The Story of the Búcsú Festival

This festival was first held on the weekend after the last Soviet soldier left Hungary, in June 1991. Few foreigners know that búcsú means two different things in Hungarian: ‘farewell’, and a saint’s feast day (for example Saint John) in the Catholic calendar. Part of the annual Budapest Búcsú is a free mega-concert. The main attraction this year will be Simply Red.

The Palace of the Arts – the secret of the Bartók Hall

The Bartók Hall in the new Palace of the Arts complex can seat 1,800 people, and the acoustics are so good that – in the words of Zoltán Kocsis, music director of the resident National Philharmonic: ‘If a fly breaks wind on stage, you can clearly hear it in the last row, which is bad news for bad orchestras’. The auditorium hosts a Wagner Festival in June, and other in-house festivals, but the annual programme comprises outstanding productions from all over the world. (Komor Marcell tér 1, District IX)

This institution is a member of the Cultural Budapest Group: www.culturalbudapest.com

Wine Festival in the Castle District

Hungarian wine was reborn after 1990, when private ownership spelt a return to the good soil and pre-existing traditions. There are now twenty-two wine regions – all represented at the major Budapest wine festivals. The most important one is the mid-September festival in the Royal Castle. Locals know very well that one should come here on a weekday before sunset, when there is still enough wine, the panorama is at its best, and the crowds are tolerable. Try Hungarian cheeses that go well with the wines, and taste pörkölt: a beef stew which is a thicker version of goulash.

Morning concerts at the old music academy

The first purpose-built home of higher music education in Budapest was completed in 1879. Its founder, Franz Liszt, also had his home here, and this is now a lovely museum. This is a venue for free Saturday morning concerts at 11. a.m., and is now part of the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, the main building of which is in Liszt Ferenc Square: in the ‘new’ music academy, completed in 1907. (Vörösmarty utca 35, District VI)

This institution is a member of the Cultural Budapest Group: www.culturalbudapest.com

Kunsthalle / Art Gallery

This building in Heroes’ Square looks like a museum, opposite the Museum of Fine Arts – but it has no collection, only changing contemporary exhibitions, mostly from abroad. It is a magnificent, ultra-large Beaux Arts-style building, rather like a Roman temple, which presents a great contrast to the modern paintings and installations exhibited within. These are mostly disturbing, challenging works that force visitors to think and reflect. (Hősök tere, District XIV)

It has two smaller branches: the Ernst Museum for smaller shows, and the Dorottya Gallery for projects.

Pálinka Festival

Pálinka is a kind of ultra-strong brandy – it can be made from any type of fruit. The most popular kinds are plum, pear and apricot. The Festival is a great event that teaches the public about the different varieties of pálinka and their history – and also about responsible drinking. Look for specialist shops in town: Magyar Pálinka Háza (Rákóczi út 17, District VIII), Zsindelyes Pálinkaház (Régiposta utca 14, District V) and Rézangyal Bisztró (Madách tér 2, District VII). There are several festivals celebrating this wonderful spirit: The Sausage and Pálinka Festival in the Castle, The Pálinka Festival in the city centre and Pálinkapromenade at the Vigadó.

Concerts at the Academy of Sciences

Built for speeches in the days before microphones, the beautiful main hall has superb acoustics, and is a major venue for piano and chamber music concerts. (Roosevelt tér, by the Chain Bridge, District V)

Bartók Memorial House

This lovely villa in the Buda hills was converted into a museum and intimate concert hall in 1981 – the centenary of the composer’s birth. Béla Bartók (1881-1945) was a trend-setting composer, pianist, collector of folk music and professor. His works – including ‘Concerto’, ‘Bluebeard’s Castle’ and ‘The Miraculous Mandarin’ – are played all over the world. He lived and worked in this building between 1932 and 1940. (Csalán utca 29, District II)

Budafok Wine and ‘Champagne’ Festival

Budafok is a suburb in southern Buda, the headquarters of medium and large producers of wine and the Hungarian version of champagne, with some smaller cellars being revived recently. In early September these have their own festival, a great event. Visiting the cellars is a somewhat intimate adventure, but don’t swallow all the drinks you’re offered to taste – never mind how good they are. Buy some bottles instead.

National Dance House Convention and Fair

Traditionally organised on the last weekend of the Spring Festival, (see www.btf.hu), this is a lively and colourful two-day event. Bands, singers, costume shops and record companies meet to give a sample of what they do all year round. Dance house is more than just music and dance: it is community spirit, teaching, and caring for Hungarians in neighbouring countries – with visiting bands from Slovakia, Ukraine, Transylvania, Serbia and Croatia. It also means tradition and innovation. (Last weekend of March, Budapest Sports Arena)