This year, one week later than usual and fittingly on the Day of the City of Szeged, on Thursday, May 21, one of Hungary’s largest and longest-running gastro-cultural festivals, the anniversary 30th Szeged Wine Festival, will begin. The 11-day gastronomic event will welcome visitors with more than 150 wineries, spectacular grand concerts at Dóm Square, and the traditional 25th Szeged Bridge Fair.
Wines, Pálinka, and Music at Széchenyi Square
As always, the heart of the festival will be the plane tree-lined Széchenyi Square, where, alongside more than 150 winemakers, pálinka houses and gastronomic delicacies await visitors. During the 11-day festival, jazz and blues performances will take place daily on two stages, while star performers (including Bernadett Gregor, Betty Love, Mary Nótár, Ferenc Molnár Caramel, and Peter Srámek) and party bands will ensure the festival’s unmistakable wine-drinking atmosphere. The programs of the Árkád Szeged Stage and the Pingvin Patika Stage can be viewed HERE.
Dóm Square Festival – Star Performers on the First Weekend
The cream of Hungarian popular music will take the stage at the Dóm Square Festival, offering a free community experience beneath the monumental Votive Church between May 22 and 24.
On Friday, indie-pop representatives Blahalouisiana and later Yamina will set the mood. On Saturday, Kossuth Prize-winning singer Magdi Rúzsa will give a huge concert, followed by a spectacular fireworks show and a performance by Lotfi Begi. The weekend will close on Sunday with one of the younger generation’s favorite bands, Bagossy Brothers Company. Additional performers over the three days will include UFO, Josh and Betti, Bence Vavra, Johanna Lengyel, Abigél Tóth, Viki Singh, Ádám Nagy, and Bebe.
| May 22 | May 23 | May 24 |
| 5:00 PM – UFO 7:00 PM – Abigél Tóth 7:50 PM – Charity Wine Auction 8:00 PM – BLAHALOUISIANA Concert 9:30 PM – Yamina | 5:00 PM – Josh and Betti 7:00 PM – Bence Vavra 7:50 PM – Charity Wine Auction 8:00 PM – MAGDI RÚZSA CONCERT 9:30 PM – Fireworks 9:45 PM – Lotfi Begi | 5:00 PM – Concert by Viki Singh, Bebe, and Ádám Nagy 7:00 PM – Johanna Lengyel 7:50 PM – Charity Wine Auction 8:00 PM – BAGOSSY BROTHERS COMPANY CONCERT |
Glass Information: New Arrivals and Beloved Classics
To enjoy authentic wine tasting, this year’s festival will once again require the use of official festival glasses. In addition to the usual favorites, the organizers are preparing special novelties for the anniversary edition:
- Wine Festival Emblem Glass: The well-known elegant classic.
- Returnable Szeged Crest Glass: A practical and eco-conscious favorite among festival-goers.
- Exclusive Limited-Edition Glass: For premium wine specialties and experiences, a large 69 cl exclusive glass will also be available for collectors and wine enthusiasts.
- NEW – Unique Glasses: For cheerful wine evenings, glasses with unique graphics (cat-themed, boy-themed, and girl-themed designs) will be available for the first time.
Side Programs: Bridge Fair, Treasure Square, and Mindmegette Gastro Courtyard
During the 11-day celebration series, the entire downtown area will transform into a festival venue:
- Treasure Square (Dugonics Square):
Treasure Square will also run for 11 days. Visitors can browse handcrafted goods, while programs take place on the Sounds of Szeged Stage. Alongside emerging bands from the talent competition, star performers such as Unique, Belmondo, and comedian Ádám Török will appear, and visitors can even participate in international folk dance house events. - Mindmegette Gastro Courtyard (Klauzál Square):
Running parallel with the wine festival, this venue offers delicious food, beer tastings, and artisan vendors. - 25th Szeged Bridge Fair (Belvárosi Bridge, Híd Street, May 30–31):
During the festival’s second weekend, the Belvárosi Bridge and Híd Street will become one of the country’s largest artisan fairs, where more than 270 Hungarian creators will offer unique handmade products to the bustling crowd.
Festipay System
At the venues of the Szeged Day Celebration Series (except for the artisan stands on Kárász Street, Klauzál Square, Dugonics Square, and the Szeged Bridge Fair), a cashless payment system has been introduced. Visitors can pay using a rechargeable FESTIPAY card, their own bank card, or any smart device connected to their card.
If you do not have a bank card, you can still pay at the 30th Szeged Wine Festival, the Gastro Courtyard, Treasure Square, and Dóm Square using a Festipay card. (Artisan stands and the Bridge Fair will not have Festipay terminals, so cash payments will still be accepted there, or you may use your own bank card if the vendor provides a payment terminal.)
Festipay cards can be obtained at the top-up station located on Széchenyi Square, where visitors can also recharge and redeem their balances.
Learn more about Festipay HERE!
