Local tradition
National Day: 15 March
Az 1848-as forradalom ünnepe
The 1848 revolution is commemorated with speeches at the National Museum, cockades worn citywide and free museum entry.
- When
- 15 March 2027
- Where
- Hungarian National Museum, Petőfi tér and across the city, Budapest
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Local tradition
- Official site
- budapestinfo.hu
Why it's worth going
The most visibly public of the three national days. People wear the red-white-green cockade, the National Museum steps fill, and the city is busy rather than shut.
What to expect
Speeches and a re-enactment on the steps of the Hungarian National Museum, where Sándor Petőfi is said to have read the National Song in 1848. Smaller gatherings at Petőfi tér and across the river. Cockades are sold on every corner and worn by almost everyone — buying one is the least touristy thing you can do that day. Museums are generally free; shops are closed.
On 15 March 1848 a group of writers and students marched on Buda demanding a free press and a Hungarian government, and had won both by the afternoon. The revolution was defeated militarily eighteen months later, but the date became the one Hungary uses to talk about itself. It is a good day to be in the city rather than on a day trip out of it.
Build a day around this
Tell us you are coming for National Day: 15 March and we will build the rest of the day around it — where to be and when, somewhere good to eat nearby, and the parts of Budapest most visitors walk straight past.
Plan my Budapest day →Or start from a tour that already fits
Every tour we run is private and priced for the group. Any of them can be moved around this event.
