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Ravers, on your marks, get set, go! Sziget is hitting the fields of Budapest once more, and with it will come an explosion of colour and neon, people from all over the world ready to party, and of course so much music!
Sziget music festival takes place in August every year, and these things can get hectic so best to have your bases covered ahead of time. So, this is your official guide to Sziget and everything you need to know. Share it with all your friends, or, if everyone you know is busy that week (or just not into raving) you can come to Sziget Festival with Contiki and we’ll provide friends to dance the night away with.
Let’s get started.
The dates
This year’s Sziget Festival will take place over 6 days between the 7th and 12th of August. You can either get a day ticket, 3 day pass, or a full 6 day pass (as well as various VIP packages), depending on how long you plan to stay – but either way, you’ll have a BLAST.
The venue
Sziget’s location is honestly so, so, so, cool because it takes place on an island in the middle of the Danube! This means you basically get the whole stomping grounds for yourself, creating a bubble of music and festivities for you to fully immerse yourself in.
The island is called Óbuda Island (fun fact, Sziget actually means island!) and you can visit it any time of the year when the festival isn’t on for a peaceful stroll in nature. But come Sziget time, the island is heaving with like-minded partiers looking to have a ball! The island is accessed via an abandoned rail bridge, and this is decorated for Sziget and really adds to the festival’s bohemian vibe.
If you’re keen to do some sight-seeing, we’d recommend visiting the surrounding areas of Budapest (and wider Hungary) before Sziget starts as you may be quite tired by the end. Or escape during the day and maybe have a detox in one of the famous baths?
The lineup
2024’s lineup is packed with big names! Fred Again, new UK based DJ is headlining, alongside Sam Smith, Halsey, Janelle Monáe, Kylie Minogue, Stormzy, Martin Garrix, Louis Tomlinson, RAYE, Dom Dolla, and so many more.
There’s a healthy mix of pop and EDM here, as well as some punk and indie tunes coming from the likes of Fontaines D.C. and Aurora.
The stages
Sziget has seven different stages, and each fits a specific bill. Here’s your guide to each of the stages.
- Mainstage dedicated to Dan: This is the mainstage of the festival (as the name suggests) and this is where most of the headliners will be playing from 4-11pm
- Freedome: This is the second largest stage, and it is actually inside a tent. The rest of the headliners will play here between 5pm to 4am
- Ticket swap party arena: This stage is also a tent and here you will find mostly EDM music blasting all through the night (from 10pm to 6am)
- Colosseum: This is a techno stage also operating in the wee hours of the morning from 12pm to 6am
- Europe stage: This stage is filled with European acts, so you’ll get a real variety here (and a chance to discover some new fav artists!), and they’ll play from 4pm to 2am
- Magic mirror: This stage is slightly different as it not only has music, but also live events such as talks, stand-up comedy, and LGBTQIA+ discussions
- Everness chill garden: Take a break from partying and join some workshops with fellow party-goers here (but don’t worry, there’s still music playing).
What should I expect?
Like most week-long music festivals, Sziget is huge and will be filled with people, so you’ll have to be prepared for crowds and for lots of walking (and dancing). Sziget hosts approximately 95,000 people daily, so if you’re heading to the festival with friends make sure you all have a way of staying in touch in case you get lost in the crowds, or get separated for toilet and food breaks.
Sziget is completely cashless, so make sure you’re prepared for that when it comes to paying for food and drink. You can use your contactless card or your phone, and you can also put money on your wrist band with a top-up service to pay as well!
The island is fully kitted out for the festival and you’ll find food and drink stalls, help desks, water refill stations, a first aid tent, and even showers, a pharmacy, laundry service, as well as lockers and a lost and found. On top of all that, there’s even an Aldi supermarket that you can use to buy food and drink at a cheaper price!
Some top tips:
- Bring a reusable water bottle: There are plenty of refill stations for you to fill up on water on the go, so this is the best way to stay hydrated, have fun, and keep your festival-going as sustainable as possible.
- Use the first day to scout: Sziget Festival has seven different stages, and each one caters to a different crowd. Once the people start packing in it’ll get a little hard to navigate, so use the daytime to visit the venue and scout out which stages are which, and who will be playing where, that way you can see the artists you really want.
- More is more: Top up your wristband with more money than you think you’ll need. You never know how much you may end up spending, and you can always refund the money back to your card at the end.
- Hydrate constantly: Listen, Sziget is fun, but it’s also tiring on the body, especially if the weather predicts glowing sun. Always keep a bottle of water on you so you can hydrate as you go and avoid mid-festival fatigue. This is the same for snacks – keep a few on you for a quick pick-me-up.
- Keep your valuables secure: Sziget is all about peace and freedom, so here’s hoping that the crowds are filled with fun-loving people – but you never know who’s there and festivals are prime pick-pocketing locations. It’s best to leave your big valuables at home and keep those you can’t travel without close to your person at all times.
- Know your limits: It’s really easy to get swept up in the action, and though we definitely encourage getting out there, living your life and having fun, you’ve got to take care of yourself and know when it’s time to head to bed.
What should I pack?
When you’re headed to a music festival you want to pack as light as you possibly can. Bring a change of clothes, a few toiletries so you can freshen up, some comfy shoes (this is a must), and a rain poncho just in case the weather takes a turn.
Other essentials include:
- A small bag: Something you can easily carry around with you all day to hold your phone, water bottle, and snacks.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses: Maximum sun protection is advised, even if scorching sun isn’t on the forecast! If you’re spending all day outside you’ll be hit by those UV rays either way, so reapply sunscreen throughout the day.
- A cap: Same as above, you’ll want a hat to protect your eyes, and you’ll also look really cool, so…
- A power bank: Always make sure your phone is charged if you’re planning on taking pictures and videos. Having a fully charged phone is also a super important safety element so you can find your festival buddies should you get separated, and contact anyone you need.
- A good pair of shoes: You’re going to be doing A LOT of walking and A LOT of dancing, so prioritise comfort over style when it comes to footwear. Your toes will thank you at the end of a long day.
- A reusable bottle: You’re going to want to hydrate a lot, and the best way to do this while also being as responsible as possible is to keep a reusable water bottle with you so you can refill it any time of day without contributing to the use of single-use plastics.
- Ear plugs: This will be handy for when you want to go to sleep, whether the music is still going or not, but they can also be incredibly useful while walking through the festival as well. As you can imagine, Sziget gets very, very loud.
- Sustainable glitter: Who doesn’t love a bit of glitter at a festival? We know we do, but what we love even more than being sparkly and glamorous is doing it in a sustainable way. Sustainable glitter is really easy to find, so there’s no excuse.
- Snacks: You. Need. Snacks. Anything from power or protein bars, trail mix, or even brioche, as long as you can pack it in your bum bag and carry it with you throughout the day for energy, you’re golden.
Need more tips on sustainable festival packing? We’ve got a handy dandy guide for you.
Accommodation
All party’d out and ready for sleep? You’ve got a few options. Most festival-goers will opt for camping, and lucky for you Sziget offers free basic camping for anyone with 3 or 6 day pass, as well as people with 2 consecutive 1 day passes. You’ll be able to camp at the designated zones with pre-pitched tents for each night you’re there. There are also tent upgrades for extra comfort.
If you’re feeling boujie there are a few extra camping packages available like Siesta, or Sziget Ville which offers glamping options! And if you’re arriving on wheels there’s a caravan lot you can park in and stay for the week! That being said, we don’t recommend arriving by car as the parking is sparse.
You also don’t have to stay on Sziget premises, Budapest is right there and there are plenty of hotels and hostels that will take you for the night – just make sure to book early as it will get busy. The city’s public transport system is well connected, so you’ll have no trouble entering and exiting the festival grounds. Psst… Contiki’s Sziget trip will take care of all of this for you!
Camping essentials
With the exception of the obvious (sleeping bag) you’ll need a few extra bits to make your camping stay comfortable.
- Camp light or torch: Something to light your way in the early hours of the morning is ideal, as is something to light up the inside of your tent so you’re not constantly stumbling around in the dark.
- Microfiber towel: If you’re planning on using the Sziget communal showers then packing a microfiber towel with you is a must! Not only are they light and easy to pack, they also dry really quickly and won’t cause your tent to get all damp and gross.
- Wet wipes: A perfect way to stay clean and refreshed on the go! And you never know when the toilet paper may run out…
- Roll mat or blow up mattress: Anything is better than spending nights on the cold hard ground, even if it’s just a thin yoga mat to offer some padding through the night. Trust us, there’s nothing worse than waking up hungover and having a body that feels broken to go with it.
