To mark its founding day on August 20, Hungary will organise Europe’s grandest fireworks show, which will also be one of the largest fireworks extravaganzas in the world. 

In a press statement, the national tourism board Visit Hungary says that these celebrations mark the founding of the country and the feast of Hungary’s first king Saint Stephen of the Arpad House. 

St Stephen’s Day is one of the most important events in Hungary in terms of interest and participation numbers. Accordingly, hundreds of programmes will be held in 19 locations across Hungary. 

The statement adds that the pyrotechnic extravaganza will run 5 km from Petofi Bridge north to the southern third of Margaret Island. Visitors will enjoy an almost identical view from either bank of the Danube River and there will also be a light show on the Parliament building. 

The tourism board says that 45,530 separate pyrotechnic effects will be visible, launched from three Danube bridges, Liberty, Elisabeth and Margaret Bridge, requiring 300 km of electric wires. 

It adds that Stephen’s Day is one of the most important events in Hungary in terms of interest and participation numbers. August 20 is not only the country’s birthday but has grown into a series of festivals and events reflecting the circumstances of the past 14 years. 

The pull of primarily Budapest and Lake Balaton has resulted in never-seen domestic holidaymakers and foreign tourists visiting Hungary

The tourism board anticipates that the 2019 attendance record will be broken, as this year’s numbers are expected to surpass the turnout for the last pre-Covid August 20 celebrations. 

The pull of primarily Budapest and Lake Balaton has resulted in never-seen domestic holidaymakers and foreign tourists visiting Hungary. Those visiting this country enjoy warm hospitality and high quality. 

Visit Hungary says that an ‘enticing cuisine’ will be offered at the Csárda Festival in the city centre on the Pest side. On the Buda side between the Chain Bridge and Dobrentei Square, Hungarian Flavours Street will have the best dishes from the Carpathian Basin with a chance to taste this year’s national bread and national cakes. 

Many programmes will be offered for families, such as the Holy Right Golden train exhibit on Alkotmany Street. This year again, the Pannonia ship will be open to the public during the celebration weekend. 

The Festival of Folk Arts, one of the country’s largest folk crafts festivals, will evoke the atmosphere of the fairs of yesteryear in the Buda Castle district. 

For those interested in military history, the Heroes’ Way on the Toth Arpad Promenade on Buda Castle Hill is recommended. In addition, Millenaris Park will be transformed into an artists’ garden for the weekend, where fashion and design will take centre stage.

Varazsliget, a city park in Budapest, will also offer a wide range of activities for families, where the little ones can peek into King Stephen’s courtyard and enrol in the Prince and Princess Training School. Visitors to the festivities can purchase food and drinks at reasonable prices at the venues.