Now one of the most beloved open-air venues in Budapest, the Városmajor (Városmajor) Summer Festival is gearing up again for 2025. Surrounded by ancient trees and freshly renovated inside and out, this vibrant hub in Buda welcomes both loyal and new audiences from June to October. Over seventy unique events are lined up at the Városmajor Open-Air Stage (Városmajori Szabadtéri Színpad)—including dazzling concerts, world premieres, children’s shows, dance performances, dramatic plays, musical extravaganzas, a Theater Review, and a real genre carnival with both local and international film screenings.
Diverse Program Lineup: From Comedy to Controversy
If you’re looking for something truly eclectic, the 2025 program won’t disappoint. Events kick off with “KORTÁRSAS – We Were Born in Another Age, But We Live in This One,” exploring how to shop for vegetables with bitcoin. From there, you can catch Csaba Kajdi on his “Big Cyla Tour,” then transition into Georges Feydeau’s classic French comedy, “Cat Music” (“Macskazene”).
Music meets theater in Mihály Eisemann’s song-filled comedy “Hippolyt, the Butler” (“Hippolyt, a lakáj”), and Réka Koós brings a fresh take on classic pop songs, with guest star Zoltán Bereczki. “Five Guys – Boogie Night” promises a party atmosphere, while “Living Memory – Once There Was a Beauty Pageant” delves into the legacy of Andrea Csilla Molnár, the 1980s beauty queen.
Medical marvel Dr. Richard Schwab gets personal with “Be Friends With Your Body,” and musical theater fans can revel in “Sweet Charity,” the iconic collaboration by Neil Simon, Cy Coleman, and Dorothy Fields. Literature lovers are treated to a stage version of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter.”
The secrets of bar pianists come alive in “Thank You For Loving Me – The Mysterious World of Bar Pianists,” featuring Ádám Bősze, Petra Gubik, and Zoltán Oláh, followed by a sparkling “Monarchy Operetta” (Monarchia Operett) summer gala.
Stories That Tug at the Heart—and the Funny Bone
Love, laughter, raw emotion, and everything in between are represented. Gabi Jakupcsek takes the stage in “Love Anyway,” Woody Allen’s “Brooklyn Tales” brings urban wit, while Csaba Székely’s “The Candles of Truth” turns up the drama. “How Could I Live Without You?” offers Hungarian musical comedy, while comedian László Hadházi appears with his one-man show “Dogs.”
Families shouldn’t miss Ágnes Bálint’s “Frakk, Terror of the Cats”—a musical fairy tale. Thrill seekers will love Dezső András’s “Mafia and Spies.” Beloved children’s singer Judit Halász leads a “Csiribiri” singalong, and “Take Me Apart” draws from the works of István Domonkos.
Mark your calendars for Imre Kertész’s “Fatelessness” (“Sorstalanság”), György Spiró’s raw and naive chronicle “Árpád Dynasty” (“Árpád-ház”), Rita Halász’s “Take a Deep Breath,” Imre Kálmán’s three-act operetta “The Csárdás Princess” (“Csárdáskirálynő”), and Nick Hornby’s tongue-in-cheek “Boob Jesus.”
Investigative, tragicomic, and raucous stories round out September—from Olga Galló’s “Ten Months in the Babylon Case” to Tracy Letts’s “August: Osage County,” Katy Brand’s “All the Best, Leo Grande,” Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night, Or What You Will,” and Csaba Székely’s “Who Am I.” Sándor Weöres’s historical spectacle “The Two-Headed Beast” wraps up the main acts, before one last burst of laughter at comedian Ádám Kiss’s solo show “Don’t Get Me Started!” hosted by Balázs Hajdú.
Where to Stay: Budapest’s Friendly Hideaways
Budapest offers a wide range of cozy places to stay when you’re in town for the festival. There are hotels for every taste—from family-run guesthouses to stylish business hotels and modern chains. Most accommodations feature comfortable rooms with showers, telephones, color TVs, minibars, and sometimes even balconies with stunning views of the Buda Hills. Air conditioning is often available, and Wi-Fi is generally complimentary.
The Budai Hotel, for instance, offers 17 double rooms, 3 triple rooms, and 2 apartments (suitable for three adults or families traveling with children), all with lovely views and personalized guest attention—ideal for those who dislike impersonal mega-hotels. The large hall can host up to 100 guests for weddings, reunions, or corporate banquets.
The charming Cziráky Guesthouse (Cziráky Panzió), run by dedicated pet lovers, understands what it means to leave your beloved dog behind—they’ll help ease the stress of separation. Dominika Apartment House, located on the edge of a protected area, boasts a heated pool (open May to October) and rooms with kitchenettes, TVs, and minibars.
The Helios Hotel Panzió and Hotel Molnár both provide panoramic escapes with easy access to the city center and the green hills. Jagelló Business Hotel targets business travelers and offers soundproof, air-conditioned rooms with cityscape or hillside views; Novotel’s 319 state-of-the-art rooms come with satellite TVs, safes, and swimming pool access. The Sas Club Hotel caters to larger groups with sporting facilities and gourmet dining.
Bites, Drinks, and Dolce Vita
When hunger strikes, you’ll find everything from artisan Italian pastries made daily with top-quality ingredients, to hearty breakfasts, gourmet lunch menus, and freshly brewed coffee enjoyed on sun-soaked terraces.
Trattoria Da Lello in MOM Park serves home-style Italian favorites—think risottos, pizzas, and classic fish dishes—while Giulia Social Club and Fióka Restaurant and Wine Bar make lingering over a glass of wine under the trees almost mandatory.
Meet up at the Lóvasút (Lóvasút) building’s dessert café by the chairlift for handmade cakes and fresh pastries, or enjoy a French bistro vibe at Jardin de Petrus with exclusive themed dinners, available by reservation only.
Whatever your taste—Hungarian operetta, spicy standup, pizzas, or a rooftop Aperol—it’s all on offer under the Buda trees. Check the schedule, make your summer plans, and let the good times roll. Just a heads-up: event times and programs may change—so stay tuned!
