It’s Revolution Day! Fantastic programs in Hungary this weekend commemorating March 15

On March 15 Hungarians remember the outbreak of the revolution of 1848 which was lead by such national heroes like Lajos Kossuth, István Széchenyi or Ferenc Deák and its demands, like the freedom of the press, independent government or annual national assembly in Pest, were accepted by the Habsburg monarch later. Therefore, there are a lot of programs this weekend; you can even join the famous Hungarian hussars!

Of course, Budapest will serve as the centre for all events with many commemorations and family programs for the national holiday. The main venues will be the Hungarian National Museum‘s Garden, and the Buda Castle and all of them are free.

For tourists, it is important that

shops, markets and services will be closed all day

but Budapest baths (with Sunday opening hours and pricing), downtown cafés and restaurants will be open. Furthermore, regarding transport, services will be less frequent that day.

The official government celebrations start with raising Hungary’s National Flag on Kossuth Square at 9 am. After 9:30 hussars begin marching to the National Museum’s Garden where Viktor Orbán, Hungary’s prime minister will deliver a speech at 10:30. From 11 family programs will start in the garden with folk dance teaching, tasting Hungarian specialities like chimney cake, horse petting and riding on a pony and craft workshops. All exhibitions in the National Museum are

open for the public all day for free.

Though the parliament is closed for visitors on March 15, it will be Open Day on March 16 during which everybody can visit Budapest’s largest and one of the most beautiful buildings for free. There you can see even the crowning jewels including the Holy Crown of Hungary.