The 20th of August is State Foundation Day in Hungary. St. Stephen (ca. 975 – 15 August 1038), as the first king of Hungary, led the country into the Christian church and established the institutions of the kingdom and the church. He was canonized on the 20th of August 1083, and the 20th of August is his feast day in Hungary. It has also been the day of the Flower Carnival in Debrecen almost every year since 1966. This year it lasts from the 12th to the 22nd of August.
Every day:
Free Exhibitions in Kölcsey Center
from 8 am to 8 pm
- The Christian legacy of St. Stephen: The counties of the Holy Crown (The exhibition of the painter Anton Kovach)
- Castles and fortified churches (The exhibition of the painter Tamás Potyók)
Nagyerdei Kultúrpark, Giraffe House
from 9 am to 6 pm
- Olympians connected to Hajdú-Bihar county (Traveling exhibition of the biography of 103 sportsmen)
Kölcsey Center
from 9 am to 7 pm
- Szomjazóművészek! (Exhibition and fair of cactuses and succulent)
from 10 am to 7 pm
- Playmobil exhibition (factory showcases, giant Playmobil figures, and playhouse. Valuable playmobile prizes are waiting for you!)
Piac Street 1-3
from 12 pm to 10 pm
- Crafts Fair (handmade products)
DEMKI – Youth House (Simonffy Street 21 Flower Garden)
from 3:30 pm to 10 pm
- 39th Hungarian Press Photo Exhibition
20th of August (red-letter day):
Open Air Pier Stage
All-day
- Flower Sculpture Exhibition
from 8 am to 12 am
Nagyerdei Boulevard and northern event space
- Flower Float exhibition, performances and old timer bike exhibition (The gems of the carnival, the flower float compositions can be seen by the audience)
8:45 am
Kossuth Square
- Flag Raising
9 am
Dósa nádor Square
- Wreathing of the statue of St. Stephen and blessing of the new bread
from 10 am to 2 pm
Nagyerdei Open Air Theatre
- Flashmob performances by art ensembles with dance programs
from 10 am to 1 am
Nagyerdei Park
- Czech Beer Garden (introduction of breweries)
from 10 am to 6 pm
Medgyessy Walkway
- Virágzás II. – Outdoor studio (exhibition of the world of contemporary painting in Debrecen)
from 12 pm to 2 pm
Open Air Pier Stage
- Flashmob performances by art ensembles with dance programs
from 2 pm to 6 pm
Amusement Park
- Galiba Children’s Festival
3 pm
Pál Perényi Dirt Bike Stadium (Gázvezeték Street 35)
- Dirt Bike Race (most spectators attracting dirt bike race with the greatest tradition in Hungary, the Debrecen Grand Prix)
6:30 pm
Nagyerdei Open Air Theatre
- Concert of Csík Band (Guests: Krisztián Grecsó and Miklós H. Vecsei) (rainy place: Kölcsey Center Great Hall) Tickets are available from 4400 Forint
8:30 pm
Kossuth Square
- Hungaricum GalaConcert (The spectacular concert, which has visited several Hungarian cities, presents our national values, traditions and prides) Tickets are available from 500 Forint
Dósa nádor Square
- Flashmob performances by art ensembles with dance programs
10 pm
Egyetem Square
- Gergő Rácz and his Band
Dósa Nándor Square
Night
- Play of light
21st of August:
from 8 am to 12 am
Nagyerdei Boulevard and northern event space
- Flower Floats exhibition (The gems of the carnival, the flower float compositions can be seen by the audience)
from 10 am to 1 am
Nagyerdei Park
- Czech Beer Garden (introduction of breweries)
from 11 am to 7 pm
Rózsa street
- Folk Craft Creative Fair
from 2 pm to 6 pm
Amusement Park
- Galiba Children’s Festival
from 4 pm to 8 pm
Nagyerdei Boulevard and northern event space
- Flashmob performances by art ensembles with dance programs
6 pm
Dósa nádor Square
- Lituus Brass Band (An Immunity Certificate is obligatory)
8 pm
Nagyerdei Open Air Theatre
- Summerevening Valceremónia with Bálint Gájer and the Debrecen Big Band (rainy place: Kölcsey Center Great Hall) (Free but you must register at Valcer Dance Studio Debrecen)
8:30 pm
Dósa nádor Square
- Flashmob performances by art ensembles with dance programs
- Play of light
22nd of August:
from 8 am to 8 pm
Nagyerdei Boulevard and northern event space
- Flower Floats exhibition (The gems of the carnival, the flower float compositions can be seen by the audience)
from 9 am to 12 pm
Amusement Park
- Galiba Children’s Festival
from 11 am to 7 pm
Rózsa street
- Folk Craft Creative Fair
Have fun!