Feast and Folk at the Csárda Festival This August 20

This August, Budapest invites locals and international visitors alike to experience the soul of Hungary through its most cherished traditions. Held from August 18 to 20, the Inn Festival (Csárda Festival) will once again transform Vörösmarty Square into a vibrant celebration of folk music, dance, and regional cuisine, coinciding with Hungary’s St. Stephen’s Day (Szent István Nap), the country’s national holiday.

The event showcases the cultural richness of the Carpathian Basin, featuring traditional dance performances, live folk concerts, and culinary specialties from across Hungary and its historical regions. Over three days, festival-goers can enjoy performances from ensembles such as the Bem Folk Dance Group, Zűrös Banda, the Szilágyság Dance Ensemble from Romania, and a special anniversary concert by Pál István Szalonna and His Band, one of Hungary’s most acclaimed folk music groups.

Photo: MTI/Kocsis Zoltán

The festival’s final day, August 20, will highlight Hungary’s statehood with a program that includes children’s dance troupes, a Bulgarian dance house by the Pravo Ensemble, and the “Csárdák – Dialektusok/Inns – Dialects” showcase, a performance focusing on the diversity of Hungarian folk traditions across regions.

However, the festival is not only a feast for the ears and eyes—it’s a culinary celebration as well. Participating csárdas (traditional Hungarian taverns/inns) will serve an array of dishes that span from classic goulash and wild game to homemade lecsó and charcoal-grilled delicacies.

Each inn presents a unique dish reflecting its regional character, all offered at affordable prices. Options catering to gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegetarian diets are also available, with staff on hand to provide guidance.

As part of Hungary’s largest free-to-attend event series, the Csárda Festival emphasizes accessibility. Select food and drink items—such as bottled water for 250 forints (0.63 euros), beer for 380 forints (0.96 euros), and pretzels for 356 forints (0.90 euros) —will be sold at reduced prices at all festival locations, marked with the official St. Stephen’s Day logo.

For travelers seeking an authentic cultural experience, the Csárda Festival offers a rare opportunity to witness Hungary’s living heritage in the heart of Budapest’s historic city center—a celebration of community, identity, and the enduring spirit of tradition.

Full program details are available at www.szentistvannap.hu and via the official Szent István Nap event app.

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