Sziget Festival Wins “Take a Stand” Award Again: Why Budapest’s Island of Freedom Keeps Making Waves in Europe
Budapest’s Sziget Festival has just added another international trophy to its impressive collection, and this time the spotlight is not only on music but on values. The beloved summer event on Hajógyári Island has once again been recognised at the European Festival Awards in Groningen, underlining why it remains one of Europe’s most exciting reasons to visit Budapest as a culture-loving traveller.
A Festival That Stands for More Than Music
At the 15th European Festival Awards gala in Groningen, the Sziget Festival received the “Take a Stand” award for the second time, following its earlier win for the 2023 edition. This special category honours festivals that actively promote peaceful dialogue, humanity, tolerance and mutual understanding, celebrating organisers who see their events as platforms for social responsibility rather than just entertainment. For Sziget, this recognition confirms a long-standing commitment to openness, inclusion and respect that has been part of its identity since the very beginning.
The award is decided by a jury of respected festival professionals from across Europe, who evaluate social initiatives and long-term engagement, not just one-off campaigns. For a foreign visitor, this means that when you step onto Sziget, you’re entering a space that takes diversity, acceptance and personal freedom seriously, turning a week-long party into a shared statement about what kind of world festival-goers want to live in.
European Festival Awards: Where Sziget Shines Among the Best
The European Festival Awards are often described as the Oscars of the festival world, and in 2026 they were handed out in fourteen categories, covering everything from small niche gatherings to giant multi-day celebrations. This year, the Swiss Paléo Festival Nyon won Best Major Festival, the Slovak Pohoda was named Best Medium-Sized Festival, and the Dutch Dynamo Metalfest took home the Best Small Festival prize, while the legendary Lowlands in the Netherlands was honoured for the best line-up.
Sziget itself has a rich history with these awards: it has already received the Best Major Festival main prize twice and has also been recognised twice with the Best Line-up award, proving its ability to attract world-class artists year after year. For the most recent edition, the Budapest event was nominated not only for Take a Stand, but also for Best Major Festival, Line-up of the Year and Promoter of the Year, underlining its all-round influence on the European festival scene.
Best deals of Budapest
Sziget’s Values: Acceptance, Freedom and Human Connection
According to festival director Tamás Kádár, Sziget has always been built on the pillars of acceptance, tolerance, inclusion and individual freedom, aiming to create a temporary “island of freedom” in the middle of the Danube. The organisers emphasise that festivals should not only be about celebration, but also about humanity, dialogue and love, and that these values define Sziget just as much as its stages and headliners.
The fact that the event has now received the Take a Stand award twice reassures the team that they are on the right path and encourages them to continue building projects and spaces that invite reflection as well as fun. For travellers, this translates into a festival atmosphere where you can dance to global stars at night and discover art installations, NGOs, discussions and cultural programmes during the day that address topics like human rights, mental health and environmental awareness.
Why This Matters If You’re Visiting Budapest
For international tourists planning a summer trip, Sziget offers more than just a convenient excuse to visit Budapest; it provides a unique window into contemporary European youth culture and values. Set on the green, riverside Hajógyári Island, the festival combines a relaxed, holiday-like setting with the energy of a global metropolis, easily accessible from the city centre by public transport or even by bike along the Danube.
Because Sziget consistently ranks among Europe’s top festivals and is regularly shortlisted in multiple award categories, you can expect professional organisation, strong safety standards, and a carefully curated programme that blends mainstream acts with cutting-edge performers and diverse cultural experiences. Pair your festival days with sightseeing in Budapest’s historic districts, thermal baths and ruin pubs, and the city quickly becomes the perfect base for a summer getaway that mixes music, culture and conscious travel.
Sziget as a Reason to Put Budapest on Your Map
In a crowded European festival calendar, Sziget stands out not only for its impressive line-ups but for its consistent stance on social issues and its vision of the festival as a miniature city built on respect and openness. For many visitors, this combination of world-class concerts, international community and meaningful initiatives is exactly what turns a one-off trip into a yearly tradition.
If you’re considering when to visit Budapest, timing your stay with Sziget allows you to experience both the historic charm of the Hungarian capital and the vibrant, forward-looking spirit that the festival represents. Whether you come for the music, the atmosphere or the values it celebrates, Sziget continues to prove that a festival can be a place where having fun and taking a stand go hand in hand.
Related news
Sziget Festival 2026: The Island of Freedom Returns Stronger Than Ever
Budapest is already buzzing with anticipation: Sziget Festival is officially returning in 2026, and the first wave of performers promises a spectacular,...
Sziget Festival 2026: Super Early Bird Tickets Drop Now – Grab Your Budapest Pass Before They’re Gone
The countdown has officially begun for one of Europe’s most anticipated music festivals, and this time it’s bigger, better, and more...
Related events