Concerts, ceremonies, and fireworks: Szeged gears up for August 20
Szeged’s State Foundation Day celebration will span two days this year, taking place on August 19–20, 2025. As always, visitors can enjoy a lively mix of concerts, food and drink vendors, and craft stalls. The centerpiece of the festivities will be on Wednesday, August 20, when the official commemorations unfold at Széchenyi Square – culminating in the city’s traditional fireworks display at night.
This year marks a change in tradition: the August 20 fireworks, usually held at the Huszár Mátyás Quay, will instead take place at Széchenyi Square. The relocation comes as the Quay has just completed a period of renovation and archaeological works.
In Hungary, August 20 – often called St. Stephen’s Day – marks the founding of the Hungarian state over a thousand years ago, honoring King Stephen I, the nation’s first Christian monarch. It is one of the country’s most important national holidays, celebrated with ceremonies, cultural performances, and public festivities across the nation.
Detailed program
August 19 (Tuesday)
4:00 PM – ToP Dance – Acrobatic Rock and Roll Dance School
4:30 PM – Kozmosz Association
6:00 PM – Viki Singh
8:00 PM – Gigi Radics concert
10:00 PM – Membrán band concert
August 20 (Wednesday)
10:00 AM – Health Minutes – Global Fitness
11:00 AM – Csiga Duo Children’s Band
12:00 PM – Dolce-Dance School salsa performance
1:00 PM – Blues Bell
Festive Program
3:15 PM – Open-air music
3:50 PM – Ceremonial raising of the National Flag
4:00 PM – OFFICIAL CEREMONY
Festive speech by: Dr. László Botka, Mayor of the City of Szeged
Blessing of the new bread by: Lajos Kondé, Pastoral Episcopal Vicar of the Szeged–Csanád Diocese
Program participants:
– Fricsay Ferenc Municipal Wind Orchestra, conductor: Zoltán Gyimóthi
– Folk dance groups of the Tiszavirág Folk Dance Association
– Petra Ács, actress
– Szilveszter Szélpál, opera singer
– Tápai Traditional Folk Ensemble
6:00 PM – Docpiano Band – “Foundation of Dreams”
8:00 PM – KFT band concert
9:00 PM – Fireworks at Széchenyi Square
9:15 PM – KFT band concert continues
10:00 PM – Útközband concert
The organizer, Szeged Fair and Market Operator (Szegedi Városkép és Piac Kft.) reserves the right to change the program without prior notice.
Featured image from last year’s August 20 celebration. Szilvia Molnar / Szegedify
