Stuck in a rut when it comes to sports? Still searching for something more exciting than the usual activities—and ready to actually try them yourself? Want to meet Olympic, World, and European champion athletes for an autograph or a selfie? Maybe you’re more into music, always enchanted by melodies but never dared to get closer? Have you always wanted to try the instruments you see on stage? Whether you’re into sports or music (or both), the 2025 Budapest Big Sports and Instrument Festival (Nagy Sportágválasztó és Hangszerválasztó) is where your next passion might be waiting.
18 Years of Active Fun
This year’s event runs from 9 AM to 5 PM on September 12–13 at the Merkapt Sports Center (Merkapt Sportközpont, 12/A Maglódi út, 1106 Budapest). What started as a small local initiative in 2007 with barely a dozen sports and 300 visitors has exploded into Hungary’s largest sports and music taster event. Now, it boasts over 100 sports, 25+ instruments, and attracts more than 20,000 people across two jam-packed days.
The Festival’s mission: to inspire everyone to take up a sport—not just in theory, but through hands-on experience. Whether you become a pro or just have fun, the joy of discovering and succeeding at a new activity is the reward. While talent spotting isn’t the aim, many of today’s youth champions first discovered their sport at this very event.
Try Everything—For Free (Just Register)
The event is open and free to all: schools and kindergartens on Friday, families and individuals from Friday afternoon and throughout Saturday. Entry is free but registration is required—either online in advance or at the door.
More than 100 sports and 25+ instruments await, along with the chance to meet celebrated athletes and renowned musicians. Qualified coaches and music instructors will guide you through each activity or instrument, making the taster a real experience.
On stage, you can expect a continuous show of sports demonstrations, open training sessions, and live music concerts. At every station, professional coaches will teach you the basics and even let you dig deeper.
Football (soccer), swimming, water polo, handball, fencing, and canoeing will all be there, alongside ballet, weightlifting, breakdancing, triple games, and OCR (Obstacle Course Racing). Kids and adults can meet, take photos, and collect autographs from Hungary’s sports heroes—including Dr. Gergely Kiss (Kiss Gergely), Áron Szilágyi (Szilágyi Áron), Gréta Gurisatti (Gurisatti Gréta), Ádám Varga (Varga Ádám), and many more.
The World of Music—Up Close
The Instrument Festival (Hangszerválasztó) runs in parallel. Here, kids and adults can discover—and actually try—the instruments they see at concerts and recitals. Learn how violins, violas, cellos, double basses, flutes, recorders, clarinets, all kinds of saxophones, trumpets, horns, trombones, hand and regular drums, triangles, xylophones, handpans, bass and lead guitars, pianos, and cymbals work, directly from experts.
There is even a “Music Grove” (Zenei Liget) area, where traditional and modern dancing meets music workshops for a truly hands-on arts experience.
Friday offers closed group sessions for schools—but from 2 PM, everyone is welcome, and Saturday is open to the public and families.
New Moves and Modern Fun
Think you know every sport? Think again. New activities appear every year—playful, social, and family-friendly. Parents, keep your eyes open: the next craze might attract you as much as your kids!
Try spikeball: a super-fast, round net game, like ping-pong meets volleyball on a mini-trampoline, great for agility and teamwork. Or teqball (teqball), a Hungarian invention blending football (soccer) and table tennis on a curved table—spreading quickly in parks and schools and fun for all ages.
Parkour, once underground, now has structured kids’ classes: jump over benches, climb walls, and have fun expressing yourself while getting fit. There’s also the rise of “nature fitness” (természetes fitnesz)—traditional hiking combined with simple outdoor training like climbing tree branches or light jogging up hills. No fancy gear needed—just curiosity and a spirit of adventure.
Move Together: It’s About Joy, Not Results
Today’s new sports aren’t just exciting, they’re perfect for family bonding. When kids see adults joining in, activity feels like play, not a chore. That’s the spirit behind the “Kinder Joy of Moving” program, which promotes moving as a joyful, freeing experience worldwide.
Participation doesn’t have to be complicated: dance in the living room, take the stairs, play balancing games—just make movement part of your everyday habits. Schedule a short walk after dinner or stretch together before bed. The most important thing isn’t perfection; it’s consistency. Even ten minutes a day adds up—for both your body and shared memories.
Special Features This Year
Toyota will showcase its electrified car lineup for visitors who want a taste of the future—innovative driving experiences, modern designs, and special deals all weekend at Merkapt.
Active Hungary (Aktív Magyarország) will also be among the exhibitors, offering opportunities to try proven sports as well as discover the latest trends.
Bring your friends and family, discover something new, and move for fun—not just for medals. At the Budapest Big Sports and Instrument Festival (Nagy Sportágválasztó és Hangszerválasztó), the key is simple: whatever you play, let joy win!
