Celebrate the Year of the Horse with the Grand Chinese New Year Concert at Müpa Budapest
If you’re visiting Budapest in February 2026, prepare for an evening where music, tradition, and cultural beauty come together in perfect harmony. On 27 February 2026, the magnificent Béla Bartók National Concert Hall at Müpa Budapest will once again host the Grand Chinese New Year Concert, a global concert series that has been enchanting audiences since 1998. This year’s celebration welcomes the Year of the Horse, promising a night of vibrant sounds, colorful rhythm, and uplifting energy.
Discover the sound of three thousand years
According to the lunar calendar, the Year of the Horse begins on 17 February 2026, symbolizing freedom, adventure, and joyful expression. In this celebratory spirit, Müpa’s concert will bring together centuries of Chinese musical tradition in one spectacular performance.
Expect a program that travels through time — from ancient folk melodies rich with storytelling, to passionate opera-inspired pieces, dazzling percussion ensembles, and modern fusion creations that blend Eastern instruments with Western arrangements. Every moment of the evening is an invitation to explore the diversity and richness of Chinese culture through its most universal language: music.
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East meets West through music
The Grand Chinese New Year Concert has become a beloved tradition across Europe, the United States, and Asia, bringing together cultures through artistic collaboration. The Budapest concert continues this mission, creating a bridge between East and West.
On stage, renowned Chinese musicians will perform on extraordinary traditional instruments such as the erhu (two-string fiddle), pipa (pear-shaped lute), guzheng (Chinese zither), and dizi (bamboo flute), accompanied by stunning percussion and orchestral elements. These instruments produce sounds both exotic and familiar, blending seamlessly with modern jazz, world music, and contemporary symphonic textures.
The result is an immersive experience — one that captivates lovers of classical, world, and popular music alike.
A night of celebration and connection
In Chinese astrology, the Horse represents vitality, confidence, and optimism — qualities that flow naturally through this year’s concert program. Audiences can expect an evening of uplifting, energetic performances that embody these spirited attributes. The concert aims not only to entertain but also to inspire cultural appreciation and a sense of harmony between traditions.
From graceful melodies to breathtaking ensemble moments, the Grand Chinese New Year Concert is designed to dazzle. It’s an event that speaks to the imagination — whether you’re a first-time listener or a longtime admirer of Asian art.
Practical information
- Event: Grand Chinese New Year Concert – Year of the Horse Celebration
- Date: Friday, 27 February 2026
- Time: 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
- Venue: Béla Bartók National Concert Hall, Müpa Budapest
- Address: 1095 Budapest, Komor Marcell utca 1
- Produced by: Müpa Budapest
- Genre: World music, jazz, popular music
Tickets can be purchased through the Müpa Budapest official website, where full program details and performer information are regularly updated.
Why you shouldn’t miss it
The Grand Chinese New Year Concert is more than a concert — it’s a cultural experience that connects continents and celebrates unity through sound. The event’s combination of historical significance, musical artistry, and visual spectacle makes it one of Budapest’s most memorable winter highlights.
Whether you’re a music lover, cultural explorer, or simply looking for something extraordinary to do on your visit, this concert promises an unforgettable night filled with rhythm, melody, and the radiant energy of the Year of the Horse.
So, celebrate the lunar new year in style — at Müpa Budapest, where East and West meet in perfect harmony.