Once again, VárLak Festival is making its grand return to Filakovo (Fülek) in 2025, promising five jam-packed days of music, art, and culture in the enchanting courtyard of Filakovo Castle (Fülek Vár). From August 27th to August 31st, festival-goers can look forward to an unmissable celebration that marks the end of summer in dramatic style. The event will span four venues, offering enough variety to keep everyone entertained, and it’s shaping up to be Palócföld’s (Land of the Palóc) number one music and cultural festival this season.
An Unrivaled Lineup
VárLak Festival doesn’t hold back when it comes to performances. This year’s lineup brings together some of the biggest Hungarian and regional names across pop, rock, folk, and even comedy. Big hitters like Desh, Tankcsapda, Edda Művek, ByeAlex and the Slepp (ByeAlex és a Slepp), Beton.Hofi, Parno Graszt, the legendary 100-Member Gypsy Orchestra (100 Tagú Cigányzenekar), Dánielfy, Tamás Molnár (Molnár Tamás), Gypo Circus, Ritmusa, Magyar Banda, András Nagy Csomor (Nagy Csomor András) and his band, Jóvilágvan, Kingfishers, Fruzsina Ács (Ács Fruzsi), Péter Janklovics (Janklovics Péter), Generation Dance Workshop (Generáció Táncműhely), and a slew of surprise acts are all taking the stage.
Each day has its own flavor:
– Wednesday: KalapJakab, Brand Rabbit (Brand Nyúl), and a Family Picnic kick things off for a wholesome start.
– Thursday: DESH, Parno Graszt, Dánielfy, and Jóvilágvan bring the energy.
– Friday is a powerhouse, starring Tankcsapda, Edda Művek, Tamás Molnár, Péter Janklovics, Kingfishers, and Gypo Circus.
– Saturday fires up with ByeAlex and the Slepp, Beton.Hofi, Magyar Banda, Ritmusa, Fruzsina Ács, and András Nagy Csomor’s band.
– Sunday closes the festival with the famous 100-Member Gypsy Orchestra and Generation Dance Workshop.
Ticketing: Plan Ahead!
When it comes to tickets and passes, timing is everything. The full five-day festival pass gives you access to all venues and events and costs $70 for adults and $32 for children. But don’t procrastinate—five-day passes are only available in advance and are not sold on-site during the festival.
Prefer just a day of fun? Daily tickets range from family-friendly to all-out party:
– Wednesday (KalapJakab & family festivities): $9 adult, $4.50 child
– Thursday (main concerts): $25 adult, $14 child
– Friday (full lineup): $25 adult, $14 child
– Friday PAJTA, a special concert night: $9 adult, $4.50 child
– Saturday (main concerts): $25 adult, $14 child
– Saturday FOLK+PAJTA (folk zone): $9 adult, $4.50 child
– Sunday (grand closing): $23 adult, $13 child
Whether you want to go all-in or stop by for a single day, there’s a ticket for every schedule and budget.
Accommodation: Options Galore
Filakovo and the surrounding region are set to welcome visitors with plenty of accommodation options—historic guesthouses, rustic getaways, and modern amenities all within close reach of the festival.
For those craving rural charm, FATOSZ-certified guesthouses sleep up to eight people in cozy, renovated farm settings. Guests can go horseback riding, pet farm animals, explore the forests by carriage or sleigh, and try traditional archery. In the nearby village of Barna (Bárna), the Apoka Guesthouse offers peace and quiet, located inside a fenced forest, while the on-site hunting lodge accommodates 27 guests, has its own wine cellar, and serves game specialties like wild boar and venison.
Berek Inn (Mátranovák) provides a garden pool and homestyle cooking, with both international and classic Hungarian fare. More intimate stays can be found in the mountain villages near the Slovak border, where picturesque views, playgrounds, and backyard barbecue opportunities abound.
Self-catering guests can check into guesthouses offering two-bedroom apartments, each with its own kitchen and covered terrace—ideal for families or groups traveling together. Local fishing fans can find a lakeside retreat just 4 miles from downtown Salgotarjan (Salgótarján); the site has a 320 square foot terrace, two apartments, and accommodations for ten.
Galcsik Pension and Restaurant in Salgotarjan stands out with traditional Palóc dishes, high-quality service, and seating for up to 60 diners (plus private event spaces).
Eat, Drink, and Unwind
The food scene is nothing short of vibrant. Corner isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience, priding itself on additive- and coloring-free cuisine, and a winner of Hungary’s Cake of the Year awards in 2015 and 2016. The menu fuses modern Hungarian fare with a warm, friendly atmosphere, and from Wednesday to Sunday, a dedicated pizza section operates for festivalgoers looking for a quick slice.
Other highlights include local taverns offering everything from Palóc classics to international staples, summer terraces for open-air dining, and the St. James Restaurant (Szent Jakab Étterem) at Szentkút, which tempts with Hungarian favorites, wild game, and vegetarian dishes. The Tarjan Winehouse (Tarján Borház) is the place to sample Carpathian Basin artisanal wines.
Whether you’re here for the music, the food, or the breathtaking scenery, Filakovo VárLak Festival 2025 promises to deliver an unforgettable summer finale. Act fast though—dates and programs are subject to change, so snag your tickets while you can, and get ready for the festival experience of the year!
