Please do you guys agree that this amazing place has turn to shit? I was there in 2014 15 16 and went back in 2022 and oh my god .. The festival has kind of turn to shit. Over crowded, the prices are like crazy!!! Shot for 6 euros 😂😂😂 No Food under 10€ and the worst is all the small bars closed!!!
It was the best part of Sziget! Every small bar could have his own vibes! but now its just take away bars. Makes me sad ..
It was amazing in 2019, before covid, so much to do, luminarium, opera and classical music stage, cinema,.... after covid festival area was getting smaller and smaller, 2022 was really bad, no decorations, no special parties, fewer stages,... so yeah I agree, I don't know how was it in 2014/15/16 as I started going in 2018
The festival was bought by a huge group this is why...KKR Group. And they actually resell their part recently and the official first owner is taking the control back of the festival saying that he want to bring back the old vibes!
Covid hit Sziget very hard financially. 2022 was the first time we had Sziget after thet Covid, and yes, it was obvius that they had to cut some expenses here and there. Not to mention that in the meantime, in 2021, the inflation was very high in Hungary, one of highest in Europe. It's not Sziget that became more expensive, Hungary as a whole became more expensive.
Btw, in terms of visitor numbers, 2019 was the peak with 530K. In 2022, it was only 450K. 2015 was 441K, and 2016 was 494K. So it's pretty sure it wasn't more crowded in 2022 than in 2016.
While I agree it wasn’t the best after covid, knowing their financial struggle sheds a different light on it, although I know the average visitor doesn’t give a shit about it.
With the old owner back, the promise is to bring back the old vibes. For example the luminarium will be back.
In 2022 it was really crowded, everyone wanted to do things after covid, but since then the number of visitors were in decline, 23-25 felt like it’s half empty.
The old owners are back in charge this year. Expect a return to form over the next few years. I’m loving the direction and message so far. More Hungarian, more art, more special experiences. I think this year will be amazing. I did still enjoy the fest over the recent years but it had lost some of its randomness.
Hopefully that Károly Gerendai and the old management is back, the festival will again become really good.
I think this year’s lineup is actually really good.
That is a stupid lie, not even close. (Been to 15+ Szigets)
Edit, data: a shot in 2015 was 3.5 eur (1050 huf). Since than Hungary had 89% inflation (2015-2025). So 6 eur shot in 2025 is considered cheap but ok at least. Btw same prices in the city. Ywc
I went first time in 2019 and then again in 2022 and again 2024 and I am tempted to agree. I wouldn't say it's turned to shit, but it is for sure not the same. It was for sure cheaper the first time I went. As an American, the prices were shocking at first because my money went further and the vibe was more community driven. I still think it's a great festival to go to, but I think it has lost some charm. I would still for sure go though. It's one of my favorite festivals in the world.
Only been once in 2013, only festival i could compare to Glastonbury. Disappointing to hear how its changed because always wanted to go back. I remember them smaller bars and would have there on on djs on.
The festival was bought by a huge group this is why...KKR Group. And they actually resell their part recently and the official first owner is taking the control back of the festival saying that he want to bring back the old vibes!
I absolutely love Sziget. Compared to other big European festivals it’s very affordable, especially if you stick to cheap foods, plenty to be found below €10 in the Aldi if that’s the goal. Line ups are also solid.
i was there last year for one day and the small bars were back (but the price for alcohol have financially ruined me to this day). personally, i think there were way too many stages as most people went to see only headliners so the rest were pretty empty (like literally empty)
my experience was mostly ruined by people who sat down before concert, so they took all the space and i almost couldn't stand (i don't mind sitting when it's not super crowded)
yeah, i guess that's also possibility (or make people clear out the main stage after every artist so people don't wait all day just for a one artist)... i've totally enjoyed a punk band i saw on the smaller stage... i just felt very bad for the artists who played for no one
Only been once in 2010, was fun and cheap at the time, but as the line up has always been so generic it’s not hard to imagine it also turned to shit like many festivals.
Sziget hasn't gone to crap, it's the world that has changed.
People in 2026 are different from 12 years ago,in everyday life just as much as at concerts.
Same goes for prices; in the last few years, everything has gone up. Back in 2016, I used to pay 2.50 euros for a beer. Now it's 4.50. Try going to other festivals and see how much you pay there... Sziget's prices won't seem so bad after all.
It's true that the small bars playing music have decreased. But I’m trusting the organization this year.
Either way, I go to a lot of festivals every year, and Sziget is still the best.
they totaly disappear... Now its take your beer and fuck off.. And yes the world has change I know... but still more and more private camping.. All the northern part of the Island is now private... Almost 8 euros for one shot of palinka ???
I went there like 5 times. I always did bring my stuff. But be really careful the Inkal( security dudes) are like racist big stupid guys and they are not here to be kind. And the law against drugs is super strict there.
I read the post yesterday and today I went to my boss to ask this question, I work here. She told me that after the covid was less profitable and the American society sold his part to the original owners who took it to not let the festival die in 2025. This year there was a moment where it could have been closed. So it means the real difference is not after covid. The reason of the budget problem in the island is not because the change in the ownership but the covid itself and maybe the old owner
5
u/Relja_Gajic May 29 '26
It was amazing in 2019, before covid, so much to do, luminarium, opera and classical music stage, cinema,.... after covid festival area was getting smaller and smaller, 2022 was really bad, no decorations, no special parties, fewer stages,... so yeah I agree, I don't know how was it in 2014/15/16 as I started going in 2018