Labeled by some as the European alternative to Burning Man, Sziget (pronounced Siget) Festival has grown considerably from its inception in 1993.
Initially drawing a relatively small student crowd this Hungarian event, held annually in Budapest, has developed to the point of being one of the continents biggest musical fixtures. Just on numbers alone the festival surpasses many of its counterparts with more than 1000 performances throughout the weeklong event.
There are 60 stages that the huge festival bill is featured across (all of which you can read about here.) and the audience is capped at 70,000 people per day.
However those numbers aren’t the reason that Sziget should be high on the list of European festivals to attend. The event has the atmosphere of both a camping festival somewhere in the countryside as well as a city located field day.
The festival is held on the island of Danube, which is located in the centre of Budapest. Not only does this mean both options of camping and hostel accommodation are viable, but it allows tourists to experience both the best of Budapest and a music festival at the same time.
The events popularity amongst tourists is a testament to this. Only 25% of the festivals attendees are from Hungary. There is even a dedicated ‘party train’ service from Western Europe with some resident DJs along for the ride to transport international visitors to Budapest.
The island, which is managed by a whopping 6000 staff members, becomes a frenetic party festival town. With past acts like David Bowie, Foo Fighters, Iggy Pop, The Stone Roses, Muse, The Cure, Radiohead and Robert Plant it is little wonder the 2011 event was crowned the Best Major European Festival.
By featuring acts from any genre Sziget has created one of the most beautiful, unique and undoubtedly entertaining music festivals in Europe.
Get into the Sziget mood by watching this aftermovie from the 2012 event!
Lineup
The first names of Sziget have been announced with a hell of a lot more to be added in the lead up to the event. Although Queens Of The Stone Age armed with last year’s …Like Clockwork alongside the likes of Brit mood rockers Placebo, electronic maestro Calvin Harris, Las Vegas band Imagine Dragons and English acts Klaxons and Bastille should be enough to persuade you to purchase a ticket.
Take a closer look at the full lineup here.
Where and When
Sziget is located on a picturesque island of Danube in the centre of Budapest. The festival will take place from the 11th to the 18th of August.
Take a close look at a map above.
How To Get There
Flights to Budapest vary depending on what Australian city you’re departing from. Return flights from most cities require two stops and are valued from $2200, while a one stop flight from Melbourne will set you back closer to $3000.
Once in Budapest travelling to Sziget shouldn’t be too difficult. As the festival is located in the centre of the city it all depends on where ticket holders are staying as to what the best travel option is.
However an Sziget Budapest City Pass is highly recommended. Not only are all forms of public transport included in the price, but free and discounted spa and beach entry, free airport shuttle bus service and various discounts across the city’s tourist attractions are also included. Plus the pass will get you free entry on the Sziget boat service, which travels between the festival and the city.
The full 13-day pass comes at the value for money price of $39. Check out the full details here.
Bus, tram, and trains are all options for getting around Budapest. Check the timetables and more details here.
Where To Stay
There are literally hundreds of accommodation options in Budapest, so take your pick! But for your convenience we’ve narrowed down some of the best hostels in the capital city. For your first point of call try booking Carpe Noctem, Lavender Circus Hostel, The Loft Hostel, Blue Danube, Pal’s and Home Made Hostel.
There are also several camping options available for punters keen to get fully into the Sziget mindset. While camping is included in the weekly pass (details and links below), there are three upgrades available for those wanting to enhance their festival experience.
The Caravan Camping ticket allows you into the Caravan Camping area as the name would suggest. However this area is only for those punters bringing in caravans or motor homes of their own. So unless you’re thinking of hiring a motorhome yourself you might want to spend that 130€ elsewhere.
The VIP Camping upgrade comes in at the same price and it provides everything from a swimming pool to a mobile phone charger area, wifi, grocery store, snack bar, 24/7 reception, security and a cleaning service.
A step down from VIP, but a step above normal camping the Alternativa Camping Upgrade ticket is valued at $60. The camping area is exclusive to around 2000 people with showers, toilets, security and cleaning also provided. However the real perks of this camping area come in the form of 24/7 reception and an Italian restaurant, bar and stage.
For more camping options click here.
How To Get Tickets
There are several ticket options with camping included only in the Weekly Pass. This option allows access to everyday of the festival and is valued at 209€ for Advance Round 1 with prices increasing to the eventual full price of 249€.
A 5 Day Pass is valid from the 13th to 18th of August and it will set you back 179€ or Advance Round 1 with prices increasing to the eventual full price of 209€.
A Day ticket is valid from 6am on your preferred day until 8am the next day. It is valued at 50€.
See the full list of ticketing options here and purchase your ticket here.
Insider Tips & Tricks/Things You Shouldn’t Miss
The festivals Colour Party is an event you won’t ever forget.
Festival organisers have developed a nifty little initiative called the Metapay Festivalcard. This card ensures that carrying cash within the festival site is unnecessary. Only this card and bankcards enabled with a PayPass chip can be used to purchase food, drinks or merchandise at the festival. No cash is accepted. The card is free and is also available to use at other Sziget Cultural Management Events. Register for your Metapay card here.
There are several other extra-curricular activities outside of the live music held around the festival site. In the past Sziget has provided its ticket holders with the chance to play volleyball, tennis, football, indoor rowing, rock climbing, bungee jumping and even playing a life sized version of foosball.
Other features of the festival include cinema, circus acts, theatre and dance, while there is tattoo parlour of sorts for those feeling the urge to get inked.
For more details head to Sziget’s Official Website.
2013 Lineup
Click image to enlarge
British rockers Blur will stopover at Sziget after appearances at Coachella and Primavera earlier in the year to headline this massive festival. David Guetta is booked to play the ‘End Show’ of the weeklong event. The final set of the festival promises an incredible visual display.
Scottish three-piece Biffy Clyrio will play songs from their new album Opposites just as Franz Ferdinand will showcase new material from their forthcoming LP, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds will head up the Australian contingent as they continue their world tour in support of Push The Sky Away, while Empire Of The Sun will return to Europe armed with their sophomore release Ice On The Dune. Tame Impala will also stopover on their world tour.
Other big name acts to look forward to include Regina Spektor, Bat For Lashes, Editors, TEED, Enter Shikari, and Peter Bjorn and John.
Take a closer look at the full lineup here.
