“As we open this new chapter for Sziget, our focus remains the same: the special atmosphere, the wide variety of programs, and creating lasting memories,” Tamás Kádár said at the festival’s press conference. “But this year, we’re also introducing a number of exciting changes,” he added.

These updates, while preserving what already works well, will be reflected in the structure of the program, the festival’s visual identity, and the services offered at Sziget 2025.

 Kádár pointed out that the shift in cultural consumption habits and the rising expectations of festival goers pose ongoing challenges. “To strengthen our position among the world’s leading festivals, we’ve decided to take a major step forward based on a multi-year strategy.”

The upcoming changes are designed to enhance Sziget’s core values — such as its diverse musical offerings and wide-ranging cultural content — while putting a greater emphasis on creative solutions.

With a reimagined program structure, the aim is to offer festival experiences nearly 24/7.

“The driving force behind Sziget is still the same as it was in the beginning. Back then, we became unique by not even knowing what international trends were. Today, we’re strengthening Sziget’s identity by understanding exactly what kind of environment we’re operating in,” Kádár said.

One of the most visible changes will greet visitors as soon as they arrive: the iconic K-Bridge will receive a dramatic new look.

“A flock of massive, colorful birds will fly between the pillars of the K-Bridge, welcoming everyone to the Island of Freedom, where a renewed entrance area awaits,” the festival director shared.

Some program venues are also moving.

For instance, Cirque du Sziget is relocating to a new site, the Magic Mirror will now be found in the northern section of the island, and the Traveling Funfair is also moving to a different location.

 One of the most noticeable transformations will be the development of new “districts” within the festival city. These areas will either group venues by genre or highlight multicultural diversity.

Among these is the Delta District, Sziget’s new nightlife hub, which will come alive from dusk until dawn. It will feature a redesigned Yettel Colosseum, the newly branded Bolt Night Stage (replacing the former Arena), and a new venue called The Club by Don Julio, which promises the most powerful electronic music lineup in the festival’s history.

Another addition is Szoho — spelled with an “Sz,” as in Sziget — an energetic, arts-focused, and multicultural district inspired by iconic neighborhoods like London’s and New York’s Soho.

Meanwhile, movement, spectacle, and illusion take center stage in the Paradox zone. At Paradox, in a space that spans multiple genres, where different branches of art blend with unforgettable experiences that push the boundaries of expression—while other venues offer the magic of immersive programs.

From Dusk till Dawn: Delta DistrictSziget’s greatest appeal lies in offering experiences 24/7 over six days, showcasing a diverse range of musical genres and cultural programs. With the creation of the Delta District, we aim to elevate the festival’s nightlife to a whole new level, celebrating the vibrant culture of electronic music in all its forms,” said Virág Csiszár. This new “district” promises to be an exciting addition to the renewed Sziget.

One point of the Delta triangle is home to one of Europe’s most unique festival venues: the Yettel Colosseum, inspired by ancient amphitheaters. It will feature some of the biggest names in alternative electronic music, with a wide range of sets — from melodic and uplifting to harder, more energetic beats. The Yettel Colosseum will host artists like I Hate Models, 999999999, OGUZ, Hot Since 82, Carlita, Dixon, Chris Liebing, The Blessed Madonna, horsegiirL, and Partiboi69, just to name a few.

The former Arena, a monumental party hub, will be renewed inside and out — visually and technically — and reintroduced as the BOLT Night Stage, becoming an unmissable part of the Delta District. Acts confirmed for the BOLT Night Stage include Armin Van Buuren, Vini Vici, Don Diablo, Alok, Steve Angello, Boris Brejcha, Amelie Lens, Mathame, and Miss Monique.

Another new venue is The Club by Don Julio, a fully enclosed space offering an intimate club experience, where underground club-electronic artists will take the stage one after another.

Introducing Szoho

Booking manager Márk Bóna introduced Szoho, a new city district on the Island of Freedom, inspired by the vibrant, art-centric spirit of iconic neighborhoods like London and New York’s Soho. “A multicultural melting pot where music, street culture, and creativity meet,” said Bóna.

One of Szoho’s main venues is the already familiar The Buzz, offering a broad mix of Hungarian and international music across genres — from indie and alt-pop to world music, rock, and crossover acts. The other highlight of the district is dropYard, bringing the energy with hip-hop and rap concerts, and late-night sessions filled with drum & bass, dubstep, dancehall, reggaeton, and more.

In addition to these two main stages, Szoho will feature new program spaces. Previously, breakdance and hip-hop were part of dropYard, but now — emphasizing street culture — they will have a dedicated venue.

The Cypher will present freestyle sessions, top dancers, DJs, and performers, in collaboration with Budapest’s hip-hop association, Cypher Town.

Another new addition is The Joker, combining playfulness and performance within Szoho. By day, it functions as a lively board game café, where Szitizens can challenge each other in chess, RISK, Rubik’s cubes, and more.

By night, it transforms into the Sziget Comedy Stage, hosted by British actor and stand-up comedian Dave Thompson, featuring brilliant international comedians. In collaboration with the Underground Slam Academy, The Joker will also host daily slam poetry programs, bringing spoken word artists from around the world.

The full experience is enhanced by pop-up street performers, barbers, tattoo artists, specialty bars, graffiti walls, skateboarding shows, and even on-site makeup services. “A new addition at Sziget will be the half-pipe, a special skate ramp where professional skateboarders and rollerbladers will perform daily demos — and the audience will also be able to try it by renting equipment,” Bóna added.

Naturally, music takes center stage on Szoho’s two main stages. The Buzz will host emerging and well-known acts, including EKKSTACY, the Canadian artist blending indie, post-punk, and synthwave; Last Train, who fuse rock roots with various styles; and Casey Lowery, a viral video creator with millions of followers and a fresh album. The local scene will also be well represented, with performances by beton.hofi, Ivan & The Parazol, Analog Balaton, and Hundred Sins.

At dropYard, fans of raw UK hip-hop can look forward to Bawo, EV, Feux, KiLLOWEN, and Strandz. From the Netherlands, Vunzige Deuntjes returns with acts like MC Claudio, Vunzige Deuntjes Soundsystem, and WEF, alongside Mula B. Expect Belgian beats from PEET, smooth French flows from Davodka and Theodora, and unique Algerian vibes from DJAM & TIMOH.

Beyond Szoho, Bóna also shared updates about the slightly reimagined Jukebox venue. At night, this stage will host tribute bands of legendary names and pop artists from both Hungary and abroad.

Expect tributes to ABBA, Queen, The Beatles, and David Bowie, a Live Aid 40th anniversary concert, and a special performance by Revenge of the Synth Star Wars Band.

As the stage has moved further from the Main Stage, programs will start earlier. Performances here will also include up-and-coming international bands and local pop/alternative acts like Moriones, Kolibri, Filo, Hűvös, kisbetűs ünnepnapok, and even LL Junior.

Late nights will feature concept DJ sets, including parties themed around Taylor Swift, Los Santos, and Bailando, along with the always-popular NECC party. Early evenings will spotlight the winners of the GrassrEUts project.

GrassrEUts is an EU-supported initiative involving festivals from five countries. Bands from each country applied, and a professional jury selected acts to perform at their home festivals. The top two from each will be chosen to enter a final pool, from which the partner festivals will select international acts to perform abroad. Applications closed on May 5, with 303 bands in the running — selection is currently underway.

At the press conference, Jenna Jalonen was introduced as the new Head of Arts and Experiential Programs at Sziget, taking over from József Kardos earlier this year.

The Finnish-born dancer, choreographer, and performing arts producer has lived in Hungary for a long time, and Sziget is no new ground for her, having performed at the festival on many occasions and helped shape the dance programs.

Jenna said that in shaping the already strong artistic programs, her goal is to enrich Sziget’s diversity with content that not only entertains but also provokes thought, surprises, and offers unique, unforgettable experiences that cannot be found elsewhere. “A large part of the 2025 program is still the work of József, but the concept I represent is already evident in several areas,” she said.

One example of this new approach is the Paradox venue, which highlights performing arts as an integral part of the festival experience. Paradox focuses on movement, spectacle, and illusion, where circus acts and boundary-pushing dance performances meet the magic of Traveling Funfair and other experiential programs.

“Performing arts are born from the blending of various artistic disciplines, so some productions cannot be classified strictly as either circus or dance — at Paradox, these genres merge and offer the audience unforgettable experiences,” emphasized the new artistic director.

Another new “district” on the island is the North Field, located in the northern part of the festival. It is the new home of the Magic Mirror, the ever-evolving art venue ArtGarden — which again invites festival-goers to daytime relaxation and discovery — and also features the Light Stage. Near Sziget’s renewed entrance area is Impact Island, where NGOs and XS-Land will be joined by TEDxBudapest with its own venue, while at the island’s northern tip, Sziget Beach awaits with impressive installations and pop-up performances.

Jenna shared that under the name Sziget Moments, performances and cultural acts will take the Main Stage during the changeover breaks—every day for 10 minutes—showcasing the diversity of Sziget.

Alongside invited international and local guests, the Superar children's choir will once again take the stage to encourage the audience to sing along.

The Giant Street Theatre, taking place at a more central place in the Festival, will again rise above the Sziget crowd, bringing an extraordinary show to the festival.

The Spanish Sylphes Aerial Ballet will present a spectacular visual production that combines aerial acrobatics with classical ballet. The floating, hypnotically transforming figures will evoke synchronized swimming and traditional ballet choreographies.

Street theatre performances will also return, including the recurring guest Troula Street Theatre.

Their show addresses the challenges of the modern world through the metaphor of a beehive, portraying the environmental abuses committed by humanity. The production features live music, giant puppets, and pyrotechnics, creating a mesmerizing performance not to be missed.

Cirque du Sziget, now in a new location, will offer performances in its main circus tent, a combined dance and open-air stage, and an outdoor lawn area.

Among the shows is a Japanese production titled Yoah, which combines traditional Japanese instruments with electronic music, mesmerizing lights and visuals, and breathtaking acrobatics. Also performing will be the world-renowned Canadian troupe, The 7 Fingers, with Duel Reality, a reimagining of Shakespeare’s epic love story, Romeo and Juliet.

A Hungarian debut will also be featured in the big top with InThisTogether, performed by the OneTwoMany Collective — a participatory circus experience built around active audience involvement, without which the performance cannot happen.

Another popular venue, Magic Mirror, which has also found a new home for 2025, will present a riotous performance blending circus tricks and humor.

The all-female YUCK Circus will take on everything that’s considered “too macho” both on stage and in everyday life, addressing the biggest challenges and sometimes frustrating realities of young women’s lives. Also joining will be Lady Joker from The Netherlands, who blend dance music and acrobatic performance.

The Sziget Theatre and Dance venue once again invites visitors to immerse themselves in the world of dance and theater, adding exciting productions and inspiring programs to the vibrant festival lineup.

Jenna highlighted among them the French group Mazel Freten’s Rave Lucid, where dance, music, and visuals come together to form a thrilling journey of self-expression, evoking the energy of a rave. Also featured is La Confluencia by award-winning flamenco dancers Estévez/Paños, which unites the rich heritages of European, Roma, Jewish, and African cultures through the expressive form of flamenco in a powerful and sensitive cross-cultural performance.

More: 
Sziget Festival

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