8 Lesser Known Summer Festivals

  • 18 May 2018 9:27 AM
  • Daily News Hungary
8 Lesser Known Summer Festivals
Hungarian summers are packed to the brim with festivals, and new ones keep appearing on the scene... But once they become popular, they tend to attract big crowds, losing their initial friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Here are some less known festivals awaiting you this year if you prefer manageable crowds, as collected by nlcafe.hu

Kolorádó Festival, Nagykovácsi, 13 – 16 June

One of the youngest festivals which is organised for the third time this year, Kolorádó is all about the alternative and indie scene, about an hour away from Budapest, in the woods near Nagykovácsi.

The most renowned international artist of the line-up is Kelela, but the indie-garage pop of Hinds and the surfpop of Wavves will surely prove memorable too. And if you want to get acquainted with the Hungarian underground scene, this festival was made for you, with indie favourites like Csaknekedkislány, Fran Palermo and Middlemist Red as well as more fringe brands like Ricsárdgír or Deep Glaze.

Day tickets: HUF 3000 / 7500

Passes: HUF 12 000-15 000
 

Y.East Festival, Zsámbék, 21 – 24 June
 

Four days of theatrical performances from seven countries in a hippie-punk atmosphere combined with garden museums, an observatory, marketplace, workshops, film screenings, and quality Czech beer and Hungarian wine in the scenic town of Zsámbék easily accessible by coaches from Budapest.

Day ticket: HUF 3000

Pass: HUF 10 000
 

Azure Reformed Arts Gathering, Lajostanya, Zalaháshágy, 5 – 8 July
 

An exciting initiative that is organised for the first time this year which promises avantgarde jazz, experimental electronica, tribal techno, musical and dance workshops, performances, theatre, contemporary Hungarian short films, farmer’s markets and new visions of art in a beautiful valley in Zala county.

Only for those who are open to seeing something completely new in the making.

Passes: USD 52-100
 

Bánkitó Festival, Bánk, 11 – 14 July
 

A festival at a pretty little lake in Bánk whose chill atmosphere is miraculously still present despite the rise in its popularity in recent years, hence their self-proclaimed name “the biggest small festival”.

But it is worth going before it truly explodes as Bánk remains one of the prime examples of combining civil causes, social awareness and cultural events with great independent music.

Day tickets: HUF 7500 / 11 000

Passes: HUF 17 500 - 25 000
 

Babel Sound, Balatonboglár, 16 – 22 July
 

A free festival at Lake Balaton with world music that can serve as a quieter counterpoint to the techno craze of Balaton Sound – not to mention: it is free!
 

Salföldi Dalföld, Salföld, 5 – 8 July
 

If you’re looking for something more reserved and classical, Salföld, near the northern shore of Lake Balaton with its folk music, traditional dance, and string quartet performances is for you.

Day ticket: HUF 1500 / 1800

Passes: HUF 2900 - 3900
 

Street Music Festival, Veszprém, 18 – 22 July
 

Another free event organised in the pretty old town of Veszprém, the seat of the county of the same name in Western Hungary.

A truly participatory festival where performers compete for the price of the “best street musician”, and festivalgoers can vote for their favourites on the Festival’s app. But a bunch of international artists are playing, too.
 

SZIN, Szeged, 22 – 26 August
 

SZIN, which stands for Szegedi Ifjúsági Napok, or Szeged Youth Days, has been providing that last late summer entertainment for young people in the university city for 50 years now.

Definitely a bigger event catering more to mainstream Hungarian pop/rock taste, with iconic Hungarian bands like Punnany Massif, 30Y, and Quimby.

Day ticket: HUF 6950 / 8950

Passes: HUF 15 950 - 25 550

Source: Daily News Hungary, nlcafe.hu

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