The Sziget Festival, celebrating its 30th edition this year, will welcome audiences from 7–12 August with over a thousand programmes at fifty locations. Headlining acts include Kylie Minogue, Liam Gallagher, and Martin Garrix.
Tamás Kádár, the main organizer, revealed during a press tour on Tuesday that the presale data suggests that Martin Garrix’s Saturday concert and Fred again…’s Monday performance may sell out. Visitors from over 100 countries are expected, with an increase in Hungarian pass holders.
The majority of international visitors will come from the Netherlands, followed by the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France, and Italy.
Alongside Kylie Minogue, Liam Gallagher, Martin Garrix, and Fred again…, the star-studded lineup includes Halsey, Sam Smith, Stormzy, Louis Tomlinson, Janelle Monáe, Fisher, Skrillex, Bebe Rexha, Tom Odell, Joker Out, Yves Tumor, Becky Hill, and Raye. Hungarian artists will also perform on the main stage, including Beton.Hofi, Margaret Island, and Azahriah, who will sing before headliner Halsey on Thursday.
The festival grounds were already bustling with thousands of attendees on Tuesday. This year’s slogan, ‘Free to Be…’, reflects the festival’s inclusive ethos. Non-musical programmes include the return of the Grand Street Theatre and Cirque du Sziget, with music even playing in some shower blocks.
Over the six days of the festival, approximately 600 performances will be showcased. Many acts will come from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, as well as from Senegal, India, Tanzania, New Zealand, and Benin. The festival can accommodate 95,000 people daily, with 10,000–15,000 of these being staff and partners, leaving space for up to 80,000 ticket holders.
‘Pass sales are better than this time last year,’ stated Kádár. He emphasized that for three decades, Sziget has been a festival of love, dedication, and care. This year introduces several innovations and enhancements to improve the visitor experience. Proper toilets are now available on site, and the previously introduced ‘budget-friendly’ food services will be improved,
with full meals available for a maximum of 3,200 forints in all catering units.
Overall, food prices have been reduced, and drink prices remain the same as last year. Services begin at the welcome zone, with digital information platforms improving entry and exit efficiency. Attendees can leave the island on foot via the H-bridge at night, with night buses heading towards Margit Bridge.
Technical director Dániel Benis noted that eight mobile relay stations are operational to ensure signal strength across the festival area. The high tower in front of the main stage has been replaced by two smaller mixing desks.
The second-largest venue, the Revolut Stage, will feature acts like Big Thief, Fontaines D.C., MO, Crystal Fighters, and Four Tet. The Bolt Party Arena will cater to electronic music enthusiasts, with world-renowned party brands taking the stage daily. The Colosseum will host around 50 artists representing alternative electronic music, while dropYard will focus on hip-hop and rap. The Buzz, formerly known as the Europe Stage, will showcase bands that have achieved significant success in their home countries. The Petőfi Stage will feature exclusively Hungarian performers, and world music will once again play in the Global Village, presenting exciting acts from around the globe.
Three different zones will host non-musical programmes: the ArtFusion Field, PlayGround, and Future Grounds.
The ArtFusion Field includes Cirque du Sziget, with performances from Kyiv, France, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Canada, and Spain.
The Grand Street Theatre (with a large crane performance by the French company Cie Gratte Ciel), ArtGarden, theatre and dance venues, Vándor Vurstli, and the Strolling Street Theatres will also be present. The PlayGround zone will offer sports, board games, and plans to show the Olympics on a giant screen.
The traditionally popular Magic Mirror tent will feature stand-up comedy, cultural and social discussions, Queens Brunch Vienna drag queens, and two evening shows: Danny Beard and his band’s provocative performance, and Klub Cabarett’s show inspired by 1930s Berlin cabaret. There will also be a Civil Island, Think for Tomorrow discussing social issues, and XS Land highlighting issues faced by people with disabilities.
In total, the festival will cover 46,855 square metres with ground covering, and 46 kilometres of temporary water and sewage pipes have been installed to service 132 water containers and more than 500 shower stalls.
Several campsites will be available for festival-goers. A 24-hour medical centre staffed with over 200 professionals, including doctors, nurses, helpers, and ambulances, will be available for minor injuries and other issues, even providing X-ray services if needed.
Security will be ensured around the clock by a large security and additional law enforcement team, with a fire brigade also on duty.
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