St. Stephen’s Day: 8 exciting events in Budapest

On 20 August, Hungarians celebrate the founding of the state. Mini festivals, exhibitions, concerts, and gastronomic events await visitors in the capital on St Stephen’s Day this year.

Perhaps the biggest spectacle of the national holiday is the traditional fireworks show, which gets more and more expensive every year, but there are also other exciting events to enjoy. Moreover, as reported by DNH here, the government plans to introduce price caps on several products, including canned beer, to provide affordable drinks on the day of the festivities.

The events will start on 17 August and run until 20 August. There will be classical, popular, and folk music concerts, gastronomic experiences, historical performances, and exhibitions, as well as family events across 19 venues at the most iconic locations of Budapest. Blikk collected the most interesting ones.

Csárda Festival on Vörösmarty Square

Between 17 and 20 August, visitors can sample traditional Hungarian cuisine at Vörösmarty Square, at the Csárda (Tavern) Festival. In addition to St. Stephen’s Day bread, people can also get a taste of roasted pig, Hungarian sausages, or lecsó (a Hungarian vegetable ragout or stew with peppers, tomato, and onion). The food will be accompanied by authentic Hungarian folk music and dancing to ensure that spirits are high throughout the whole four days.

Vigadó Piano on Vigadó Square

For three days between 18 and 20 August, visitors to Vigadó Square will be able to listen to piano solos performed by the best Hungarian bar pianists. From French chansons, classics, and American bar music to Hungarian hits, a wide array of songs are to be expected to provide ambience for the scenery along the Danube. The music will be accompanied by drinks, with a wide range of cocktails, wines, and beers on offer.

Golden Train exhibition in Alkotmány Street

From 18 to 20 August, the royal treasures of the Golden Train and the Holy Right will be on display right next to the Parliament. The train is an important Hungarian relic, the original of which was built in 1938 to transport the national relic of the Holy Right (the right hand of King Stephen I) around the territory of Greater Hungary. Although the train was destroyed in the Second World War, it was authentically rebuilt and is now part of the 20 August festivities.