Visitors to this year’s St Stephen’s Day festivities can expect the grandest fireworks display ever staged for Hungary’s national holiday on 20 August. Organizers announced on Wednesday that the nearly five-kilometre-long visual stage will feature more than 45,000 light and pyrotechnic effects. In addition to the fireworks, the evening will include a drone show and light mapping.
The 2025 display will incorporate a wide range of pyrotechnic elements, including mortars, canister shells, Roman candles, comets, Greek fire, bombettes, and sparkling fountains. The drone show will depict iconic symbols from Hungarian history, creating a visual narrative in the sky.
Returning from last year’s show, the voice of the old shepherd, performed by Zsolt Körtvélyessy, will guide viewers through a story set after the coronation of King St Stephen. Written by Zsolna Ugron, the narration recounts key moments of Hungary’s founding monarch’s reign, the turbulent times following his death, the early years of the Árpád dynasty, and the legendary deeds of King Ladislaus I. The six-part performance will be accompanied by an original musical score by Norbert Elek, with Erika Pápai also lending her voice.
Europe’s largest fireworks display has once again been designed by internationally acclaimed pyrotechnician Anikó Seres, an award-winner at the Montreal International Fireworks Competition. The artistic concept was developed by Árpád Iványi and Barnabás Réti, who have been preparing the event for six months.
The Danube will serve as the main stage, with nine anchored barges launching large-calibre fireworks up to 300 metres high. 65 smaller pontoons positioned between the barges will fire lower-level effects reaching 100 metres, while three bridges: Liberty, Elizabeth, and Margaret will also be integrated into the show with a wide variety of pyrotechnic effects.
In total, 500 launch points will be set up, involving a team of 20 in technical planning, 70 experienced pyrotechnicians in installation and firing, and about 100 workers handling the assembly and positioning of floating structures. Hundreds more specialists will contribute to lighting, lasers, light projections, drone choreography, and music production. Preparations have taken half a year, with on-site setup requiring 21 days.
Related articles:
