17/08/2026
August 20th in Budapest: Hungary's National Day, four days of celebration
If you're in Budapest this week, August 20th is the day to be here. It's Hungary's most important national holiday, marking the founding of the state — and this year's celebrations, themed "A thousand years together in Europe," run from August 19th to 22nd across 11 locations in the city, with over 100 free programs.
Here's how the main day unfolds:
🕗 8:00 — Flag-raising ceremony and military officer inauguration at Kossuth Square, in front of Parliament
🕘 9:00–10:00 — Air show over the Danube, best viewed from the Buda and Pest embankments
🍞 All day — Hungarian Flavours Street at Várkert Bazár, with traditional crafts and this year's "Bread of the Nation" and "Cake of the Nation"
🔨 All day — Craft Festival at Buda Castle, with Hungarian and international artisans demonstrating pottery, woodcarving, blacksmithing and more
🕖 19:00 — Holy Right Hand Procession at St. Stephen's Basilica, one of Hungary's oldest religious traditions
🌃 21:00 — The evening's centerpiece: a 30-minute audiovisual show over the Danube combining light projection and drones to tell the story of Hungary, closing with a shorter fireworks display
✨ Late evening — Light projections continue on Parliament and Chain Bridge
Families should head to Margaret Island for the two-day "Adventure Island" program, concerts, and a new international light art exhibition in the Rose Garden, featuring large-scale, partly interactive installations by Hungarian and international artists.
For those who want to keep dancing after the fireworks, three spots stay lively into the night: electronic music on Műegyetem embankment (with international names like Nina Kraviz, Carl Craig and Modeselektor), a disco at Kossuth Square for all ages, and live Hungarian music on Margaret Island.
History lovers can also visit Parliament free of charge during the holiday period, without registration.
Getting there: public transport is strongly recommended, as central streets and bridges will see significant closures — check augusztus20.hu for the detailed transit guide.
Have you experienced August 20th in Budapest before? Tell us your favourite spot to watch the show. 🎆
Photo: Augusztus 20. - A Nemzet Ünnepe
