Hungarian Holidays & Important Dates

  • Újév

  • A magyar kultúra napja

    The day of the Hungarian Culture, the day that Ferenc Kölcsey finished writing the Himnusz, the national anthem of Hungary. Hungarians celebrate it since 1989. It is an official state memorial day since 2022 [1].

  • A köztársaság emléknapja

    Commemorating the law (1946. évi I. törvény) on the proclamation of the republic in 1946, memorial day since 2006.

  • A kommunista diktatúrák áldozatainak emléknapja

    On 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.

  • Nemzeti ünnep

    Memorial Day of the 1848 Revolution (which aimed at the independence of the Hungarian Kingdom from the Austrian Empire). There are usually speeches and music such as the Nemzeti dal; many people wear a cockade with the national colours red, white, and green.

  • Good Friday is a public holiday since 2017.

  • Men visit women to sprinkle them with perfume (or in the countryside, sometimes water), first asking permission by reciting a verse. In return, the women give the men eggs (sometimes painted, sometimes chocolate). Children receive chocolate eggs (sometimes fruits and nuts, chocolate rabbits), from the Easter Bunny; these gifts are sometimes hidden in the garden or house. (Real rabbits are sometimes gifted.) The day's meal is often ham, eggs, sweetbreads, and horseradish for breakfast.

  • A holokauszt áldozatainak emléknapja

    On 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.

  • A munka ünnepe

    The countries of the EU are represented with special programmes, bridges are decorated and exhibitions are held. Labour Day coincides with May Day (majális); many attend outdoor festivities in public parks. Since 2004 it is also the anniversary of the accession to the EU.

  • Honvédelmi nap

    Battle of Buda (1849)

  • A nemzeti összetartozás napja

    Commemorating 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.

  • Az aradi vértanúk emléknapja

    Commemorating 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.

  • Az államalapítás ünnepe

    Commemoration of Hungary's first king St. Stephen, also the day of the foundation of Hungary and "the day of the new bread". St. Stephen (Szent István király, ca. 975 – 15 August 1038), as the first king of Hungary, led the country into the Christian church and established the institutions of the kingdom and the church. He was canonized on 20 August 1083, and 20 August is his feast day in Hungary.

  • A független Magyarország napja

    Commemorating the execution of the martyrs of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution (on 16 June 1958), and the anniversary of the end of the Soviet occupation of Hungary. Memorial day since 2001.

  • Nemzeti ünnep

    Day of the 1956 Revolution, which fought to expel Soviet troops from Hungary and establish free elections. Also the day of the proclamation of the Third Hungarian Republic (1989). Celebrated with speeches and exhibitions.

  • Mindenszentek

    Day of remembrance of the dead. Family and friends decorate graves in Christian cemeteries.

  • Karácsony

    Public transport stops operating at about 4 pm on the 24th, Christmas Eve (Szenteste) as most families gather to celebrate, placing presents under a Christmas tree which has been decorated while the children are away from the house. Presents are then opened and a large meal eaten in celebration. On the 25th and 26th, people usually visit relatives.

  • Karácsony másnapja