Watch a City Square Become 1956
On the evening of 23 October, Városháza Park fills with light. Projections wash the facades, crowds gather on the paving, and for three nights the square is renamed "Boot Square" (Csizma tér) in memory of the toppled Stalin statue. This is "In the Light of Our Revolution," the municipal programme for the 70th anniversary, running 23–25 October 2026, with immersive light projections, a commemorative monument, public art installations, a film festival and cultural events. On Friday 23 October the projections begin at 19:56, the Stalin statue toppling is reenacted at 21:37, and projections resume from 22:30. On Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October the light show and reenactment run at 19:00, 20:00, 21:00 and 22:00. The reenactment is brief, so arrive early for a viewing spot.
Follow the Torchlight from Műegyetem to Bem Square
The commemorations begin a day early. On Thursday 22 October a 14:00 ceremony takes place at the '56 Monument at the University of Technology and Economics (Műegyetem rakpart 3–9, District XI), followed by a 15:00 memorial ceremony at the university. At 16:00 a torchlight procession sets off from the university along Szent Gellért tér, Szent Gellért rakpart, Várkert rakpart, Ybl Miklós tér, Clark Ádám tér, Fő utca and Bem rakpart to Bem József tér. A 17:00 memorial ceremony follows on Bem Square, with wreath-laying at the József Bem statue at 18:00. Walking the route puts you on the Danube embankment as dusk falls, with torches moving along the Buda bank.
Kossuth Square, the Parliament and Andrássy út 60
On Friday 23 October the Hungarian flag is raised at Kossuth Square at 07:30 with festive programmes, and an 11:00 commemoration ceremony features a speech by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Parliament opens its doors free of charge from 15:00 to 20:00, with access to the Grand Staircase, Cupola Hall and the Holy Crown; last entry is 17:00. At the House of Terror Museum (Andrássy út 60), open 22 and 23 October from 10:00 to 18:00, entry is free on 23 October, light painting covers the facade from 16:00 to 23:00 on both days, and candles are lit at the Wall of Heroes throughout the day on 23 October. Reach it by tram 4 or 6 to Oktogon, or the M1 to Vörösmarty utca. Note that 23 October is a national public holiday: shops, restaurants and public institutions close, most museums open, and public transport runs on a Sunday/holiday schedule.
Ride a 1950s Tram and Hear the Paperboys
From 22 October to 4 November, period 1950s trams run on lines 4, 6, 47 and 49. Across the same stretch, "paperboys" shout era news at set times at Móricz Zsigmond körtér, Szent Gellért tér, Kálvin tér, Széna tér, Jászai Mari tér, Nyugati tér, Blaha Lujza tér and Corvin negyed: 10:00–16:00 on 22–23 October and 28–29 October, 15:00–18:00 on 24–27 October and 30–31 October, 10:00–16:00 on 4 November, and 15:00–18:00 on 1–3 November. Plan a loop that catches a tram and a paperboy at the same square.
The Embankment Party and an Evening on Margaret Island
The RAKPART/Embankment 2026 farewell weekend takes over the Pest-side car-free riverside at Jane Haining rakpart from 23 to 25 October, with live music, workshops, pop-up art and games, most of it free and drop-in. Friday runs from 15:00 with a retro exhibition, silk-painting, a clothes swap, a science picnic and open mic; Saturday from 14:00 brings exhibitions, board games, a DJ, upcycling and bead workshops, and a OneTwoFour concert at 18:30; Sunday from 16:00 offers T-shirt printing, a table-decor workshop, a candlelit community dinner, the Budaörs Wind Orchestra at 18:00 and a DJ set from 19:00 to 22:00. Across the river, Lumina Park on Margaret Island (at the Palatinus Bath site) opens on 20 October 2026 and runs to early March 2027, dusk to 21:00 daily with last admission at 20:00; the 2026 theme is Alice in Wonderland, with adult tickets from 4,900 Ft Monday to Thursday and 5,200 Ft Friday to Sunday and holidays. It is closed on 3 and 24 December. For a quieter hour, the thermal baths keep Sunday hours: Széchenyi 08:00–22:00 (pools and saunas 08:00–19:40), Rudas 06:00–20:00 with a co-ed Turkish Pool that day, and Lukács 07:00–19:00. Gellért Spa is closed for renovation until 2028.
Book your accommodation early for the 70th anniversary weekend, check the municipal programme for the 23 October opening ceremony details once confirmed, and build your days around the 22 October torchlight route and the three evenings at Városháza Park.