All About Balaton Sound Festival

Zamárdi, Somogy, Hungary

Open-air

XXL – 50k+

Electronic / Pop

$$$

International

+3 Days

Balaton Sound is one of the largest lakeside festivals in Europe.

One thing is for sure – the music celebration invites guests to enjoy the summer breeze as they listen to industry icons. Taking place during the hottest part of the year, this festival becomes the best place to be to beat the heat in style, as its registers over 172,000 visitors yearly.

Here’s everything you need to know about Balaton Sound.

Balaton Sound had its beginning in 2007

The Balaton Sound festival started in the year 2007, created by the organizers of the Sziget Festival, a Budapest-based multi-genre event.

It was initially named after its sponsors for each edition, such as Heineken Balaton Sound and then Mastercard Balaton Sound.

The festival eventually rebranded itself as Balaton Sound festival and never looked back.

It is an award winning festival

Winning more than just one award, this festival has made its mark in the industry. 2012 saw Balaton Sound win in the Best Medium-Sized Festival category of the European Festival Awards. Festileaks Festival Awards chose Balaton Sound as a winner in the Best Logistics category in 2018 and in 2020.

Although Balaton Sound had its fair share of awards since its inception, it always strived to be better. For its safety first programme, the music festival won in the European Festival Awards’ Health and Safety Developments category.

Balaton Sound is set by the largest lake in Central Europe

The festival takes place right beside Lake Balaton. Located in western Hungary and featuring a 197-kilometre shoreline, this massive lake has earned the nickname of the “Hungarian Sea” by locals, becoming a coveted tourist attraction.

One of the stages at this festival really brings attention to the lake as it runs straight into it.

The festival has really made the lake part of the experience, as a ‘Balaton Sound’ sign has been placed near the shoreline.

Everyone is welcome at Balaton festival

There are no age restrictions at Balaton Sound, making music easily accessible to everyone – it doesn’t matter if you’re a senior, young adult or teenager that just landed in high-school.

Children who are under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult to enter and camp on the festival grounds.

Children under the age of 11 are also welcome to this festival and can enjoy the music at free of charge. Should we also mention the music fest is pet-friendly and allows attendees to bring their beloved cat, dog or chinchilla?

Balaton Sound has music for everyone

Electronic dance music and pop music are the two main genres played at the festival. But you can also expect to see famous artists who specialize in genres such as hip-hop, reggae and R&B on the main stage. 

Previous editions of Balaton Sound have seen artists such as Armin Van Buuren and Sean Paul hype up the crowds.

Tickets for the festival sell out very quickly

In its 2014 edition, Balaton Sound sold out of tickets in the first week of them going on sale. In more recent years, it has even been compared to festival mammoth Tomorrowland as tickets sold out in two minutes.

With huge names such as Marshmello performing on Balaton Sound’s stages, it’s no wonder why music fans try to bag their tickets ASAP.

The ferris wheel at Balaton Sound should be on your bucket list

With the ability to reach 35 meters above the ground, the ferris wheel gives you the best viewpoint of the entire festival below and the sky above.

The fireworks show has a set time at 11 PM every night, so make sure you find your way to the ferris wheel before then.

Balaton Sound offers a wide array of extra attractions

Music is not the only attraction for people at Balaton Sound year after year. There are plenty of food stalls that will have you munching on delicious food from different cuisines all day. 

You can also find bars and smaller parties happening everywhere, including near the lake. When you need a little bit of a touch-up, hair salons, makeup artists and tattoo artists are up and ready.

The VIP ticket to Balaton Sound is worth the investment

VIP tickets for Balaton Sound offer access to an exclusive stand from which you can enjoy all that the main stage has to offer.

Apart from that, guests will also have their own VIP area that features comfortable furniture to lounge on, as well as a pool to cool off in right next to a cocktail bar.

As if that isn’t enough, there are also exclusive parties in the VIP area that promise surprises. VIP guests have their own entrance to the festival, where they are welcomed with refreshing drinks and fresh fruit.

Balaton Sound is almost like an amusement park for adults

Although the festival is a pro at delivering top-tier music acts in a setting that makes you feel like home, beats is not the only thing that Balaton Sound has in store for you.

When artists don’t perform and adrenaline junkies seek other activities, the music festival is ready to scratch your itch.

There are a plethora of activities that await to be discovered, including playing volleyball on one of the fest’s courts and bungee jumping. You can also go on a hike to a neighbouring village if you really want immerse yourself in the culture.