It is set within the Cloister (Kerengő) courtyard of the historic Water Tower at the Margaret Island Theatre, a venue that brings together Grammy-winning international headliners, rising stars of the domestic jazz scene, and curated labels from all of Hungary’s primary wine regions.

A Historic Setting on the Danube

The festival occupies the secluded courtyard space beneath the landmark Margaret Island Water Tower. As one of the city's most prominent central green sanctuaries, Margaret Island provides a calm, vehicle-free backdrop right in the middle of the Danube.

The combination of open-air music sets and local wine tasting within this unique architectural heritage space makes it a highly worthwhile weekend excursion.

The Evening Lineup

The musical programming kicks off on Friday evening, May 22, featuring a performance by two-time Grammy Award-winning vocalist Kurt Elling, a figure widely celebrated for his vocal range and commanding stage presence.

Gates open at 5:00 PM to give guests time to sample the wine stalls before the main performance begins at 8:00 PM. Please note that the festival grounds on this opening Friday are strictly reserved for Kurt Elling concert ticket holders.

On Saturday evening, May 23, the main stage welcomes Italian soul and R&B vocalist Mario Biondi, known internationally for his deep baritone styling. His headline concert starts at 8:00 PM and stands out as a major highlight of the spring cultural calendar.

The headline concert series concludes on Sunday evening, May 24, with a dedicated showcase titled A Csodálatos Magyar Jazz (The Wonderful Hungarian Jazz). This evening highlights prominent local formations, bringing the László Attila Fusion Circus, the Budapest Ragtime Band, and the Easy Jazz Band to the stage, with live swing dancers on hand to elevate the evening's energy.

Daytime Showcases and Emerging Talent

Beyond the primary evening performances, the Cloister courtyard opens daily at 10:00 AM, offering a relaxed environment to explore newer talent from the contemporary jazz scene.

Saturday, May 23: Afternoon sets feature the Egri János Jr. Trio, the Rafael Márió Trio, and the Oláh Dezső Vibratone Quartet.

Sunday, May 24: The lineup includes the Halper Quintet, the Tacet Showcase Band, and the newly formed Horror Monkeyz, with performances beginning at 2:00 PM.

Monday, May 25: The final day features sets by Miss Kriss, Jazz2night, KunaTones, and the Tóth Viktor Skylark Metropolitan. Music runs from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM, providing a laid-back holiday option to close out the long weekend.

Wine Selections from Six National Regions

The beverage selection is as meticulously organized as the musical lineup. For this edition, all six of Hungary's official wine regions are represented, with the world-famous Tokaj region stepping into the spotlight as this year's guest of honor.

Participating Tokaj cellars include the Majoros Estate and Wine Bar, Espák Winery, Paunoch Estate, Harmónia Vineyard, Mádi A Wine Estate, and the Breitenbach Cellar.

They are joined by a carefully chosen list of independent estates from across the country:

* Balaton Region: Villa Gyetvai, Illés Winery
* Upper Pannonian Region: Gyula Orosz Family Winery, Kisbaka Family Wine Estate, Babarczi Vineyard and Cellar
* Danube Region: Nikléczi Gábor Wine Cellar
* Upper Hungary Region: Nap-Völgy Winery and Experience Estate
* Pannon Region: Vinatus Winery

For those interested in exploring traditional Hungarian spirits, the Brill Pálinka House returns for its second festival appearance, showcasing award-winning, small-batch fruit brandies. To complement the drinks, premium selections from the Sajtangyal (Cheese Angel) shop will be available, offering high-quality cheeses and classic charcuterie pairings.

Ticket Details 

A standard day ticket to the festival grounds is priced at 3,600 HUF per person, while guests under the age of 18 can enter free of charge when accompanied by an adult.

Each standard day ticket includes:

* An event wristband valid for entry across all general festival days
* A souvenir festival tasting glass
* A 20% discount on bottled wine purchases made directly from the winery stands
* Complimentary admission to the historic Water Tower and its current art exhibition

Grand stage tickets for the evening concerts by Kurt Elling, Mario Biondi, and the Hungarian Jazz Showcase are sold separately. However, holding a ticket to any of these evening performances automatically grants you free access to the general festival grounds on that specific day.

It is highly practical to arrive a couple of hours before the 8:00 PM showtimes to explore the wine tasting pavilions. Individual tastings at the stands are paid separately, and visitors who wish to sample wines without a full festival pass can purchase a standalone tasting glass for 1,500 HUF.

Dates:

May 22–25, 2026 (Opening concert on May 22; full festival grounds open May 23–25)

Location:

Margaret Island Open-air Theatre , 1007 Budapest, Margitsziget

Opening Hours:

Friday, May 22 from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM (Concert ticket holders only);
Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM;
Monday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Admission:

Day pass is 3,600 HUF (Under 18s free with an adult)

Evening Concerts:

Separate booking required for the main 8:00 PM shows on May 22, 23, and 24. Tickets can be purchased online or at the physical Margaret Island Theatre box office.

Getting There:

Take the public tram line 4 or 6 to the Margaret Bridge (Margit híd) stop. From there, you can enjoy a short walk down the central island path or hop onto the local 26 bus line directly to the theater gates. The island is also fully accessible via the Danube embankment bike paths.

More:
Jazz Wine Festival Concerts & Wine Tasting

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