For music lovers and adventurous travelers seeking an unparalleled experience, there is one Budapest event that stands out above everything else: Sziget Music Festival.
Held annually in mid-August on Óbuda Island (nicknamed “The Island of Freedom”), this multi-genre music festival has earned its reputation as one of Europe’s most iconic music festivals.
The robust city of Budapest, Hungary offers an abundance of historical landmarks and cultural treasures, but there’s so much more to this internationally acclaimed event.
If you’re looking for reasons to attend the festival of a lifetime, let us tell you our top three favorite things about Sziget:
1. A Myriad Of Music
Imagine if you put the entire world’s music on shuffle and hit play; that’s what Sziget’s lineup looks like.
From rockstars to pop princesses to electronic badasses, the Sziget lineup is eager to fulfill your diverse needs. Highly anticipated performances include those from Billie Eilish, I Hate Models, David Guetta, Jamie xx, and so much more.
The festival not only features American favorites, but also effortlessly blends talents from every point on the globe to bring six days of music heaven.
Whether you’re a seasoned festival vet or just discovering your musical profile, you’re bound to find something new and exciting at Sziget.
2. More Than Just Music
So, remember how we said Sziget was like a melting pot of music? The concept of diversity bleeds throughout the entire festival.
Sziget welcomes over 100 nationalities throughout the weekend year after year.
From local folk music to global street art installations, every nook and cranny of Sziget is a celebration of culture and creativity.
Artists come from all over the world to showcase their crafts in venues like the circus, the theatre, and museum quarters sprinkled throughout the festival.
Of course, we can’t talk about culture without including food. Sziget is proud to present dishes that are Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese, Greek, French, American, Serbian, Mexican, Turkish, and Hungarian.
All of the cuisines will be affordable thanks to Sziget’s requirement that each catering booth offer at least one menu item that is below 2,500 HUF (about $7 USD).
3. Devotion To A Better Tomorrow
Culture and unity are abundant at Sziget and it is an ambition of the festival to create a world in which we can continue to spread light and love for years to follow.
Social and environmental initiatives are at the forefront of the festival to encourage attendees to embody a sustainable lifestyle and be a positive influence in the community.
Sziget strives for a better tomorrow by utilizing their “Love Revolution” to make our planet an enhanced place to live.
The “Love Revolution” has four main principles: live in a peaceful world without war and nuclear threats; share an environment where no one can be discriminated against or insulted based on their skin color, religion, or sexual identity; place sustainability and environmental protection at the heart of our daily lives; and respect everyone’s human rights regardless of their origin.
Furthermore, Sziget has partnered with Superar, an organization that’s initiative is to spread music to underprivileged youth. The cooperative strives to improve focus, mental health, motivation, creativity, and confidence through music.
Sziget will be held on Óbuda Island, Hungary from August 10-15, 2023 and you can learn more about the festival here.
All images courtesy of Sziget official photo gallery
