Your Visit
Get to know Budapest, the host city of Classical:NEXT 2026.
Budapest, this gem of a Central European capital, combines historic beauty with a thriving music scene. Strolling through the city, you can feel the palpable history of a nation: from the 19th-century innovations in which Liszt played a pivotal role, to the turn-of-the-century opulence that fostered the genius of Bartók and Kodály, the turbulence of the 20th century, and Budapest’s rebirth after the fall of the Iron Curtain. New museums, galleries, venues and parks complement the city’s classic architecture, thermal baths and other sights.
Classical:NEXT will take place in cultural hubs true to the rich heritage and bustling present of the city: the Liszt Academy will host the opening concert, the Budapest Music Center, a top-tier contemporary venue will be the evening venue, and Millenáris, elegantly bridging past and present will be home to the daytime programme.
2026 Locations & Venues
Millenáris
Daytime Venue
Reborn from an industrial site as a multi-purpose cultural complex at the turn of the millennium, Millenáris is a beloved hub in central Buda (the hilly side), catering to numerous genres, generations and purposes. Two buildings will be the home to the Classical:NEXT daytime programme, Buildings D and E.
Building D (Glasshall) combines loft-style elegance with a direct link to nature: you are always just a few steps away from the park’s lake. Its glass facade invites light, openness and connection, making it an ideal venue with huge spaces and meeting rooms.
The National Dance Theatre, with its sleek design offers additional space with more rooms for stands, talks, screenings and showcases.
Accessibility: The Park and Building D (Glasshall) are wheelchair accessible. A barrier-free public toilet is available on Building C’s ground floor during park opening hours.
Budapest Music Center
Nighttime Venue
Budapest’s top-notch music venue was created out of sheer love of music and dedication by trombonist and former professor László Gőz to give contemporary Hungarian music the space it deserves. The Budapest Music Center (BMC) is a future-oriented bearer of musical heritage, the home of connoisseurs and creators, where the creative genius of György Kurtág is active, and serves as a concert hall, jazz club, library, and educational centre. As the evening venue, its state-of-the-art facilities will host Classical:NEXT Showcases, setting the scene for discovery and new connections.
Liszt Academy
Opening Night Venue
Standing tall as the principal music landmark in Budapest, the Liszt Academy embodies both heritage and the magic of live performance. Founded by Franz (Ferenc in Hungarian) Liszt, it is a bastion of music education and musicology, and among the world’s top 100 performing arts universities. Its ornate interior, unparalleled acoustics and long-standing kudos as Hungary’s foremost musical institution make it an unmissable venue, and a festive stage for the opening concert of Classical:NEXT.
FAQs
When and where will Classical:NEXT 2026 take place?
Classical:NEXT is coming to Budapest, Hungary from 8–11 April 2026 (Wednesday through Saturday).
The event will be hosted at some of the city’s key cultural hubs:
- Millenáris will host the daytime programme including Conference sessions, Daytime Showcases and the Expo
- The Budapest Music Center will be home to Nighttime programmes, including Showcases
- The Liszt Academy will be the venue of the Classical:NEXT 2026 Opening Night
Find out more about the venues here.
How can I take part as an artist or speaker?
Each summer, Classical:NEXT opens its annual Call for Proposals for the showcase and conference programmes, inviting artists, presenters and speakers to apply. An our international, independent jury carefully reviews each submission and selects the official Classical:NEXT programme.
Programme submissions for Showcase performances, Project Pitches and Conference sessions at Classical:NEXT 2026 are now closed.
You can submit a proposal for Film Showcase until 31 October 2025 here.
To learn more about off C:N events and other promotional opportunities, click here.
How can I register for Classical:NEXT 2026?
Registrations for Classical:NEXT 2026 will open in November 2025. Stay tuned for updates by signing up to our newsletter so you don’t miss out on the best rates.
How can I update my profile on C:N Connect, the online database?
If you already have an account, simply log in to C:N Connect with your Username. Please note, this is not the email address, but the name you’ve set, shown at the top of your confirmation email. Once you log in, you can add a short bio, your company and role, a photo, your address, and most importantly, an email address where other delegates can get in touch with you. This profile will also appear in the Classical:NEXT App (Android / Apple).
Please note: the email address will only be visible to other delegates, we will not share it in any bulk mailings.
How can journalists get press accreditation?
We value the vital role journalists play in promoting music and in keeping the important discourse. That’s why Classical:NEXT offers a reduced rate to media professionals, subject to approval.
If you are attending Classical:NEXT primarily in your capacity as a journalist or as part of a music media company’s editorial team, you are invited to register for our special media rate. Simply complete the registration form, check the “media registration” box when entering your details, and send a copy of your press credentials to registration@classicalnext.com. Once our communications team approves your request, you will receive the discounted media rate for registration.
Press accreditation, which includes free delegate-level access to Classical:NEXT 2026, is available to a limited number of journalists who cover Classical:NEXT or its showcase artists, subject to approval. Please note that accredited journalists will not be listed as delegates in the printed guide or on C:N Connect, our online database. Only one accreditation per media outlet is allowed. To apply, contact us at media@classicalnext.com.
What made Budapest the choice for Classical:NEXT 2026?
One of Europe’s most vibrant cultural capitals, Budapest is renowned for its rich classical music heritage and a forward-looking artistic community. Combining tradition with a dynamic and diverse contemporary scene, it is the perfect setting for bringing together the global classical and art music community to shape the future.
Budapest is not only one of the world’s safest cities but also a place where you can feel at home. Local institutions and citizens alike embrace diversity, inclusion, and international dialogue, and this spirit resonates in the city’s excellent cultural venues, including its concert halls, theatres, clubs, galleries, and event spaces.
We are also thrilled to be working with our organizing partner Hangvető, a Budapest-based cultural enterprise specialising in folk, global, and classical music, which has hosted WOMEX twice as well as events like Budapest Ritmo. Classical:NEXT and Hangvető share the values of inclusion, equality and diversity, and are committed to making sure the event is welcoming and safe for all.
How do you support Accessibility and Inclusion?
Classical:NEXT is dedicated to fostering an inclusive atmosphere where everyone is able to fully engage and enjoy the event. To ensure accessibility, companions of event participants with disabilities are welcome to join the event without needing to register.
Budapest, the host city for 2026, is a safe and welcoming place, with citizens, an international community, cultural institutions, and venues that embrace inclusivity.
At Classical:NEXT, together with our partners and event venues, we are committed to creating a respectful, safe, and welcoming environment for all. We encourage all participants to be mindful of the experiences and needs of others. If you need support, please contact a member of the Classical:NEXT team.
Will participating artists and music professionals who identify as queer feel safe travelling to the event in Hungary?
Absolutely. Budapest is consistently ranked among the safest European capitals. It has recently stood up for the LGBTQ+ community, with the highest number of attendees at Budapest Pride in the event’s history.
Local citizens and institutions embrace diversity, inclusion, and international dialogue, and this spirit resonates in the city’s excellent cultural venues, including its concert halls, theatres, clubs, galleries, and event spaces.
At Classical:NEXT, together with all our partners and event venues, we are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for everyone.
Can I buy a one-day ticket?
Only delegates registered for the full four-day Classical:NEXT event will have access to the Expo, Conference, Showcases, Opening, and the Award Ceremony. Stay tuned for more information on delegate rates and day tickets for Showcases.
How do I log in to my account?
Log in with the Username you created when signing up (you can find it in your confirmation email). Please note, your Username is not your email address. Click here to log in.
How should I prepare for Classical:NEXT?
Here are our tips to help you prepare, make a great impression and enjoy Classical:NEXT.
Bring any relevant materials that can support your case. Take some time to review and update your online presence, from your profile on C:N Connect to your social media, professional profile, and any other online platform. Make sure it’s current, and has all the necessary information. Don’t forget to bring business cards or a quick way to share your digital contact information.
Arts presenters: bring along any promotional materials you’ve used in past years, such as press clippings or previous programme schedules. These will help showcase your work and provide valuable context.
Artists and artist representatives: think about what will make you stand out. If you have video footage, bring a fully charged laptop, find a quiet corner and show people what you’ve got. Bring a few key materials, like download cards or CDs for your music or EPKs, and press clippings – anything that helps make your case, but remember: less is more. Large, heavy materials are often left behind, so keep it compact: bring small, easy-to-carry packages people can review later. Be sure to ask for a business card and follow-up a few weeks after the event to keep the connection going.
Record labels and publishers: bring relevant press materials, records, or download cards for your music or EPKs. Include compilations from your catalogue and any specific works you may want to promote or license, along with materials for artists you’d like to showcase for live performances. Publishers should also have sample sheet music or examples of commissioned projects with them.
Distributors: have your business details, your experience, and even your contracts at hand. You might sign deals right on the spot!
Programmers and journalists: bring proof of your credentials or examples of your work to help people see that you are the right person to connect with! For more information, Classical:NEXT press releases, hi-res photos and logos, check the Press/Media page.
Is there a Classical:NEXT App?
Yes! With the Classical:NEXT App you can dive in to the full programme, and find contacts right on your phone! Just log in with your C:N Connect Username and password. Stay tuned for the updates for Classical:NEXT 2026… Get started here: