March 15 in Budapest: events, speeches and transport changes for visitors

Hungary marks 15 March (Saturday) as its national day commemorating the 1848–49 Revolution and War of Independence, and Budapest will host a packed programme of official ceremonies, concerts and family events. Many programmes are free, but visitors should plan carefully: the biggest events bring major road closures and public transport diversions across the city centre.

Below is a practical, visitor-friendly guide to what’s happening and how to get around — including the state ceremony at Parliament and a large opposition march and speech later in the day.

If you want to know more about Hungary’s National Day: What do Hungarians celebrate on 15 March?

State ceremony at Kossuth Square: flag-raising, speeches and a concert

The main state programme starts early on 15 March at 7:30 am with a ceremonial flag-raising at Kossuth Lajos Square (outside the Hungarian Parliament).

The central state event begins at 1:00 pm, also at Kossuth Square, where Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is scheduled to deliver a speech. The programme is planned as a major public event with a stage show and musical performances.

The afternoon includes the Open Parliament programme: between 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm, visitors can enter the Parliament building free of charge to see interior spaces and national relics.

A large stage programme is also planned at Kossuth Square, with the Cantemus Choir performing the national anthem. The musical line-up includes popular Hungarian performers such as Dér Heni, Gigi Radics, Attila Pataky, Curtis, Joci Pápai and Tamás Takáts, alongside ceremonial readings and political speeches.

Opposition march and speech: “Rendszerváltó March 15” with Péter Magyar

After the state ceremony, another major event is expected to affect central Budapest’s traffic and public transport.

Opposition politician Péter Magyar has announced a large march and rally branded as “Rendszerváltó March 15” (“Regime-changing March 15”). According to the call, the event starts at 2:00 pm, with participants gathering at Deák Ferenc Square and marching along Andrássy Avenue to Heroes’ Square, where a speech is planned.

In his message, Péter Magyar urged people to fill Andrássy Avenue and Heroes’ Square on the national holiday, calling it the biggest “National March” so far and encouraging a turnout of “several hundred thousand”.

For visitors, the key point is practical: Andrássy Avenue is already scheduled to be closed for the holiday weekend, and the march route runs directly through a central area where closures and diversions are likely to be tightened during the rally.

Museum lights, family activities and heritage walks

Budapest’s historic venues will also offer a lighter, family-friendly programme over the holiday weekend:

• The Hungarian National Museum will feature projection mapping on the façade on 14 and 15 March from 5:30 pm, and run free family programmes on 15 March from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
• Várkert Bazár is set to host an all-day free event, with craft workshops, interactive games and 1848-themed demonstrations.
• For those who prefer something more active, free Castle District history walks are planned, starting from the De la Motte–Beer Palace and visiting key sites linked to the revolution.

How to get around: expect closures, use the metro if you can

The simplest advice for visitors on 15 March: avoid driving. With multiple closures in central Budapest, the metro is usually the fastest option, though some stations may close temporarily for security reasons.