Every 15 March, Budapest celebrates the Revolution of 1848, when Hungarians rose up against their Austrian overlords. Family-friendly events are taking place across the city over the course of this long holiday weekend – some of them for Hungarian speakers only – with hussars and history brought to the fore.
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Buda Castle & Várkert Bazár
At the Várkert Bazár Hussar Academy, four strong
cavalrymen will be training the future swordsmen of Hungary. The children who
graduate from the academy will be inaugurated as hussars at a special ceremony.
In addition, craft workshops and puppet shows await families. It
will also be worth visiting the Csikós courtyard at Buda Castle, where hussars
will be camped, and you can become familiar with the traditional weaponry of the
19th century. 15 March from 11am. Details here (Hungarian-only)
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Budapest History Museum
The Budapest History Museum at
Buda Castle will be throwing open its doors with free admission and themed events
on 15 March. Family-friendly activities and craft classes take place, along with
guided walks in Hungarian. 15 March, 10am-5pm. Details here (Hungarian-only)
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Children’s Railway
For 15 March, the Children’s Railway is laying on a special family-friendly tour between Széchenyi-hegy and Hűvösvölgy, covering a distance of 20km, with stop-offs to be
completed in seven hours. The route calls at all stations along the way, as
well as the main attractions of the area – Normafa,
the Elizabeth Lookout Tower on János Hill, the Károly Kaán Lookout Tower on Nagy-Hárs Hill and Nagyrét meadow in Hűvösvölgy. Of course, children will be
manning the checkpoints set up along the route. Entry will only be possible on-site.
15 March, setting off Széchenyi-hegy station between 8am-10am. More details here
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House of Hungarian Music
The 15 March anniversary can be celebrated in
traditional or innovative fashion at the newly opened Hungarian House of Music. Here in City Park, young ones can take part in music sessions and
workshops while adults can take in the fascinating interactive permanent
exhibition.
15 March, from 10.15am. Details here
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Normafa Ski House
The historic Normafa Ski House will soon be renovated, so they are holding a farewell party before the workmen
move in. The day starts with a puppet show, followed by a 10km hike for those
who have registered, guided by the Kaland Kicsit Másképp crew. Hikers then will be
rewarded with hot tea and a bowl of Normafa bográtsch soup. Between 3pm and
7pm, everyone can relax to the music of DJ Cyborg Templar. 13
March from 2pm. Details here
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Pilvaker
Hungary’s stars of stage and screen forming the Pilvaker team, including
rapper Tomi Fluor and the DJs from Random Trip, take the stage once more for two
special annual shows at the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna. 15 March, 3pm
& 8pm. Details here (Hungarian-only)
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Skanzen
Over the holiday weekend, families can revisit the fairy-tale
world of the Hungarian hussar epic, János vitéz, with sabre-fighting, music and dance at the Skanzen open-air museum outside Szentendre. At craft workshops, children can make the traditional symbols of the 1848
Revolution such as hussar hats, wooden swords, cockades, hussar moustaches
and hobby horses. Competitive kids can test their skills at a Hussar Training
Camp. Visitors can also cook the favourite dishes of the hero of the story,
Jancsi Kukorica, and its author, Sándor Petőfi, of 15 March legend. There will
also be a blacksmiths’ demonstration and a stamp-collecting game for children.
12-15 March. Details here
