Széchenyi Spa Party

The Széchenyi Spa Party, known as ‘Sparty’, is one of Hungary’s largest events with over 50,000 participants per year. Since 1994, these spa parties have transformed the historic Széchenyi Spa into a unique water disco every Saturday night, where electronic music, laser shows and video projections merge with the spa bathing experience. The idea was born in the late 1990s and has evolved into an international phenomenon attracting young people from all over the world.

What makes the Sparty unique is the combination of hot thermal water at 38°C with a real party. In the two large outdoor pools of the Széchenyi Spa, illuminated by coloured lasers and psychedelic visual effects, you can dance in the water until 2am. The music ranges from triphop to funk, with international DJs taking turns at the console. A video projection mapping system transforms the centuries-old walls of the spa complex into dynamic screens, creating an atmosphere that perfectly balances tradition and innovation.

The parties are held almost every Saturday from February to December, with a winter break between mid-December and early February (except the pre-New Year’s Eve party on 30 December). A cashless payment system with a rechargeable SpartyPay Card operates during the event, which is only accessible to those over the age of 18. The bars serve cocktails, beers and snacks while you relax in the warm waters or dance under the stars in the Municipal Park.

How the Széchenyi Spa Parties work

Entrance to the Sparty starts at 21:30 through the main entrance of the Széchenyi Spa. Upon arrival you receive an electronic bracelet to access your private locker or cabin, where you can change and store your personal belongings. It is essential to bring a swimming costume and slippers, while a towel and bathrobe are optional. During the event, only the two outdoor pools are accessible: the main one for dancing and a quieter side pool for relaxing. The indoor areas with saunas, steam baths and indoor pools remain closed.

The heart of the party is the main pool where hundreds of people dance in the warm water while lasers cut through the steam creating hypnotic effects. DJs play from an overhead console and the light show is synchronised with the music. Video projections on the historical walls are constantly changing, showing geometric patterns, abstract animations and plays of colour. The thermal water maintains a constant temperature of 36-38°C even in winter, making it possible to stay immersed for hours without getting cold.

The SpartyPay payment system works with a rechargeable card around your neck that you protect from the water. The minimum initial charge is 20,000 Hungarian forints (about 50 euro) including a deposit of 3,000 forints for the card. With this card you buy drinks at the various bars around the pools: cocktails (about 17 euro), beers (8-10 euro) and shots. At the end of the evening you can return the card and recover your deposit plus any remaining credit. Recups (reusable glasses with the Sparty logo) cost 700 forints with a partial refund of 350 forints upon return, up to a maximum of 4 glasses per card. Bringing in food or drinks from outside is not permitted.

Admission tickets

Tickets for the Sparty must be purchased online in advance, preferably 3-4 weeks in advance on summer weekends when events sell out quickly. Online bookings close on Saturdays at 20:00, after this time you can only purchase basic tickets at the cash desk at a surcharge.

The special pre-New Year’s Eve party on 30 December has increased prices. Admission is reserved for those over 18 years of age with valid ID to be presented at the door.

Opening hours

Sparty takes place every Saturday from 21:30 to 2:00 from February to December, with some exceptions during the winter break. In 2025, dates are published online well in advance, typically on the first Saturday of each month. The winter break runs from mid-December to early February, but there is always a special pre-New Year’s Eve party on 30 December. The Széchenyi Thermal Baths during the day maintain normal opening hours (7am-8pm), but the Sparty ticket does not include daytime access.

The event takes place in all weather conditions except for extreme situations such as violent thunderstorms. In winter the outside temperature can drop below zero, but the warm water in the pools and the steam create a pleasant microclimate. Many visitors consider the winter Sparty even more atmospheric than the summer Sparty, with the contrast between cold air and boiling water amplifying the feeling of relaxation. In the case of snow, the scenery becomes magical with the flakes melting on the laser-lit steam.

How to get to the Széchenyi Spa Party

The Széchenyi Spa is located at Állatkerti körút 9-11 in the Municipal Park (Városliget), district XIV of Budapest, a 5-minute walk from Heroes’ Square. The most convenient public transport is the M1 metro (yellow line), the oldest on the European continent opened in 1896. Get off at the Széchenyi fürdő stop and it is a 2-minute walk to the entrance of the baths. The M1 connects the city centre directly with the park and runs until about 23:00 on weekends.

Buses 30, 30A and 230 stop at Széchenyi fürdő M, 1 minute from the entrance. These night lines continue to operate even after the metro closes, making it possible to return to the centre at the end of the festival. Tram 1 runs along the downtown ring road and stops near the park. By taxi from the centre, the ride costs 2,000-3,000 forints (5-8 euro) and takes 10-15 minutes. Use only official taxis with company logos or apps such as Bolt and Uber, and avoid the ‘taxi cowboys’ standing outside the spa with inflated fares.