Szeged is the cultural and touristical centre of the southern region. There are lots to do in this city no matter which part of the year you visit Szeged. Here I listed the most popular and famous festivals of Szeged. These festivals attract lots of visitors so be prepared to get in a crowd!

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  Open-Air Theatre, Szeged

      http://www.szegediszabadteri.hu/ 

One of the most important cultural festival in summer in Szeged and probably in the whole country is the Szeged Open-Air Festival which is usually held in July and August. The place of the event is Dom square with the Votive Curch of Szeged in the background, which creates  special atmosphere and a unique scene to the performances. Mostly you can see music and dance performances in Szeged. The idea of such a festival in Szeged originally came from Juhasz Gyula, a famous poet of Szeged in 1926. The performance before the first performance was connected to the series of events organised for the consecration of the Votive Church of Szeged. The first real performance was in 1931, it was the Hungarian Passion directed by Sandor Hevesi so this year the festival celebrates its 80th birthday. Since then the festival is held every year in Szeged and recognised as one of the best in the country. Before 1994 there was a permanent auditorium which occupied the beautiful Dom square of Szeged for the whole year. A new mobile auditorium was built in 1994 so now it only occupies the place during festival time in July and August. This year’s programme includes The Tragedy of Man by Imre Madach, The Merry Widow by Ferenc Lehar, Carmen by Bizet, and Somewhere in Europe, a Hungarian musical. Performances are between July 1 and August 31. Ticket prices are between 3.000 Huf and 15.000 Huf depending on where your seat is.

   

   Bridge Fair /Hídi vásár, Szeged

   http://www.hidivasar.hu/

Bridge fair is also an annual fair in Szeged buti t is not only a fair. It provides entertainment as well. There are puppet shows for children and adults too, there is a wine festival, folk concerts and also other nationalities and countries can introduce their culture. There are different exhibitions, folk and jazz music and dancing. Naturally, there are stalls of craftsmen from all over the country on the Old Bridge, in the middle of Szeged where you can buy lots of traditionally made products from shoes to sweets. The fair starts on 22nd May 9:30 a.m. and continues until the evening of 23rd May.

   

   The Youth Days of Szeged

     
     http://www.szin.org/

It was first organised in 1968 when it was the only festival for young people not only in Szeged but in the whole country. Thousands of young and not so young people visited Szeged but unfortunately after the political changes due to the lack of money and intention it was not organised. Fortunately in 2003 Szeged city decided to start the festival again and since that time people can come to Szeged to this great event again. The festival is organised at the end of the summer and the place is just perfect. It is in the open air swimming pool and campsite about five minutes from the city centre. There are always lots of singers and groups not only Hungarian but always international stars as well.

 
  
   International Tisza Fish Festival

      http://www.halfesztival.hu/

Fish has always played an important part in the people’s diet in Szeged and since 1997 there has been a fish festival organised by the city. The place of the event is at the foot of the Old Bridge where there used to be the fish market. It is organised ont he first weekend of September. The quay is filled with enormous kettles in which different fishermen’s restaurants cook traditional fish soup and the place is crowded with people who want to eat it. There are wooden tables and benches where you can put your tray and have your Szeged style fish soup on the river bank while you watch ships go by. The setting is wonderful and no matter which eatery you choose you’re sure to have a lovely meal.