The August 20th celebrations honour the country’s first king, St. Stephen, and the foundation of the state. Upon the occasion, you can enjoy numerous events throughout the day citywide, including military processions, guided tours to the Holy Crown, a traditional festival featuring folk arts, and dinner parties at many of the city’s panoramic restaurants, before the day concludes with spectacular fireworks blasting across the sky.
See the the Hungarian flag being raised
The festival kicks off with an official ceremony in front of the Parliament when the nation’s tricolour pride is hoisted high into the sky. This solemn ritual is accompanied by impressive military processions amid dynamic music.
- Kossuth tér, 8:00 am-8:40am
Visit the Holy Crown at the Parliament
On August 20th (10 am - 6 pm), visitors can admire the neo-Gothic Parliament both outside and inside free of charge. All you need to do is sign up for a guided tour in advance, upon which you will visit the ornate Grand Stairway, the majestic Dome Hall, and the treasured Holy Crown of Hungary.
More details here.
Celebrate folk arts in the Buda Castle
Nearly 1,000 artisans are set up around Buda Castle between 18 and 20 August for the 37th Festival of Folk Arts, where the Czech Republic is the guest of honour this year. Hundreds of performers entertain alongside all-day craft demonstrations, visual workshops and live music provided by Romengo, Szalonna és Bandája, and Fitos Dezső Társulat. Children's concerts, storytelling and dance lessons will keep the little ones involved.
More details here.
Tour museums for free
On August 20th, several museums open their doors to welcome visitors with free exhibitions. The Hungarian National Gallery, Hungarian National Museum, and the Museum of Fine Arts are all involved, and you can also enter the newly built Museum of Ethnography and the Hospital in the Rock and Nuclear Bunker Museum free of charge (just sign up in advance). If you are after a family adventure, visit the biggest open-air railway park in Europe, the Hungarian Railway Museum.
Try hearty Hungarian dishes at Csárda Festival
Between 18-20 August, Budapest's focal square, Vörösmarty tér, is hosting a gastronomy festival. The city's most prominent restaurants gather to prepare Hungarian specialities on the spot, such as steaming goulash and fish soup, delicious chicken paprikash, sizzling sausages, and strudel with varied fillings. After sampling the delicacies, you can listen to folk and gipsy music and watch dance performances.
Enjoy piano plays on Vigadó tér
Between 18-20 August, the square at the foot of Pesti Vigadó will be filled with music. From early afternoon until the evening, you can listen to French chansons, classics by Edith Piaf, Frank Sinatra, and Tony Bennett, bossa nova, American lounge music, hits from Hungarian pop artists, and Latin melodies resonate through the performances of the finest piano bar artists. All this to be backdropped by the Danube.
Take the kids to the Magic Grove
It will almost feel like Children's Day in the City Park as soon as the Magic Grove opens its doors. A Magic Castle, puppet shows, a circus-themed playhouse, craft activities, and acrobats are about to take over the surroundings of the Vajdahunyad Castle for the weekend (19-20 August). Cartoon characters will come to life, and concerts will entertain the little ones.
See Hungarian bands at the Road Movie Live
Műegyetem quay will turn into a mini-festival venue for 19-20 August. That means you can celebrate the foundation of the Hungarian state by dancing at the concerts of great Hungarian bands. The shows kick off at 4 pm on both days, with Bagossy Brothers Company, Galaxisok, and the legendary rock band Tankcsapda hitting the stage (among others).
Watch the fireworks from the best spots
The highlight of the celebrations will undoubtedly be the fireworks, setting off at 9 pm. We have dedicated a whole article to the best spots to watch them from, which you can check out here.
Find more St. Stephen's Day events here.
