20 August is the State Foundation Day, our biggest national holiday, the Hungarian 4 July. This day is devoted to Hungary's first king, St. Stephen, and it’s also the day of the Foundation of Hungary and "the day of the new bread". St. Stephen of Hungary, as the first king, led the country into the Christian church and established the institutions of the kingdom and the church. He was canonized on 20 August 1083, that’s why 20 August is his feast day.

On this day, every Hungarian city has some kind of commemoration. The biggest event is the half an hour-long firework on the bank of the Danube in the evening, which is attended by many people on both river banks, from the hills on the Buda side and from the rooftops of both Pest and Buda. This is the highlight of the holiday, but fortunately, 20 august will be Monday this year, so the whole weekend will be devoted to the national holiday. There are several programs you can chose from:

On 20 August, the programs will begin on the Kossuth Lajos square in front of the Parliament, in line with tradition, where the national flag will be hoisted with military honor. This will be followed by the inauguration of the army cadets where President János Áder speaks. Of course, the traditional Holy Mass and procession of the Holy Right Hand will also take place.

The largest folk art festival in Hungary, The Festival of Folk Arts is also organized on this weekend (already on the 17th) as usual, in the Buda Castle. The festival, which evokes the ambiance of old-time fairs, is the year’s long-expected family event where one can try folk crafts and admire the splendid artwork of craftsmen. Nearly 1,000 craftsmen and hundreds of performers will take part in a full day of stage programs, exhibitions, handicraft gastronomic delights and popular activities for children. In interactive open workshops, more than 800 Hungarian and 150 foreign masters will acquaint visitors with the secrets of their different crafts. Not only can visitors escape the ordinary to enter a medieval atmosphere where they can admire and buy items of unique folk craft heritage, but they can also create these crafts themselves under the guidance of Hungarian masters in nearly 100 open workshops. The main theme of the year will be weaving and spinning, that are the most ancient branches of folk crafts in the region, with origins that date to pre-historic times.

Street of Hungarian Flavors, one of the most visited gastronomic events of the year will be held for the ninth time on the Danube shore (exactly in Lánchíd street). The Country's Birthday Cake and St. Stephen’s Day bread are presented on this festival every year, as well as numerous culinary specialties from all over the country and the Carpathian Basin: fish soup from Baja, Karcag beefsteak, countless excellent artisan products, ginger sausage, pálinka specialties, Hungarian fish specialties, homemade beers, stuffed cabbage… just to mention some of the unique tastes. The Street of the Hungarian Flavors opens on Saturday, August 18, and is waiting for visitors on all three days of the long weekend. The main theme of the event will be „spices”, and cafes will also get particularly prominent role this year.

As for the evening fireworks: more than 21,000 effects will be shot this evening on August 20th. The organizers said: firework will mainly feature national colors and gold. The firework will be the most beautiful between Lánchíd and Margaret Bridge on the quay and on the Margaret Bridge.