On 20 August, Hungary will celebrate the founding of the state with what the government spokesperson says will be Europe’s largest fireworks display, along with a slate of lively festivities. The celebration commemorates King Saint Stephen (1000–1038) and his father, Grand Prince Géza, who aligned Hungary with Christian Europe through a decades-long transformation. Visitors can again expect beer, wine, pálinka, pretzels, and savoury scones at excellent prices during the Saint Stephen’s Day events.

20 August: The birthday of Hungary

According to a recently published announcement, the Saint Stephen’s Day festivities, running from 16–21 August, will feature a bustling array of programs and value-priced food and drinks. However, these affordable offerings will only be available at SZIN Bistros, including discounted spirits, beers, wines, and food items.

Compared to standard event pricing, many products will cost roughly half or even a third as much at the festival, continuing a trend seen in previous years and likely contributing to the event’s growing popularity among both city and rural residents.

Visitors should be mindful to purchase only items bearing the official Saint Stephen’s Day logo to ensure they are receiving the discounted offerings at SZIN Bistros. Prices listed below include the DRS bottle deposit fee:

• Szentkirályi Mineral Water (0.5 L): 250 HUF/EUR 0.63
• Pepsi (0.5 L): 420 HUF/EUR 1.1
• Pepsi Zero (0.5 L): 420 HUF/EUR 1.1
• Draught Borsodi Beer (0.4 L): 380 HUF/EUR 0.95
• Canned Borsodi Beer (0.5 L): 430 HUF/EUR 1.1
• Streit-Zágonyi Wine (1 dl): 260 HUF/EUR 0.65
• SZIN Rézangyal Premium Sour Cherry Pálinka (4 cl): 850 HUF/EUR 2.1
• SZIN Rézangyal Premium Irsai Olivér Pálinka (4 cl): 850 HUF/EUR 2.1
• SZIN Rézangyal Black Cherry Pálinka (4 cl): 850 HUF/EUR 2.1
• Pirulo Watermelon-Apple Ice Cream (73 ml): 420 HUF/EUR 1.1
• Viennese Pretzel (100 g – Cheese or Seeded): 356 HUF/EUR 0.9
• Cheese Scone (80 g): 275 HUF/EUR 0.7

Six days of events

According to MTI, this year’s Saint Stephen’s Day will bring hundreds of programs spanning 19 locations along both sides of the Danube in Budapest. The celebration’s highlight remains the 20 August fireworks and drone show.

The official state ceremonies begin the morning of 20 August in front of the Hungarian Parliament with the flag-raising ceremony and a formal military oath. Spectators can then enjoy the air show from the Danube banks. The Parliament will be open to visitors free of charge all day, and in the afternoon, a festive mass and the traditional Holy Right procession will take place at St. Stephen’s Basilica. The grand fireworks show—billed as Europe’s largest—will begin at 9 p.m., according to government spokesperson Zoltán Kovács.

No budget cuts for the fireworks

Ferenc Tóth, managing director of NUVU Kft., the company producing the 20 August fireworks, said the 30-minute program will feature 46,000 pyrotechnic effects launched from the Liberty, Elizabeth, and Margaret Bridges, as well as from nine barges and 65 pontoons. The show will once again include light mapping, lasers, and a drone performance.

The six-act presentation continues the historical narrative started last year, with synchronised audio broadcast along the entire 5-kilometre viewing area on the Danube’s banks—from Petőfi Bridge to Margaret Bridge. Ferenc Tóth emphasised that the spectacle will not only be Europe’s largest, but one of the biggest globally, due to both the number of effects and the length of the viewing corridor.

Kovács added that all pyrotechnic devices meet EU safety standards, while communication signals are digitally encrypted and protected against sabotage. The fireworks can also be halted at any time, if necessary.

Additional programs

• Zoltán Mága Gala Concert on 16 August
• Panorama Classical Concert at the Garden of Philosophers
• Szabadrét Festival at Erzsébet Square
• Festival of Folk Crafts at Buda Castle from 17 August
• Hungarian Flavours Street from 17 August, offering samples of the official Saint Stephen’s Day bread, Hungary’s Cake of the Year (more details HERE), the year’s most innovative bread, street pastry, and sugar-free cake
• Magic Grove in City Park starting 19 August
• Creative Festival at Millenáris Park from 19 August
• Family Fun Island on Margaret Island
• Cultural Extravaganza at Liberty Square
• Mándoki Soulmates concert at Trinity Square in Buda Castle on 21 August, closing the celebrations

To read or share this article in Hungarian, click here: Helló Magyar

Read also:

• Check out our photo report about the 2024 Budapest fireworks by clicking HERE.
• Budapest prepares for one of the world’s biggest fireworks shows for 20 August