Saint Stephen's Day

Saint Stephen's Day

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  1. 1000Stephen I crowned first King of Hungary — Hungary becomes a Christian kingdom
  2. 1241Mongol invasion devastates Hungary
  3. 1991Hungary becomes a republic after end of communist rule

Why Hungary celebrates 20 August

Hungary celebrates St Stephen's Day on 20 August — the feast day of King Stephen I, the founder of the Christian Kingdom of Hungary who was canonised in 1083. Stephen was crowned on Christmas Day 1000 AD after receiving a crown from Pope Sylvester II, and he spent his reign Christianising Hungary, establishing its administrative structure and orienting it toward western Christendom.

The date of 20 August is traditionally associated with Stephen's canonisation and with the translation of his remains to Buda. The Holy Crown of Hungary and his right hand — the "Holy Right" — are national relics of the greatest significance. The Holy Right procession through Budapest on 20 August is one of the most important Catholic ceremonies in Hungary.

St Stephen's Day coincides with the foundation of the Hungarian state and is the country's most important national holiday — more significant than the other national holidays of 15 March and 23 October. The celebrations include a massive fireworks display over the Danube River, the Bridge Festival, the Holy Right procession and the Budapest Formula 1 Grand Prix usually falls nearby.

  1. 202620 August 2026 · Thursday
  2. 202720 August 2027 · Friday
  3. 202820 August 2028 · Sunday
The Hungarian flag
Hungary flag

The Hungarian flag has three equal horizontal bands of red, white and green. The colours have been used in Hungary since the 13th century and were officially adopted during the 1848 Revolution. Red represents strength and blood, white symbolises faithfulness and the Carpathian Mountains, and green represents hope and the agricultural lands of Hungary.

Hungarian cuisine is rich, bold and paprika-driven — one of the most distinctive national food cultures in Europe. Gulyás, lángos and palinka define a kitchen shaped by the Great Plain, the Ottoman occupation and Austro-Hungarian refinement.

What to eat

GulyásRich beef and paprika soup-stew — cooked in a cauldron over open fire, the most iconic dish of Hungary.
LángosDeep-fried dough topped with sour cream and grated cheese — the essential Hungarian street food.
HalászléFisherman's hot paprika soup from the Danube and Tisza rivers — intensely spiced and flavourful.
Töltött káposztaCabbage rolls stuffed with pork and rice in a tomato-sauerkraut sauce — a Hungarian celebration staple.
KürtőskalácsChimney cake — dough wrapped around a spit, grilled until caramelised with sugar and walnuts.
Dobos torteLayered sponge cake with chocolate buttercream and a caramel top — Budapest's most celebrated cake.

What to drink

Tokaji AszúHungary's legendary sweet wine from the Tokaj region — described by Louis XIV as "the wine of kings".
PálinkaHungarian fruit brandy — apricot, plum and pear varieties are the most beloved traditional spirits.
UnicumBitter herbal digestif from the Zwack family — bitter, complex and drunk after a heavy Hungarian meal.
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Hungary culture

Hungarian culture is defined by thermal baths, the Danube cityscape, paprika, classical music and a fierce national pride shaped by repeated historical trauma — the Mongol invasion, Ottoman occupation, Habsburg rule, World War I losses and Soviet occupation.

Budapest thermal bathsBudapest sits on over 120 thermal springs — Széchenyi, Gellért and Rudas baths are architectural wonders.
Danube fireworksThe 20 August fireworks display over the Danube is one of the largest in Europe — watched by over a million people.
Holy Right processionThe preserved right hand of Saint Stephen is carried through central Budapest in a solemn Catholic procession.
Liszt and Bartók musicHungary has produced two of classical music's giants — performed at concert halls in Budapest and worldwide.