Hungary Holidays - 2008

New Year's Day is the first day of the year. At New Years Eve midnight as the clock strikes twelve people welcome the New Year with Hungarian national anthem and greet one another on New Year's Day with BUEK , that means 'Happy New Year' .

On 15th March Hungarians commemorate the Revolution and the following War of Independence against the Austrian-Habsburg rule in 1848-49. This day is one of the most prominent National Holidays in Hungary.shops and services are closed on 15th March.Public transport services operate according to holiday schedule, meaning less frequent secrvices. Nemzeti Ünnep literally means in English National Day.

Easter is a two-day holiday in Hungary, celebrated with great fanfare and religious fervor.Easter in Hungary is observed in accordance with the rituals of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Easter-related celebrations take place for more than a week in Hungary. Palm Sunday is called “Flower Sunday” in Hungary.On Easter Saturday, Easter baskets are taken to church and blessed. On Easter Sunday, the Lenten fast is broken with meat dishes.

In Hungary, May Day was officially celebrated under the Communist regime, and remains a public holiday. Traditionally, the day was marked by dancing around designated "May trees.

Pentecost is one of the prominent feasts in the Christian liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ after the Resurrection.Pentecost is celebrated seven weeks (50 days) after Easter Sunday, hence its name.Pentecost falls on the tenth day after Ascension Thursday.In many countries, Pentecost Sunday is a public holiday. Pentecost Monday is celebrated in some countries including Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania and others.

St. Stephen's Day in Hungary refers to August 20, the day on which the relics of King St. Stephen, patron saint of Hungary, were transferred to the city of Buda. This day is the ultimate public holiday in Hungary.The events during the day include the procession of St. Stephen’s Holy Right Hand around the Basilica, archery shows, an air show, and a water parade. St. Stephen’s Day also marks the festival of the new bread celebrated in cities and towns across the country. Traditionally, the first bread from the new harvest is baked on this day.

October 23rd is a National Holiday that is celebrated with speeches and exhibitions in remembrance of the 1956 revolution when the Hungarians declared their independence against Soviet rule. The first shots of the revolution rang out on October 23rd in 1956.

All Saints' Day is a celebration of all Christian saints, particularly those who have no special feast days of their own, in many Roman Catholic, Anglican and Protestant churches. In many western churches it is annually held November 1 and in many eastern churches it is celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost. Since the early morning crowds have thronged to cemeteries in Budapest and other localities of the country to tidy relatives' graves and light candles for their souls.

In Hungary the main Christmas celebrations take place on Christmas Eve.In Hungary there is no Santa Claus at Christmas.There are a lot of folk traditions around Christmas in Hungary.Hungarian families gather around Christmas tree , sing carols, open gifts and presents left for them by Baby Jesus and angels and then head off to attend Midnight Mass. Nativity plays constitute an important Hungarian Christmas tradition & custom. Groups of children or adults perform these plays, which are often enhanced by puppetry, songs, use of musical instruments and even dancing sometimes.

This day also know as the 'Boxing day' or 'St Stephen's Day'.