Sparty Budapest (a portmanteau of "spa" and "party") is a weekly late-night bath party event held at the Széchenyi Thermal Baths (Széchenyi Gyógyfürdő) in Budapest, Hungary. It is one of Hungary's largest recurring event series, attracting over 50,000 attendees annually.
Location and Schedule Sparty takes place at the Széchenyi Baths, located at 1146 Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 9-11, in the City Park (Városliget). The event runs on Saturday nights from 9:30 pm to 2:00 am (last entry at 1:00 am), operating from February through December, with a closure in January. The minimum age for attendance is 18 years.
History The concept originated in the late 1990s, with the first Sparty events taking place around 1994. It was conceived as a way to transform the traditional thermal spa experience into a night-time entertainment venue.
Format and Activities During Sparty, the bath's outdoor thermal pools remain open for swimming and wading while DJs perform electronic dance music (house, techno, and other electronic genres). The event features laser light shows, video projections, acrobatic performances, and fire shows. Multiple bars operate within the venue, offering alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. A cashless payment system called "SpartyPay" is used, where attendees obtain a prepaid card for purchases.
Attendance and Capacity Sparty is described as the fifth-largest event series in Hungary, with tens of thousands of visitors each year from both domestic and international locations.
Ticketing Tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the door (cash desk opens at 9:30 pm). Various ticket tiers are available, including basic entry, premium packages with drink coupons, and express tickets with fast-track entry. Online tickets are available for purchase until 8:00 pm on the day of the event. Tickets are generally non-refundable, though a "flexi booking" option allows date rescheduling up to 24 hours before the event.
Dress Code and Rules Swimwear is required. Flip-flops or slippers are mandatory. Swim caps are not required. Outside food and drinks, glass items, sharp objects, and drugs are prohibited. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas. Inflatable accessories are allowed only in small sizes. Jumping into the pools is forbidden.
Accessibility The venue is accessible via Budapest Metro Line 1 (stop: Széchenyi Gyógyfürdő) and is near Hősök tere (Heroes' Square). The building is over 100 years old and was not originally designed for wheelchair accessibility, though the organizers state they can provide assistance upon advance notice.
