In 2026, during the time of the Bartók Spring International Arts Weeks, Budapest will be hosting the annual meeting of Classical:Next, with over 1000 music professionals from more than 50 countries exchanging ideas. The multi-day event, which focuses on contemporary and classical music, will feature conferences, showcase concerts, project presentations, film screenings, Classical:NEXT Innovation Award ceremony and lots of networking opportunities. It will also provide a platform to present Central Europe’s rich musical tradition and emerging talent on the global stage.

Budapest will be an excellent host, as the legacy of Liszt, Bartók and Kodály continues to inform the vibrant musical life of the city, whose rich musical past also nurtured the art of György Ligeti, György Kurtág and Péter Eötvös.