The final weekend before pupils return to school brings food festivals, concerts, children’s shows, classical music competitions and exhibitions to Bucharest. According to the calendar announced by the Romanian Ministry of Education, the 2026–2027 school year begins on Monday, September 7.

The weekend’s major events include Asia Fest, Bucharest Street Food Festival, Iubim 2 Roți and the George Enescu International Competition. Families with children can also choose from several performances at the Comic Opera for Children.

The weekend programme at a glance

Friday, September 4

• From 10:00 – Day 1 of the Violin Section’s First Round at the George Enescu Competition, held at the National University of Music Bucharest, with free admission;
• 14:00–22:00 – Asia Fest, outside the National Arena;
• From 17:00 – Iubim 2 Roți begins at Quantic;
• 18:00 – opening of the “Bucharest. Subjective Perceptions” exhibition at Filipescu-Cesianu House;
• 19:00 – recital by Claudio Bohórquez and Péter Nagy at the Romanian Athenaeum, as part of the Enescu Competition.

Saturday, September 5

• From 09:00 – Violin Competition at the National University of Music, with free admission;
• From 10:00 – Part I of the Cello Section Semi-final at the Romanian Athenaeum, with free admission;
• 10:00–22:00 – Asia Fest;
• From 11:00 – Bucharest Street Food Festival on Unirii Boulevard and in Constitution Square;
• Several performances between 10:00 and 18:00 – children’s shows at the Comic Opera;
• From 16:00 – Part II of the Cello Semi-final, with ticketed admission;
• In the evening – concerts at Iubim 2 Roți;
• 20:30–22:00 – Subcarpați concert at Bucharest Street Food Festival.

Sunday, September 6

• From 09:00 – Day 3 of the Violin Section’s First Round, with free admission;
• 10:00–22:00 – Asia Fest;
• From 11:00 – Bucharest Street Food Festival;
• 11:00 – “Gianni Schicchi” at the Comic Opera for Children;
• 12:40 – Archetarium Lab at the National University of Music, with free admission;
• 19:00 – chamber music recital at the Romanian Athenaeum;
• 20:30–22:00 – om la lună concert in Constitution Square;
• Until 23:30 – the final evening of Iubim 2 Roți.

Asia Fest turns the National Arena into a journey through Asian cultures

Asia Fest takes place from September 4 to 6 in the outdoor area of the National Arena, with access from Maior Coravu Street. The announced opening hours are 14:00–22:00 on Friday and 10:00–22:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

The festival brings together food, music, dance, demonstrations and workshops inspired by the cultures of Japan, South Korea, China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Mongolia, Turkey, Syria, Malaysia and other Asian countries.

Highlights announced by the organisers include:

• ORIENTARHYTHM, a project combining traditional Mongolian instruments with electronic music – Friday at 17:00, Saturday at 16:20 and Sunday at 20:30;
• DJ Fat Lips – Friday at 19:45 and Saturday at 19:00;
• Fetiblue Band – Saturday at 20:45;
• Jco, with performances dedicated to Japanese culture – Saturday at 16:00 and Sunday at 17:30;
• Kaya Indian Dance – Sunday at 17:45 and 18:30.

Families can attend calligraphy, origami and henna workshops, tea ceremonies and activities in a dedicated children’s area. The organisers state that the workshops are free for festival visitors.

The announced admission prices are 25 lei for Friday, 30 lei for Saturday, 30 lei for Sunday and 70 lei for a three-day pass. Children under the age of seven have free admission.

There is, however, a discrepancy on the event’s website. The page displays a link to an online ticketing platform, while the FAQ section states that tickets are sold at the Maior Coravu entrance. Check the current purchasing arrangements on the official Asia Fest 2026 page before travelling to the venue.

Street food and free concerts in Constitution Square

Bucharest Street Food Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday along Unirii Boulevard and in Constitution Square. Admission is free, and the gates open at 11:00. The entertainment programme runs between 12:00 and 22:00.

Alongside food trucks and dishes inspired by different international cuisines, the festival includes concerts and DJ sets. The main musical performances are:

• Saturday, September 5
  • LAR!SA – 12:00–16:00;
  • Lemon – 17:00–20:15;
  • Subcarpați – 20:30–22:00.
• Sunday, September 6
  • M!hai – 12:00–16:00;
  • AFGO – 17:00–20:15;
  • om la lună – 20:30–22:00.

The festival can easily be included in a day spent exploring central Bucharest. Admission is free, but food and drinks must be purchased separately. If you want to attend the evening concerts, arrive early, as the area in front of the stage may become crowded.

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Iubim 2 Roți brings three evenings of rock to Quantic

The ninth edition of Iubim 2 Roți takes place at Quantic, at 82 Șoseaua Grozăvești. The event begins on Friday, September 4, at 17:00 and ends on Sunday evening. The organisers have announced two stages and 15 artists performing over the three days.

The line-up is divided as follows:

• Friday: Kempes, Timpuri Noi, ZOB, Anton and Bruma;
• Saturday: Nightlosers, Ska-NK, Sarmalele Reci, Sanctuar and Cristi Dumitrașcu;
• Sunday: Iris – Cristi Minculescu, Spitalul de Urgență, Altar, Folk Frate and Țapinarii.

Children aged 12 and under have free admission when accompanied by a parent holding a valid ticket. The organisers recommend hearing protection for young visitors. The complete rules and ticket information are available on the official Iubim 2 Roți page.

Shows for children, from babies to school-age audiences

The Comic Opera for Children has a packed programme on Saturday and Sunday. “Bubu Dreams”, a sensory performance for children aged between zero and three, is staged in the UnderGrant Hall.

Performances take place on both Saturday and Sunday at:

• 10:00;
• 11:00;
• 12:00;
• 16:00;
• 17:00;
• 18:00.

Children aged four and over can see “The Ghost and the Magician” in the Mozart Salon at 10:00 on both Saturday and Sunday.

For audiences aged seven and over, the venue presents Giacomo Puccini’s opera “Gianni Schicchi”. Performances take place in the Main Hall on Saturday at 17:00 and Sunday at 11:00. Running for approximately one hour, the production may offer children an accessible first encounter with opera.

The performance times are confirmed in the official programme of the Comic Opera for Children. Tickets are sold separately for each performance, and current seat availability must be checked directly on the institution’s platform.

The Enescu Competition offers free sessions and concerts at the Athenaeum

The George Enescu International Competition continues throughout the weekend. It should not be confused with the George Enescu Festival. The programme includes competition rounds with free admission, as well as recitals and semi-finals requiring tickets.

The First Round of the Violin Section can be attended free of charge at the National University of Music Bucharest:

• Friday, September 4, from 10:00;
• Saturday, September 5, from 09:00;
• Sunday, September 6, from 09:00.

On Saturday, the Cello Section Semi-final at the Romanian Athenaeum is divided into two parts. The 10:00 session, featuring works by George Enescu with piano accompaniment, has free admission. Part II begins at 16:00, with the Radio Chamber Orchestra and Bogdan Zvorișteanu, and requires a ticket.

On Sunday at 19:00, the Athenaeum hosts a recital by Mihaela Martin, Valentin Răduțiu, Miguel da Silva and Enrico Pace. The programme includes works by Grieg, Beethoven and Brahms. Current seat availability should be checked through the ticketing platform linked in the official Enescu Competition programme.

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Guide to events and exhibitions in Bucharest: what to see in September 2026

An exhibition exploring how artists see Bucharest

On Friday, September 4, at 18:00, Filipescu-Cesianu House hosts the opening of the “Bucharest. Subjective Perceptions” exhibition. The project brings together works by artists from the A21+ group, each offering a personal interpretation of the city.

The exhibition remains open until September 27, 2026. For visits after the opening evening, check the museum’s current schedule and admission conditions. Details of the project have been published by the Union of Romanian Visual Artists.

How to combine events without spending the weekend in traffic

For a family day out, the simplest choice is to select one large event, such as Asia Fest, or combine a morning performance at the Comic Opera for Children with an afternoon visit to Bucharest Street Food Festival.

Music enthusiasts can build their weekend around the Enescu Competition or the concerts at Iubim 2 Roți. The events are spread across several parts of the city—including the National Arena, Constitution Square, Grozăvești, Calea Giulești and central Bucharest—so allow enough time for travelling between venues.

Check starting times, admission rules and ticket availability before leaving home. At free events, admission does not guarantee entry once the venue reaches maximum capacity. If you are attending with a child, follow the age recommendation for each performance, not only its running time.