Family programmes, gastronomic or design events, great concerts or Earth Day programmes: yes, you can have it all in our capital city, and you don't even have to open your wallet. Check out the best free programmes in Budapest in the second half of April.

Get ready for the family fun

If you are spending Easter with your family in Budapest, you might be looking for a free family programme to keep everyone entertained. Have you heard of Húsvéti sokadalom? It is like a festival at the City Park Ice Rink, from 18 to 21 April, where you can try great food, enjoy music and dance programmes, and there is plenty of entertainment for the kids. 

You can find more info and the programme here. 

Taste Budapest... and so much more

As we already mentionned in our recent article, you can try Budapest's chimney cake for free on 20 April at St. Stephen's Basilica. The traditionally made chimney cake features one of Hungary's best known trademarks, its number one drink, Unicum, some passion fruit ice cream and blueberries, but it also contains summer, talent, hard work and kindness. A lovely mix not to be missed, rigth?

You can find more info here. 

For the joy of so many fans of the really good design events, Maker's Market returns to the Fény Street Market on 27 April, with a season opening fair with over seventy local makers selling loads of gorgeous designer stuff, accompanied with the best coffee, pastries, sweets and other treats. DJs will create an unforgettable atmosphere for socialising, chatting and making friends with the best local designers, so you won't want to go home until closing time! As usual at Makers' Market, the most talented designers of Budapest will be there, so you'll get to meet the makers behind some of the most exciting contemporary designer products around.

You can find more info here. 

Don't stop the music

Of course, there are also great free concerts in the city centre. If you feel like dancing, don't miss the Rockabilly Night of the band Blue Chevrolet at Lámpás (15 Dob Street) on 24 April. Their setlist includes many well-known pop songs in new guises, as well as original rock'n'roll tunes, so if you are up for a fun evening with a lot of dance in a lovely retro atmosphere, you are more than welcome.

You can find more info here.

Freddie Mercury and Queen are legends today and their music still moves the crowds. That's what you can see and feel when you attend the show of the Crazy Little Queen Tribute Band at the Backstage Pub on 25 April. They will be special guests of a band called Special Guest so the best live rock show in the city is guaranteed.

You can find more info here.

Earth Day is coming up, time to go greener

On Earth Day, 22 April, the whole world pays even more attention to protecting our environment, and yes, there are programmes all over the world to draw attention to this important issue. In Budapest, too, you can find numerous events, such as some clothes swaps, which we think are definitely worth considering if you want to exchange your "old and boring" clothes for other people's pre-loved treasures. Not all of these events are organised on Earth Day, but most of them take place at the end of April, like the one at the Kesztyűgyár Community Centre on 25 April. Another reason to get involved is that there will also be textile recycling sessions and community activities, so you can stay a little longer and have fun with your fellow swappers.

You can find more info here. 

If 25 April is not free in your diary, you might have some time on the following day. On 26 April you can take part in one of the city's greenest events in Városháza Park. Their Earth Day event has something for all ages: a plant fair, an eco-friendly market, interactive games and treats, and even a bicycle parade.

You can find more info here.

Photo: Maker's Market