17/08/2026
SCHEDULE YOUR FIREWORKS WATCHING NOW!
BUDAPEST'S BIGGEST HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR HAS ARRIVED!
If you are in Budapest around August 20th — Hungary's St. Stephen's Day (National Day):
Here are the events you SHOULD NOT miss:
8:00 AM — Flag Raising Ceremony and Military Parade at Kossuth Square, Parliament area (best viewed from the riverbank!).
August 20–22 — FREE Parliament Tour, no registration required (be prepared for long lines).
All Day — Food Festival at the Várkert Bazaar (9:00 AM – Midnight) — enjoy Hungarian street food + b**r under 1,000 HUF.
Buda Castle — Festival of Folk Arts (Mesterségek Ünnepe).
Margaret Island & City Park — Family- & friend-friendly activities all weekend long.
Szabadság Square (Szabadság tér) will be transformed into a community relaxation space and food garden, while the embankment next to the University of Technology (near Liberty Bridge, Buda side) will host electronic music events for youth.
The Holy Right Procession departs from St. Stephen's Basilica on August 20 at 7:00 PM, following the solemn mass.
MAIN EVENT — 9:00 PM: A 30-minute audiovisual show over the Danube River — featuring projections, music, lights, lasers, and a drone display telling Hungary's 1,000-year history — culminating in a 10-minute fireworks show.
Best viewing spot? Pick a spot on the Buda side, between Chain Bridge and Margaret Bridge. (Pro tip: the audiovisual display repeats twice more that evening — without fireworks or drones during the 2nd and 3rd shows, but it is still spectacular and much less crowded!)
📍 View the full program and schedule in English here: https://augusztus20.hu/en/program
