The theatre continues to expand its offerings and maintain high standards year after year. Its slogans — "More than a theatre, an experience!" and "Everyone's theatre, Margitsziget Theatre" — reflect long-term goals of steady development, brand building and adaptability to market changes.

Programming balances artistic value and audience needs with a focus on quality, as shown in attendance figures and results.

The Theatre in Numbers

Last year saw 90,000 visitors across multiple venues and events. The main 500 sqm stage serves a 3,000-seat auditorium, while supporting spaces include the protected water tower with its panoramic views and exhibitions, the tower courtyard for jazz and family events, the plane tree area, and the ruins of St Margaret's Convent for children's programmes.

The large open space under the trees works well after work or for weekend family outings.

For the four-month season from May to September 2026, the line-up includes 3+1 opera premieres, 1 outdoor operetta premiere, 2+1 musical premieres, 2+1 dance productions, 5 classical music concerts, 3 symphonic-light music concerts, 3 jazz concerts, 1 jazz and wine festival, 4 literary walks, 38 children's shows and 3 exhibitions.

International Guests for 2026

Stars include Marina Rebeka, Yusif Eyvazov, Bogdan Bociu, Adam Plachetka, Kutasi Judit and Nagy Gyula. Jazz-pop acts are Kurt Elling and Mario Biondi. Groups feature Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox and the London Community Gospel Choir. The Berd Dance Ensemble represents dance, alongside artists from Kolozsvár Hungarian Opera: Kele Brigitta, Barabás Zsuzsi and Balla Sándor.

Partner theatres bring Anna Karenina and Wonderland musicals from Győr National Theatre and Hungarian Theatre, plus the Viktória operetta outdoor premiere from Székesfehérvár Vörösmarty Theatre.

Participating orchestras and choirs include the National Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, Budapest Philharmonic Society Orchestra, Debrecen Symphony Orchestra, Debrecen Kodály Choir, Dohnányi Orchestra, Danubia Orchestra, ELTE Bartók Béla Choir and University Concert Orchestra, Győr Philharmonic, Győr National Theatre orchestra/choir/dancers/soloists, and Honvéd National Male Choir and 100-Member Gypsy Orchestra. Conductors: Dénes István, Halász Péter, Vashegyi György, Jankó Zsolt, Kovács László, Stefan Geiger, Silló István.

The theatre's mix of genres — its own opera premieres on the main stage, co-productions with domestic and international companies for musicals and operettas — creates balance. It serves audiences across ages and tastes within Hungary's cultural and entertainment landscape.

The location, unique features and varied programme attract regulars from Buda and Pest sides, domestic visitors to the capital, and international tourists seeking meaningful cultural outings.

Summer Season Kicks Off Mid-May

DJ Vasovski opens with a laser show on May 16 in the Vasovski Symphonic electro-symphonic concert, blending symphonic sound with electronic music under the stars. World hits get a symphonic makeover with guest Lengyel Johanna, featuring Mr Vasovski, Bakos Bettina, Ya Ou, Peet and Herold Peti. DJ MANTRA LIVE warm-up starts at 19:00.

Four Days of Jazz and Wine Over Pentecost

The third Jazz and Wine Festival runs May 22-25 with the Hungarian Jazz Association, featuring top jazz acts and wines from every wine region. Mario Biondi, the "Italian Barry White," performs May 23 on his European tour marking 20 years of "This Is What You Are," with Budapest alongside Madrid, Barcelona, Tallinn and Prague.

Kurt Elling, two-time Grammy winner, appears May 22, mixing classic jazz elegance with modern sounds — praised by The Guardian as a super-talented Sinatra and by the New York Times as one of today's top jazz singers.

On May 24, László Attila Fusion Circus, Budapest Ragtime Band and Easy Jazz Band play "The Wonderful Hungarian Jazz" concert, joined by swing dancers turning the cloister into a lively party.

Which Wines Pair with Jazz?

Tokaj region leads with Majoros Birtok és Borbár, Espák Pincészet, Paunoch Birtok, Harmónia Szőlőbirtok, Mádi a Borbirtok and Breitenbach Pince. Others include Villa Gyetvai and Illés Borászat from Balaton, Orosz Gyula Családi Pincészete, Kisbaka Családi Borbirtok and Babarczi Szőlőbirtok from Upper Pannonia, Nikléczi Gábor Borpince from Duna, Nap-Völgy Borászat from Upper Hungary, and Vinatus Pince from Pannonia.

Children's Day Brings the Savannah to Life on Margitsziget

Families get an emotional summer evening on May 30 with The Lion King film+concert. The iconic Disney film screens on a giant projector under the stars, with live Danubia Orchestra accompaniment under Stefan Geiger for Elton John's Oscar- and Grammy-winning songs and Lebo M's choruses.

Adults have Miloš Forman's eight-Oscar Amadeus with live Győr Philharmonic and Budapest Scoring Choir, original language, Hungarian subtitles and conductor Ernst van Tiel.

Key Staged Productions: Operas, Musicals, Operettas

Four operas appear in repertory, produced by the theatre and directed by Bán Teodóra. Mascagni's and Leoncavallo's one-acters — Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci — play full evenings on June 25 and 27, starring Barabás Zsuzsa, László Boldizsár, Farkasréti Mária, Adam Plachetka, Balogh Eszter, Kele Brigitta, Balla Sándor, Ninh Duc Hoang Long and Halász Gergely.

Budapest Philharmonic Society Orchestra and Debrecen Kodály Choir accompany, conducted by Jankó Zsolt.

Verdi's Il Trovatore follows on July 23 and 25, with Yusif Eyvazov (La Scala, Vienna State Opera, Royal Opera House regular) as Manrico, Marina Rebeka as Leonora, Kutasi Judit (Met, Verona Arena, London/Berlin/Paris/Munich/Barcelona) as Azucena, and Bogdan Bociu as Luna. National Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Halász Péter.

Nabucco returns August 13 and 15 after last year's success, starring Kálmándy Mihály, Riccardo Gatto, Palerdi András, Boross Csilla, Vörös Szilvia and Zajkás Boldizsár.

Three Musicals and One Operetta Under the Stars

Anna Karenina, rarely staged recently, premieres July 3-4. The production revives Tolstoy's classic in a modern take true to the era, with music by Kocsák Tibor and lyrics by Miklós Tibor — once a hit at Rock Theatre and Madách.

Stars include Széles Flóra, Mózes Anita, Miller Zoltán, Nagy Balázs, Kocsis Dénes, Vaszkó Bence, Nemes Tibor, Hajdu Tibor, Nagy Alma Virág and Buvári Lilla. Directed by Bakos-Kiss Gábor, music director/conductor Silló István, sets by Horesnyi Balázs, costumes by Árva Nóra. Győr National Theatre orchestra/choir/dancers/soloists join.

Viktória operetta premieres July 17 as Vörösmarty Theatre guest production. The theatre presents new director Dolhai Attila in three roles: director, lead (Captain Koltay István) and theatre head. Haraszti Elvíra plays Viktória, with Trokán Péter. Sets by Bátonyi György, costumes by Líbor Katalin, Alba Regia Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ruff Tamás, Vörösmarty chorus.

Wonderland musical, reimagining Alice in Wonderland for the 21st century by Frank Wildhorn and Jack Murphy, debuts July 31-August 1 as Margitsziget-Hungarian Theatre co-production — a Hungarian premiere. Stars: Jenes Kitti, Janza Kata, Vágó Zsuzsi, Sándor Péter, Szemenyei János, Mészáros Árpád Zsolt. Sets/costumes by Kentaur, directed by Nagy Viktor.

Edda musical A kör wraps September 6 as a concert-style show turning into a full rock concert finale. Stars Nagy Szilárd (Elmó), Réthy Zsazsa (Írisz), Kovács Áron (Szezár), Ragány Misa (Frédi), with giant LEDs, pyrotechnics, 16 dancers and real motorbikes.

Classical Music Concerts

The season opens June 4 with National Philharmonic for National Togetherness Day, co-organised with Cziffra Festival. Soloists Balázs János (Kossuth/Liszt prize-winning pianist, festival director) and Bácsy-Schwartz Zoltán (rising young violinist). Conductor Vashegyi György (Kossuth/Liszt prizewinner).

Budafoki Dohnányi Orchestra backs Queen Symphony & Concertshow; Danubia Orchestra plays Lion King film+concert.

June 17 pairs Carl Orff's Carmina Burana with Catulli Carmina, starring Miklósa Erika, Ninh Đức Hoàng Long, Nagy Gyula with ELTE Bartók Béla Choir/University Concert Orchestra. Conductor Kovács László.

More International Stars

Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox added a second show June 11 after selling out, reviving 70s/80s/modern hits in swing/jazz/vintage pop on their "The Future Is Vintage" tour. London Community Gospel Choir — Britain's top touring contemporary gospel act, who backed Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Gorillaz, Kylie Minogue — plays September 4, blending gospel with pop/soul/jazz/R&B/classical.

Dance Highlight

Berd Dance Ensemble from Armenia performs July 11 with over 100 dances (combat, lyrical, ritual, comic) preserving historic regions' traditions — 60 years touring 40+ countries to 1M+ viewers. Szeged Contemporary Ballet's Black Swan on August 26 reinterprets Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake in a psychoanalytical thriller by Kossuth prizewinner Juronics Tamás.

Concert Experiences at the Theatre

Concerts here go beyond music: ancient trees frame the stage, the lit water tower shifts colours to match, acoustics and 3,000-seat design deliver clear sound from violin solos to pop blasts, all under summer skies with Danube breezes.

June 6: Szulák Andrea big concert with Veréb Tamás, Wolf Kati, Caramel. Caramel's full "Mesemondó" (Storyteller) follows in July.

June 13: Budafoki Dohnányi Orchestra Queen Symphony & Concertshow with Serbán Attila, Szemenyei János, Baksa András; arrangements by Szüts Apor, conductor Guido Mancusi.

June: EDDA with Szolnoki Symphony Orchestra in symphonic mode after last year's sellout.

June 19: Danube Carnival gala with Duna Artists Ensemble, Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, 300 performers including international groups.

July 9: SYMPHOTRONIC in water tower courtyard — DJ Bootsie/Heureka Pop Orchestra reimagining Bach, Mozart, Kodály, Chopin, Prokofiev, Liszt.

August 6: Leander Symphonic Choir with Pejtsik Péter/Szolnoki Symphony/VoiceStation choir.

Kökény Attila/Rakonczai Viktor return with hits like "Ha újra látlak."

100-Member Gypsy Orchestra plays "Flame of Heritage" August 19 near State Foundation Day.

Fenyő Miklós tradition ends — remembered with Szikora Róbert R-GO concert.

Early September: Budapest Bár big party led by Farkas Róbert with Behumi Dóri, Kollár-Klemencz László, Lovasi András, Mező Misi, Tóth Vera, Schoblocher Barbara, Kiss Tibi.

Literary walks by Bach Kata explore island history/sites June 28, July 19/26.

More: 
www.margitszigetiszinhaz.hu

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