Sziget Festival

Held on Óbuda Island in the middle of the Danube, Sziget is one of Europe's largest and most cosmopolitan festivals — a self-styled 'Island of Freedom' that turns a leafy Budapest island into a temporary city for hundreds of thousands of visitors. Since the mid-1990s it has built a reputation for an inclusive, anything-goes atmosphere as much as for its huge musical line-ups, and many festival-goers camp on site for the full run.

What to expect

Sziget 2027 runs 10–14 August. Dozens of stages spread across the island cover pop, rock, electronic and world music, headlined by major international acts, while the programme reaches far beyond concerts: circus and theatre, dance, visual-art installations, a dedicated Hungarian stage, sports and wellness areas, and beaches along the Danube. Days blur into nights, with music and DJ sets running into the early hours.

Most visitors buy multi-day or full-festival passes with optional camping; book ahead as prices rise closer to the event. Óbuda Island sits in Budapest's District III and is reached by HÉV suburban train, bus or on foot from the Danube bridges.

Sziget takes over Óbudai-sziget (Óbuda Island) on the Danube in northern Budapest. Fly into Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD), then take bus 100E to Deák Ferenc tér in the centre. From there, ride the H5 HÉV suburban railway from Batthyány tér to Filatorigát, the stop right by the festival's main bridge onto the island. Suburban trains and night buses run frequently during Sziget week. It's a short walk across the bridge to the gates — follow the crowds, you won't get lost.

• Before you go, read the UK government's FCDO travel advice for Hungary (entry requirements, safety and local laws).
• Flight delayed or cancelled on the way? See our Travel Disruption guide for your rights and live alerts.