Bucharest celebrates 567 years since its first documented mention over the weekend of 19–20 September 2026. The city appeared in a document issued by Prince Vlad the Impaler on 20 September 1459.

The anniversary programme turns several areas of the capital into open-air stages. The façade of the Palace of Parliament will host the iMapp Bucharest projections, Calea Victoriei becomes pedestrianised and welcomes performances and installations, while Bucharest City Hall opens its doors for free guided tours.

Events are also planned at the Arch of Triumph, Sala Dalles, Filipescu-Cesianu House, the three museums around Kiseleff and Piața Victoriei, as well as at several locations included in European Mobility Week. Most outdoor activities are free, although some tours require advance registration, while the Sala Dalles performance and Weekend Sessions require tickets.

The general programme was announced by Bucharest City Hall and is available on the official ARCUB website.

The anniversary weekend at a glance

The busiest locations are expected to be Constitution Square and Calea Victoriei. Anyone planning to combine several events should consider the distances involved, temporary traffic restrictions and the time needed to enter areas attracting large crowds.

These are the main events scheduled for the weekend:

• Saturday, 19 September

  • 14:00–19:00 — boat trips on the Dâmbovița River, departing from the Națiunile Unite landing stage;

  • from 16:00 — the first guided tour of Bucharest City Hall;

  • from 19:30 — “Battle of the Beats”, in front of the National Museum of Art of Romania;

  • from 20:00 — Rudimental DJ & Production in Constitution Square;

  • from 21:30 — the iMapp Bucharest Winners League international competition.

• Sunday, 20 September

  • 10:00–18:00 — free admission to the Arch of Triumph;

  • from 12:00 — guided tours of Bucharest City Hall;

  • from 16:00 — guitar and violin recital beneath the Arch of Triumph;

  • from 19:00 — “D’alles Bucureștilor de altădată” at Sala Dalles;

  • from 19:30 — another edition of “Battle of the Beats” on Calea Victoriei;

  • from 20:00 — fashion, music and dance performances at the National Military Club;

  • from 20:30 — WhoMadeWho Hybrid DJ Set in Constitution Square.

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iMapp turns the Palace of Parliament into a 23,000-square-metre screen

The main visual attraction of Bucharest Days is iMapp Bucharest Winners League. Now in its 11th edition, the competition uses the approximately 23,000-square-metre façade of the Palace of Parliament for projections combining animation, architecture, music and technology.

The 2026 theme is “Past. Forward.” and explores the relationship between past and future, memory, heritage and new technologies. Seven international artists and studios will compete, having been selected through partner festivals in Hungary, Japan, Germany, France, China, the United States and Brazil.

On Saturday, the music programme begins at 20:00 with Rudimental DJ & Production. The competition projections are scheduled between 21:30 and 23:00. Members of the public can vote for their favourite work by sending a standard-rate text message to 1755, while an international jury will separately award the Jury Prize.

The evening will also include “NADIA – The Perfect 10”, a video-mapping moment dedicated to Nadia Comăneci. The projection marks 50 years since the gymnast’s historic performance at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.

On Sunday, the programme in Constitution Square begins at 16:00 with DJ Under, MC Aner and DJ OLiX. WhoMadeWho will present a Hybrid DJ Set between 20:30 and 22:00. Admission is free on both days.

Calea Victoriei becomes a stage for music, theatre, debates and fashion

“Open Streets – Bucharest” continues on Calea Victoriei with sporting activities, exhibitions, theatre and circus performances, concerts, guided tours and debates. The programme is spread across several locations, turning a walk along the avenue into a cultural itinerary.

On Saturday, Revolution Square will host the debate “Writers’ Bucharest”, moderated by Emilia Stere. Sunday’s discussion will focus on the past, present and future of Văcărești Nature Park.

One of the weekend’s interactive events is “Battle of the Beats”, held in front of the National Museum of Art of Romania on Saturday and Sunday from 19:30. Artists TOESUP and Denis Kablat will transform sounds made by the audience into musical compositions. Spectators will then be invited to vote for their favourite version.

On Sunday, from 20:00, the area in front of the National Military Club will host “It’s not goodbye, it’s turn heads later”. The performance combines fashion, dance, music and video projections. The costumes were created by students from the National University of Arts using second-hand clothes, while the music was composed by Mihai Dobre, a member of Șuie Paparude.

Four performances have been announced, each lasting approximately 15 minutes, beginning at 20:00.

Open doors at Bucharest City Hall and boat trips on the Dâmbovița

The headquarters of Bucharest City Hall, located at 47 Regina Elisabeta Boulevard, can be explored during four free guided tours. Participants will discover the building’s history and see areas that are not normally open to the public.

The tours are scheduled as follows:

• Saturday, 16:00–17:00 and 17:00–18:00;

• Sunday, 12:00–13:00 and 13:00–14:00.

Participation is free, but places are limited and advance registration is required through the official Bucharest City Hall platform.

Another part of the programme is “Dâmbovița Apă Dulce”. Free boat rides will be available from the Națiunile Unite landing stage on Friday, 18 September, between 16:00 and 19:00, and on Saturday, 19 September, between 14:00 and 19:00.

Reservations are not required, but access depends on the number of boats available. Participants may also bring their own kayak, stand-up paddleboard or canoe.

A free recital and access to the Arch of Triumph terrace

The Arch of Triumph can be visited free of charge on Sunday between 10:00 and 18:00. Visitors can climb to the monument’s terrace, which offers one of the best-known views over the Kiseleff–Piața Presei axis.

At 16:00, the recital “Musical Echoes” will take place beneath the monument, featuring Tudor Niculescu-Mizil on guitar and Maria Alexandru on violin. The programme combines Romanian compositions, classical repertoire, tango and works with a range of rhythmic influences. Admission is free.

Visiting the monument and attending the recital are separate activities. If visitor numbers are high, access to the terrace may be organised in groups.

Family activities in the Museum Triangle

The Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of the Romanian Peasant and the National Geology Museum form the “Museum Triangle” for this anniversary weekend. Their common theme is Dobruja, explored through activities related to art, science, biodiversity and heritage.

The programme includes pottery, linocut and creative recycling workshops, activities about geology and the natural world, model canoe building and encounters with traditional Turkish, Tatar and Aromanian music.

On Saturday evening, between 19:30 and 21:30, the programme includes the treasure hunt “Discover Romania’s DNA” and a screening of the documentary “Wild Romania”. Admission conditions should be checked separately for each museum, as some activities may have limited capacity or specific participation rules.

Weekend Sessions brings a Spanish atmosphere to Filipescu-Cesianu House

The garden of Filipescu-Cesianu House hosts a new edition of Weekend Sessions on Saturday and Sunday, between 16:00 and 21:00. The programme has a Spanish theme and includes live music, DJ sets, workshops for children, exhibitions and open-air cinema.

Children will have a special place in the event programme. (Photo source: Facebook/Bucharest City Hall)

“Amarga Navidad”, directed by Pedro Almodóvar, will be screened on Saturday evening. On Sunday, the audience can watch “Los domingos”, directed by Alauda Ruiz de Azúa. The screenings are scheduled to begin at approximately 20:30.

Admission to Weekend Sessions and the film screenings costs 20 lei. Guided tours of the Museum of Ages are organised separately, require a museum ticket and are subject to availability.

Interwar music at Sala Dalles

On Sunday at 19:00, Sala Dalles hosts “D’alles Bucureștilor de altădată”, a performance recalling the songs and atmosphere of interwar Bucharest. Its repertoire includes music associated with the capital’s cafés, restaurants and summer gardens between 1919 and 1939.

Violinist Valentin Albeșteanu and Taraf de Oraș will perform alongside Miruna Ionescu, Ana Cebotari, Arlinda Morava and Andreia Lucaciu. The show is accompanied by an exhibition featuring interwar photographs and dresses associated with the Belle Époque.

A ticket is required for this event. Visitors should check current availability before travelling to Sala Dalles.

Historic vehicles and guided tours during Mobility Week

Bucharest Days coincides with European Mobility Week. The public transport programme includes historic vehicles displayed at Basarab Railway Station and guided tours of the Giurgiului tram depot and bus garage.

At Bucharest North Railway Station, visitors can explore the Romanian Railway Museum and the Royal Waiting Room. Certain visits may be organised during specific time slots, in groups and with limited capacity.

Special services will also operate towards cultural and tourist attractions in Ilfov County, departing from the King Michael I Park area. Routes and departure times should be checked before travelling, as these services may not run as frequently as regular city routes.

Bucharest Days has an extensive programme, but admission conditions differ from one event to another. iMapp, the Arch of Triumph recital and most activities on Calea Victoriei are free. City Hall tours require advance registration, while Weekend Sessions and the Sala Dalles performance require tickets.

For outdoor events, visitors should also check for possible changes caused by weather conditions, temporary traffic restrictions or large crowds.