Celebrate Budapest’s Birthday at the Metro Festival Underground
Experience one of Budapest’s most unique cultural celebrations this November — the Metro Festival transforms the city’s subway stations into concert halls! November 14–16, 2025, marks a special occasion as Budapest commemorates 75 years since the unification of Buda, Pest, and Óbuda into the modern metropolis we know today. This three-day musical celebration showcases the city’s vibrant cultural diversity right beneath your feet.
A Festival Like No Other
The Metro Festival is unlike anything you’ll experience in Budapest’s cultural calendar. Instead of traditional concert venues, the stages are subway platforms. Instead of formal audiences, you encounter everyday travelers who become part of an impromptu celebration. Local orchestras, choirs, dance groups, and music schools from across the city’s districts fill the metro stations with live performances — transforming your commute into an unforgettable cultural experience.
What makes this festival truly special is its celebration of Budapest’s multicultural identity. The performances represent the artistic schools, ensembles, and creative talent from the city’s various neighborhoods, united in honoring what makes Budapest authentically Hungarian — diversity, togetherness, and a passion for celebration.
Three Days of Live Music and Dance
The festival spans three days with performances scheduled at two main metro stations: Nagyvárad tér and Fővám tér, plus Újbuda városközpont station. Each day brings a different mix of classical orchestras, folk dance groups, brass bands, choirs, and contemporary performers.
Friday, November 14
Best deals of Budapest
- 17:00 | Fővám tér: South Pest Sonore Mixed Choir
- 17:00–18:00 | Nagyvárad tér: Kispest Szatmári László Music School (folk dance, clarinet and cello quartet)
- 18:00–18:30 | Nagyvárad tér: Tébláb Music School folk dance house
- 18:30–19:00 | Nagyvárad tér: Budafok Mozart Youth Orchestra (symphonic film music arrangements)
Saturday, November 15
- 10:00–11:00 | Nagyvárad tér: Suholó Folk Dance Ensemble
- 11:00–11:30 | Nagyvárad tér: Dohnányi Ernő Music School
- 11:00–11:30 | Fővám tér: Hubay Jenő Youth Brass Band
- 11:30–12:00 | Fővám tér: Pesterzsébeti Technikum Culture Foundation Majorette Group
- 11:30–12:00 | Nagyvárad tér: PMS Dance Hip Hop
- 18:30–19:00 | Újbuda városközpont: Budapest City Choir
Sunday, November 16
- 15:00–16:30 | Nagyvárad tér: Pesterzsébeti Technikum Culture Foundation Folk Dance Group
- 15:30–16:30 | Fővám tér: Márton Vörösváry (solo violin)
- 16:30–17:00 | Nagyvárad tér: Nagyvárad tér Reformed Church Choir
Why Visitors Love the Metro Festival
This is an authentic Budapest experience you won’t find in guidebooks. Watch talented young musicians and dancers perform in the everyday spaces where locals move through the city. The festival captures the essence of Budapest’s cultural spirit — spontaneous, welcoming, and deeply rooted in artistic tradition. Whether you’re a classical music enthusiast, a dance lover, or simply curious about local culture, you’ll find something to captivate you.
The performances range from classical symphonic arrangements to energetic hip-hop, traditional folk dancing to contemporary ensembles, creating a true reflection of Budapest’s artistic diversity.
Plan Your Metro Festival Visit
Dates: November 14–16, 2025
Locations: Nagyvárad tér station (Lines 3 and 4), Fővám tér station (Line 4), Újbuda városközpont station (Line 4)
Cost: Free — performances are open to all metro passengers
What to Bring: Just your sense of adventure and curiosity about Budapest’s cultural scene
This is one of the rare occasions when a city truly opens its cultural heart to celebrate itself. Don’t miss the chance to be part of Budapest’s birthday celebration in the most unexpected and memorable way — deep underground, where the magic of community and music comes alive.