August 20 to be the biggest celebration ever – here are the events!

August 20 is Saint Stephen’s Day in Hungary, the celebration of the foundation of the state. Every year, on 20 August, Hungarians celebrate this very important national holiday, and 2021 is going to be the most amazing celebration ever seen on this day in the country.

The events are financed by the state, which aims to support domestic tourism to Budapest, and the wide range of events employs tens of thousands of people, writes Origo. This year, the programs start on 18 August and end on 22 August. Of course, 20 August still is the biggest celebration. The day will start off with traditional state events, and the main attraction will be the fireworks at 9 pm. The firework display is going to take place between Margaret Bridge and Petőfi Bridge, spreading across the sky along a stretch of 4 kilometres. The fireworks will last for 35 minutes, and 40,000 fireworks are going to be used for the effect.

There will be 149 performers, 18 locations, and so many programs it is hard to even count. Looking at the concerts, one can definitely see that the lineup is truly the best. Various artists are coming from the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Portugal, Croatia, and New Zealand. Hungarian music will be represented by some of the most iconic artists and most popular performers.

The Hungarian defence forces are also preparing a parade in Budapest. More than 200 people are going to take their military oath in front of the Parliament on August 20, followed by an air parade that will have never-before-seen elements.

Visitors of the events can also go to the Parliament, as entry will be free on August 20. There, the Saint Crown can be seen. The Hungarian Saint Crown is the oldest coronation crown in Europe. The first king of Hungary, Saint Stephen, after whom August 20 is named Saint Stephen’s Day, was crowned on 25 December 1000.

You can check out the list of programs HERE and the artists HERE. Budapest locations can be seen on this map.

On August 19, a festival will begin at Erzsébet Square, in front of Vigadó, where people can listen to operetta. At Vörösmarty Square, people can listen to Hungarian folk music and enjoy Hungarian cuisine. At Március 15 Square, Hungarian sports heroes will be celebrated. On 20 August, a parade will be organised on Andrássy Avenue where the outstanding personalities of Hungarian history, including St. Stephen, will be presented.

The prices in Budapest are tailored to people, accommodation prices will not go up, and the summer’s popular cooling drink, beer, will only cost 450 forints, i.e. 1.28 euros.

There will be celebrations in the entire country. In Székesfehérvár, the Royal Days started on 13 August and will end on 22 August. On 20 August, the Coronation Festive Games, a festive mass in St. Imre Church, a tribute to the sarcophagus of St. Stephen, a historical parade with giant puppets, the Festive General Assembly, and a “Stephen, the King” concert will await participants, writes programturizmus.hu.

In Esztergom, there are concerts from 13 to 21 August. Tihany has a more modest timeline, from 20 to 22 August. On Saint Stephen’s Day, a theatre play, the consecration of bread, and the festive fireworks will be the most interesting programs. There will be fireworks in Balatonfüred on August 20, 2021, from 22:00.

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Source: Origo, szentistvannap2021.hu, programturizmus.hu