Bucharest Weekend Vibes : 26 April - 1 May
You might think this weekend is unusually long by reading the title of the article and counting the "weekend" days. But it's a special time of year for Romanians, a 2 in 1 holiday, caused by two main events occuring a couple of days apart:
1. Easter is celebrated this Sunday in Christian Orthodox religion. Since more then 80% of the population identifies as Christian Orthodox most of the events taking place this weekend are somewhat related to this holiday. This makes Monday a public holiday in Romania, as the first day after Easter.
2. Celebrating labor day on 1st of May turns 30th of April into a bridge day, meaning that it becomes an official public holiday as well. This way locals can benefit of 5 consecutive days off. Many locals will take this opportunity and travel away from the city, which will turn Bucharest into a quiet version of itself for the next days.
Main events happening all through the weekend:
Easter Fair in the park - Easter shopping
This is an event organized by the city hall inside the largest park of Bucharest. The fair started on the 20th of April and will be open daily, from 10.00 to 21.00 until the 29th of April
This year's tenth edition of the Easter Fair aims to tap authentic folk art and traditions, gathering producers and artisans from around the country who proudly use working techniques and Romanian recipes inherited from their family. The fair is located at Charles de Gaulle entrance to King Michael the 1st Park.
Visitors will explore the house-shaped shops and discover craft and culinary items as well as a gourmet dining area with hot snacks and seasonal specialties. There will be hundreds of traditional products, such as: traditionally decorated eggs, painted icons, leather, ceramic, glass and wood items, easter decorations, homemade cakes and many more.
The entrance is free, for more details here. (webiste in Romanian)
Wild flowers in Romania - a botanical history, Art exhibition
The Art exhibition is hosted by the Romanian Society of Botanical Artists and is open at the National Museum of Art, inside the former Royal Palace from 10.00 to 18.00 every day until the 5th of May.
Wild flowers, between art and science - offers the chance to meet with valuable works from MNAR's heritage, landscapes and still lifes that speak about the beauty and uniqueness of Romania's wild flora. For the first time in Romania, the royal album "The Transylvania Florilegium" will be presented. The album was produced by the Prince of Wales Charitable Foundation and launched in 2018 in London.
The ticket price is 10 Lei. Tickets can be bought at the museum until 17.00. For more details check out the event here. The last visitor's access is allowed one hour before the museum closes.
Zero Mai 2019 - 29 april, 30 april 1st may, outdoor festival
For those of you who decided to visit / stay in Bucharest for the 1st of May, Zero May was invented. Concerts, craft beer and food have joined powers to entertain everyone from 11.00 to 23.00 every day from 29th of April until 1st of May at Verde Stop Arena.
MUSIC & FIRE is promised every evening as follows: Energizeing evenings will be lit up by fire and bodies will move to the rhythm of: 29 April - MONDAY: Another Man 30 April - TUESDAY: Abasc 1 May - WEDNESDAY: Jam in Shoes
Free entrance, child and dog friendly, more info here
Independent events for Friday, Saturday and Sunday:
Friday, 26.04.2019
18.30 - 22.30 Live concert, sunset and the stars at Pura Vida (click to see the address)
Free entrance
20.30 - Friday dinner show at Il Cucina (click to see the address)
Elianne and Lady Sax are coming for a dinner show to remember, phone number for reservations: +40 728 618 413
Saturday 27.04.2019
16.00 - Kayaking on Herastrau lake
Tickets cost 50 Ron - available here
The event will take place on Sunday as well, starting 18.00
21.00 - 23.00 - Easter Concert at Green Hours Jazz and Theatre cafe (click to see the address)
Tickets cost 50 Ron and can be bought here
*If you're curious about Christian Ortodox religion and traditions, an interesting experience would be to join a Romanian friend to chruch at 00.00 on Saturday and see the holy light ceremony.
Sunday 28.04.2019
9.30 - 22.15 Sunday Essentials at Therme (click here to see the address)
A full day ticket for legal holidays costs 75 Ron
Check out the full schedule and price list on the official webiste
16.00 - 21.00 Alef's Easter special at ALEF Espresso Bar (click here to see the address)
Specialty coffee, tarts and DJ - free entrance
Monday 29.04.2019
15.00 - 23.00 Marching band music at Beraria H (click here to see the address)
Free entrance
19.30 - Unconventional Movie Night at Teahouse 5 (click here to see the address)
Free entrance
Tuesday 30.04.2019
18.30 - 19.30 "Spring Love" Concert at Sutu Palace (click here to see the address)
Tickets fee is 20 Ron but it allows you to see the museum once
21.00 - 23.00 I'm The Trip Live at Control Club
Free entrance
Wednesday 1.05.2019
19.00 - 22.00 Saxophone Live at Upstairs Rooftop
Tickets cost 15 Ron, for reservatoins call: +40 723 307 930
21.00 - 05.00 Doimi w. Hats&Klaps | 1 Mai Special at Eden Garden
Free entrance
If you're looking for a specific experience that you couldn't find in the article, consider one of the Bucharest Vibes tours. Check out the page and contact us in case you're looking for a tailor made experience! :)
Enjoy the great times ahead of you this weekend!
Until next week,
xoxo