Holidays & Festivals
Budapest
Holidays
In Budapest, public holidays include New Year's Day, Memorial Day (March 15), Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Labor Feast (May 1), Whit Sunday (last Sunday in May), Whit Monday (last Monday in May), St. Stephen’s Day (August 20), Memorial Day (October 28), All Saint’s Day (November 1), Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and 2nd Day of Christmas (December 26).
Festivals
The Budapest International Circus Festival (January to February) has made the city into the circus capital of Europe. This whimsical event takes place only once every two years and is made up of a mere five shows where the fantastical acts compete before a panel of international judges. The Budapest Spring Festival (March) has taken place since 1981 and hosts classical and jazz concerts, dance performances and film premieres. In August, Budapest celebrates its Hungarian folk culture with the Festival of Folk Arts. The festival brings the top craftsmen of their trade to the Buda Castle for demonstrations, dance and music. Also there is the Danube Carnival, which celebrates the River Danube with art exhibitions, folk events, a crafts fair and concerts.
Vienna
Holidays
Public holidays in Vienna are New Year’s Day, Twelfth Night (January 6), Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labor Day (May 1), Ascension Day (40 days after Easter), Whit Monday, Corpus Christi (10 days after Whit Sunday), Assumption Day (August 15), National Holiday (October 26), All Saints’ Day (November 1), Immaculate Conception (December 8), Christmas Day, and Boxing Day (December 26).
Festivals
As an art and cultural mecca, Vienna hosts festivals throughout the year. Every February, the Opernball takes place in the king of venues, the Vienna State Opera. As the most glamorous and expensive of balls, the Opernball is a regal ceremony that boasts attendees such as Sophia Lauren, Heather Locklear and Grace Jones. During the summer, Summerstage, an active park in the heart of Vienna, is the place to engage in any warm weather activities. From sports, to dining, to concerts there is always an event at this plaza from May to September. The Donauinselfest in June takes place on Danube Island and draws 3 million visitors to enjoy free concerts from every musical genre. In October, Vienna’s film festival called, Viennale, gives audiences a taste of top Austrian films.
Prague
Holidays
Prague observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Easter Monday, Labor Day (May 1), Liberation Day (May 8), Introduction of Christianity (July 5), Death of Jan Hus (July 6), St. Wenceslas Day (September 28), Foundation of the Republic (October 28), Day of Student Movements (November 17), Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen’s Day (December 26).
Festivals
Summers in Prague are alive with festivals such as the World Gypsy Festival (May to June), the Summer Shakespeare Festival (June to September), the Prague Dance Festival (July), and the Prague Easter Markets (Spring). The most famed is the Spring Classical Music Festival attracts celebrities and enthusiasts of international music.
