Budapest is an exciting place to be in May: many food, culture, and art festivals attract both residents and foreign tourists to some landmark venues, but also to lesser known locations. Although it started April 27, the Budapest Dance Festival still keeps its doors open till May 3rd: enough time for you to enjoy outstanding performances at the MOM Kulturális, Palace of Arts, Központ, and the Royal Garden Pavilion. Tomorrow you can see the passionate Rojas&Rodriguez in Titanium (pictured below): a show in which flamenco and hip hop meet and fuse, at the Palace of Arts − Festival Theatre. 
After May 1st, when the world celebrates May Day (or Labor Day), the locals look forward to the popular Budapest Pálinka Festival 2015 in Városháza Park: same like the previous years, the festival will bring together family-run distilleries from all over the country, with a display of over 300 different types of pálinka, the national Hungarian spirit. This is your chance to taste the best apple pálinkas of the country, as well as several apple related foods, especially selected to pair well with the fine pálinkas. The festival and the concerts are free of charge, food and drinks, however are charged individually by each vendor. The dates of the festival: May 7-10, 2015. 
Another interesting festival dedicated to a popular drink is Rosalia, the Rosé Festival: Hungary's only festival dedicated to rosé wines, sparkling wines and champagnes takes place May 8-10 at Gesztenyés kert. Mayfest at the Opera House begins May 15 and lasts till the 1st of June. This year, the festival coincides with the Faust225 Festival, therefore, the programme will feature five splendid works based on the theme of Faust, including the premier of Gounod’s opera and the Hungarian premiere of Busoni’s work, with the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra giving a concert of rarities to close this gem of a series. Budapest's Belgian Beer Festival kicks off May 17, too last till May 19, 2015: the venue is Bálna, a new commercial, cultural, entertaining and service center, which also hosts Korzó, the weekly fair where you can find handpicked antiques as well as products of Hungarian designers. 
Floralia, the yearly Roman spring festival, so beloved by the locals, takes May 16 and 17, at the Aquincum Museum. At its 26th edition, the festival features flower arrangements inspired by the Roman past, as well as presentations reviving the Roman lifestyle and handicrafts. Roman soldiers, gladiators, and Celtic warriors will display their art of war and scenes from their daily life. More than 100 museums come together this May 16 and 17 for the prestigious Festival of Museums held inside the garden of the Hungarian National Museum: art displays will be accompanied by live music, theater and dance shows. Free admission. The gastro festival Budai Gourmet at Millenáris, which this year lasts from May 21 to 24, is organized by the same team behind the Sziget Festival in collaboration with Costes Restaurant. The festival aims to bring together excellent wine makers, pálinka distillers, restaurants and confectioners along with producers who will sell homemade cheese, ham, sausage, jam, honey, chocolate and other delicacies at the festival market. Of course, there are many other festivals programmed for this month. Keep up with us on Facebook and we will let you know. Book early your room at your favorite Mamaison Hotel in Budapest, as the season can get pretty busy.
