St Stephen's Day in Budapest

Background

20 August commemorates King Stephen I, the first king of Hungary, and the founding of the Hungarian state. Stephen was crowned in 1000, led Hungary into Christianity and established the institutions of the kingdom; he was canonised on 20 August 1083, which became his feast day in Hungary. Today it is Hungary's national day, also known as the day of the new bread. Celebrations begin in the morning with the flag-raising on Kossuth Square in front of the Parliament, followed by a military inauguration ceremony and an air show over the Danube. In the early evening, Mass is held in front of St Stephen's Basilica, followed by a procession with the Holy Right, the relic of Stephen's right hand. Buda Castle hosts the Festival of Folk Arts, and the Castle Garden Bazaar at its foot hosts the Street of Hungarian Flavours. At night, musical fireworks and a drone light show over the Danube close the day.

Local customs

• Watch the flag-raising on Kossuth Square in the morning
• see the air show over the Danube
• join the Holy Right procession at St Stephen's Basilica in the early evening
• browse the Festival of Folk Arts at Buda Castle and the Street of Hungarian Flavours
• watch the fireworks and drone light show from the banks of the Danube at night.

Travel tips

• St Stephen's Day is fixed on 20 August each year and is a public holiday in Hungary
• the times and places of events are subject to official announcement. The fireworks are launched on the stretch of the Danube between the Chain Bridge and Margaret Bridge, some riverside roads and bridges are closed and public transport routes may change, so it is best to walk to a riverside viewing spot early.

2027 schedule

• 20 August 2027 is a Friday, with celebrations all day and fireworks as the evening finale
• the detailed programme is yet to be officially announced.