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If you had to describe this year's Sziget in one word, that word would probably be ‘comeback’. The festival is now back in Hungarian hands, and its co-founder, Károly Gerendai, has once again taken on a decisive role in its strategic management. Organisers promise that Sziget will return to the diverse, unpredictably exciting and communal event that has made it one of the top festivals in Europe.
The traditional festival programme will run for five days instead of six, but before that, look out for -1 and 0 Days. Hungarian performers take the spotlight on a new stage created in collaboration with key live venue Budapest Park. The festival site will be divided into 11 areas, and far more non-musical entertainment will be on offer than last year. All drinks will be 10% cheaper until 6pm, budget-friendly dishes will stay on the menu and more relaxation zones will be set up.
Times & transport
The main five-day programme starts on Tuesday, August 11, and ends on Saturday, August 15, with the last parties stretching into dawn on Sunday.
Two days before, August 9 is dedicated to Hungarian beat legend János Bródy before Sziget Icons Day on August 10. Separate tickets are required for these mainly Hungarian events – the five-day festival pass is only valid between August 11-15 inclusive. There's also a special Sziget Night Ticket (€79) for partygoers, valid from 11pm to 8am the next day.
The fastest way to Sziget is still the HÉV train from Batthyány tér or the Buda side of Margaret Bridge to Filatorigát, a five-minute walk from the main entrance at the K Bridge.
You can also go by festival boat that runs from Jászai Mari tér at the Pest foot of Margaret Bridge – this requires a separate ticket, regular transport tickets and passes are not valid.
By bike, the EuroVelo 6 route is the most practical; you can leave your cycle in the free storage area at the K Bridge. It is important to note this year that H Bridge will be closed to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
Leave the car at home – parking is limited, and traffic restrictions and congestion should be expected.
You can find detailed routes on the Sziget travel page, and be sure to check the current transport information with the BudapestGO app before you set off.
Who's on and when?
Tuesday, August 11
The opening day starts off with strong performances on the pop front: London rock combo Wolf Alice at 5.30pm, Swedish singer/songwriter Zara Larsson at 7.15pm and US songsmith Sombr at 9.30pm. After midnight, the iconic electronic anthems of Underworld take over the Revolut Stage (1.30am-3am), while on the BOLT Night Stage, Sara Landry (12.30am-2am), Indira Paganotto (2am-3.30am) and Trym (3.30am-5am) keep the beat going until dawn.
Wednesday, August 12
The Wednesday Main Stage schedule has just changed: top Hungarian act Carson Coma replacing Tash Sultana at 5.30pm. They will be followed by Scottish alt-rock act Biffy Clyro at 7.15pm, and from 9.15pm, multi-genre Ohio duo Twenty One Pilots close the Main Stage.
On the Revolut Stage, Natasha Bedingfield (7.45pm-9pm), Chet Faker (9.45pm-11pm) and Ashnikko (11.45pm-1am) follow one other, while on the new Budapest Park Stage, age-old Hungarian acts Tankcsapda (9.20pm-10.20pm) and Kispál és a Borz (11pm-12.30am) will give the local crowd a few big sing-along numbers.
Thursday, August 13
Loyle Carner’s intelligent, jazzy hip-hop (5.30pm-6.30pm) starts things off nicely on the Main Stage, followed by Lewis Capaldi’s emotional stadium pop (7.15pm-8.30pm) and Florence + The Machine (9.15pm-10.45pm). Aussie electropopsters Parcels take the Revolut Stage at 11.45pm, before Dom Dolla, Boys Noize, Dixon, Joris Voorn and Richie Hawtin see things through until Friday morning.
Friday, August 14
On Friday, Norwegian singer/songwriter Sigrid opens the Main Stage (5.30pm-6.30pm), UK rapper Skepta takes the mike at 7.15pm, before Bring Me The Horizon's boundary-pushing arena rock dominates the stage from 9.15pm. On the Revolut Stage, Nia Archives starts things off at 11.45pm, while on the BOLT Night Stage, there’s Peggy Gou at 11.30pm and Anfisa Letyago from 3am.
On the Hungarian stage, Pogány Induló (9.20pm-10.20pm) and Beton.Hofi (11pm-12.30am) usher in the weekend.
Saturday, August 15
On the closing day, Hungarian rapper Sisi opens the Main Stage at 4pm, followed by Canada’s bbno$ (5.30pm-6.30pm) and a special party set from Jorja Smith (7.15pm-8.30pm). The Main Stage finale is provided by DJ Skrillex from 9.15pm.
Soulwax appear on the Revolut Stage as midnight chimes, followed by 2manydjs and, on the BOLT Night Stage, Sub Focus, Dimension, Zomboy and the Flux Pavilion-Jessica Audiffred duo take the party to six in the morning. Meanwhile, Hungarians Quimby, Analog Balaton and then, from 1am, Müller Péter Sziámi and guests bid farewell to this year’s Sziget.
The full line-up is available here – download the Sziget app to create your own schedule.
What should I bring to Sziget?
Bring photo ID, a debit or credit card, or phone that can be used for payment, a charged power bank, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Also, a light sweater or jacket for the evening, and a rain poncho for uncertain weather, as you cannot bring an umbrella.
The current long-term forecast shows sunny, warm weather, with daytime maximums of around 30 degrees for the first two days of the festival, and 32-33 from Thursday to Saturday. The air can cool down to 17-18 degrees at night.
You can bring your own food to the festival in sufficient quantities for personal consumption. You can also bring a PET bottle of water or non-alcoholic soft drinks, up to a capacity of 2.5 litres. If the heatwave is still raging, a reasonable amount of drinking water is allowed, according to personal needs.
Things to leave at home: alcohol, energy drinks, drugs, glass, pyrotechnic devices, weapons, knives and other dangerous objects, gas cylinders or gas-powered cooking appliances, umbrellas, bicycles, scooters or drones without prior written permission.
What do I need to do before I go?
This year, online check-in is especially important – you won’t be able to enter without it. To do this, you will need your own Festival Account, your admission ticket and a valid ID card or passport. One account belongs to one person and one ID card, which means you cannot check in your friends’ tickets in your own name. Download your boarding pass and add it to the wallet on your phone. You must also bring ID with you as they may check your wristband when you pick it up.
Can I still buy a ticket for Sziget?
Yes, the main ticket types are still available at the time of writing:
5-day ticket: €399 + €26 handling fee
3-day ticket: €279 + €18 handling fee
Day ticket: €109 + €7 handling fee
21 & under 5-day ticket: €319 +€21 handling fee
There's also a special Sziget Night Ticket (€79) for partygoers, valid from 11pm to 8am the next day.
Sziget is cashless. You can pay contactless or with your rechargeable wristband. The transaction fee for recharging the wristband is Ft 700 (€1.90). If you recharged on site, you must claim the remaining balance at Festipay points by noon on August 16.