Ready for Europe’s biggest fireworks show?! – Programme guide for 18th-20th August

Budapest awaits its visitors between 18-21 August with special series of events to celebrate the founding of the Hungarian state. In addition to the traditional firework display on 20 August, family and children’s programmes, music concerts and traditional Hungarian flavours can be enjoyed in the Hungarian capital.

On the national day of the founding of the state, a four-day-long series of events will take place in the Hungarian capital this year as well. Let’s see what programmes we can attend if we visit Budapest between 18 and 21 August.

18 August

The first day of the programme series starts with a traditional Hungarian Tavern Festival (Csárdafesztivál) in Budapest’s 5th district. Within the framework of the event, the best taverns of the country will gather in the heart of the city centre, on Vörösmarty Square where visitors can enjoy the most popular Hungarian dishes, and get involved in the folklore atmosphere. In addition to folk dance performances, a special folk music festival will take place, combining classic and new traditions for both local and foreign visitors – reported by Programturizmus.com.

Additionally, the St. Stephen’s Day Retrospective Taban – in Budapest’s 1st district – will feature music concerts and performances by popular national and foreign musicians. Among the performers at Retro Tabán are some of the best rock stars of Hungary: Bill Gyula Deák, Feró Nagy and Beatrice, Tamás Hevesi, Ádám Török, Tamás Takács Dirty Blues Band and EDDA band. At the same time, the Road Movie Live at the Technological University’s quayside venue will feature Ivan & the Parazol, Kaukasus, Bohemian Betyars, Hiperkarma and Kelemen Kabátban, all of whom are of interest to younger audiences. At Szabadrét, the best DJs and electronic music will await visitors, while the Utcazene Festival (Street Music Festival) will feature mainly foreign artists.

19 August

On 19 August, the icons of rock and world-famous jazz legends will entertain the audience in Budapest’s 1st district. The Mandoki Soulmates await visitors with an unforgettable concert at Szentháromság Square.

20 August

The celebration on 20 August begins with the flag raising and the St. Stephen’s Day ceremony, followed by the air parade of the Hungarian Defense Forces. Visitors can also watch special military demonstrations and visit an exhibition on Kapistrán Square.

Fans of traditional military technology can admire the Pannonia, built in 1927, along with the iconic Golden Train, originally built in 1938. The Walk of Cities features a spectacular installation of the flags of 348 Hungarian cities, counties and 102 towns of historic Hungary, while the Sports Heroes programme features our nation’s iconic athletes.

The little ones can have fun in the Magic Grove in the City Park, while lovers of folk culture can enjoy the traditional Festival of Crafts. Classical music fans should visit Panorama Classical stage on Gellért Hill, while the Operetta Korzó on Vigadó Square will entertain the audience with special operetta pieces.

Visitors can also enjoy several specialties of Hungarian gastronomy at the Street of Hungarian Flavours, Csárdafesztivál (Tavern Festival) and the Food Truck Show.

This year, the Artists’ Garden will open its doors on Nehru Beach, offering unique musical performances, film screenings and interesting talks for lovers of literature and culture – reported by the Hungarian news portal Turizmus.com.

Following the success of last year’s event, the Fashion & Design Festival will be held again at the Bálna Budapest, where visitors can meet the most prestigious Hungarian designers, and can participate in handicraft workshops and sustainability programmes.

The highlight of this year’s St Stephen’s Day celebrations is the fireworks display on 20 August, the cost of which has already been reported previously. Europe’s biggest fireworks display will take place on the lower and upper quays of Buda and Pest.

21 August

On the last day of the programme series, visitors can travel backwards and forwards in time. They can jump into one of the 5 time capsules set up in the city centre of the Hungarian capital, where they can listen to famous historical figures giving them advice for the present, but also record their own video message for 2023 – reported by Szent István Nap.

Read alsoThese major Hungarian cities cancelled the fireworks on 20th August

Source: programturizmus.com, turizmus.com, szentistvannap.hu