Sauna Fest 2026 at Therme București through the eyes of Hidrostyle
George Tănase and Alexandru Minculescu did stand-up in the sauna. In Hollywood, the same sauna also became the setting for a perfume story. Outside, on Sands of Therme, you could go from the heat of the sauna to the cold water of the pool.
This is what October looked like at Therme București. And we, Hidrostyle, were in Sauna Village for the second year, with the Auroom® QUU sauna.
Sauna Fest 2026 took place between 5 and 25 October. The eighth edition featured over 800 shows and experiences, with more than 100 Aufguss masters from 29 countries. Among all the things that met here, a few are worth telling even after the festival has ended.
What happens in an Aufguss show
If you haven't been to one yet, imagine a short show where you feel the heat of the story, literally. The Aufguss master uses ice cubes with essential oils and directs the hot air through precise movements of the towel or flag.
At Sauna Fest, the ritual meets music, performance and costumes. You can watch a dramatic story or a moment full of humour. And the way the master directs the air is part of the show just as much as the story being told.
Comedy and theatre with fragrance in the Hollywood sauna
Stand-up in a sauna sounds like a good joke until you find out it was actually in the programme. George Tănase and Alexandru Minculescu brought comedy to the Hollywood sauna, in sessions where the audience had another reason to stay focused on what was happening in front of them.
Also there, Theatre of Scent brought a new concept to the 2026 edition. Therme and the Romanian perfume house Necalli staged the story of creating a perfume. Visual artist Tony Macpela's projections, music and scents made the audience part of the experience. A perfume could be followed like a story, while you also felt it.
Live voices, dance and familiar stories
OctaGroove, the arts centre founded by Ioana Pînzariu, brought a cappella moments to the sauna. In Provence, Heat in Motion brought Ryan Pavel alongside an Aufguss master, in a show that combined breaking and contemporary dance.
The programme also went through cinema, literature and opera: Tale of the Three Brothers, inspired by the Harry Potter universe, Audrey, inspired by Audrey Hepburn, and Carmen. These are examples that immediately explain why a sauna enthusiast can come to the festival for several days and find something different to watch each time.
A world vice-champion from Romania
This edition also highlighted an achievement obtained before the festival: Andrei Șerban took second place in the individual category at Aufguss WM 2026, in Germany.
His show, The Sculptor, was inspired by Constantin Brâncuși. The ranking is confirmed by the official results of the competition. It is one of those details worth remembering when talking about the work and creativity of Romanian Aufguss masters.
Ten days in Sauna Village
Between 16 and 25 October, the Sands of Therme beach hosted Sauna Village. Saunas from local and international manufacturers and distributors could be tried live, outdoors.
After the sauna, the pool on the beach, at the temperature of 12-14°C announced in the programme, completed the experience. Between 22 and 25 October, the Canadian team UNBOUNDED led the guided cold plunge sessions, with activities such as Polar Playground and Fire and Ice.
Here, a visit allowed you to observe what you like about a sauna, how you feel in it and how well the entire ritual suits you, with the breaks between sessions.
Hidrostyle and Auroom QUU
For the second year, we were part of Sauna Village with Auroom® QUU. We were glad to be able to invite visitors into the sauna and discuss what they were experiencing right at that moment.
When you sit on the bench, you realise much more easily what matters to you: the position you sit in, the feeling of space, the light or how you perceive the heat. From here, a good discussion can start about the sauna you want at home.
For hoteliers and architects, testing raises other useful questions. How will one move between the Finnish sauna, steam room, hot tub, sensory showers and cold plunge? Where will one stop to rest and how do we integrate heated loungers, the salt area or the relaxation room? If the project also includes swimming or movement in water, we can consider a pool or an Endless Pools® swim spa. Treatment rooms, with massage tables and dedicated equipment, complete the experience depending on the hotel's specifics.
The experience continues in the showroom
Sauna Fest has ended, but the idea of your own spa can start right after such a visit. You might want a sauna in the garden. You might be thinking about a hot tub for the family or preparing the wellness area of a hotel.
We welcome you to the Hidrostyle showroom in Tunari to see and test the available equipment. Come with photos, a plan or simply an idea of how you would like to use the space. From there we can start building a suitable proposal.
You can find us at Mihai Eminescu 18, Tunari, Ilfov. Book a visit at 0747 060 060 or write to us at office@hidrostyle.ro.
Discover the equipment and book a visit on hidrostyle.ro.