St. Stephen's Day 2025: A Six-Day Celebration to Mark the Foundation of the Hungarian State
Budapest, July 31, 2025 – Between August 16 and 21, Budapest will dress in festive attire as the city hosts a six-day celebration for St. Stephen’s Day, commemorating the founding of the Hungarian state. Nearly twenty locations across the capital will offer a wide range of programs: concerts across various genres for different audiences, family-friendly and creative activities, culinary experiences, and the debut tasting of the St. Stephen’s Day bread and Hungary’s Cake of the Year. The event series is organized by the National Event Management Agency Nonprofit Ltd.
August 20 is one of the most important days for Hungarians each year: the celebration of statehood reminds us of our traditions, the importance of unity, and patriotism. This year, the St. Stephen’s Day series of events will span six days, from August 16 to 21. Across the diverse venues, visitors will have the chance not only to relax but also to taste traditional Hungarian dishes, attend cultural performances, watch heritage demonstrations, and enjoy programs for children. Event details were presented during a press conference by the organizers and the event’s ambassadors.
As has become tradition, on August 20 Hungary will honor its thousand-year-old history with a military officer inauguration ceremony, a flag-raising event, and an air show. In the evening, visitors can enjoy Europe’s largest fireworks and drone show, “The Game of Fire and Lights.”
The festivities begin already on Saturday, August 16, with a gala concert by Zoltán Mága in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica. Retro Tabán will host performances by Csaba Abaházi and his band, Beatrice, and a tribute concert by Korál in memory of Fecó Balázs. Classical music lovers can enjoy Panorama Classical in the Philosophers’ Garden, which features orchestral performances, collaborative music-making, film music medleys, and modern song analyses. During the week, other legendary acts such as Robi Szikora and R-GO, Neoton, and Bikini will also perform at Tabán. The Szabadrét Festival on Erzsébet Square will cater to fans of electronic music, while the Csárdafesztivál, also opening on August 16, will welcome guests with folk traditions and delicious Hungarian cuisine.
On August 17, the Festival of Folk Arts joins the celebration, showcasing traditional crafts and communities, with a focus this year on folk costumes and jewelry. Visitors can explore the works of nearly 1,000 artisans, fashion shows, performances, and stage programs.
On August 18, Vigadó Piano opens, featuring a salon music program with hits from the 1920s to today, and performances by Andrea Szulák and Andrea Malek. This day also sees the opening of the Artist Garden at Millenáris Park and the Street of Hungarian Flavors at Várkert Bazár, where visitors can sample the winning bread from the 2025 St. Stephen’s Day Bread Competition – the Pajta Bread. Starting August 19, the Cake of Hungary – called DCJ Style Exercise – will also be available for tasting, along with the Innovative Bread of the Year (Mediterranean Bread), the Walking Dessert (August Dream), and the Sugar-Free Cake of the Year (Dreamer).
Starting August 19, families will enjoy the Magic Grove, with this year’s theme focusing on Süsü, the famous one-headed dragon. Visitors can meet Gyula Bodrogi, the voice of Süsü. The Creative Festival, formerly known as the Fashion & Design Festival, will reopen at Millenáris Park with an even broader lineup. The Road Movie Live concert will feature Irie Maffia and Margaret Island. New venues will also debut: the Family Fun Island on Margaret Island and ‘KultúrKavalkád‘ at Liberty Square. Along the Path of Heroes, visitors can relive major moments of Hungarian history through reenactments by traditionalist groups and actors.
Naturally, August 20 will be the peak of the festivities, with most venues open to the public and a full schedule of programs.
The St. Stephen’s Day celebration will conclude with a grand concert on August 21: the Mandoki Soulmates will perform in Trinity Square with a spectacular show celebrating freedom. Full program details, as well as information about performers and events, can be found on the continuously updated official website szentistvannap.hu and in the event’s official mobile app.
