The final weekend of September brings one of the most varied cultural programmes of the autumn. Bucharest residents can choose between two film festivals, theatre performances for children and adults, interactive exhibitions, science experiments, fairs, concerts and outdoor events.

For those who simply want to take a walk, Calea Victoriei becomes pedestrian-only again, while Revolution Square hosts an open-air museum. Families with children can choose from theatre, robotics, astronomy and sports activities, while coffee, food and music enthusiasts have dedicated events of their own.

The weekend at a glance: the main events

For a quick overview, here are some of the most important events scheduled between 25 and 27 September. Some take place throughout the weekend, while others are held only once.

Free-admission events may require prior registration, while availability at ticketed festivals and performances should be checked separately.

Where to watch films: BIFF and BIEFF overlap this weekend

Film enthusiasts can choose between two very different festivals. The Bucharest International Film Festival continues until Sunday at Cinema Muzeul Țăranului Român and Apollo111. Friday’s programme includes “Heysel 85” at 16:30, “Roya” at 18:15 and “Ultimul Refugiu” at 20:00. On Saturday, the Focus Japan section brings “The Keeper of the Camphor Tree” at 16:00 and “The Samurai and the Prisoner” at 18:15. The festival closes on Sunday evening at 19:30 with “I’ll Be Gone in June”.

At the same time, BIEFF presents experimental cinema, short films, masterclasses and discussions. On Friday at 17:00, the French Institute hosts the free panel “Peripheral Futures – Women Directors on Their Debut”. Saturday’s programme begins at 14:00 with a discussion about how films are selected for festivals, followed by screenings at Apollo111, Cinema Union and Cinema Elvire Popesco.

On Sunday at 15:00, BIEFF also presents a screening for children: the animated short-film programme “Unexpected Friends”, at Cinema Elvire Popesco. Tickets cost 15 lei at Cinema Union and 30 lei at Cinema Elvire Popesco and Apollo111. Some discussions and related events are free, but reservations may be required.

Theatre for adults and stories for children

At the Bucharest National Theatre, “Titanic Vals”, “E vina ta!” and “Yen” are all performed on Friday at 19:00. On Saturday, audiences can choose between “Secundar”, “Class” and “You Say Tomato”, while Sunday’s programme includes “Călătoria”, “Cei drepți” and “Evadarea tăcută”. Tickets for “Cei drepți” were already listed as sold out when checked.

TNB also organises guided tours of the building: on Friday at 13:15, 15:30 and 17:00, and on Saturday and Sunday at 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00. The Sunday tour at 17:00 was marked as sold out, but a purchase option was still available for the other time slots.

For children, Ion Creangă Theatre has a full programme in the Main Hall in Amzei Square:

• Friday, 18:00: “The Little Match Girl”, recommended for children aged three and over;

• Saturday, 11:00: “The Bear Tricked by the Fox”, for children aged 3–6;

• Saturday, 18:00: “Puss in Boots”, recommended for children aged five and over;

• Sunday, 11:00: “The Little Purse with Two Halfpennies”, for children aged 3–6;

• Sunday, 18:00: “One Thousand and One Nights – Aladdin’s Lamp”, recommended for children aged six and over.

Tickets for regular performances in the Main Hall cost between 35 and 45 lei at the box office and between 36.94 and 47.74 lei online, depending on the seating category. Every spectator needs a ticket, including children under the age of three.

Experiments, robots and digital art for all ages

On Friday, the Antipa Museum takes part in European Researchers’ Night. The permanent exhibition can be visited between 10:00 and 14:00, while the special activities take place from 15:00 to 20:00, with last admission at 19:00. Admission to the European Researchers’ Night programme is free.

Visitors will be able to observe samples under a microscope, learn how pearls are formed and discover nocturnal birds, bats, minerals, pollinators, fossils and insect collections. The programme is suitable for both children and adults interested in the work taking place behind the scenes at a natural history museum.

On Saturday, between 10:00 and 18:00, Bucharest Mall hosts the free event “Missions, Robots and Rescuers”, included in Bucharest Science Festival. Visitors will be able to see military technology and emergency equipment and take part in astronomy and first-aid workshops, virtual-reality experiences and nautical games. The programme includes meetings with military pilots and rescuers, as well as an announced flyover by an IAR 330 helicopter.

Another option is RADAR – Full Spectrum, the new-media art festival held at ARCUB – Hanul Gabroveni. The installations use light, lasers, sound, artificial intelligence and interaction with the public. The RADAR Kids section includes more than 14 installations, creative games and robotics workshops. Children are admitted in two-hour time slots and must be accompanied by an adult who has their own ticket.

Children’s activities at the Metropolitan Circus and Circului Park

The Mommy HAI fair takes place on Saturday and Sunday, between 10:00 and 19:00, at the Bucharest Metropolitan Circus and in Circului Park. Admission is free, but the organisers recommend registering in advance.

Children can try robotics, programming, foreign-language, chess, music, dance, theatre and sports classes. The programme includes chemistry experiments, telescope observations, first-aid activities, climbing, trampolining and demonstrations using emergency-response equipment.

On Saturday, between 11:00 and 12:00, the Qfeel band will perform, while presentations about astronomy, the Hera space mission and the Voyager probes begin after 18:45. Sunday’s programme includes theatre from 10:30, magic from 11:30 and presentations about space telescopes, black holes, Romanian satellites and earthquakes on the Moon and Mars.

Coffee, handmade products and pedigree cats

At Romexpo’s Pavilion A, the anniversary edition of the Slow Coffee Festival brings together roasters, producers and baristas, alongside tastings and competitions dedicated to specialty coffee. Friday is mainly intended for industry professionals, while Saturday and Sunday are suitable for the wider public.

The festival is open from 10:00 to 18:00. A one-day ticket costs 45 lei, while the three-day pass was listed at 82.06 lei when checked. Alongside coffee, the organisers have announced food products, workshops and experiences for visitors who want to better understand coffee’s journey from its place of origin to the cup.

In IOR Park, Lavanda Fest brings together more than 50 producers, artisans and creative brands. The stalls can be visited daily between 10:00 and 21:00. Products on offer include lavender items, natural cosmetics, plants, delicacies, jewellery, clothes, toys and decorations. The children’s workshops are free, while light music, pop, jazz and classical recitals are scheduled every evening from 17:30.

The SofistiCAT international cat show takes place at the Palace Hall. The official programme announces an opening time of 09:45, judging sessions between 10:00 and 14:00 and the “Best in Show” stage between 16:00 and 17:00 on both days. The organisers expect more than 250 cats to participate, but admission conditions and prices for the public should be checked before visiting.

For a less conventional food outing, Shaorma Fest takes place on Saturday between 12:00 and 22:00 and on Sunday between 12:00 and 19:00 at Divertiland Water Park in Chiajna, on the outskirts of Bucharest. The festival includes restaurants, music, stand-up comedy, competitions and a contest to choose the best shawarma. Tickets were listed at 25 lei.

Where to go simply for a walk

Until Sunday, Revolution Square hosts the “Garden of Encounters”. Part of the square has been temporarily transformed into a pedestrian space with a reading area, activities for children, discussions and tastings.

The “Mobile Museum: Open-Air History” can also be visited during the weekend. The installation recreates part of a home from the communist period. The “Garden of Memories” exhibition, dedicated to the 1989 Revolution, has also been installed around the Rebirth Memorial. Admission is free, while the daily programme is published by the organisers on the Streets for People communication channels.

Calea Victoriei remains another option for a walk. As part of the “Open Streets” programme, the road becomes pedestrian-only on Saturday and Sunday between 10:00 and 23:00, along the section between Dacia Boulevard and Splaiul Independenței, without closing the main intersections. The bicycle lanes within the pedestrian area are temporarily suspended.

On Sunday morning, the Arenas Run starts at the Arch of Triumph Stadium and finishes at the National Arena. The 10-kilometre race begins at 09:30, while the Family Run starts at 11:45 on the National Arena’s exterior ring. Registration is required to participate, but members of the public can watch the runners along the route. The event will cause traffic restrictions on Kiseleff, Calea Victoriei, Unirii Boulevard, Decebal and Basarabia, making the metro the recommended form of transport.

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Rock, K-pop and free-admission concerts

Quantic hosts a different concert on each evening. On Friday at 20:00, Green Carnation performs at Bucharest Prog Day II. On Saturday, also from 20:00, Oddland, Mother of Millions and Ring of Gyges take the stage. On Sunday, Blackbriar brings the “A Thousand Little Deaths” tour to Bucharest from 20:00.

At Hard Rock Cafe, Robbie West Band performs on Saturday at 21:30, with free admission. On Sunday, Bosquito performs from 21:00, with tickets starting at 109 lei. Kids Corner, with free admission, is also scheduled on both days between 13:00 and 15:00.

Fans of Korean music can attend KBK Fest at the Roman Arenas on Sunday. Access to the concert area begins at 18:00, while the artistic programme starts at 18:45 with Midnight Pearls, Station9 and Irenity, followed by EPEX, YVES and XLOV. The closing ceremony is scheduled for 21:15. Standard tickets were available from 302.50 lei.

How to choose more easily

For a free family outing, the simplest combination is European Researchers’ Night at the Antipa Museum on Friday, followed on Saturday by Bucharest Science Festival activities or Mommy HAI. On Sunday, you can add BIEFF’s children’s short films, a performance at Ion Creangă Theatre or a walk through Revolution Square.

Those looking for a cultural experience for adults can combine a BIFF or BIEFF screening with RADAR and a performance at the National Theatre. For a day outdoors, the most accessible options are Lavanda Fest, the Garden of Encounters and the pedestrian route along Calea Victoriei. Whatever you choose, check ticket availability and possible programme changes on the day of the event.