Debrecen4U July 9, 2026

Campus Festival Continues to Thrive Despite Sector Crisis – Here’s Why

This year’s Campus Festival will feature many of Hungary’s best-known performers alongside international stars. Year after year, the event offers visitors not only concerts but also a strong sense of community. Last year, it attracted a record attendance, with more than 120,000 people visiting Hungary’s second-largest festival.

According to Festival Director Péter Miklósvölgyi, the event also has a significant impact on life in the city, although for some residents this period brings certain inconveniences. “Whether it is the increased traffic in the Great Forest area or the fact that the festival can be heard across the city in the evenings, we do everything we can to comply with the applicable regulations. Even so, the sound of the festival can understandably be disturbing if you have your windows open. I would therefore like to ask everyone for their understanding,” he said.

Speaking on Médiacentrum Debrecen’s Esti Közelkép, the festival director noted that several major festivals have disappeared from the Hungarian market or suspended their operations over the past 18 months. He said Campus Festival’s continued success is supported by the cooperation of the City of Debrecen, the University of Debrecen and numerous local businesses. Companies and organisations also play an important role in the daytime programme. He also highlighted that between 2,000 and 3,000 children visit the Nagyerdő festival site every day during the event. “In the festival entrance zone, between 30 and 40 businesses from Debrecen showcase their activities. We have a Job Street and a Fan Zone, where visitors can get to know these companies through interactive activities. We also have our Family Play Park and the Civil Village, both of which offer a vibrant and diverse community atmosphere,” he explained.

At the same time, organising the programme becomes more challenging each year, as performers’ fees continue to rise more rapidly than other costs. Nevertheless, the organisers strive to take visitors’ preferences into account. Festival-goers were once again invited this year to suggest which international artists they would most like to see perform in Debrecen. Based on almost 12,000 votes, Scooter and Armin van Buuren both ranked among the twenty most popular choices. Campus Festival gets under way in the Great Forest area on 22 July.

Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit: Debrecen városa (Facebook)