St Stephen's Day: air show, fireworks and a week of free city programmes
Thu 20 Aug, 21:00 · Danube riverbanks between Petofi Bridge and Margaret Bridge, plus Buda Castle, Varkert Bazar, Taban and the Danube Promenade, Budapest · Budapest
Details & booking — VisitHungary - Hungarian Tourism Agency (official)
via VisitHungary - Hungarian Tourism Agency (official) · Checked 11 Aug 2026
About this event
Hungary's national day takes over Budapest for a week, with hundreds of free concerts, folk performances, craft demonstrations and family programmes at close to twenty locations including Buda Castle and the Varkert Bazar. The 20th brings a morning flight parade along the river and, at nine in the evening, a fireworks and drone display over the Danube.
Why we picked it
The largest free public celebration in Central Europe this month and the obvious anchor for anyone in Budapest in mid-August - worth planning a trip around.
Free entry
Festival-week programmes are described as free of charge by the national tourism agency; the air show and fireworks are open-air public events with no admission charge.
Registration
Registration needed
None for public viewing areas. Paid riverside grandstand seating sold by third parties exists but is not part of the free offer.
A third-party event from official public listings, checked by Glentio. Programmes can change — confirm on the organiser's site.
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Free events we found in Budapest from official city and venue listings. Tap an event for details — booking happens on the organiser's own site.
