The open-air stage on Budapest’s Margaret Island is rolling out a star-studded, genre-jumping 2026 season with exclusive productions, huge sound, and big visuals. The Margaret Island Summer Festival runs from May through September, delivering more than 70 programs—mostly in-house premieres—aimed at locals, visitors, and families of all ages at the Margaret Island Open-Air Stage (Margitszigeti Szabadtéri Színpad) in District 13.
May: Jazz heat, film scores, and family days
The season kicks off May 10 with Uncle Ricsi’s Playhouse: Spring Is Here (Ricsi bácsi játszóháza: Itt a tavasz) in Budapest. The tempo rises with VASOVSKI SYMPHONIC on May 16, then Margit Garajszki – Silvester Lavrík: Bartók and The Wooden Prince (Bartók és A fából faragott királyfi) on May 17. Grammy winner Kurt Elling lands May 22, followed by a three-day Jazz and Wine Festival (Jazz és Bor Fesztivál) with concerts and tastings from May 22–24. Mario Biondi performs May 23. May 24 celebrates The Wonderful Hungarian Jazz (A Csodálatos Magyar Jazz) featuring László Attila Fusion Circus, Budapest Ragtime Band, and Easy Jazz Band, plus Görbetükör Színház’s King Matthias Among the Stars (Mátyás király a csillagok között). May 30 brings The Lion King film concert with the Danubia Orchestra led by Stefan Geiger, alongside Heroes of the Savanna (A Szavanna Hősei), an interactive Children’s Day of play, learning, and adventure. May 31 closes the month with Majorka Színház’s Children’s Bridge (Gyermekek hídja) puppet show.
June: Grand openings, vintage twists, and opera classics
June 4 opens with the Hungarian National Philharmonic, featuring violinist Vadim Repin and pianist János Balázs. Andrea Szulák follows June 6. Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox brings The Future Is Vintage Tour on June 10 and 11. A Queen Symphony & Concert Show rocks June 13, then Cheerful Symphony Orchestra (Vidám Szimfonikusok) on June 15. Carl Orff’s Catulli Carmina and Carmina Burana thunder in on June 17. The Danube Carnival Gala (Duna Karnevál Gála; International Cultural Festival) arrives June 19. EDDA Művek go symphonic June 20. Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana (Parasztbecsület) and Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci (Bajazzók) premiere June 25 and 27, with backstage tours on both dates.
July–September: Musicals, Verdi, film concerts, and big finales
Anna Karenina the musical runs July 3–4 with backstage access both days. DJ Bootsie & Heureka Pop Orchestra present Symphotronic July 9. The Berd Dance Ensemble storms in July 11 with beauty, harmony, and boundless energy, plus backstage tours. Verdi’s Il trovatore (A trubadúr) premieres July 23 and 25 with behind-the-scenes visits. Wonderland the musical lights up July 31 and August 1, both with backstage options. Leander Symphonic Choir (Leander Szimfonik Kórus) performs August 6; Attila Kökény & Viktor Rakonczai headline A Summer Evening (Egy nyári este) August 8. Verdi’s Nabucco thunders August 13 and 15. Flame of Heritage (Örökség lángja) with the 100-Member Gypsy Orchestra Concert Orchestra (100 Tagú Cigányzenekar Concert Orchestra) arrives August 19. Amadeus Live film concert screens August 22. Róbert Szikora and R-GO salute Miklós Fenyő on August 29. Budapest Bár plays September 2, the London Community Gospel Choir lifts voices September 4, and EDDA returns with The Circle – EDDA Musical (A Kör – EDDA Musical) on September 6.
