20 August is the greatest national holiday for Hungarians, celebrated with day-long festivities followed by spectacular fireworks throughout the country.
20 August commemorates the foundation of the Hungarian state. Also called as St. Stephen’s Day, remembering Stephen I, the first king of Hungary and founder of the Kingdom of Hungary, who was canonized on 20 August, 1083 by Pope Gregory VII.
Festivities start in the morning with the raising of the Hungarian flag and continue on all day long, culminating in a spectacular firework display in almost every Hungarian city.
As 20 August is a national holiday, every shop, stores etc. are closed.
