What to do in Bucharest over the August 21–23, 2026 weekend: open streets, events, films and theatre. Ideas for spending your free time in the capital

NEWS
20 AUG 26

The August 21–23 weekend brings two pedestrian-only streets, a music festival at the National Arena, screenings of classic and recent films, theatre performances, exhibitions and a pet adoption fair to Bucharest. On Sunday evening, the 20th edition of the George Enescu International Competition also begins with a concert at the Romanian Athenaeum.

There are several free options as well. You can stroll along Calea Victoriei, attend “Beller în mișcare” (“Beller in Motion”), visit the ASPA adoption fair in Bazilescu Park or explore “The Sunflower Room” installation at Mega Mall. Tickets are required for SAGA, theatre performances, Cinema Europa screenings and the opening concert at the Romanian Athenaeum.

Calea Victoriei and Aviator Radu Beller Street become pedestrian-only

The “Open Streets – Bucharest, Urban Promenade” programme continues this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, Calea Victoriei will become pedestrian-only between Dacia Boulevard and Splaiul Independenței from 10:00 to 23:00. The main intersections will remain open to traffic, while vehicles will once again be allowed on the avenue overnight.

The bicycle lanes located along the pedestrian sections will be temporarily suspended, according to the rules published by ARCUB. If you arrive by bicycle, you will need to dismount in crowded areas and follow the organisers’ instructions. Access to the promenade is free.

The cultural programme may vary from one weekend to another, but Calea Victoriei remains an excellent route for a walk that can also include Amzei Square, Revolution Square, the Romanian Athenaeum or the museums in the city centre.

In northern Bucharest, Aviator Radu Beller Street will also become pedestrian-only for the “Beller în mișcare” (“Beller in Motion”) event. The schedule is as follows:

Saturday, August 22: 10:00–23:00;
Sunday, August 23: 10:00–20:00.

Admission and all activities are free. Vehicles from the Țiriac Collection, classic cars and bicycles, as well as electric cars and motorcycles, will be displayed on the roadway. The exhibition will be complemented by photographs of Bucharest in bygone days.

Children will have access to a miniature road-safety city featuring traffic lights, road signs, pedestrian crossings and bicycle routes. Games and workshops on traffic rules, financial education and responsible shopping have also been announced.

Dorobanți Square will host local producers’ stalls, relaxation areas and activities for families. On Saturday evening, the fourth edition of “Rondul de Noapte” (“Night Rally”) is also scheduled, featuring approximately 30 vintage cars.

SAGA brings three days of music to the National Arena

SAGA by Kaufland takes place from August 21 to 23 at the National Arena. The festival returns to Bucharest after its 2025 break and moves to a different venue from the one used for previous editions.

The gates are scheduled to open at 16:00, while performances are expected to begin at 18:00, according to the general programme announced by the organisers. The schedule for each artist and the stage allocations should be checked before setting off, as changes may occur.

The international artists announced include:

Tyga;
Eric Prydz;
Dimitri Vegas;
John Newman;
Lilly Palmer;
Nicky Romero;
Sickick;
Yves V;
MATTN;
ItaloBrothers;
Faustix;
Cuebrick.

The Romanian line-up includes Loredana, Carla’s Dreams, Puya, Subcarpați and Mira, among others. Access is based on a ticket or festival pass, while availability and prices should be checked through the official sales channel indicated by the organisers.

The area around the National Arena is expected to be crowded on all three evenings. Public transport is a better option than travelling by car, particularly because traffic restrictions, congestion and changes to taxi and ride-sharing pick-up points may occur.

Films about the world of filmmaking at Cinema Europa

“Meta Week” continues at Cinema Europa until Sunday, August 23. The selection revolves around films about cinema, actors, directors, success, failure and the industry behind the screen.

The screenings take place at Cinema Europa, located at 127 Calea Moșilor. Seating is limited and admission requires a ticket. The weekend programme is as follows:

Friday, August 21

17:30 – “The Disaster Artist” (2017, 12+);
20:00 – “The Fall Guy” (2024, 12+).

Saturday, August 22

14:30 – “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952, general audiences);
17:00 – “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019, 16+);
20:00 – “Babylon” (2022, 18+).

Sunday, August 23

14:30 – “Sunset Boulevard” (1950, 12+);
17:30 – “Ed Wood” (1994, 12+);
20:00 – “Birdman” (2014, 16+).

The selection offers a choice of classic musicals, comedies, dramas and satires about the film industry. Age restrictions announced by the organisers will apply.

Theatre performances scheduled for the weekend

Independent theatres are maintaining a busy schedule from August 21 to 23. The programme is dominated by comedies and productions about relationships, although several performances also explore more dramatic themes.

Tickets must be purchased separately from each theatre or through its partner ticketing platforms. Some performances may already be close to selling out, so availability should be checked before travelling to the venue.

Friday, August 21

19:00 – “Aici nu se simte” (“You Can’t Feel It Here”), a performance by Lia Bugnar, at Green Hours Jazz Cafe;
19:00 – “Mariaj în Do major” (“Marriage in C Major”), at Teatrul În Culise;
19:30 – “Un gigolo de 2 lei” (“A Two-Leu Gigolo”), at Teatrul Roșu;
19:00 – “Metamorfoza” (“The Metamorphosis”), based on Franz Kafka’s work, at Teatrul Excelsior.

Saturday, August 22

16:00 – “Duși cu pluta”, at Teatrul În Culise;
16:30 – “Femei bune pentru bărbați nebuni” (“Good Women for Crazy Men”), at Teatrul Roșu;
19:00 – “Metamorfoza” (“The Metamorphosis”), at Teatrul Excelsior;
19:30 – “Divorț în ziua nunții” (“Divorce on the Wedding Day”), at Teatrul Roșu;
20:00 – “Ședință cu părinții” (“Parents’ Meeting”), at Teatrul În Culise.

Sunday, August 23

18:00 – “Fanteziile soțului meu” (“My Husband’s Fantasies”), at Teatrul Roșu;
18:00 – “Stars Gala”, at the Bucharest National Opera;
19:00 – “Complicat” (“Complicated”), at Teatrul În Culise;
19:00 – “Baby Fever”, at Teatrul Masca.

“Baby Fever,” directed by Mihaela Sîrbu and based on a text by Ana Turos, is presented as a “serious comedy” about the questions and pressures associated with the decision to have children. The performance lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes and will take place in Teatrul Masca’s Main Hall.

The George Enescu International Competition begins on Sunday

The 20th edition of the George Enescu International Competition begins on Sunday, August 23, at 19:00, at the Romanian Athenaeum. The opening concert will be performed by the Romanian Radio National Orchestra under the baton of conductor Cristian Măcelaru.

Three winners of the 2024 edition will take the stage: violinist Mayumi Kanagawa, cellist Yo Kitamura and pianist Roman Lopatynskyi. The winners of the Composition Section will also be announced during the evening.

The programme includes Diego Santamaria’s “The Stone and the Ivy,” Dan Dediu’s “Brahmsodia – Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello, Piano and Orchestra,” Op. 169, and George Enescu’s Symphony No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 13.

The competition continues until September 19, with the cello, violin and piano rounds, chamber recitals and masterclasses. Tickets for the opening concert are available through the official George Enescu International Competition website.

The “Nadia Comăneci – The Road to Perfection” exhibition can be visited on Friday

The “Nadia Comăneci – The Road to Perfection” exhibition can only be included in this weekend’s plans on Friday, August 21. The National Archives of Romania are open to the public from Monday to Friday, between 09:00 and 16:00, with last admission at 15:30. The exhibition cannot be visited on Saturday or Sunday.

The project marks 50 years since Nadia Comăneci received the first “perfect 10” in Olympic gymnastics history. The performance took place at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, when the Romanian gymnast was 14 years old. Comăneci received seven scores of 10 and won three gold medals, in the individual all-around, balance beam and uneven bars events.

The exhibition brings together photographs, documents and heritage objects tracing the athlete’s career and the international impact of her performances. The exhibits cover not only her competition results, but also the way in which the Montreal moment entered the collective memory and transformed Nadia Comăneci into a symbol of Romanian sport.

The exhibition is displayed in the central hall of the National Archives of Romania, at 49 Regina Elisabeta Boulevard, in Sector 5. The exhibition design was created by architect Alexandra Maria Sas, PhD, the project is coordinated by Șerban Marin, PhD, and the exhibition curator is Mihaiela Grigorescu.

“Nadia Comăneci – The Road to Perfection” remains open until November 12, 2026. Admission is free. If you want to include it in your weekend itinerary, you must arrive before 15:30 on Friday.

Pet adoption fair and free activities for families

ASPA is organising another pet adoption fair in Bazilescu Park on Saturday, August 22. The event takes place from 10:00 to 16:00, and visitors interested in adopting will be able to meet 20 dogs from the authority’s shelters.

The ASPA team and PROEDUS volunteers will provide information about the dogs’ behaviour, the adoption procedure and the responsibilities of future owners. Families who adopt a dog will also receive products offered by the event’s sponsors.

At Mega Mall, “The Sunflower Room” can be visited every day between 12:00 and 20:00. The installation is inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” series and uses flowers, lights and reflective surfaces to create an immersive space.

Admission is free, but access must be claimed through the rewards section of the SPOT app for zero points. The installation remains open until August 31.

Other exhibitions included in the weekend programme are:

“Between Socialist Realism and National Communism”, at Suțu Palace, from 10:00;
“Aman: Line, Point”, at the Theodor Aman Museum, from 10:00;
“Late Summer Spritz”, at the Museum of Recent Art, from 11:00;
“Photographs by Constantin Brâncuși”, at the Museum of Recent Art, from 11:00.

Event schedules, ticket availability and admission conditions may change. Check the organiser’s page before setting off, especially for festivals, performances and outdoor activities.

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