Open-air theater performances, musicals, dance shows, kids’ programs and several concerts are held every summer (June-July-August) during the Budapest Summer Festival. Programs are offered at two locations, on Margaret Island and in Városmajor. The Margaret Island Open-air Stage, located in the shadow of the historic Art Nouveau water tower, is the only permanent open-air stage in Hungary and can accommodate approximately 3000 people.
In 2012, the varied repertoire includes programs like Los Vivancos (dance show), The Blues Brothers (concert show), Zorba (ballet), Puccini: Turandot (opera), Count of Monte Cristo (musical) and much more.
Budapest Summer Festival 2012 Highlights
Opening Concert
June
Jun 8 - Festival Opening Concert: 'Filmharmonics' 2.0 - New Movies New Dimensions, the most memorable movie songs presented by the Budafoki Dohnányi Orchestra
Jun 15 - Los Vivancos, a spectacular flamenco fusion dance and music show
Jun 22 - Midsummer Night Fires and Loves, a concert filled with pop and folk rhythms
Jun 28, 29 and 30 - The Untouchables, pop musical
July
Jul 1 - The Untouchables, pop musical
Jul 13, 14 and 15 - Báthory Erzsébet, musical-opera, world premiere
Jul 20 and 22 - The Earl of Monte Cristo, musical
Jul 26 and 29 - Zorba, a ballet featuring 300 artists, a symphony orchestra and a choir
Los Vivancos
August
Aug 3 and 5 - The Blues Brothers, a concert featuring the songs of the Blues Brothers Band
Aug 10 and 12 - Puccini: Turandot, opera
Getting to the Margaret Island Open-air Theater:
Take Streetcar No. 4 or 6 to Margaret Bridge (the stop is in the middle of the bridge, where it branches off to Margaret Island) then take Bus No. 26 to Szabadtéri Színpad. Or, take a ferry. Ferry service is offered by Mahart between Margaret Island Open-air Theater and Vigadó tér, Batthyányi tér and Dráva utca.
Budapest Summer Festival Hotel Offers
Novotel Budapest Danube, Danubius Grand Hotel Margitsziget, Danubius Health Spa Resort Margitsziget and Mercure Budapest Buda all offer special rates that include tickets to a Budapest Summer Festival performance and a visit to the historic water tower.
For more info on the 2012 Budapest Summer Festival visit the festival's official website. Tickets are available online here.
Photos courtesy of szabadter.hu
