Balatonfüred is packing 2026 with festivals, films, concerts, foodie pop-ups, heritage tours, and open-air fun across multiple venues. From ice cream glory and vintage cars to sailing season kick-offs and marathon comedy lineups, this Lake Balaton town offers a week-by-week stream of reasons to visit—or stay longer.
Early May: Films, boats, and a dancing nursery
May 4–10 brings the weekly Balatonfüred cinema schedule and regular lake cruises. On May 5 at 11:00, the Kisfaludy Gallery hosts Zöld Lific és barátai – Amikor a gyerekszoba életre kel, a dance tale inspired by Ervin Lázár’s stories. Tickets are 2000 HUF (about 5.50 USD) per person. That evening, the Balaton Cinema’s film club screens Sergei Parajanov’s The Color of Pomegranates.
May 8: The ice cream crown of Lake Balaton
The signature event A Balaton fagyija returns May 8 from 9:30 at Kékszalag Port. After greetings by Balaton Tourism Association (Balatoni Turizmus Szövetség) president Tamás Fekete at 9:55, pastry chefs present their bespoke flavors at 10:00 for jury tasting. The winner of Balaton Ice Cream is announced at 14:00. Throughout the day, young chefs from the Balaton Culinary Workshop (Balatoni Kulináris Műhely) serve inventive dishes. Also on May 8 at 17:00, historian P. Miklós Tamás talks about Rabindranath Tagore at the Esterházy Palace, with poetry read by Katalin Tarnai.
May 9: Folk heritage afternoon in Arács
The Arács Folk House (101 Lóczy Lajos Street) reopens May 9 at 15:00 with an interactive program led by Katalin Tarnai and performances by the Balatonfüred Folk Dance Ensemble. At 16:00, Dr. Emőke S. Lackovits presents Boldogasszony ágya. The town’s regular cinema lineups and cruises continue May 11–17.
Mid-May: Galleries, jazz, and kids’ lenses on India
On May 13 at 16:30, the Folyosó Gallery opens Antal Gaál’s hu.mor.zsák 3.0, introduced by Erzsébet Katalin Horváth, with music students from the János Ferencsik Music School performing. The show runs until June 19 during office hours (Mon, Fri 8:00–12:00). On May 14 at 19:00, the Kisfaludy Gallery hosts Fusio Group and singer Erika Kertész for a Parker Jazz Club night. On May 15 at 17:00, the Arács Community House opens India through Children’s Eyes (India gyerekszemmel), a photo exhibition by Borbála, Sára, and Balázs Hamar, with Dóra Lakatos guiding visitors. It’s open through June 15 (Mon, Thu 10:00–18:00; Wed 14:00–18:00).
May 15–17: Chrome, sails, and cycling stars
Concours d’Elegance Balatonfüred shows off timeless cars May 15–17. The Season-Opening Sail Hoisting Ceremony and Regatta (Vitorlabontó) signals summer on May 16. On May 17 around 14:26, the Tour de Hongrie peloton sweeps through town on Route 71, descending from the Tesco roundabout toward Fürdő Street and out toward Balatonszőlős.
Late May: Stand-up, porcelain souls, and fish-and-wine feasts
From May 18–24, expect the usual roll of films and cruises. On May 21, superstar stand-up comic Tibor Bödőcs plays two shows (18:00 and 20:30) at the Congress Center. The Esterházy Palace unveils The Art of Times Past: Porcelain Dolls (Régmúlt idők művészete: porcelánbabák) on May 22 at 17:00, opened by Katalin Tarnai with soprano Rita Rábaközi performing. The show revisits 200 years of porcelain doll-making with contemporary works, timed for Mother’s Day and Children’s Day, and runs daily 10:00–18:00 until June 14 with paid admission. From May 22–25, the Balaton Fish and Wine Festival (Balatoni Hal- és Borünnep) pours local vintages alongside fish specialties.
May 30–31: Shakespeare remixed and Children’s Day on the water
On May 30 at 18:00, the Spinoza Theatre presents Rewrite It, Shakespeare! (Írd újra, Shakespeare!) at the House of Jewish Excellence, starring Antal Cserna, directed by András Surányi, written by Gábor Lackó, with dramaturgy by Lili Fabacsovics. Families get a full Children’s Day weekend May 30–31, including a dedicated sightseeing cruise (sétahajózás) on May 31.
June: Pilates, books, movies, and music
June 1–7 brings cinema and daily scenic boat trips; June 6–7 is Pilates Fest in Balatonfüred. On June 7, the Congress Center hosts The Poor Rich (Szegény gazdagok), tickets 7500–7900 HUF (about 20.60–21.70 USD). The Book-Wine-Jazz Festival (Könyv-Bor-Jazz Fesztivál) runs June 11–14. On June 13, the 6th From Alphas to Omegas (VI. Alfáktól Omegáig) family picnic takes over Gapa Terrace and Park Forest, free with registration (Száka Dűlő). The Hungarian Motion Picture Festival (Magyar Mozgókép Fesztivál) returns June 18–20, followed by a June 20 comedy double at the Leisure and Conference Center with András Péter Kovács and Eszter Ráskó (tickets 8390 HUF, about 23.00 USD). The Balatonfüred International Guitar Festival plays June 20–27.
July: Organs, bikes, laughs—and the 201st Anna Ball
Weekly cruises and cinema continue all month. On July 1, organist Gergely Rákász performs MOZART at the Evangelical Church (tickets 5990 HUF, about 16.40 USD). July 4 features Túrajó – Füred Wheel Adventure (Füredi KERÉKkaland) and Túrajó Walks – From Tree to Forest (Fától az erdőig) (both 3900 HUF, about 10.70 USD). The 1st Hungarian International Klezmer Festival (I. Magyarországi Nemzetközi Klezmer Fesztivál) runs July 10–12, and the Allianz Bay Crossing and SUP Challenge (Allianz Öböl-átúszás és SUP Challenge) splashes in on July 11.
Dumafüred takeover and Anna Festival
Dumafüred 2026 rules July 17–26 at the Leisure and Conference Center with a heavyweight cast: István Dombóvári, László Hadházi, Zoltán Kőhalmi, András Péter Kovács, Eszter Ráskó, Gergely Litkai, Dániel Mogács, Dávid Dennis Musimbe, Ádám Kiss, and more. Expect solo shows, Duma Jam, Duma Swing, improv nights like Ship of Fools (Bolondok Hajója), and All Stars mashups; tickets range roughly 7690–10,590 HUF (about 21.10–29.00 USD). Anna Festival (Anna Fesztivál) lights the town July 21–26, culminating in the 201st Anna Ball (201. Anna-bál) on July 25. Sailors also compete July 25 at the White Ribbon – Szabolcs Izsák Memorial (Fehér Szalag – Izsák Szabolcs Emlékverseny).
Kékszalag, wine weeks, and late-summer hits
The 58th Raiffeisen Blue Ribbon Grand Prix (58. Raiffeisen Kékszalag Grand Prix) runs July 30–August 1, followed by the Hungarian Sailing Federation’s Big Boat Championship August 6–9. Balatonfüred Wine Weeks (Balatonfüredi Borhetek) uncork August 7–30, while the House of Jewish Excellence runs guided synagogue walks on select dates. The Pannon Castle Theatre brings The Jungle Book (A dzsungel könyve) on August 11 (tickets 8500 HUF, about 23.30 USD). On August 15, pop duo Attila Kökény & Viktor Rakonczai perform See You Again… (Újra látlak…) at the outdoor stage of the Leisure and Conference Center (16,990 HUF, about 46.50 USD).
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
