May is one of the best seasons to visit Budapest to avoid the crowds of summer tourists and to enjoy nice spring days in Budapest (although there is no guarantee for rain free days). There are many festivals, several of which moves to the breezy open-air all around Budapest.

Budapest Palinka Festival

Things to do in May – Spring Events in Budapest

• May Day Budapest: May 1 is Labour Day, Hungarian National Holiday. Despite being a bank holiday all the museums are open and there are various Majalis (May Day) Parties, concerts, etc. in the big parks of the city of Budapest. For a city central event go to Elisabeth square (by Deak square), or for bigger festivities join the crowds in the City Park or on Margaret Island.
• Budapest Palinka Festival - if you love pleasant gastro festivals and drinking some tasty and strong spirits, you may as well dare to attend the merry gathering called Hungarian Palinka Festival, you are more than welcome to try the Hungarian brandy, a fruity smooth and powerful spirit Hungarians love. You can listen to music and eat authentic snacks and handmade chocolates too.
• Foie Gras Festival Budapest – Hungary is famous for its goose liver. Try the most flavoursome foie gras you will ever eat. The gastro festival is also a cultural event. Sometime in May or June in the Buda Castle Royal Palace atop the Castle Hill
• Beethoven in Buda: the Beethoven in Buda music festival commemorates the first and last performance of Beethoven given in the town of Buda (the Buda side of Budapest). The 4-5 day Beethoven festival is usually sometime in May. The venues are varied (most of them are in the Buda Castle on the Castle Hill.
• Obuda Day Festival, Budapest- a real local and non-touristy event to attend, with lots of crafts and folksy arts as well as handmade delicacies and typical Hungarian foods. Obuda Day is in Old Buda district (District III.), about a half an hour ride from the city centre with public transport.
• Antique and Modern Art Street Festival, i.e. the Falk Art Forum takes place in May. There are dozens of antique galleries and art galleries participating in this artsy event. Moreover, you can enjoy some concerts in the streets and galleries (jazz, blues, classical, etc.), presentations of art historians, guided art tours, etc.
  

  Budapest Festival – Obuda Day

• WAMP Design Fair on Elisabeth square (Erzsebet ter) – after the bad weather and cold months, WAMP Design Fair moves out of its MIllenaris Park headquarters to sell the handmade crafts of Hungarian designers in the pleasant downtown square of Budapest
• Festival of Museums a family event in the gardens of the Hungarian National Museum with good food stalls to sample some Hungaricums. Workshops for kids and gifts shopping for the adults is also an option. The event is between Astoria square (M2 metro stop) and Kalvin square (M3 metro stop)
• Jazz Spring Budapest at the Palace of Arts is a half a day event focusing on jazz and its many sub genres with Hungarian and international musicians
• Budapest Bread Festival: the Budapest Bread Festival is a 3 day culinary event, a sort of bakery feast with lots of freshly baked products, traditional and gourmet breads and pastries as well as folk dance ensembles (children and adults) in the Buda Castle, Budapest.
• Top Budapest Event Calendar  or the Budapest Event Guide: click to see the currently highlighted events in Budapest in May this year.

Related in our Budapest May Archive

May Events in Budapest 2012