Budapest will once again mark its birthday with a series of colourful events celebrating both the unification of Buda, Pest, and Óbuda, and the 75th anniversary of Greater Budapest. According to the City Hall’s communications office, the festivities will run from 14-17 November, offering concerts, art performances, and community programmes across the capital.
The three-day Metro Festival, organized jointly with BKV, will take place between 14-16 November. It will showcase performances by art schools, choirs, orchestras, and dance groups from the districts that joined Budapest in 1950. Metro stations will turn into lively venues filled with music, dance, and shared singing.
On 14 November, the City Hall Park will host the opening of the Budapest Christmas 2025 fair, featuring a skating rink, seasonal delicacies, and handmade crafts courtesy of Budapest’s market halls.
The following day, Mayor Gergely Karácsony will present the Heroes of Budapest awards to city employees recognized for their dedication, community spirit, and outstanding service.
The ever-popular party tram will also return for the weekend, departing from Deák Ferenc Square for Kelenföld. Registered passengers can enjoy music, dancing, and the glittering lights of the city during the evening ride.
The celebration will culminate on 17 November with a ceremonial assembly marking the anniversary of Greater Budapest. During the event, the For Budapest and Pro Urbe Budapest awards, along with the honorary citizenship titles, will be presented in the grand hall of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year.
The city’s spirit of openness and community will also be reflected in the Budapest Festival Orchestra’s traditional mini-concert series, bringing classical melodies to popular pubs, cafés, and bistros across both sides of the Danube.
The celebrations will continue beyond the main weekend: on 21 November, the Pro Cultura Urbis Foundation will announce the winners of its annual grants and present this year’s cultural awards at the Három Holló venue, supporting initiatives that preserve and showcase Budapest’s rich cultural heritage.
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