# Preparations for August 20 national holiday celebrations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/tourism-and-leisure-developments-in-lake-balaton > Updated: 2026-08-17T14:03:00.000Z. Sources: 72. Developments: 3. As the August 20 national holiday, marking State Foundation Day, approaches, Hungary is finalizing preparations for extensive celebrations and logistical adjustments. Major events include a large-scale air parade by the Hungarian Defense Forces over the Danube, featuring JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets, and coordinated fireworks displays between Tihany, Balatonfüred, and Zamárdi. In Budapest, festivities include concerts, electronic music events, audiovisual shows, drone displays, and free museum exhibitions at University Quay, Kossuth Square, and Margaret Island. To accommodate late-night celebrations, public transport services including the metro, trams, and buses will operate with extended hours until 2:30 AM. To manage the festivities, several bridges, including the Chain Bridge and Margaret Bridge, will face closures during the evening fireworks. Retailers are also adjusting for the long weekend; major supermarket chains such as Aldi, Lidl, and Tesco will be closed on August 20, though some smaller shops and gas station convenience stores may remain open. Weather concerns have intensified as health authorities issued a second-degree heatwave warning for much of the country, effective from August 20 through August 23. With temperatures expected to reach between 33°C and 38°C, officials advise citizens attending outdoor celebrations to stay hydrated, avoid heavy meals, and limit physical exertion during peak sun hours. There is also an increased risk of outdoor fires due to the prolonged heat. ## Claims - A cold front is bringing an end to the heatwave in Hungary on Tuesday, August 18, 2026. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Northwesterly winds will be lively and occasionally strong across the country. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Temperatures are forecast to rise again on Wednesday, reaching between 28 and 33 degrees Celsius. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Minister of Transport and Investment Dávid Vitézy announced that the August 20 celebrations will cost approximately 4.9 billion forints. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Public transport services, including metro, HÉV, and Volán buses, will be increased or extended for the festivities. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Tuesday's high temperatures are expected to range between 23 and 29 degrees Celsius. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Rain or showers may occur in the northeast and Transdanubia, with potential thunderstorms in the southwest. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The weather change may cause health issues such as headaches and blood pressure fluctuations. (corroborated by 2 sources) - MÁV has modified its schedule to accommodate passengers arriving at Budapest stations between 23:00 and 02:00. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Relief trains will run from Budapest to Békéscsaba, Debrecen, Nyíregyháza, Eger, Miskolc, Pécs, and Sopron via Győr. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Buda Castle District will implement access restrictions and capacity limits due to expected high attendance. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Online registration for the Szent István Square program has closed, though limited on-site registration may be available. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-17: Hungary prepares for August 20 national holiday celebrations Hungary celebrates its State Foundation Day on August 20 with military parades, fireworks, and festivals, while facing a second-degree heatwave warning and extended public transport services. 68 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lake-balaton-hosts-summer-festivals-and-increased-transport-services ### 2026-08-09: Lake Balaton tourism: New gastro-bus service and free beach hours Lake Balaton tourism expands with 46° Balaton's new gastro-bus service in the Káli Basin and free daily beach access hours in Balatonalmádi. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lake-balaton-tourism-new-gastro-bus-service-and-free-beach-hours ### 2026-08-06: Lake Balaton offers diverse August attractions and garden cinemas Lake Balaton’s August lineup features hidden attractions like bird gardens, adventure parks and festivals, plus multiple garden cinemas for nightly outdoor film screenings. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lake-balaton-offers-diverse-august-attractions-and-garden-cinemas --- Cite as: Preparations for August 20 national holiday celebrations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/tourism-and-leisure-developments-in-lake-balaton