Last Updated on 4 August 2026 by ZoliBP
Top Programs In Budapest Recommended For Tourists
August 20. is Hungary’s most prominent National Holiday offers a varied and rich program every year. In 2026 state celebration is being organised in a simpler, more cost-effective form, with a total planned budget of around 3.91 billion forint – potentially the lowest of the past decade. The evening’s roughly half-hour show begins at 21.00. and combines
- music,
- light painting, a
- drone display and
- fireworks.
Besides the late evening festivities, a rich selection of other programs: concerts, foodie events, family events welcome tourists and locals alike in Budapest.
Here is our guide to the wide range of programs taking place between August 20 – 23, 2026.
Table of Contents -20. August
🤔 What Does Hungary Celebrate On August 20th?
August 20. is St. Stephen’s Day in Hungary and it is one of the most prominent national holiday.
We celebrate the foundation of the Hungarian state more than 1000 years ago.
The new bread is blessed on this day too at the Festival Of Folk Arts in Buda Castle.
Besides commemorations organized by political parties, countless programs await both locals and tourists all day round, including things to do for families with children.
Festivities start in the morning on August 20, Thursday with the spectacular fireworks closing the in the evening starting at 21.00.
💡 Local Tip
See also our guide to Fireworks Cruises in Budapest on St. Stephen’s Day or Book Your Place right now using the links below!
Budapest Fireworks Cruises on August 20
Celebrate St. Stephen’s Day from the Danube with drink, cocktail and premium dinner cruise options.
Available Fireworks & Drinks Cruise
Best lower-price drink option
A simple August 20 fireworks cruise with one drink included and Danube views before the show.
Available Fireworks & Cocktails Cruise
Best cocktail cruise
A more festive fireworks cruise with cocktails included, ideal for couples and friends.
Available Fireworks Dinner with Piano
Best premium dinner cruise
A premium August 20 evening with 4-course dinner, welcome drink and live piano music.
Available Dinner and Cruise with Fireworks
Best classic dinner alternative
A buffet dinner cruise with open-bar style drinks, live music and fireworks viewing on August 20.
Available Fireworks Sightseeing Cruise
Best bargain option
A simple sightseeing-focused fireworks cruise with one drink and a docked, central viewing position.
Available Fireworks Dinner Cruise with Drinks
Best premium dinner backup
A dinner-and-drinks fireworks cruise option if you want food, drinks and a fuller evening program.
Main Program Venues On The St. Stephen’s Day Festivities
Chain Bridge Is Open To Pedestrians Only
The bridge can be used only by pedestrians (and bikers, e-scooters) over the holiday weekend. It’s you best option to get to Buda from Pest and back.
The Street of Hungarian Flavours gastro festival starts right at the Buda end of the bridge and goes as far as Elizabeth Bridge, in front of the Castle Bazaar.
The most notable events will take place at the following venues
- ✅ Erzsébet Square – Szabadrét Festival with light music concerts
- ✅ Garden of Philosophers (next to Gellért Hill, see on Goggle Maps) – Panorama Classical featuring songwriting worskhops, performance of classic military songs, movie songs, instrument tinkering and craft workshops on
- ✅ Buda Castle – Folk Craft Fair & Festival,
- Várkert Bazár/Castle Bazaar & Gardens – Street Of Hungarian Flavours Gastro Festival,
- ✅ Vigadó Square and the Danube Promenade – Vigadó Piano: Live cafe and bar music concerts plus street food along the promenade
- ✅Vörösmarty Square – Inn Festival/Csárda Festival plus folk dance and music,
- ✅ Parliament & Kossuth Square – the main state ceremonial programs take place here in the mroning of August 20: Flag Hoisting, Inauguration of military
- ✅ Danube Embankments in Buda and Pest: Air Parade performed by the Hungarian Defense Forces, August 20
- ✅ Europe Biggest Fireworks Show combined with 3D visuals and light painting – along the danube river between Petőfi bridge and Margarte Bridge
- ✅ Millenáris Park, Buda (Kis Rókus u. 16-20, 1024) – Fashion & Design Festival,
- ✅ Tabán – A hilly area located between Gellért Hill and Castle Hill. Rock concerts in the evenings.
🧵 Folk Art & Craft Festival in Buda Castle August 20 – 23, 2026
This awesome 4-day event takes palce in the historic Buda Castle. If you want to get a look into Hungary’s varied folk art and craft traditions as well as see other nation’s artistry then definitely include this program in your itinerary.
Entry is FREE.
👉 See more details below or on our Festival of Folk Arts in Buda Castle page
🥨 Street of Hungarian Flavours, 20 – 21 August, 2026
A Gastro Promenade on the Danube Bank in Buda, in front of the Várkert Bazár/Castle Bazaar.
Opening Hours:
- 20. Aug/Thursday: 10.00 – 21.00 , and
- 21. Aug/Friday: 10.00 – 18.00.
Location: Between Várkert Bazaar and Döbrentei Square in Buda (north of Chain Bridge)
Programs start on 18th August:
TIP: Visit the Street of Hungarian Flavours (Magyar Ízek Utcája) in front of the Várkert Bazaar, Buda, – a beautiful, refurbished series of buildings built at the end of the 19. century – to have a taste of traditional Hungarian food and drinks.
You Can Taste:
- Typical Hungarian dishes: stews, stuffed cabbage
- The 3 winners of the St. Stephen’s day bread contest (a white sourdough bread, honey apple rye bread, and a whole bread),
- Cakes and pastries
- Milk loaves, scones and other delicacies (jams, preserves, honey, cheese).
Cake of Hungary – along with the Sugar-free Cake – will also be introduced there on August 20th that everyone can taste in the southern palace building of the Castle Bazaar/Várkert Bazár.
Note: Prepare for a long queue though.
🍰 Cake & Sugar-Free Cake of Hungary 2026
Each year a special cake is prepared to celebrate our country’s foundation.
The National Guild of Hungarian Confectioners selects the best recipe submitted by confectioners from all over Hungary.
The 2026 competition was announced with the theme of two popular local dairy products “Rögös túró” (Hungarian curd cheese) and “Tejföl” (Hungarian sour cream).
🎂 Cake of Hungary in 2026 – Winner To Be Announced Later!
How much does a slice of Cake of Hungary Cost?
You can get a slice of this scrumptious dessert for around 1 500 – 2 000 HUF at cake shops in Budapest and in other places in Hungary.
📍 Where & When Can You Taste Cake of Hungary 2026?
You can first taste it – along with the healthier, sugar-free version torte during the Hungarian Flavours Festival at Castle Bazaar.
Where?
- On August 20th and 21st, during the culinary programs of the holiday (Street of Hungarian Flavours in Buda at the Várkert Bazaar between Clark Adam tér and Szilágyi Dezső tér),
- Döbrentei utca 9., Bp 1013 (On map)
- Ybl Miklós tér 6, Bp 1013 (View on Map)
- In major confectioneries everywhere in the country.
Sugar-Free Cake of Hungary in 2026 – A Healthy Option
With the sugar-free birthday cake people with diabetes or the health conscious can also enjoy a slice of dessert.
The delicacy is without sugar, white flour, artificial additives and preservatives.
Hungary’s Sugar-free Cake of the Year for 2025 is called “Álmodozó” (Dreamer), created by Alfréd Kovács from Édes Vonal Cukrászda in Vác.
This dessert is a modern interpretation of classic Hungarian flavors like Lúdláb and Rigójancsi.
It features
- A cocoa-almond sponge, a
- Cinnamon-sour cherry chia compote, and a
- Lightly sweetened milk chocolate cream.
A crunchy layer of cocoa nibs adds a satisfying texture, and the entire cake is crafted without any added sugar, making it suitable for people with diabetes and those mindful of their sugar intake.
A slice contains only 231,1 kcal, and only 13,7 g carbohydrates.
➡️ Programs on August 22 and 23 (Saturday, Sunday)
The festive program series of St. Stephen’s Day begin on August 16, Saturday on four venues: on
- Erzsébet Square in the city centre – electronic and pop music concerts by Hungarian performers
- Garden of Philosophers behind Gellért Hill (a quiet hilltop park with statues of famous thinkers) – Panorama Classic – a mixture classical and light music concerts along with workshops and family activities (see schedule below)
- Tabán a hilly park on the slope sof Gellért Hill, “Retro Tabán” will feature Hungarian rock bands who will perform on all four days August 16 – 20 between 17.30 – 22.00
- St. Stephen’s Basilica – Szent István tér – a grand gala concert titled “You are beautiful, you are gorgeous, Hungary” by Zoltán Mága violinist will marks the beginning of festivities in the evening on August 16, Saturday between 20.00 – 22.00
Erzsébet Square – Szabadrét Festival
Location: Erzsébet tér (view on Google Maps)
August 16, Saturday Program:
- 12:00 – 13:30: DJ Panda
- 13:30 – 15:00: Artheon
- 15:00 – 16:30: Galactic Jackson
- 16:30 – 18:00: Monkeyneck
- 18:00 – 22:00: Marwell & Benski
- 18:00 – 19:15 : Palo Canto
- 19:15 – 20:15 : Sobek
- 20:15 – 21:15 : Richard Zalai
- 21:45 – 23:00: Lotfi Begi and Friends
August 17, Sunday Program:
- 12:00 – 13:30 : Tamas Szabo
- 13:30 – 15:00: Maxim Kuznyecov
- 15:00 – 17:00: Indigo Theory
- 17:00 – 18:30: Lenny Lenoks
- 18:00 – 22:00: Marwell & Benski
- 18:30 – 20:30: Peter Makto
- 20:30 – 22:00: Metha
💡 Local Tip
If you love electronic music and want to experience a high-energy local crowd, I recommend catching Lotfi Begi and Friends on Saturday night. Lotfi Begi is a very popular Hungarian DJ and producer, and his set is guaranteed to be a dynamic and exciting party atmosphere that will give you a great taste of Budapest’s modern nightlife.
Garden of Philosophers – Panorama Classical
Location: Filozófusok kertje, Budapest, 1016 (View on Google Maps)
One of the most special venues for the St. Stephen’s Day festivities will once again be the Garden of Philosophers on Gellért Hill, where for two days, the spotlight will be on classical music, jazz, and interactive concert experiences.
Children activities and various workshops acompany the music programs.
August 16, Saturday Program:
- 14:00 – 15:00 : Songwriting Workshop
- 15:00 – 16:00: Classic Military Songs, from march to “lights out”
- 16:00 – 17:00: “Come Up on Stage!” – Joint Music-Making with the Modern Art Orchestra
- 16:00 – 20:30: Instrument Tinkering and Crafts Workshop
- 17:00 – 18:00 : Classical Hits, Popular Successes
- 18:00 – 19:00: “Come Up on Stage!” – Joint Music-Making with the Modern Art Orchestra
- 19:00 – 20:30 : Interactive Instrument Museum
- 19:00 – 20:30: Classical Concert Recordings from the MTVA Archive
- 20:30 – 22:00 : Movie Music Concert
August 17, Sunday Program:
- 14:00 – 15:00: Songwriting Workshop
- 15:00 – 16:00: Classic Military Songs, from march to “lights out”
- 16:00 – 17:00: Adventures in the World of Percussion Instruments
- 16:00 – 20:30: Instrument Tinkering and Crafts Workshop
- 17:00 – 18:00: Classical Hits, Popular Successes
- 18:00 – 19:00: Whistling on a Brass Tree (A playful Hungarian folk saying)
- 19:00 – 20:30: Interactive Instrument Museum
- 19:00 – 20:30: Classical Concert Recordings from the MTVA Archive
- 20:30 – 22:00: The Great Hungarian Songbook – Hungarian music from folk songs to today’s hits
💡 Local Tip
If you’re interested in a unique, hands-on musical experience, you should absolutely check out the “Come Up on Stage! – Joint Music-Making with the Modern Art Orchestra” on Saturday. This is a rare opportunity to play alongside a professional orchestra, making it a truly memorable and interactive part of your trip.
➡️ August 20, Thursday – Programs
Csárda Fesztivál/Inn Festival Vörösmarty Square
The finest of the country’s csárdas come together in the heart of Budapest for three days:
You can taste typical local dishes along while watching dazzling folk dance performances as part of a Folk Music Festival.
- You can taste the food specialties of Hungary’s best inns and pubs in the historic plaza, Vörösmarty Square at the northern end of Váci utca.
- You can also enjoy folk dance performances and music here starting from 15.15 in the afternoon.
Vigadó Piano (Vigadó Square) – August 18-19 -20
Hungarian café music is a unique cultural gem, and its popularity remains unwavering. Even those less familiar with the genre know its greatest hits by heart.
Visitors can enjoy bar piano concerts and hit songs all day at the stage set up in Vigadó Square.
The high-quality live music experience will be complemented by an exclusive culinary adventure on the Danube Promenade.
Street Of Hungarian Flavours – Várkert Bazaar in Buda, 10.00 – 21.00
Concerts, children programs and the Street of Hungarian Flavours (Magyar Ízek Utcája) gastronomy festival.
Folk Art & Craft Festival In Buda Castle – August 20 – 23
A 3-day folk craft festival and fair with workshops, concerts, and other events with food and drink to tide you over if you plan to spend several hours there.
Ideal for families with kids since there will be lost of exciting activities for children.
Vajdahunyad Castle In City Park/Városliget – Magical Grove/Varázsliget – For Children
The renewed City park awaits mainly families with kids with exciting programs.
Families visiting the ever-improving City Park, from Vajdahunyad Castle to Kós Károly Promenade, will experience genuine wonders.
There will be programs
- For training princes and princesses,
- Performances by entertainers such as the Firebirds, and even
- Stilt walkers.
Apart from the cultural events, playful military demonstrations, including laser shooting, await both the young and the old.
🚢 Pannonia Heritage Ship – FREE Visit, 10.00 – 18.00
Location: Id. Antall József Rakpart – The Embankment Between The Chain Bridge & Margaret Bridge
The historic ship built in 1927 boasts striking interior that you can visit fre eof charge.
🎸 Tabán (Retro Tabán) – Rock Concerts
The peaceful, green hills behind Buda Castle, called Tabán will be a venue for retro pop-rock concerts featuring Hungarian bands.
- 17:30 – 18:30 – Back II Black
- 18:45 – 19:45 – Hevesi Tamás concert
- 20:00 – 22:00 – Neoton concert
➡️ August 21, Friday – Programs
Csárda Fesztivál/Inn Festival Vörösmarty Square
- The Inn/Csárda Festival continues with simple but tasty food as well as folk dance and music offerings.
Vigadó Piano- Vigadó Tér, 10.00 – 22.00
- The beautiful, historic Vigadó Hall on the Danube Promenade gives a backdrop to a series of Operetta pieces and musical shows performed by the artists of the Hungarian Operetta Theatre.
Street Of Hungarian Flavours – Várkert Bazaar in Buda, 10.00 – 21.00
Concerts and the Street of Hungarian Flavours (Magyar Ízek Utcája) gastronomy festival.
👉 Read more details about the Street Of Hungarian Flavours festival in 2026!
Festival Of Folk Arts, Buda Castle, August 20 – 23
A 4-day folk craft festival and fair with workshops, concerts and other events.
Ideal for families with kids since there will be workshops and activities for children, although expect crowd, especially on the last day of the festival.
- 10:00 – 19:00 Fabatka Porta – folk playground
- 10:00 – 21:00 Folk art & craft programs (Tóth Árpád sétány)
Fashion & Design Show – Millenáris Park
- The Millenáris Park in Buda (address: Kis Rókus u. 16-20, Budapest 1024) will host a fashion and design show featuring creative and value-creating programs in collaboration with contemporary Hungarian fashion and industrial designers.
- You can participate in various craft workshops, sustainability programs, and attention-grabbing roundtable discussions involving Hungarian designers.
🚢 Pannonia Heritage Ship – FREE Visit, 10.00 – 18.00
Location: Id. Antall József Rakpart – The Embankment Between The Chain Bridge & Margaret Bridge
The historic ship built in 1927 boasts striking interior that you can visit fre eof charge.
🎸 Tabán (Retro Tabán) – Pop Concerts
The peaceful, green hills behind Buda Castle, called Tabán will be a venue for concerts by Hungarian retro pop bands.
- 17:30 – 18:30 – Takáts Tamás Blues Band concert
- 18:45 – 19:45- Deák Bill Gyula concert
- 20:00 – 22:00 – Bikini concert
➡️ August 20, Thursday – Main Programs
🇭🇺 Festivities At The Parliament, August 20, 08.00 – 09.00
As usual, a series of state ceremonies launch the holiday programs in the morning, on St. Stephen’s day, August 20. to commemorate the Foundation of the Hungarian State.
The main venues of the state programs are Kossuth Square in front of the Hungarian Parliament, and Heroes’ Square.
Besides the state celebrations, a wide range of other programs welcome visitors both in the morning and in the afternoon ensuring wonderful time for the whole family.
- The celebration starts with the hoisting of the Hungarian national flag on Kossuth Square at 08.00 am.
✈ Air Parade – Banks Of The Danube, August 20, 09.00 – 09.45
Venue: over the Danube at the Parliament
Turn your eyes towards the sky at the riverbank where the Hungarian Defense Forces will perform a spectacular air show with the backdrop of the imposing building starting at 09.00.
Inn Festival /Csárdafesztivál, – Vörösmarty Square, 14.00 – 22.00
- Folk dance performances and concerts, cooking show between 14.00 – 22.00
Vigado Piano – Vigadó Tér, 10.00 – 22.00
- The beautiful, historic Vigadó Hall on the Danube Promenade gives a backdrop to a series of bar music and piano concerts.
Street Of Hungarian Flavours – Várkert Bazaar in Buda
The impressive gastro festival on the river bank in Buda continues on the last day of the St. Stephen’s Day celebrations.
A huge selection of meat dishes, strudel, bread, lángos, chimney cake, lavender products, honey, paprika spice, craft beer, lemonade, pálinka (local fruit distilate) at a scenic venue.
Festival of Folk Arts – Buda Castle, August 20 – 23.
The Festival of Folk Arts in Buda Castle will be still going during the August 20. holiday.
This year the festival will be focusing on the theme of traditional costumes and handmade folk jewelry.
Stage Programs – Holy Trinity Square, August 20:
- 10:00 – 10:15: Morning Welcome with the Virtus Bagpipe Band
- 10:15 – 10:30: “Kirghiz Elechek – The Heart of the Silk Road” – Presentation on the secret of the Kirghiz headdress
- 10:30 – 11:00: The Nádasmenti Bride’s Hair Bun – A demonstration by Gabriella Kiss, a “Young Master of Folk Art”
- 12:00 – 13:00: Gala performance by the “Örökség” (Heritage) National Children and Youth Folk Art Association
- 14:00 – 15:00: From Sunrise to Sunset – Concert by Mária Petrás and her Band
- 15:00 – 15:30: BREAD BLESSING CEREMONY
- 16:30 – 17:30: “folkTrend!” – The tradition is old, the style is new – Modern outfits in the spirit of tradition
- 18:00 – 19:00: Concert by the Tázló Ensemble
- 20:00 – 21:00: Joyful Dance – Dance performance by the Fitos Dezső Company
The Basilica – Holy Mass & Procession of St. Stephen’s Holy Right Hand
The mass will take place in front of the St. Stephen’s Basilica at 17.00.
- Route of the procession: Szent István tér – Zrínyi utca – Október 6. utca – József Attila utca – Széchenyi tér – Zrínyi utca – Szent István tér
👑 Open Day in the Hungarian Parliament – Holy Crown Of King St. Stephen
The Parliament building can be visited without preliminary registration and free of charge from
- 10.00 till 18.00
- Last entry is at 16.00.
You can view the
- Grand Staircase,
- The Holy Crown of St. Stephen, and the
- Dome Hall.
📋 Note: Expect a long queue!
🌾 Blessing of the Bread and Harvest Procession
The blessing of the new bread and a harvest procession
- Starts at 14.30 on Szent György tér in Buda Castle and
- Ends at the statue of St. Stephen (Fishermen’s bastion) with the blessing of the new bread.
Fashion & Design Show – Millenáris Park
Fashion and design related programs continue in the Millenaáris park in Buda.
🚢 Pannonia Heritage Ship – FREE Visit, 10.00 – 18.00
Location: Id. Antall József Rakpart – The Embankment Between The Chain Bridge & Margaret Bridge
The historic ship built in 1927 boasts striking interior that you can visit fre eof charge.
🎸 Tabán (Retro Tabán) – Pop & Rock Concerts
The peaceful, green hills behind Buda Castle, called Tabán will be a venue for concerts by Hungarian retro pop and rock bands.
- 16:30-17:20 – Hauber Zsolt x Bonanza Banzai Concert
- 17:30-18:20 – Exotic concert
- 18:30-20:00 – Első Emelet concert
🎇 Fireworks Display – August 20, 21.00/9 PM – Is it Still Worth Seeing It?
What’s Included in the August 20th Fireworks Show in 2026?
Due to budget cuts the fireworks itself will be 10 minutes long within a 30-minute festive show.
Highlights of the Festive Display:
- ✅ 1,500 drones displaying national motifs over Budapest, along with special decorative lighting on the Chain Bridge and the Margaret Bridge.
- ✅ Fireworks launched from three barges (down from nine last year), across roughly a 1.5-kilometre stretch of the Danube between the two bridges.
- ✅The pyrotechnic show lasts ten minutes, closing with a 2 – 5 minute Bengal fire finale.
The scaled-down budget came about after the original contracts (worth 17.5 billion forint combined) were cancelled in late June due to legal proceedings and frozen bank accounts affecting the contractor, prompting a new, reduced-scope procurement process.
The event series carries the motto “Together we are the story. The celebration belongs to everyone.”
The dazzling show can be seen from numerous points in Budapest, especially the river banks in Pest and Buda. For those on a cruise, you’re in the best seats in the house.
Gliding along the Danube between the two bridges — right in the heart of where it all unfolds — means uninterrupted, panoramic views of the
- Drones, the
- Illuminated bridges, and the
- Fireworks reflecting off the water.
- It’s an atmosphere no riverside vantage point can quite match.
👉 Best Spots to View the Fireworks Show on August 20th:
The Pest and Buda riverbanks are classic spots for fireworks watching, but
- Fisherman’s Bastion,
- Várkert Bazaar, and
- Buda Castle terraces are also popular choices.
- On the Danube embankments between the Petőfibridge and Margaret Bridge
- Any spot from where the Parliament can be seen well: Fishermen’s Bastion in Buda Castle, the Citadel on Gellért Hill provide excellent viewing spots.
- A rooftop bar like the High Note Skybar of the Aria Hotel – offers a 360 degree view of the city (reservation is required).
- Intermezzo Restaurant and Rooftop Terrace of Hotel President in Hold utca (reservation for the dinner & fireworks: +36 1 510 3407)
- Margaret Island – the southern tip, Note: Margaret bridge will be closed off from 18.00 on Sunday and trams 4, 6 won’t stop on the bridge, so get to the island before 18.00. The bridge will be re-opened and tram servcie will be available from around midnight).
For a more exclusive experience, try
- the Philosophers’ Garden (On Map) on Gellért Hill,
- Gül Baba Tomb (address: , Mecset u. 14, Budapest 1023 (On Map),
- Nehru Park, between Petőfi bridge and Liberty Brigde on the Pest riverbank (View on Map), or
📋 Note: Most Danube bridges will be closed since the rockets will be lauched from there: Liberty Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge and Margaret Bridge.
Buda Hills: If You Want Less Crowd
Although the Buda Hills like Normafa or Hármashatár-hegy are a bit far from the city centre there will be less people but it’s still wise to arrive early (1 -1.5 hour before the show).
Normafa Hill :
- Getting there: Take bus 21 from Széll Kálmán tér to Normafa. The bus stop at Normafa is not the terminus anymore, so get off at the Normafai út stop.
- The bus runs every 10 minutes in the evening, and the last departure is at 23:13. The journey takes about 28 minutes.
Árpád Lookout, Hármashatár-hegy:
- Address & Getting There: Glück Frigyes út, Bp 1025 (See on Map)
💡 Local Tip
One of the best venues to enjoy the Fireworks is from a ship on the Danube. You’ll be also treated to a pleasant dinner and live music.
👉 Read more details and browse our list of the Best 8 Fireworks Cruises on the Danube on August 20, 2026.
🕒 Opening Hours Of Shops, Cafes, Baths, Museums
This year St. Stephen’s Day falls on Tuesday. Most shops, markets, services will be closed on both Monday and Tuesday.
The majority of cafes and restaurants – especially in the city centre – are open though.
Most Museums also welcome visitors on the holiday. The thermal baths, lidos are also open:
- Széchenyi Bath: 06.00 – 22.00,
- Rudas Spa: 06.00 – 20.00
📋 Note: Public transportation services operate according to holiday schedule but with the Fireworks and other festivities changes in service – especially trams 2, 2B, and 23 along the Pest riverbank – can be expected.
Most of the bridges in the city centre, Petőfi Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge, Liberty Bridge, Chain Bridge, Margaret Bridge will be closed off all traffic on 20. August between cc. 18.00 – 23.00.
August 20 – Historical Background
Stephen (István in Hungarian, was born in 969. and died in 1038.) was Hungary’s first king and he laid the foundation of the state by converting the nomad and pagan Magyar people (Hungarians) into Christianity.
Foundation of a State
Until the end of the 10th century the seven Hungarian tribes often attacked and robbed Western European nations. After a major defeat in 955, the Hungarian leaders decided to
- give up the raids,
- focus on settling down and
- found a strong state.
István realized that he can only achieve this by converting Hungarians into the Roman Catholic religion.
The Crown of the First King
He received a crown from Pope Sylvester II and became Hungary’s first king in 1000 AD. The Holy Crown has survived the coming centuries and it is now Hungary’s most precious treasure.
You can view the Holy Crown in the Parliament (open day on 20. August)
King Stephen consolidated his power.
He built churches all around the country and invited Catholic priests to help to lay down the foundations of Christianity. István formed new, strict legislations instead of the former pagan rules and took administrative measures to organize the country.
As a result of King Stephen’s efforts, Hungary became a strong state and a protector of Western Europe during the Medieval Ages. Read more about the History of Budapest.
The Holy Right Hand
Stephen was canonized on 20th of August in 1083 and became the patron of Hungary. For the canonization procedure King Stephen’s remains were exhumed.
According to the story his right hand was found as fresh as the day he was buried.
The hand was detached and since then everybody can view our first king’s mummified right in St. Stephen’s Basilica .
20. August became Hungary’s national day and stayed to be until 1945, when Communist leaders prohibited celebrations due to the religious nature of the holiday. In 1990 the Hungarian Parliament declared 20. August national holiday again.
Related:
Sziget Festival – More Budapest Programs in August – Jewish Cultural Festival – Free Mini Concerts – Our Facebook
