Budapest’s Jewish Cultural Festival 2025: A Musical Journey Through History and Heritage
Budapest’s autumn cultural calendar wouldn’t be complete without one of the city’s most prestigious events – the Jewish Cultural Festival. This year marks the 27th edition of this extraordinary celebration, running from September 7-18, 2025, and it promises to be more spectacular than ever before.
Essential Festival Information
Festival Dates: September 7-18, 2025
Main Venues:
- Dohány Street Synagogue (Europe’s largest synagogue)
- Rumbach Street Synagogue
- Hegedűs Gyula Street Synagogue
- Frankel Leó Street Synagogue
Ticket Prices: 3,900 – 24,000 Hungarian Forints
Key Performances:
- September 9: Katica Illényi – Tango and Klezmer Evening
- September 10: Budapest Klezmer Band with Musical Theater Hits
- September 12: Rhoda Scott, Roby Lakatos, Jenő Lisztes & Gigi Radics Collaboration
- September 15: Swing à la Django 10th Anniversary Concert
Booking: Tickets available now – early booking recommended due to intimate venue sizes
Where History Meets Harmony
The festival takes place in some of Budapest’s most breathtaking synagogues, creating an intimate and sacred atmosphere that transforms each performance into something truly magical. The Dohány Street Synagogue, Europe’s largest synagogue, serves as the main venue alongside the equally stunning Rumbach Street, Hegedűs Gyula Street, and Frankel Leó Street synagogues.
These aren’t just concert halls – they’re living pieces of history where Jewish tradition has intertwined with Hungarian culture for centuries. The festival celebrates this unique connection through the universal language of music, comedy, literature, and art, showcasing how cultural diversity enriches our world.
Musical Stars Light Up the Sacred Spaces
Dohány Street Synagogue: The Crown Jewel
The festival’s flagship venue hosts some truly remarkable performances. On September 9th, the versatile Katica Illényi takes the stage with her violin, theremin, and vocals, accompanied by pianist Rita Termes and the Junior Prima Award-winning Anima Musicae Chamber Orchestra. This Liszt and eMRton Award-winning artist will transport audiences through the passionate worlds of tango and klezmer.
The legendary Budapest Klezmer Band, led by pianist Ferenc ‘Fegya’ Jávori, celebrates over 33 years of musical excellence on September 10th. This ensemble has been the defining force in Central Eastern European Yiddish culture, and their upcoming performance will feature not only traditional klezmer melodies but also beloved hits from musicals like “Fiddler on the Roof” and “The Farmer King”.
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Perhaps the most anticipated event comes on September 12th, when musical giants share the stage in an unprecedented collaboration. Hammond organ master Rhoda Scott joins forces with violin virtuoso Roby Lakatos, renowned cimbalom artist Jenő Lisztes, and the sensual-voiced pop singer Gigi Radics. This fusion of organ dignity, violin sensitivity, and cimbalom magic promises to create truly cathartic moments.
Celebrating a Decade of Django
The festival concludes on September 15th with Swing à la Django’s 10th anniversary celebration. This gold-record-holding band has created a unique sound they call “Hungarian Django Swing,” blending pop music, Hungarian folk, French manouche swing, and Argentine bossa nova. Their crossover style, featuring reimagined classical masterpieces in programs like “Bach to the Future” and “Vivaldi: The Four Seasons,” has made them audience favorites across Hungary.
Intimate Venues, Extraordinary Experiences
Rumbach Street Synagogue: A Century of Music
The beautifully restored Rumbach Street Synagogue hosts several special tributes. On September 11th, the venue celebrates Henry Mancini’s centennial with performances of his iconic compositions like “Moon River” and “The Pink Panther.” Broadway diva Lennis Sabatino flies in from New York, joined by Florida-based guitarist György Lakatos, creating a truly international musical experience.
Leonard Bernstein’s overlooked masterpiece “Serenade” takes center stage on September 12th, performed by violinist Orsolya Korcsolán and the MÁV Symphony Orchestra under the baton of 18-year-old conductor Nátán Sugár, who’s making his Hungarian debut after taking Vienna’s music scene by storm.
Hegedűs Gyula Street: Where Traditions Converge
This intimate venue showcases the beautiful convergence of musical traditions. The Zoltán Tordai Ensemble brings together klezmer, gypsy, and swing melodies on September 11th, while September 16th features an exciting jam session between the Sabbathsong Klezmer Band and the Budapest Ragtime Band – two groups that have been enriching Hungary’s musical landscape for decades.
A Cultural Bridge Across Time
What makes this festival truly special isn’t just the caliber of performers or the stunning venues – it’s the way it demonstrates how Jewish culture has become an integral part of Hungarian identity. For foreign visitors, this offers a unique window into Budapest’s multicultural soul, showing how different traditions have blended to create something entirely new and beautiful.
The festival represents more than entertainment; it’s a testament to cultural harmony and peaceful coexistence. In an era where understanding between different communities is more important than ever, these concerts serve as powerful reminders of what we can achieve when we celebrate our differences rather than fear them.
Planning Your Festival Experience
Tickets are already available for all performances, with prices ranging from 3,900 to 24,000 Hungarian forints depending on the venue and seating. Given the intimate nature of these synagogue venues and the caliber of performers, early booking is highly recommended.
The festival runs for nearly two weeks, making it easy to incorporate into any Budapest itinerary. Whether you’re a classical music enthusiast, a jazz lover, or simply someone who appreciates cultural authenticity, you’ll find performances that speak to your soul.
The 27th Jewish Cultural Festival represents Budapest at its cultural best – a city where history lives and breathes, where different traditions dance together in perfect harmony, and where visitors can experience something truly extraordinary. In these sacred spaces, surrounded by centuries of history, you’ll discover why this festival has become one of Budapest’s most treasured autumn traditions.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of something that celebrates not just music, but the beautiful complexity of human culture itself. After all, as the festival organizers note, autumn in Budapest simply cannot begin without this remarkable celebration of heritage, harmony, and hope.
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