If you are traveling to Budapest during the month of August 2024, you must not miss the Budapest Fireworks on 20th of August.
Budapest 20 August fireworks are the biggest celebrations in Hungary, and this is the best day to see the way Hungarian are celebrating their National Day.The best shows in different cities of Hungary happen on this special day.
Although some people think that celebrating new year in Budapest will come with huge fireworks, this is true to a certain extent, but not really.
Fireworks in Budapest on August 20 are huge as they are sponsored and arranged by the Hungarian Government.
If you are visiting Hungary in August, the best places to stay near the fireworks are
While you should reserve your time for fireworks at night in Budapest, you can explore the following day activities.
On the other hand, at New year, there is no arrangement by the government and most of the limited fireworks are by visitors or locals and on a limited scale.
Fireworks in Hungary 2024
Every year, the fireworks in Hungary can be seen on two days during the night. Therefore, if you are interested in watching the best fireworks in Hungary. You should visit Hungary on following dates.
- 20th August | St Stephen Day Hungary
- 31st December | New years eve Hungary
In 2024, the August fireworks are worth waiting for,if you are planning to visit Hungary.
St Stephen’s day Hungary 2024
St Stephen’s day in Hungary is celebrated on 20th of August. Hungarian word “Saint” is “Szent”, and “Stephen” is called “Istvan” in Hungarian. Hence, the Hungarian word for Saint Stephen’s day is Szent Istvan Nap.
August 20 is a special date in Hungarian history, as it’s associated with St Stephen, also known as Szent Istvan in Hungarian.
Szent Istvan was the first King of Hungary and considered to be the one who put the basis of Kingdom of Hungary.
Another name of Saint Stephens’s day in Hungary is Foundation Day. Local Hungarians also have been calling this day as “the day of the new bread” because they are celebrating the starting of harvesting season.You will find many events having a bread cutting ceremony in Budapest during 18,19 and specially 20th of August.
Majority of the events associated with “The Day of the Bread” have a lot of food with folk,jazz and electric music,hence,not be missed.
Where is St Stephen’s day 2024 celebrated in Budapest
Watching the parliament fireworks in Budapest are not the only thing to do when you are visiting in August. There are whole day celebration from 10:00 to 20:00 all around Budapest in the form of concerts and exhibitions.
If you are in Budapest in August 2024 during the dates 18,19 and 20, you will have lot of fun and options to visit even during the day,as many venues have been reserved for fun activities in Budapest.There are around 15+ venues in Budapest different areas where you can visit to enjoy your day on 19 and 20th of August in Budapest 2024.
Following are the key places to visit on 19th and 20th of August to be part of St Stephen day Budapest celebrations and events.
- 1051 Budapest, Erzsébet square
- Gellért Hill, Gruber József Reservoir, Philosophers’ Garden
- 1051 Szent István square 1.
- 1014 Budapest, Szentháromság tér
- 1055 Budapest, Hungarian Parliament Building
- 1055 Budapest, Kossuth square
- 1024 Budapest, Exhibition Hall
- Street of Hungarian Flavours
- Hősök Útja,1014 Budapest, Tóth Árpád promenade
- 1111 Budapest, Műegyetem rakpart (Műegyetem quay)
- 1016 Budapest, Tabán
- St Stephen’s Hall visitation on the Castle Disctrict
- Pesti és budai alsó-és felső rakpart
- 1051 Budapest, Vörösmarty square
- 1051 Budapest, Erzsébet square
- 1146 Budapest, Városliget, Vajdahunyad vára (City Park, Vajdahunyad Castle)
Budapest National Day
St Stephen Day celebrated on 20th of August is one of the 3 most prominent holidays in Hungary. The other two national days in Hungary are 15th of March and 23th of October.
On all the national holidays,you will notice that Hungarians are bringing out their national flags and erecting them in front of their apartment buildings. However, the biggest celebrations in Hungary are observed on the Saint Stephen Day.
Budapest events august 2024
In 2024, there are 2 main events happening in Budapest. Therefore, if you happen to visit Budapest in August 2024,do not skip any of the mentioned events.
- Sziget Festival 2024
- Budapest Saint Stevens Day Celebrations 2024
Best Budapest Events on 20th of August
If you happen to be in Budapest on 20th of August, following are the list of events that you can visit,in any part of the city.
Aside from the fireworks which happen at night. There are many other activities that you can do ,while you do not have much info about upcoming events in Hungary.
| Event Name | Location | Time on Aug 20 |
| Saint Stephen’s Day Ceremony and inauguration of military officers | 1055 Budapest, Kossuth square | 8:00 to 8:40 |
| Air Parade | Pesti és budai alsó-és felső rakpart | 9:00 to 10:00 |
| Promenade of Cities | 1055 Budapest, Hungarian Parliament Building | 09:00 – 20:00 |
| Exhibition of the Holy Right Hand and the Golden Train | 1055 Budapest, Hungarian Parliament Building | 08:00 – 23:00 |
| Circus Playhouse | 1146 Budapest, Városliget, Vajdahunyad vára (City Park, Vajdahunyad Castle) | 10:00 – 18:00 |
| Pom Pom children’s craft activity | 1146 Budapest, Városliget, Vajdahunyad vára (City Park, Vajdahunyad Castle) | 10:00 – 18:00 |
| Visit to St. Stephen’s Hall – A wonder of Buda Castle | St Stephen’s Hall visitation on the Castle Disctrict | 10:00 – 16:00 |
| Pannonia boat exhibition | 1055 Budapest, Hungarian Parliament Building | 10:00 – 18:00 |
| Divat & Design Festival | 1024 Budapest, Exhibition Hall | 10:00 – 18:00 |
| UV face and body painting | 1051 Budapest, Erzsébet square | 14:00 – 20:00 |
| “folkTrend!” Fashion Show | 1014 Budapest, Szentháromság tér | 16:30 – 17:30 |
| Saint Stephen’s Day Breads Ceremony | Street of Hungarian Flavours | 18:00 – 18:20 |
| Concert of the Central Orchestra of the Hungarian Defense Forces | Gellért Hill, Gruber József Reservoir, Philosophers’ Garden | 19:00 – 20:15 |
| Procession of the Holy Right Hand | 1051 Szent István square 1. | 17:00 – 19:00 |
| Taverns – dialects | 1051 Budapest, Vörösmarty square | 18:00 – 20:00 |
| “Örökség” | 1014 Budapest, Szentháromság tér | 18:00 – 19:00 |
| Fire and lights | Pesti és budai alsó-és felső rakpart | 21:00 – 21:30 |
St Stephen’s day Budapest 2024
If you happen to visit Budapest on St Stephen’s day, you are going to have an excellent day as the whole city will be full of events involving music,drinking,eating,dancing,singing and enjoying the traditional Hungarian art shows.
Although Saint Stephen Day in Hungary is celebrated on 20th of August but the celebrations of St Stephen day in Budapest are held for two days. The celebration events for St Stephens day Budapest are held on 19th and 20th of August.
The programs for Budapest St Stephen’s day are held at many locations,hence, you just need to ensure that you are out in the city and the noise in the air will take you to the nearest celebration event.
Budapest 20 August 2024
August 20 in 2024 will not be an ordinary day in Budapest,in fact, you will notice if you just explore the city of Budapest on this day.This could be one of the most happening and memorable day for you.
On this day, Hungarians celebrate their oldest national holiday which is associated with the Birth of Hungary as a Country.
Although among foreigners, the main attraction associated with 20th August is just the fireworks,but in reality,there are diverse kinds of shows happening all around the city.
There are guard parades,speeches,air shoes along Danube, folk shows, open concerts and many programs for the families.
The good thing is that the celebration of 20th August even starts one day earlier.i.e. 19th of August.
How big are the fireworks on St Stephen’s Day?
The concerned authority have always stated that there will be “gigantic fireworks show” and it’s an occasion that should not be missed.
One of the reasons is that, in 2020, Hungary went through a strict lock down and Scene Stephen’s Day Celebrations were cancelled.
Hence, in 2024, the celebrations of St Stephens Day in Budapest are planned to be held like pre-covid era.
Where will be the fireworks for St Stephen’s Day held?
The fireworks show for 2024 St Stephen’s day will be held between Petofi Bridge and the Margaret Bridge.
St Stephen fireworks will be launched through the boats in the Danube, over 50 barges along the bridges and multiple ground locations along the Danube river.
The distance between these two bridges is around 5 KM, which is around 1-hour walk.You can stand anywhere along the Danube,but make sure there is no building between you and Danube.
If you want to drop your luggage in a locker, do check RadicalStorage,where you can plan to drop your luggage in advance.Make sure you have your Budapest accommodation closer to Danube between the Budapest bridges.
What time are the Budapest fireworks starting?
Fireworks for the St. Stephen’s day start at 9 pm on each 20th August.
This has been the regular time when these start, as in summer the sunset in Budapest happens around 8 pm, and it takes sometime for the sky to be complete dark.
Fireworks continue for 15 mins, and after a few minutes break, start again for 15 minutes.
In total, the duration of Fireworks for St Stephen’s day is around 30 to 35 mins.
If you are arriving to Budapest on St Stephen’s day,i.e. 20th of August, coming via 100E can be challenging. You can book your airport transfers using KiwiTaxi.
How is the environment for Fireworks for St Stephen’s Day
Celebrations of St Stephen’s day for the fireworks start early in the evening, when all the roads along the Danube between Margaret Bridge and Petofi Bridge are closed for normal traffic.
It is one of the day when biggest crowd comes out at the streets of Hungary.
People are stacked up to 50 feet from the Danube river.
There are families, couples, friends, infants and visitors who are standing in peace to wait for the fireworks to start.
All in all, it’s a great, peaceful environment to watch the fireworks, where you can come with your near and dear ones, despite the fact that there are all type of people visiting.
Although it does not operate after 6 pm, you can drop off near an ideal place closer to Danube and explore around,until fireworks start.
What are best places to see fireworks in Budapest?
On St Stephan’s day, there are numerous places where fireworks can be watched, however, you need to stay closer to the banks of the Danube river.
As all the bridges will be closed for normal public due to fireworks related preparations.
You can stand on either side of the following bridges to see the fireworks.
- Chain Bridge(Lions Bridge Budapest)
- Liberty Bridge(Green Bridge Budapest)
- Budapest Margaret Bridge(The bridge next to Margaret Island)
You can also visit Gellert hill or Buda Castle to have a bird’s eye view of the fireworks celebrations.
Some hotels along the Danube, closer to chain bridge, do have reservations available to see the fireworks.
If you have any friend whose apartment is along the Danube, that can be a perfect place as well to see the fireworks.
Pre-cautions for Watching Fireworks
There will be lot of people along the Danube when the fireworks take place on 20th of August in Budapest,hence,you must take care of your belongings as there can be pick pockets.
It is better to find a place along the river where you can sit and relax, and have direct sight of the Danube to have a better view of fireworks.
Do take with yourself snacks and water, as the public transport along the river is not operational. Also make sure if you are traveling with kids,make sure to keep them with you.
It is definitely not recommended to come to Budapest fireworks by car,as street parking is only allowed for max 3 hours.Additionally many roads will be closed on 19 and 20 August,hence, if you are coming by car, ensure that your car parking is at a place where you can easily navigate due to heavy crowds.
Although there is arrangement of public toilets, but sometimes it can be challenging to find one with less rush.
As Fireworks in Budapest at St Stephen’s Day are continuously played for half an hour and are pretty safe, but it is advisable to book a travel insurance for Budapest trip.
Is it free to watch fireworks on St Stephen’s Day?
Fireworks in Budapest on St Stephen’s day are free to watch.
You don’t need to buy any tickets or subscription to watch the fireworks while standing on the Danube Bank.
However, if you would like to have a VIP place in a hotel or a restaurant, there are definitely such places where you need to spend money to have a hassle-free environment.
Is Budapest public transport operational at St Stephens Day?
The public transport is operational in Budapest on most part of the city on St Stephens Day.e.g. Underground metros are fully operational.
However, certain routes of buses may change, therefore, you have to check that the destination where you plan to go, is accessible via public transport.
Also keep in mind that, it is so much crowded in the trains that you may need to wait for half hour or more after the fireworks in order to travel back to your accommodation.
St Stephens Day Budapest trip planing
If are coming to Budapest via Air on St Stephens Day, do check in advance the ticket prices on OMIO as ticket prices are pretty expansive when booked few days before travel.
As Budapest is part of Europe and train travel is pretty comfortable, you can reach Budapest at Keleti Railway Station which is 30 mins away to the St Stephens Day fireworks places.
