Concerts & Shows in Budapest: The 15 Best Evenings

1.Budapest Danube Cruise and Dinner Options, Live Music and Dance

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7,428 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $54Our pick

Spend an evening on the Danube with Budapest’s illuminated landmarks passing by, live folk music, and a traditional dance show. Choose from a buffet dinner, a wine-and-food pairing, or a soup-and-lángos option. The cruise lasts 90 minutes, with the full outing taking about two hours.

“We had a nice dinner and cocktails. Everyone was friendly and helpful. Great night time views of the shore”

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2.Evening Cruise including Drinks and Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 5,512 reviews · from $24

Board the Gróf Széchenyi at Akadémia 2 ponton for a 90-minute, non-guided cruise beneath Budapest’s main bridges. See the Parliament, Buda Castle and more from the river, with live Hungarian folk music by three Rajkó Folk ensemble musicians, including the cimbalom. Drinks depend on the option you book.

“Csabi was was very communicative, polite. He served us with traditional drinks and was always interested in our well-being. Recomand!”

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3.Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,154 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $129

Settle in aboard Legenda City Cruises for a 2.5-hour evening on the Danube, with a welcome drink, live music and a catered dinner. Adults choose from several options for four courses; children receive three. Retractable windows frame Parliament, Buda Castle and Budapest’s illuminated bridges. There is no guided commentary, so bring a map if you want help identifying the sights.

“Best thing we did! Elegant surroundings and the views were spectacular. The staff was superb and the food so much better than I expected. Worth every penny.”

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4.Dinner Cruise with Live Music and Folk Dance Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 2,090 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $93

Sail Budapest’s Danube at night aboard a historic ship, with a self-serve Hungarian buffet, welcome drink, folk dance show and live music from three Rajkó Folk Orchestra performers. Watch the cimbalom in action as Parliament, Buda Castle and other landmarks pass by. The 90-minute cruise starts and ends at Akadémia dock 2; extra drinks cost more.

“Absolutely amazing loved every minute, it was very elegant and was beyond my expectations.”

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5.Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,770 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $133

Spend about two and a half hours on the Danube with a four-course dinner, a welcome drink of wine, beer or champagne, and live music. The boat returns to its starting point at Legenda City Cruises, near the riverfront. There is no guide, so the evening is about dinner, music and views of Budapest after dark.

“The best way to see Budapest is by river and by night, and this cruise excels. Not nearly as crowded as the others, this one takes a nice slow pace and serves great food. And if you've never group-sung Take me Home, Country Roads on the Danube - this is your chance! We loved it!”

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6.Opera House Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,533 reviews · 1 hour · from $33

Spend an hour inside Budapest’s Hungarian State Opera House with a live guide in English, German, Spanish, Italian, or French. See its grand staircase and frescoed auditorium, hear how Miklós Ybl’s 1884 design took shape, then enjoy a brief live opera performance. The meeting point is inside the Opera House.

“The Opera House was stunning, staff and guides were professional and friendly. Tours operate in multiple languages. The tour spends enough time in each room to learn about the history and construction, and to take some great photos. The tour ended with a mini concert in the grand staircase — a small consolation if you’re unable to snag tickets to their many sold out shows.”

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7.Prosecco Dinner Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,299 reviews · from $103

Board Silverline Cruises beside Elizabeth Bridge for a two-hour Danube dinner cruise timed around sunset. You get a four-course meal, one welcome Prosecco, and live entertainment, with a choice of Hungarian folk dancing or piano performance. Ask about a paid window seat if the city views matter most to you.

“Beautiful experience. Wonderful and captivating show all the time. Great food! I recommend it.”

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8.Organ Concert in St. Stephen’s Basilica

Meet at St. Stephen’s Basilica at 19:40 for an organ concert featuring Miklos Teleki, singer Kolos Kováts, and flutist Eleonóra Krusic. The program includes Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Mozart, Verdi, and other composers. Tickets cover the concert; pickup and drop-off cost extra.

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9.Classical Music Concert in St. Michael’s Church

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 682 reviews · 1h 10m · from $53

Book a 70-minute classical concert at Budapest’s Inner-City Church of Saint Michael. Depending on the scheduled program, hear Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Mozart’s Requiem, or an organ recital featuring Bach, Handel and others. Choose from three seating categories, then settle into a historic church known for its acoustics. Food and drinks are not included.

“Music was wonderful and the acoustics of the Church was amazing.”

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10.Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 562 reviews · from $45

Spend an evening at a medieval-themed Budapest restaurant, with a welcome shot of apple pálinka, a half-liter of draft beer, a large Hungarian steak dinner, and live acts including swordsmen, jugglers, and belly dancers. The experience starts at Podmaniczky u. 14 and is advertised as three hours, though the evening can run shorter.

“There was some confusion about the meal but the food arrived and it was excellent and plentiful. Could be clearer when booking but we had a very good evening.”

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11.Hungarian Folk Dance & Concert with Dinner Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 543 reviews · from $22

See the Rajkó Folk Ensemble perform Hungarian music and dance in two 30-minute sets, with an intermission. The 80-minute show takes place at the Hungarian Gastro Cellar; you can choose a drink, soup, or dinner option. Dinner menus include poultry or a vegetarian meal.

“The performance was amazing! I loved watching the dancers perform and listening to the traditional Hungarian music played by The orchestra. I recommend this event for anyone that enjoys watching live music and attending cultural events.”

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12.4 Course Dinner Cruise with Operetta, Folk Show and Welcome Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 272 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $109

Set off from Jane Haining quay at 7:00 pm for an evening cruise past Budapest’s bridges, Parliament and Castle District. Your ticket includes a four-course dinner, one welcome drink, and live musicians, singers and folk dancers. Choose a main dish, and request a vegetarian meal or note dietary needs when booking.

“Fantastic evening of food, drink, dance, music and great views of Budapest from the Danube Food was amazing”

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13.10PM Budapest Danube Cruise with Live Music & Food or Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 223 reviews · from $20Best value

Board at Akadémia 2 ponton for a 90-minute late-night Danube cruise past the Parliament, Chain Bridge, Buda Castle, and other lit landmarks. Three musicians from the Hungaria Folk Orchestra provide live salon music. Choose a drinks option or pay for the buffet dinner package, and check your ticket carefully to see what it includes.

“The Danube, night time river cruise, was awesome! Beautifully lite city. We chose the wine tasting on the cruise and that was also good. Our server was great!”

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14.Full-Day Puszta Tour with Lunch and Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 180 reviews · 8 hours · from $133

Spend eight hours beyond Budapest with a guided walk in Kecskemét, then head to a horse ranch in Lajosmizse for pálinka, a carriage ride, a horse show, and a three-course Hungarian lunch with wine. Guides have included Ingrid, Elizabeth, Maria, and Kristina. Expect a long but varied day, with about three and a half hours of coach travel.

“Elizabeth was truly lovely,the perfect guide with a personal touch,thank you”

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15.Organ Concert in the St. Stephen’s Basilica

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 173 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $34

At 8 pm, attend a roughly 70-minute classical concert inside St. Stephen’s Basilica, with organ music and vocal arias in the church’s celebrated acoustics. The program is adapted by Hungarian organist Miklós Teleki and features singers Kolos Kováts and Eleonóra Krusic. Choose among three seating categories, or add a Danube cruise with drinks or dinner.

“The award winning singer was the highlight of the show. Truly a remarkable performance. The church was just so beautiful.”

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