Yes, there is reason enough to freak out: the first weekend of the last summer months is coming! This probably foreshadows the decreasing number of hours spent at the sunny Balaton, especially with the blinding light of Sziget-days ahead of us. True, the autumn will also be rich in Balaton-based fun, but just to be sure, we gathered some activities that could make this weekend perfect.

Friday

Country-roaming Herb Day, Tihany (8 August)

The Levendula Ház Visitor Centre in Tihany is certainly worth a visit anyway, because it introduces you to the region and its curiosities in an interactive manner. On 8 August, guests can get a glimpse of lavender distillery methods, sew a lavender sachet, and drink a cup of tea on the house if they bring their mug along. This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship with this piece of nature, spattered with protected areas and colorful lavenders.

World Performance Wingsuit Series - Balaton Grand Prix, Siófok (augusztus 7 - 10.)

Soon enough, air will catch up with water in the conversations about Balaton-related activities - and this time, it's not even a sailing event we are hinting at. The Wingsuit Balaton Grand Prix will be held at the Siófok-Kiliti airport between 7 and 10 August. For the audience, we'd recommend the race days of 8 and 9 August.

Paloznaki Jazz Picnic (8 and 9 August)

Was the past week too short to quench the flames lit by the Valley of Arts? You don't have to let them falter. The 3rd Paloznak Jazz Picnic on 8 and 9 August awaits you with excellent music, visual art performances, kids' programmes and fine wines. The rockers of the Valley might skip this appearance, but you'll definitely meet the cream of Hungarian jazz life and a few international stars here. As a warm-up for the event, we interviewed Szabolcs Homola (who received a few incredulous looks at the mayor's office a few years ago when he brought up the idea of the picnic) and Tompos Kátya (whose repertoire includes U2 and Russian folk songs as well).

Prices (from 25 July): festival pass 10 500 HUF, day ticket: 6500 HUF.

Ax & Ax concerts, Kéthely (8 August)

Although summer evenings falling on Fridays are pretty perfect as they are, they can still be boosted by good music and excellent wines. The Ax & Ax Winery in Kéthely took this premise and started a concert series. This Friday, Hans Theessink takes their stage at 8 PM.

Alkotótábor 11., Szántódpuszta (8-10 August)

This year, the festival and artists' retreat for minimal music fans moves from Balatonkenese to Szántódpuszta. The Alkotótábor is not your everyday electronic music festival, but your place is here is going on holiday and camping cannot be perfect without the beats of the ambient - electronica - dubtechno - house - techno line.

Tickets: weekend ticket (in advance) 5000 HUF, weekend ticket (at the door) 6000 HUF, day ticket 3000 HUF.

Saturday

14th Balaton Cross-paddle, Alsóörs (9 August)

You can participate with anything from kayaks and canoes to dragon boats, as long as you paddle - which means that SUP is also allowed. The Balaton cross-paddle performance race is held for the 14th time this year, covering a 18.5-km-long distance that starts at Alsóörs and goes as far as Siófok, before returning to the starting point. Only hand-powered boats and vehicles are allowed to participate. The race starts from the shore between the Alsóörs boat stop and the beach at 11 AM. 

Euro Beach Soccer League Siófok 2014, Siófok (8-10 August)

For 3 days, everything at the Siófok Main Beach will revolve around beach soccer. The participating teams arrive from 12 different countries. Hungary will clash with Andorra, the Czech Republic, and England in the preliminaries. If the weather is good and you are near, attendance is a must.

Bohém légy-ott, Hegymagas (9 August)

Even more jazz! The Gilvesy Winery also tunes its oenophile guests into jazz music on 9 August, in the frame of the Bohém légy-ott jazz night. WIne and jazz will be accompanied by local cuisine here.

Tickets: 4000 - 15000 HUF

Sunday

Beach Festival for People With Disabilities, Balatonfűzfő (10 August)

Balatonfűzfő hosts an attitude-shaping festival: people with disabilities showcase their talents with the help of interactive methods.The programmes include a service dog show, a rolling dance group, skill tests and so on.

Bay Cross-swim, Balatonfüred (10 August)

Many will believe that you swam across Lake Balaton when you recount your Bay Cross-swim experiences, but the event has more to offer. The 3.5 kilometres between Balatonfüred andTihany are definitely conquerable.  The 20th edition of the Bay Cross-swim starts at 10 AM on 10 August from the beach of the Marina Hotel In Balatonfüred.

Registration at the door: 7000 HUF.