SZINkópé Festival returns to Újszeged’s Erzsébet Park with puppets, picnics, and play
The beloved SZINkópé Festival returns to Erzsébet Liget in Újszeged from August 22 to 24, promising a colorful celebration of puppetry, music, and community. Now in its fifth year, the family-friendly event, organized by the Kövér Béla Puppet Theater, invites visitors to slow down, connect, and enjoy the outdoors – with a blanket and a sandwich in hand. Event details were announced today at a press event held near the Tiszavirág sculpture in Szeged.
The festivities begin on Friday, August 22, with a free giant puppet parade starting at 4:00 PM. The parade winds through Szeged’s city center, beginning at the Roosevelt Square playground, passing the Móra Ferenc Museum, Széchenyi Square, Klauzál Square, and finishing at Dugonics Square. Along the way, children and families can meet puppet performers and get a preview of the weekend’s playful spirit.
Tickets & entry
Saturday and Sunday (August 23–24) are ticketed days, featuring full-day programs of puppet shows, street theater, music, and interactive play zones.
Advance ticket prices (available through August 20):
Day ticket: 4,500 HUF
Family day ticket (4 people): 15,000 HUF
Two-day pass: 7,500 HUF
Family two-day pass (4 people): 25,000 HUF
From August 21 and on-site:
Day ticket: 5,000 HUF
Family day ticket (4 people): 17,000 HUF
Two-day pass: 8,500 HUF
Family two-day pass (4 people): 29,000 HUF
Payments accepted: cash, credit card, and SZÉP card.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the festival entrance.
What to expect
The SZINkópé Festival is known for its relaxed, inclusive vibe where creativity takes center stage. Though most performances are in Hungarian, many shows are visual or musical, making them accessible to international audiences and younger children.
Headliners include:
Kövér Béla Bábszínház – including Egy kupac kufli (A Pile of Kuflis) and the Mozgatórugók concert
Kabóca Bábszínház, Barboncás Társulat, Eszter Aracs, Dodók Utcaszínház
Musical acts like Apacuka (Saturday) and Kolompos (Sunday)
New this year: four local authors – Csaba Hatvani, Árpád Kollár, Zsuzsanna Löffler, and Melinda Papp – will hold live children’s book readings, in Hungarian. Children are also invited to bring their own puppets and take part in spontaneous puppet play alongside artists and volunteers.
Picnic, play & community
SZINkópé embraces a picnic-style festival model. There will be no food or drink vendors on-site, so guests are encouraged to bring their own food, drinks, and picnic blankets. In keeping with the festival’s community spirit, puppet theater artists will lay down their own blankets and invite families to join them for lunch, storytelling, and conversations – on anything from favorite fairy tales to kindergarten symbols.
“There are no barriers here,” said festival director Kiss Ágnes. “We want this to feel like a community picnic, not just a show.”
From 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day, play areas will be open throughout the park, including:
Csúzlizda (Slingshot Alley)
Árnyékok játéka (Game of Shadows)
Fire Fantasy Playhouse, Tekergőtér, Ludibundus, and more
Hatetudnád Tánctanoda, where visitors can learn simple dance moves
At 6:00 PM each evening, all play areas close, and everyone is invited to gather at the main stage for a closing concert and group dance.
Safety & access
Some areas of the Liget will be closed off this year due to damage from the July 7 storm, but all core program spaces remain open. Giant puppets will serve as visual markers throughout the park, helping visitors locate performances.
In collaboration with Szeged Environmental Management, organizers have ensured that the site is safe and welcoming. Climbing trees is discouraged, but sitting on the grass is strongly encouraged.
At entry, volunteers from the Szeged National Theater will assist with child safety wristbands, noting each child’s guardian’s phone number. This tradition has helped ensure a worry-free environment for families.
For the full program, tickets, and more, visit the Kövér Béla Puppet Theater website or follow the event on social media.
Featured image only for illustration, taken at a previous SZINkópé Festival. Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
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