Jazz & Wine Festival – World-Class Jazz and Hungarian Wine on Margaret Island
If you’re in Budapest in late May 2026, the Jazz & Wine Festival is one of the most atmospheric and refined events on the city’s calendar. Now in its third edition, the festival takes place from May 22 to 25 in one of Budapest’s most enchanting settings — the Cloister courtyard of the historic Water Tower at Margaret Island Theatre — bringing together Grammy-winning international jazz artists, emerging Hungarian talent, and wines from across all of Hungary’s wine regions.
A Magical Setting on Margaret Island
The festival is hosted in the Cloister (Kerengő) courtyard of the Margaret Island Theatre, in the shadow of the iconic Margaret Island Water Tower. Margaret Island itself is one of Budapest’s most beloved green spaces, sitting in the middle of the Danube between Buda and Pest, and the Water Tower courtyard provides an intimate, elegant backdrop that makes the whole experience feel a little bit magical. Whether you’re sipping a glass of Tokaj wine under the open sky or listening to a late-night jazz set, the setting alone is worth the visit.
The Headline Acts
The Jazz & Wine Festival opens on Friday evening, May 22, with a concert by Kurt Elling — a two-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz singers of his generation. Elling’s sophisticated phrasing and extraordinary range make his live performances truly unforgettable. Ticket holders are invited from 5:00 PM for the festival opening, with the concert beginning at 8:00 PM. Please note that on Friday, May 22, the festival grounds are only accessible to those with a Kurt Elling concert ticket.
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Saturday evening, May 23, belongs to Mario Biondi — one of the world’s most beloved soul and R&B vocalists, whose velvet baritone and cinematic style have earned him a devoted global following. His 8:00 PM concert on the main stage is set to be one of the highlight musical moments of the Budapest spring season.
Sunday evening, May 24, closes the main concert programme with A Csodálatos Magyar Jazz (The Wonderful Hungarian Jazz), an evening celebrating the very best of the local scene, featuring the László Attila Fusion Circus, the Budapest Ragtime Band, and the Easy Jazz Band — the latter joined by swing dancers who will guarantee a proper party atmosphere in the Cloister.
Daytime Programme – Emerging Talent and Afternoon Concerts
The Jazz & Wine Festival isn’t just about the big evening shows. The courtyard opens each morning at 10:00 AM, and the daytime programme is a wonderful opportunity to discover exciting emerging jazz talent in a relaxed, unhurried setting.
- Saturday, May 23: Egri János Jr Trió, Rafael Márió Trió and Oláh Dezső Vibratone Quartet
- Sunday, May 24: Halper Quintet, Tacet-Showcase Zenekar and the Horror Monkeyz — making their debut with this new formation, with concerts starting from 2:00 PM
- Monday, May 25: Miss Kriss, Jazz2night, KunaTones and Tóth Viktor Skylark Metropolitan
Monday’s programme runs from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, making it a perfect option for a relaxed final day of musical exploration.
Six Wine Regions, Dozens of Bottles
The wine programme is just as seriously curated as the music. This year, for the first time, all of Hungary’s wine regions are represented at the Jazz & Wine Festival, with the Tokaj Wine Region taking centre stage as the featured guest. Wineries attending from Tokaj include Majoros Estate and Wine Bar, Espák Winery, Paunoch Estate, Harmónia Vineyard, Mádi a Wine Estate and Breitenbach Cellar.
Joining them are estates from five further regions:
- Balaton Wine Region: Villa Gyetvai, Illés Winery
- Upper Pannonian Wine Region: Gyula Orosz Family Winery, Kisbaka Family Wine Estate, Babarczi Vineyard and Cellar
- Danube Wine Region: Nikléczi Gábor Wine Cellar
- Upper Hungary Wine Region: Nap-Völgy Winery and Experience Estate
- Pannon Wine Region: Vinatus Winery
For those who enjoy something stronger, the Brill Pálinka House brings its award-winning pálinka spirits for tasting — a great introduction to Hungary’s proud tradition of fruit brandy distilling, making its second appearance at the festival this year. The Sajtangyal (Cheese Angel) premium cheese shop rounds out the food and drink offering with a carefully selected range of cheeses and wine accompaniments.
Tickets and What’s Included
The general festival day ticket is 3,600 HUF per person, and under-18s enter free when accompanied by an adult. Each festival ticket includes:
- A wristband granting entry to the Jazz & Wine Festival, valid for all festival days
- One festival glass
- A 20% discount on bottled wines purchased from the participating wineries
- Free entry to the Water Tower and access to its exhibition
Evening concert tickets for Kurt Elling, Mario Biondi and A Csodálatos Magyar Jazz are sold separately, but holders of any of these concert tickets gain free access to the Jazz & Wine Festival on the day of their concert. It’s worth arriving early to make the most of the wine tastings before the evening show begins. Wine tastings at individual stands are paid separately, and those without a festival ticket can purchase a festival glass for 1,500 HUF.
Practical Info
- Dates: May 22–25, 2026 (opening concert May 22; full festival May 23–25)
- Location: Margaret Island Theatre – Cloister, 1007 Budapest, Margitsziget
- Festival opening hours: Friday May 22, 5:00 PM–11:00 PM (concert ticket holders only); Saturday–Sunday 10:00 AM–7:00 PM; Monday 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Day ticket: 3,600 HUF (under 18 free with adult)
- Evening concerts: Separate tickets required for Kurt Elling (May 22), Mario Biondi (May 23) and A Csodálatos Magyar Jazz (May 24); evening concerts start at 8:00 PM
- Tickets: Available via the Margaret Island Theatre box office and online
- Getting there: Margaret Island is reachable by tram (tram 4/6 to Margit híd, then on foot or by bus 26) or by bike along the Danube embankment
Jazz, Wine and an Island at Sunset
There are plenty of festivals in Budapest in May, but the Jazz & Wine Festival has a quality and intimacy that sets it apart. It’s the kind of event where you can discover a new favourite Hungarian wine in the afternoon, watch a world-class jazz musician perform under the open sky in the evening, and walk back across the Danube feeling like you’ve had the perfect Budapest night. Don’t miss it.
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