"Tűz és Fények játéka" – St Stephen's Day Fireworks over the Danube
Thu 20 Aug, 21:00 · Danube embankments, upper and lower quays on both banks, Budapest · Budapest
via GoTravel.hu (Hungarian programme guide, citing the official Szent István Nap programme) · Checked 30 Jul 2026
About this event
Billed as Europe's largest fireworks display, the half-hour "Play of Fire and Lights" is fired from barges and bridges along the Danube and synchronised with projections onto Parliament, Gellért Hill and the National Gallery. Hundreds of thousands watch from the quays. Public transport is reorganised for the night and the embankments close to cars well in advance.
Why we picked it
The single biggest free event in the Central European calendar, and the reason to be in Budapest on 20 August.
Free entry
Free to watch from the public embankments and bridges; some venues sell paid grandstand or terrace seating separately.
Registration
None
A third-party event from official public listings, checked by Glentio. Programmes can change — confirm on the organiser's site.
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