42 Best Performing Arts Venues in Budapest, Hungary

When high culture was dominated by the German-speaking Hapsburgs and Latin (Hungary's official language for 900 years) was Europe's lingua franca for the intelligentsia, Pest's Hungarian Theater was the first major Hungarian-language theater company in the city. The venue, designed by Adolf Láng and built in 1897, seats over 1,000 and now features mostly contemporary Hungarian and foreign drama on its main stage. The emphasis is on youth and family programs as well as experimental theater. Check ahead to see if performances have English subtitles as all performances are in Hungarian.

This romantic riverside concert hall, designed by Frigyes Feszl in the mid-19th century but extensively rebuilt after World War II, is the place to come for classical concerts by leading international orchestras, including the Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra. The beautiful 700-seat Main Hall also hosts regular folk dance shows and drama performances, while the rest of the building is given over to temporary art exhibitions and other events. Take the elevator to the sixth floor for stunning Danube views from the panoramic terrace.

Ideal views of the Chain Bridge, fresh air wafting off the Danube, and a relaxed, breezy atmosphere: it’s all here at Pontoon. Essentially an outdoor venue located just along the river, sadly it’s only open from late spring to early fall. Sit up on the upper deck and enjoy the view or hang out on the clunky plastic chairs on the ground floor just over the water’s edge, where the center space is turned into a makeshift stage hosting some of the country’s best musicians and DJs. Music from jazz, folk, classical, and Roma to pop, rock, and experimental---there’s something for everyone, as well as some welcome relief from midsummer’s frequent heat waves at this leafy green venue.

This fiery group of 60 dancers together with its world-famous orchestra combines ballet and modern dance forms with elements of folklore and operetta programs for an impressive musical and dance program. Founded in 1952, you can catch their show at Müpa, Duna Palota, Budapest Bábszínház, and other big stages around town. Check their website for performance locations and schedule.

The wildly shaped oval building of the Miklós Radnóti Cultural Center---RaM Colosseum, opened in 2011---is headquarters of ExperiDance Productions, a multimedia performing arts troupe that puts on a range of musical and dance performances. RAM also hosts international and local theater, music, and dance productions. It’s pricey and flashy but has got some eye-catching original bills on the repertoire, like the musicals Nikola Tesla: Infinite Energy and The Ballad of the Pearl-Haired Girl. Almost all performances are in Hungarian but it is still worth a stroll up through the lesser-frequented parts of Budapest's District 13 to a performance at this offbeat theater space.

The historic baroque church, which was built in 1761, hosts regular organ and classical music concerts throughout the year; performances typically start at 7:30 or 8 pm.

Telep is an independent gallery space that hosts exhibitions featuring experimental works from local artists, providing a venue for contemporary members of the community to share ideas. The bar on the ground floor is incredibly popular with the city's hipsters and often hosts engaged conversations about the arts, while the third floor houses Raktaar, a clothing and music store.

The center has been a major venue for folklore performances for more than 30 years. It hosts regular traditional folk concerts and dance performances from spring through fall.

Whether for the Budapest Spring Festival, a performance, or even a sporting event, most people in the city look to this agency to make their bookings. It has an English-language website, making it easy for foreigners to use as well. Plus, there are some 85 outlets all over Budapest if you want to book in advance. The call center is open weekdays 9–5. The main outlet office on Fővám tér is open weekdays 10--6 and Saturdays 11--3. It's closed for lunch, 12:30--1.

A former electrical transformer station in Pest, the Trafó building today showcases contemporary and alternative dance, theater, and music performances by Hungarian and international companies. English subtitles are often available, but it's best to check ahead.