Public holidays in Hungary


A number of public holidays and special events take place each year in Hungary.

Fixed public holidays

Article J of the Constitution of Hungary on national holidays

The national holidays of Hungary shall be:
a) the 15th day of March, in memory of the 1848–49 Revolution and War of Independence,
b) the 20th day of August, in memory of the state's founding and its founder King Saint Stephen,
c) the 23rd day of October, in memory of the 1956 Revolution and War of Independence.
The official state holiday shall be the 20th day of August.
Source:

List of public holidays

Remembrance days endorsed by the state

Remembrance Days are working days in Hungary.
DateEnglish nameLocal nameRemarks
1 FebruaryMemorial Day of the RepublicA köztársaság emléknapjaCommemorating the law on the proclamation of the republic in 1946, memorial day since 2006.
25 FebruaryMemorial Day for the Victims of the Communist DictatorshipsA kommunista diktatúrák áldozatainak emléknapjaOn this day in 1947 Béla Kovács, Secretary-General of the Independent Smallholders' Party was arrested and deported to the Soviet Union. Memorial day since 2000, commemorations are held in high schools.
16 AprilMemorial Day for the Victims of the HolocaustA holokauszt áldozatainak emléknapjaOn this day in 1944 the Jews of Subcarpathia were rounded up and forced into ghettos. Memorial day since 2001, commemorations are held in high schools.
21 MayNational Defense DayHonvédelmi napBattle of Buda
4 JuneDay of National UnityA nemzeti összetartozás napjaCommemorating the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Trianon, when the Kingdom of Hungary lost 72% of its territory. National memorial day since 2010.
19 JuneIndependent Hungary DayA független Magyarország napjaCommemorating the execution of the martyrs of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, and the anniversary of the end of the Soviet occupation of Hungary. Memorial day since 2001.
6 OctoberMemorial Day for the Martyrs of AradAz aradi vértanúk emléknapjaCommemorating the anniversary of the 1849 execution of the 13 Martyrs of Arad after the defeat of the Hungarian Independence War. National memorial day, commemorations are held in primary and high schools.

Holidays not endorsed by the state

DateEnglish NameLocal NameRemarks
8 MarchInternational Women's DayNemzetközi nőnapWomen get flowers and gifts from their employers and schoolchildren often bring gifts for their teachers.
4 AprilLiberation DayFelszabadítási NapDuring World War II in Hungary, the Soviet Red Army liberated Hungary from the Nazi German regime. Was celebrated until 1989
7 NovemberGreat October Socialist RevolutionNagy októberi szocialista forradalomThroughout the existence of Communist rule in Hungary, the country celebrated the Russian Socialist Revolution commemorating the 1917 uprising by the Bolsheviks led by Vladimir Lenin. Celebrated simultaneously with the Soviet Union.
6 DecemberSanta Claus, Saint Nicholas DayMikulás, TélapóOn this day, Hungarian children polish their boots and put them in the window. Mikulás comes in the night and fills them with chocolates and/or small presents. If they were bad, they might get sticks instead.
31 DecemberNew Year's EveSzilveszterYoung people go partying until morning. Streets are noisy with paper trumpets, hoots and the pop of champagne corks; people often wear masks and throw petards. Those who stay home usually watch comedies made for the occasion; at midnight they drink champagne and wish each other good luck for the new year. All Hungarian radio & television channels broadcast the national anthem at midnight, and then the President's speech. Firework displays are common. The next day streets are empty, and people sleep late. Lentils are eaten, symbolising coins for good luck.
MoveableCarnivalFarsangA six-day regional carnival, originally celebrated by the Šokci living in the town of Mohács. Traditions include folk music, masquerading, parades and dancing.

Special events

Hungary's most notable annual events include the Budapest Spring Festival, Hortobágy Equestrian Days, Sopron Early Music Days, Festival in Budapest, Miskolc Opera Festival, Miskolc Kalálka International Folk Festival, Győr Summer Festival, Győr Summer Cultural Festival, Pannon Festival in Pécs, Szentendre Summer Festival, Kőszeg Street Theatre Festival, Savaria International Dance Competition in Szombathely, Debrecen Jazz Days, Szeged Open Air Festival, Diáksziget north of Budapest, Eger Wine Harvest Festival, and Budapest Autumn Arts Festival.
St Stephen's Day is celebrated with sporting events, parades and fireworks nationwide. On the same day there is a Floral Festival in Debrecen and a Bridge Fair in nearby Hortobágy. Formula 1 car races are held in early August at the Hungaroring near Mogyoród, 18 km northeast of Budapest.