night’s Right (18) and The Brain of the World, Eszter Ráskó’s Sátántangó, and several solo hours. There’s another Rabbi of Füred tour on July 18. Boat and cinema programs continue all month, along with the Anna Festival July 21–26.
Anna Ball and Blue Ribbon: July’s crown jewels
July 25 delivers the 201st Anna Ball (Anna-bál), Hungary’s classic ball tradition, alongside sailing’s White Ribbon – Szabolcs Izsák Memorial Race (Fehér Szalag – Izsák Szabolcs Emlékverseny). The comedy marathon rolls on the same day with new All Stars rosters plus Hadházi’s Dogs. Shows continue July 26 with more solo hours. Weekly boats and films run July 20–26 and July 27–August 2. Then July 30–August 1, the 58th Raiffeisen Blue Ribbon Grand Prix (Kékszalag Nagydíj), Europe’s biggest inland regatta, paints Lake Balaton with sails—an iconic Balatonfüred spectacle. The town keeps up the momentum with cinema and boat trips August 3–9.
Where to stay, what to eat and drink, and more local info are available across the town’s platforms—and remember, dates and programs may change.
