What’s Happening in Budapest: November
If you read our guide to What’s Happening in Budapest in October, you’ll have seen and hopefully attended, some of the awesome events and activities taking place. However, if you missed out don’t fret, Budapest will be buzzing with more exciting events this month. Here are our top picks for the best events taking place in Budapest this November.
Primanima World Festival of First Animations
Returning for its 8th year, Primanima will bring together fledgeling creatives from the world of animation to Budapest. Over three days, creators both well known and upcoming will be showcasing their work for you to enjoy. There will be screenings, exhibitions and workshops where you can learn about the methods and inspiration behind the art. A real unique artistic event, so if it’s your kind of thing, this an experience that cannot be missed if you happen to be in town.
Date: Wednesday 30th October – Saturday 2nd November | Location: Primanima
Hello Sweet Grand Opening
Delightful news for all sweet tooths, November will see Bálna play host to Budapest’s first pop-up dessert bar. Aptly named Sweet Tooth, the pop up will be serving up a Hungarian speciality, Túró Rudi. This curd snack first rose to popularity in the late ’60s and is still loved. It’s pretty much like a chocolate bar, however, the centre is filled with the túró (curd). Hello Sweet will be there for the whole month, so pop by and see how they transform the traditional Túró Rudi.
Date: Friday 1st November | Location: Hello Sweet
Dance Of The Dead
There are plenty of Halloween parties taking place in Budapest, but none like the Dance of the Dead. For one day only, Budapest’s iconic venue, the Studios, will be transformed into a house of horrors. With three floors filled with fancy-dressed revellers getting down to the sounds of local DJ’s which include Imre Kiss, Adis Abbé, Sazabio and more. The night is shaping to be an absolute treat, don’t trick yourself by not joining in the fun.
Date: Saturday 2nd November | Location: The Studios
The Street is Not a Playground
Skateboarding is a universally loved pastime, with millions across the world enjoying nothing more than getting there board and heading to the ramps. This is no different in Budapest, where skateboarding is a big deal. This event will take you on a journey to uncover the city’s skateboarding culture, back from the 1970s, to present times. There will be talks, workshops and exhibitions focusing on how the scene has evolved alongside the modernisation of Budapest.
Date: Tuesday 5th – Saturday 23rd November | Location: Deák 17 Galéria
Budapest Central European Fashion Week
For a few days this November, the Hungarian capital will be transformed into a fashion extravaganza for the annual Budapest Central European Fashion Week. On the 7th you’ll be able to see the cutting edge in fashion tech at the Budapest Fashion and Tech Summit. Then from the 8th till the 10th, there will be fashion shows where the biggest and upcoming local brands will be showcasing their works. Aside from this, there will be a host of other events, activities and parties taking place across the city. Forget Paris and Milan, if you’ve got a passion for fashion and are planning a trip to Europe this November, then Budapest should be at the top of your list.
Date: Thursday 7th – Sunday 10th November | Location: Various Locations
St Martin’s Day Wine Festival
The iconic Danubius Gellért Hotel will be transformed into a wine-filled wonderland for the annual St Martins Day Wine Festival. Back for the eighth year, this event will welcome wine lovers from Budapest and beyond to sample the best of Hungarian wine culture. Every year has a theme, with this year being centred around highlighting the inseparable connection between wine and literature. This mashup is inspired by “The Writer of Yours”the literary parody of legendary Hungarian writer, Frigyes Karinthy. Indulge yourself in the fine wine and appreciate the deep world of literature.
Date: Thursday 7th November | Location: Danubius Hotel Gellért
The Sound of Silence
This charity concert will be held to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Hungarian Autism Foundation. To celebrate the important work this organisation does, a host of local musicians, both underground and renowned, will take the stage and serenade you with their sounds. Music aside their will also be a range of other awesome activities, including an exhibition of the famous TRIP boat, which will be hosting the event this year. The best thing is that all proceeds will go to further the work of the Hungarian Autism Foundation.
Date: Thursday 7th November | Location: TRIP
Disko Oriente/Hard Fist Records Party
The Disko Oriente and Hard Fist movement may have started in Lyon, however this November they’ll be bringing their dance sounds to the Danube. No gimmicks, this event is focused on showcasing the immersive and experimental approach the artists take when creating dance music. Get ready to skank into the early hours of the morning as the DJ’s scratch up a cosmic storm.
Date: Friday 8th November | Location: Toldi
Free the Art – Kreatív Budapest
Budapest is an artistic hotbed, home to talented creatives who take inspiration from its streets, people, parks and buildings. Központ will be hosting a magnificent graphic exhibition which will showcase the works Adel Kovács. A talented artist who through her exhibition want’s to give people a taste of Budapest, through a creative lens. The place will be packed full of like-minded creators, head down, check out the art and join the discussion, to a backdrop of banging beats mixed by local DJ’s.
Date: Thursday 14th November | Location: Központ
Mitiszol Festival
Although not globally renowned, Central Europe produces some of the best wine around. If you’re in Budapest this November and fancy trying some of this fine wine, then look no further than the Mitiszol Festival. For one day only, this annual event will bring together the regions best producers of organic natural wines and wine lovers under one roof. You’ll have the opportunity to sample over 150 types of wine, as well as other traditional drinks such a palinka and gin.
Date: Saturday 16th November | Location: Bálna
Giuseppe Verdi: Rigoletto
The Hungarian State Opera House stage will be on fire with a showcase of the Giuseppe Verdi classic, Rigoletto. This three-part opera tells the tragic tale of the revenge-seeking hunchbacked court jester Rigoletto, whose innocent daughter Gilda is seduced the promiscuous Duke of Mantua. A riveting tale played out by some of the best stage actors around. There will be multiple shows taking place between the 7th and 23rd November.
Date: Thursday 7th November – Saturday 23rd November | Location: Operaház
The Golden Horse – Legends of the Eastern Equestrian People
Go to any city and you’ll get museums and monuments, but few can offer an amazing exhibition of equestrian prowess like Budapest. Yes, that’s right, at the end of November, the equestrian centre will be transformed for an equestrian extravaganza. The show will premier Lajos Kassai and members of his riding school. Think people riding on horseback, spears, arrows and legendary battles reenacted for you to see.
Date: Saturday 30th November – Sunday 1st December | Location: Papp László Sportaréna
So if you were struggling to find what to do in Budapest this November this list should help ease some of that stress. If we missed any awesome events of the list, drop us a message and we’ll get it added. Also, remember to stay tuned, we’ll be back with our guide to What’s Happening In Budapest in December. In the meanwhile, you can uncover the best local hotspots in Budapest by downloading the Like Locals App, available for free on both iOS and Android devices.