EDM Artist News
Aura Bay Open Air To Open On Budapest’s Óbudai Island
Aura Bay Open Air to open on Óbudai Island in Budapest with HUGEL headlining grand opening on September 18
A new open-air dance music venue is opening in Budapest this September, with Aura Bay Open Air set to launch on Óbudai Island on Friday, September 18. Located on the same island that hosts Sziget Festival, the new venue will sit partially within the recently opened Aura Bay Light Park, bringing electronic music events together with large-scale light installations, illuminated gardens and sculptures. The first event will run from 3:00 PM until 11:00 PM, with HUGEL confirmed as the headline act for the grand opening and making his first standalone headline appearance in Hungary.
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A New Open-Air Venue On Óbudai Island
Aura Bay Open Air forms part of the wider Aura Bay destination on the Danube, which combines indoor and outdoor spaces with light installations and interactive features. The open-air venue will occupy part of the outdoor section of Aura Bay Light Park, allowing events to take place among several of the installations already built across the site.
One of its largest features is a 20-metre illuminated LED whale, which will sit alongside a walkable illuminated pyramid, the botanical light garden of Blooms Park, Crystal Garden, the twin 4,000-LED face sculptures known as Talking Heads and the interactive Kickit light-ball court. With the venue incorporated into part of the light park itself, these installations will remain visible around the event grounds as the night continues.
The location also carries a long history of its own. Óbudai Island, also known as Hajógyári-sziget, was formerly used as a shipyard and is now one of Budapest’s most familiar music locations through its connection with Sziget Festival. Aura Bay Open Air now adds a new permanent event space to the island, with its launch built around a combination of electronic music and the existing light park.
HUGEL To Headline The Grand Opening
Leading the opening event is HUGEL, who will play from 7:30 PM until 9:00 PM. The appearance will mark the French DJ and producer’s first standalone headline show in Hungary.
Born in Marseille, HUGEL has become closely associated with Afro Latin House and runs his own label, Make The Girls Dance Records. His recent schedule has included appearances at EDC Las Vegas, Tomorrowland, BPM Festival, Untold and Coachella, alongside residencies at Hï Ibiza in both 2025 and 2026.
His first album, Twenty One, was released in 2026, while “Movin’ To The Sun” has passed 100 million streams on Spotify since its release in May. His appearance at Aura Bay Open Air now brings him to Budapest for his first Hungarian headline show as the venue opens its doors for the first time.
Full Lineup For The Opening Event
The opening programme will begin at 3:00 PM with Shooma x Guztavo, followed by MELO x Groove Generation, DJ Freespirit, GATANO, HUGEL, Tom Enzy, miirabelle and Budai House Clique.
The lineup brings together international artists and names from Budapest’s house music scene across the eight-hour event. Tom Enzy has previously appeared in the DJ Mag Top 150, while GATANO, Freespirit, Budai House Clique, Shooma x Guztavo, MELO x Groove Generation and miirabelle complete the first programme for the new venue.
Gatano says “I’m really excited to be part of the opening of Aura Bay Open Air and to share the lineup with HUGEL. Budapest has an incredible energy, and playing in such a unique setting, makes this show even more special.”
Miirabelle also added “House music has always been about joy, connection and shared moments. Being part of the opening of a new venue in our hometown, alongside HUGEL and such an exciting lineup, feels like the perfect opportunity to bring that spirit to the dancefloor.”
Aura Bay Open Air will run from 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM on Friday, September 18, with HUGEL taking the headline slot from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
3:00 PM–5:00 PM: Shooma x Guztavo
5:00 PM–6:00 PM: MELO x Groove Generation
6:00 PM–6:45 PM: DJ Freespirit
6:45 PM–7:30 PM: GATANO
7:30 PM–9:00 PM: HUGEL
9:00 PM–10:00 PM: Tom Enzy
10:00 PM–10:30 PM: miirabelle
10:30 PM–11:00 PM: Budai House Clique
Aura Bay Open Air opens on Friday, September 18, 2026 from 3:00 PM until 11:00 PM at Aura Bay, Óbudai Island, Budapest. Tickets are available through Fourvenues.
