The Nature Opera House (Természet Operaháza) Lake Tisza Festival (Tisza-tavi Fesztivál) returns for its twelfth year from August 1 to 3, 2025, bringing a unique blend of soul-soothing music and invigorating outdoor activities around Lake Tisza (Tisza-tó). This festival isn’t just about sitting and watching—it’s about moving, participating, and soaking up culture in the great outdoors. By swapping a passive, stress-filled lifestyle for “outdoor music therapy,” festival-goers can cycle, run, and row their way through a vibrant celebration of art, all while surrounded by the natural beauty of Hungary’s lake region.
Gala Opener Under the Stars
Friday, August 1 kicks off at 7:00 pm in the main square of Tiszafüred with the To’Pera Gala Concert. Star coloratura soprano Erika Miklósa, recipient of Hungary’s highest state honors and both the Kossuth and Liszt Ferenc Prizes, headlines the event alongside young talents from the Quintessence Master School (Kvintesszencia Mesteriskola). Directed by actor, singer, and composer Péter Novák, and hosted by Bea Csete, the concert is free to attend and sets the tone for a weekend where classical music and a countryside vibe go hand in hand.
Pedal-Powered Performances
Saturday, August 2 invites everyone to hop on their bikes for a musical tour around Lake Tisza. The 27-mile ride begins at the Lake Tisza Bicycle Center (Tisza-tavi Kerékpáros Központ) in Tiszafüred, with registration from 8:00 to 9:00 am and tickets costing about $16. Along the route, riders are treated to performances by award-winning musicians such as Zoltán Orosz (accordion), Imre Vadkerti (vocals), and Linda Király (singer-songwriter). Each stop introduces a new artist and a taste of local flavor, from Poroszló’s harbor to lakeside beaches and picnic areas, ending back at the starting point in the evening.
Row, Play, and Jazz Away on Family Day
Sunday, August 3 transforms Family Day into a full-day lakeside adventure, centered at Kisköre’s Fish Ladder (Hallépcső) and the nearby Step Bistro (Lépcső Bistro). The schedule is packed: kayak and canoe demonstrations by the Hungarian Kayak-Canoe Federation (Magyar Kajak-Kenu Szövetség), local artisan markets, a children’s fishing program, dog training exhibitions, horse-drawn carriage rides, and inflatable attractions. On stage, performers include celebrated actors, the beloved children’s band Apple Band (Alma Együttes), and a supergroup of Hungarian jazz and blues legends. And yes, this entire, jam-packed Sunday is absolutely free.
With surprises always possible, dates, locations, and lineups may change, but the festival’s invitation remains the same: ride, paddle, sing, and celebrate lakeside life!
