This year there’s a much wider range of events to celebrate Hungary’s annual national holiday of 20 August. In addition to the regular processions, festivities and fireworks, there will be DJ parties, children’s games, live jazz and free exhibitions. There's even a vintage train ride. Here’s what’s on offer!
Fireworks 2021
This year’s fireworks display has
been called the Game of Fire and Lights, a 34-minute extravaganza of bright
colours exploding from more than 60 barges and additional ground locations.
Larger ones will be set off from Margaret Bridge and Petőfi Bridge. The show
starts at its usual time of 9pm.
Family-friendly events
For the national holiday on 20 August, most museums honour the Founding of the State with free exhibitions. On this day, the Holy Crown can be visited for free inside Parliament, and at Buda Castle you can see the newly renovated St Stephen's Hall.
The area from Vajdahunyad Castle in City Park to Kós Károly sétány will turn to a real children's paradise. At Gyerekliget, kids can learn how to be a prince or princess, while performers, game installations and a circus entertain the little ones. Actors Vivi Koltai, András Sütő and Márton Vincze bring to life the beloved heroes from the children's books of István Csukás.
Only in Budapest
Those interested
in old trains can ride the Gyertafény Express, an elegant dining car that sets off from Nyugati station and stops at the Danube embankment just in time for the fireworks at 9pm.
And for that real Budapest experience, relax in the panoramic pool of the Rudas Baths, as special ticket allows you to take in the cityscape after dark.
Gastro & bubbles
This year, the Kenyérlelke (’Soul of Bread’) Festival takes place over two days at MOMkult, on 19-20 August. First on Sirály sétány, professional bakers test their skills, with bread-baking competitions for amateur exponents of sourdough. The action then moves to the main stage, with bands such as Mónika Lakatos & the Gypsy Voices, and The Anahit.
At top riverside restaurant KIOSK, you can enjoy a rich buffet with cheeses from Őrség, pike-perch or crab salad and a glass of champagne as exploding fireworks reflect in the waters of the Danube.
Staying downtown, at SOLID on the rooftop of the Hotel Rum, you can sample special champagnes and refined dishes, including trout and duck breast on fireworks night.
DJs will be spinning live sets at the panoramic 360 Bár and the Sky Garden Rooftop Terrace as fireworks explode across the night sky, while the Paris Passage Café and the Paris Courtyard Hotel combine to offer a selection of fine eats and quality cocktails while singer Erika Náray sings a little jazz and R&B.
Culture
In addition to the traditional events, this year the Fashion & Design Festival takes place at Bálna Budapest over the three days of the long holiday weekend. There will be a pop-up shop for Hungarian designers, presentations and creative workshops, as well as a tour around the outlets of young creatives.
Literature and music come together on Nehru part, at the Pest foot of the Petőfi Bridge. At Culture Garden, concerts, readings and other performances unfold over three days.
In the recently renovated Millenáris Park, you can celebrate with a classical music picnic with the MÁV Symphony Orchestra. There will be special architectural walks and children can listen to fairy-tale concerts and enhance their artistic skills with several musical instruments to play as part of summer's annual Zenélő (Musical) Budapest event.
There’s two days of electronica on focal Erzsébet tér as the Szabadrét Festival showcases the likes of Galactic Jackson, Deva, Belau and Žagar. Meanwhile over on Szabadság tér, a Street Music Festival and Food Truck Show keep the holiday mood going over two days.
