July - September
The high season is in full swing by the month of July, as tourists arrive en masse from all over the world and Hungarians take their semi-annual vacations. Lots of sunshine translates to fun outdoor activities to be enjoyed by all, from sports to open-air festivals.
July and August are the warmest months of the year in Hungary. Most of the country warms to the upper 70s and low 80s, with cooler temperatures around Lake Balaton and warmer temperatures in the east of the country, in places like Debrecen and Szeged. Lows during this time are usually in the upper 50s (Debrecen and Szeged) or the low-to-mid 60s (Budapest, Lake Balaton). By September, temperatures start their retreat, but are still very warm. Expect highs in the low-to-mid 70s, with lows between 50 and 55. By September, Hungary reaches the second of its two `dry seasons`, with as few as five precipitation days per month on average.
Holidays and Festivals:
Early July (1 week): Early Music Days (Régi Zenei Napok), Eszterháza, Fertod. The largest pre-Beethoven music festival in Hungary.
Early July (1 week): Balaton Sound, Zamárdi, a lakeside electronic music festival.
Early July (weekend): Bull`s Blood Festival (Egri Bikavér Ünnep), Eger. Wine and traditional food are served all weekend.
Late July: The Hungarian Grand Prix, a Formula 1 race held at the Hungaroring, Mogyoród.
Early August: Debrecen Wine & Jazz Days
Early August (1 week): Sziget Festival, Budapest, a rock and pop music festival that is one of the biggest music festivals in Central Europe.
August 20: State Foundation Day (Az államalapítás ünnepe) and St. Stephen's Day (Szent István király), celebrated with fireworks, speeches, and parties. (national holiday in Hungary)
Early September: Jewish Cultural Festival (Zsidó Kulturális Fesztivál), Budapest, the largest festival of its kind in the country.
Mid-September: Jameson CineFest, Miskolc, Hungary`s largest international film festival.
Late September: Eger Wine Harvest Festival
Late September or early October: Budapest Marathon
