Catch a football game in a country full of fans
This year, the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) organizes the European Football Championship for the 17th time. In 2024, Germany will host the event between 14 June and 14 July, and 24 teams participate to win the gold medal. As you can expect, Hungary also joins the competition and has a match with three selected opponents: Switzerland, Germany, and Scotland. Don’t forget to join the outdoor live streamings (f.e. at Szabadság tér or at Budapest Park) or at pubs or restaurants where usually people gather to support the Hungarian team. Check out the list of Hungarian matches below or the whole list of matches here:
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Hungary – Switzerland: 15 June starts at 15:00
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Hungary – Germany: 19 June starts at 18:00
- Hungary – Scotland: 23 June starts at 21:00
Celebrate the shortest night of the year
Midsummer’s Eve is also known as “Szent Iván éjszakája” in Hungarian and this summer it is celebrated on 21st June. During the night, we celebrate the summer solstice with bonfires to purify and protect us, with music and various rituals especially connected to love and fertility. During the night, you can choose from various events, such as: you can visit Budapest Zoo which usually offers special and unusual programmes for visitors with folk traditions and presenting rare species; you can visit Svábhegyi Csillagvizsgáló to admire the summer sky; or you can search for movie nights at art cinemas where you can watch the famous Shakespearean play “Midsummer Night’s Dream”.
Visit museums after sunset
The Night of Museums, also called as “Múzeumok Éjszakája”, is an annual cultural event in late June on a Saturday night. The event is organised for the 22nd time and enjoys unbroken popularity. During the night, museums open their gates to visitors with extended opening hours, concerts, exhibitions, special programmes for children and workshops. If you already have a special exhibition in your mind that you are eager to see, this is your chance! Because of the event’s popularity, it is advisable to plan ahead and arrive on time to avoid long queues. The programme schedule of the event has not been published, but you should check the official website and Facebook page regularly.
Pick your own lavender
If you visit Tihany in the early summer, be sure to admire the local lavender plantations in purple! Tihany has several lavender plantations and the largest of these covers more than 7 hectares. If you want to experience the sweet smell of this wonderful herb, you should visit the Lavender Fest at Tihany between 21 and 30th June, buy some special products (f.e. lavender syrup, or soap), or pick your own bouquet of lavenders and take it home with yourself. Read more about Tihany in our previous article!
Start the summer with a festival
The peak festival season is in July, but you can also find gastronomy, art, and music festivals in June. If you're interested in learning about Hungarian bands or movies, there are festivals that cater to your interests. Additionally, there are several art and gastronomy programs where you can learn more about traditional Hungarian foods and wines.
- ART Piknik at Pannonhalma
- Magyar Mozgókép Fesztivál (Hungarian Film Festival)
- VéNégy Fesztivál
- Fishing on Orfű
All in all, summer in Hungary kicks off in June with numerous festivals and outdoor events. You can immerse yourself in Hungarian traditions, discover new places, and enjoy a variety of activities. Whether you're watching the UEFA European Football Championship matches, celebrating Midsummer's Eve, attending the Night of Museums, or experiencing exciting festivals, there's plenty to explore and enjoy.
Links and sources: Wikipedia ; programturizmus.hu
Source of the picture: Image by freepik ; Image by Joe from Pixabay ;