Tokaj – the former commercial centre after which the wine region is named – jumps into action for its wine festival. This was always a more traditional town festival with popular pop and rock bands catering to the masses, but organisers have declared a new direction, aiming to be among the internationally known festivals within a couple of years. How are they turning around? Well, a new name and vastly higher quality programme of events, plus the fact that Tokaj Renaissance is supporting the event, a guarantee for quality wine.

The numerous tasting venues are the main square in the heart of the old town, nearby wineries and Szerelmi Pincesor Cellar Row. Plus the World Heritage Wine Museum opened last year and the Tokaj Museum, where Zoltán Demeter will present his 2015 vintage wines. Some great concerts await on the Kossuth tér square festival stage – the fabulous folk fusion Bea Pálya, and Péter Geszti’s new line up. Other events include a fair and culinary treats as well as a vineyard tour.

Continuing the tradition of the Mayor’s Wine, a symbol of cooperation between the leaders of the 27 village/town councils. A dry and a sweet, this year made by Grand Tokaj specially for the occasion, this wine will not be released commercially.

Tokaj is applying to be the European Capital of Culture in 2023, and this new direction is certainly a welcome direction.

Friday 3rd June

Szerelmi Pincesor Cellar Row
3 pm – Open Tokaj Cellars (Tokaji Nyitott Pincék) and partners in Tokaj.
3 to 7 pm – Kackiás Verklis

Theatre garden – Színházkert
4 to 5.30 pm – Babos Bábos Társulat puppeteers interactive children’s show – Classic Hungarian tale Az Óperenciás tengeren túl
From 8 pm – Folk music and dance house – Hungarian and Moldavian dances (taught!) to live music, Tokaji wines, lardy bread.

World Heritage Wine Museum – Világörökségi Bormúzeum
5 to 8 pm – Winemakers in the Museum – Evening guided tour of the collection and wine tasting, presentation

Tokaj Museum – Tokaji Múzeum
5 pm – Winemakers and their wines in the Museum
Kossuth tér
6 pm – Száraz Tamás concert – World-travelling musician who has played all over the world. Mainly rock and pop.
8 pm – Dávid Schwartz and Soul session concert – One of the most talented Hungarian musicians. A singer, musician and musical actor.
With his band Soul Sessions he plays tunes by classic performers such as Chaka Khan, Etta James, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston and James Brown. Jelenleg a Szolnoki Szigligeti Színház tagja.
10 pm – Trambulin concert – street party with Hungarian and international hits

Saturday 4th June

Szerelmi Pincesor Cellar Row
10 am – Open Tokaj Cellars (Tokaji Nyitott Pincék) and partners in Tokaj.
10 am – Folk games for children – wooden games and hand-turned carousel
11 am – Babos Bábos Társulat children’s show – A három kismalac (Three Little Pigs)
12-6 pm – Agyagbanda play folk music

Theatre garden – Színházkert
4 pm – Cirkuszi Mulatságok (“Circus Fun”)– interactive show for children
From 8 pm – Folk music and dance house – Hungarian and Moldavian dances (taught!) to live music, Tokaji wines, lardy bread.

World Heritage Wine Museum – Világörökségi Bormúzeum
11 am – Tokaji Sárgamuskotály presentation by Borbála Török (sommelier of Costes Downtown, 3000 HUF)
5pm – Taste Sonoma – Sonoma Valley wines (with Tom Blackwood manager of Buena Vista Winery USA, 3000 HUF)
4 to 8 pm – Winemakers in the Museum – Evening guided tour of the collection and wine tasting, presentation

Tokaj Museum – Tokaji Múzeum
6 pm – Winemakers and their wines in the Museum

Kossuth tér square
4 pm – FolkFusion – Folk and pop concert
5.30 pm – Első Nagy Tokaji BorSLAMle (borszlemle) – and We Are Melodies concert
borSLAMle – First Tokaj wine-Slam Poetry competition
Theme: Hungary-gastronomy-Tokaji wines and winemakers
8 pm – Bea Pálya concert – superb performer of folk, jazz, world
10 pm – Szívtiproll street party

Sunday 5th June

Szerelmi Pincesor Cellar Row
10 am – Open Tokaj Cellars (Tokaji Nyitott Pincék) and partners in Tokaj.
10 am – Folk games for children – wooden games and hand-turned carousel
12-6 pm – Agyagbanda play folk music at the cellar row and small stage

Theatre garden – Színházkert
From 4 pm – Folk music and dance house – Hungarian and Moldavian dances (taught!) to live music, Tokaji wines, lardy bread.

World Heritage Wine Museum – Világörökségi Bormúzeum
4 to 8 pm – Winemakers in the Museum – Evening guided tour of the collection and wine tasting, presentation

Kossuth tér square

6 pm – Balássy Betty és Varga Feri concert-
8 pm – Geszti – Létvágy – Geszti Péter and his band
10 pm – Retro Disco DJ. Graffyval

Throughout the weekend

Tokaj Coffee Roasting Company – Cake heaven and the chance to explore Erzsébet Winery wines
– tour of the historical vineyards from Tokaj to Tarcal with Gergely Somogyi – starting from Tokaj Coffee Roasting Company and Coffee House
– exhibitions of paintings by Cili Majoros – Tokaj Coffee Roasting Company and Coffee House
– film with Erzsébet Winery wines – Tokaj Coffee Roasting Company and Coffee House

Hímesudvar
– Kapuvári cheese tastings and sale, children’s events

Ízes Örömest – join the artisan jam, cordial and cake specialists at their Lekvárium on Bodrogkeresztúri út 48/B.
Aszú wines, lavender and chocolate are just some of the flavours waiting to be tasted – with cheese and cake.
Gluten-, lactose- and sugar-free cakes, children’s play area and wine from Pinceköz Winery.

Tokaji Borászok Asztaltársasága
– vineyard tours

Special events
– Vineyard tour led by Tokaj Today’s knowledgeable Greg from Tokaj to Tarcal with single vineyard wines
– Up the Hill running race at the Hétszőlő estate