Holidays

Hungary holidays

Hungary declared three national holidays on historically significant occasions after the political change in 1989. In addition, the republic has newly declared high church holidays such as Pentecost and All Saints’ Day as official holidays. Like Christmas and Easter, these are celebrated accordingly as in other Central European states.

A national peculiarity is the “dousing” of women on Easter Monday. The most important national holiday is the national holiday on August 20.

Overview

New Year’s Day – January 1

Day of the 1848/49 War of Independence – March 15

Easter Monday – March/April

International Workers’ Day – May 1

State Holiday – August 20

Republic Day, commemoration of the 1956 Revolution – October 23

All Saints Day – November 1

Christmas – December 25/26

Worth knowing about selected holidays

Independence Day

Independence Struggle Day commemorates the start of the 1848/49 revolution in which Hungary freed itself from Habsburg foreign rule. Since March 15 was declared a national holiday after the political change, political parties have appropriated the date for themselves, each declaring themselves the only legitimate heirs of 1848 in campaign speeches.

In Budapest, a state ceremony with official speeches and award ceremonies takes place on March 15. With a flood of national flags, hundreds of costumed amateur actors on horseback and on foot reenact the historic scene.

Easter Monday

Worship services, Easter bonfires and Passion plays are what tourists usually get from Easter in Hungary. There, too, people celebrate the resurrection of Christ with fasting, egg-dyeing and nest-hunting, especially in the family circle. If you have the opportunity to witness private celebrations, you will be surprised how humid and cheerful Easter Monday is celebrated in Hungary.

Probably dating back to ancient pagan times, the custom has survived for women to expect their male relatives to visit on this day and be “watered” by so that they don’t wither too soon. Usually the men sprinkle their wives with perfume, but whole buckets of water can also be used for “watering”. Either way, it usually culminates in a binge afterwards with good food, brightly colored eggs and lots of alcohol.

State Holiday

On Saint Stephen’s name day on August 20, the Republic of Hungary celebrates its official state holiday. King Stephen was crowned Hungary’s first king in 1000 and is now venerated in processions as a national saint. Stephen’s crown adorns the country’s national coat of arms and August 20 is considered the day Hungary was founded.

The days of military parades have been over since 1989, although the air force still flies a show over the Danube. A giant fireworks display in Budapest traditionally brings the celebrations in honour of the sainted Hungarian king to a close. August 20 is considered the most important national holiday for Hungarians.

Republic Day

The 1956 revolution is commemorated by the National Day holiday on October 23 in Hungary. Until the fall of communism, the victims of the popular uprising were not allowed to be commemorated. The Republic of Hungary was proclaimed in 1989 exactly on 23 October and the day was declared a national holiday. Since then, commemorations of the Hungarian Uprising have been held on Republic Day.