All Saints’ Day: Special opening hours for shops and cemeteries announced!
This year, All Saints’ Day, traditionally held on the 1st of November, falls on a Friday. This date creates a unique opportunity for workers, as those with standard working hours will enjoy an extended weekend from Friday through to Sunday. Since All Saints’ Day has been a public holiday since 2000, many people eagerly anticipate this opportunity to spend a long weekend with family and friends.
All Saints’ Day is a significant Christian holiday dedicated to honouring the souls of the saved. Celebrated on the 1st of November, it symbolises the Church’s triumph and highlights the diverse roles within the Christian community: the living represent the Church Militant, the departed in purgation represent the Church Suffering, and the saints embody the Church Triumphant. This observance originated in 741 under Pope Gregory III and was officially recognised by Pope Gregory IV in 835, securing its place in the Christian liturgical calendar.
All Saints’ Day also allows people to visit cemeteries, remember loved ones, and participate in various ceremonies. Detailed information on cemetery opening hours is available on the official websites of local authorities and municipalities, as well as on notice boards at cemetery entrances.
Opening hours and transport changes on All Saints’ Day
According to the latest updates from the Budapest Public Utilities BTI Cemetery Division, cemeteries maintained by the capital—such as the New Public Cemetery, Óbuda Cemetery, Budafok Cemetery, and Csepel Cemetery—will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the 31st of October, and from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. from the 1st to the 3rd of November. It is recommended that visitors plan their trips in advance to ensure a dignified commemoration of their loved ones. In rural towns like Kecskemét and Debrecen, extended opening hours will also be observed to accommodate the commemorations.
More detailed information on cemetery opening hours can be found on the official websites of local authorities and municipalities, as well as on notice boards at cemetery entrances.
On the Thursday before the holiday, 31st October, shops will remain open as usual. However, on All Saints’ Day itself, most major chains and convenience stores will be closed, with a few exceptions, including some 24-hour convenience stores, tobacconists, and petrol stations. On Saturday, the Day of the Dead, and on Sunday, shops will resume their usual weekend hours.
The Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) will introduce special services and adjusted timetables during the holiday period to facilitate cemetery access. From the 1st to the 3rd of November, traffic around the New Public Cemetery will be modified to one-way on Sírkert út. Visitors are encouraged to use public transport, and the BudapestGO app will be available to help plan their journeys. During the autumn break from the 28th to the 31st of October, a school holiday timetable will be in effect, with holiday and Sunday services operating on the 1st of November.
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