Bucharest might be nowhere close to other European capitals in terms of big events happening.This doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty happening though.
We’ve made a list of open air events happening every year around the city with the “free-to-attend” condition in mind. You will find here concerts, street festivals and plenty other things to do regardless the time you are in Bucharest. The biggest concentration is towards autumn, that being also one of the best periods to visit Bucharest in terms of temperature.
Pick a month to jump to the respective events section
April
Between April and October month, important street in Bucharest gets closed for traffic every weekend (note that this often depends on the weather forecast). Terraces expand, street musicians occupy their spots and locals enjoy just wandering around.
Although it’s not officially a street festival, it certainly feels like one. You will find everything from ice-cream, coffee shops, cocktail bars and shopping in this area.
May
A pure street festival filled with vintage vendors, concerts, street food and plenty of things to do around.
This festival occupies the street of Mătăsari in one of the beautiful historic areas of the city for a whole weekend in May each year.
You can wander among several stages run by local bands or DJs, shop vintage or handmade and try a nicely curated street food selection.
Between April and October month, important street in Bucharest gets closed for traffic every weekend (note that this often depends on the weather forecast). Terraces expand, street musicians occupy their spots and locals enjoy just wandering around.
Although it’s not officially a street festival, it certainly feels like one. You will find everything from ice-cream, coffee shops, cocktail bars and shopping in this area.
June
Usually happening at the end of June, this is one of the most spectacular street festivals in Bucharest. Every year, a set of international street performers take part in it. Expect spectacular props, lights, video mappings and many others.
It takes place on Calea Victoriei as most major events.
Between April and October month, important street in Bucharest gets closed for traffic every weekend (note that this often depends on the weather forecast). Terraces expand, street musicians occupy their spots and locals enjoy just wandering around.
Although it’s not officially a street festival, it certainly feels like one. You will find everything from ice-cream, coffee shops, cocktail bars and shopping in this area.
July
Between April and October month, important street in Bucharest gets closed for traffic every weekend (note that this often depends on the weather forecast). Terraces expand, street musicians occupy their spots and locals enjoy just wandering around.
Although it’s not officially a street festival, it certainly feels like one. You will find everything from ice-cream, coffee shops, cocktail bars and shopping in this area.
August
If you like planes, this one is definitely for you. Usually happening late August, the Bucharest International Air Show is always a hit among locals.
Entrance is free and the show goes on for a full day. Besides the air show, there are exhibitions and even food trucks available on the tarmac of the smaller Baneasa Airport.
Between April and October month, important street in Bucharest gets closed for traffic every weekend (note that this often depends on the weather forecast). Terraces expand, street musicians occupy their spots and locals enjoy just wandering around.
Although it’s not officially a street festival, it certainly feels like one. You will find everything from ice-cream, coffee shops, cocktail bars and shopping in this area.
September
Trust us, this festival is spectacular! Not only it uses one of the biggest buildings in the world (The Parliament Palace) as a canvas for video mapping, but it’s also a video mapping international competitions, with artists from around the world presenting their best work.
Usually happening in September, it’s one of the events you must see if you are around the city.
One of the biggest local festival dedicated to the classic music composer George Enescu. Although most concerts require a ticket, there is a free-to-attend side of the festival, usually happening every beginning of September.
The location is the same large parking lot near the Romanian Atheneum. If you are around in Bucharest in September (one of the best months to visit anyway), check out the concert schedule on the festival website.
A small and fun street festival dedicated to the main river passing through Bucharest: Dâmbovița.
Expect plenty of free activities, vintage fairs as well as water sports.
The area this takes place is a former industrial side of the city converted into a creative space with workshops, clubs and bars.
Between April and October, an important street in Bucharest gets closed for traffic every weekend (note that this often depends on the weather forecast). Terraces expand, street musicians occupy their spots and locals enjoy just wandering around.
Although it’s not officially a street festival, it certainly feels like one. You will find everything from ice-cream, coffee shops, cocktail bars and shopping in this area.
October
One of the biggest local festival dedicated to the classic music composer George Enescu. Although most concerts require a ticket, there is a free-to-attend side of the festival, usually happening every beginning of September.
The location is the same large parking lot near the Romanian Atheneum. If you are around in Bucharest in September (one of the best months to visit anyway), check out the concert schedule on the festival website.
One of the oldest pure street festivals in the city, Street Delivery is a lot about sustainability, street art and crafts.
Happening on a single street (Arthur Verona), it’s a great way to enjoy Bucharest like a local does.
As a bonus, some of the historic buldings on this street open to the general public during this festival.
Between April and October month, important street in Bucharest gets closed for traffic every weekend (note that this often depends on the weather forecast). Terraces expand, street musicians occupy their spots and locals enjoy just wandering around.
Although it’s not officially a street festival, it certainly feels like one. You will find everything from ice-cream, coffee shops, cocktail bars and shopping in this area.
November
December
The biggest Christmas fair in the city takes place right in front of the Parliament Palace.
Entrance is free and you will find dozens of craft-makers, traditional food, sweets and of course mulled wine.
It’s best to visit during the weekdays if you don’t like crowded places. It’s a very popular place among locald during weekends and that’s when most concerts happen as well.
A bit outside the regular tourist area, this is a smaller, but much better curated Christas fair also offering free access.
You will find a lot more specialty sweets and winter drinks and there’s usually an ice ring available in the park (you can rent everything on spot).
Also, popular local bands usually have concerts during weekends here.