Szentendre Candle Floating Festival

The Szentendre Candle Floating Festival is an annual event in Szentendre, a riverside town located approximately 30 minutes from Budapest, Hungary. Taking place from July 18 to August 27, 2026, the festival's main highlight is the ceremonial release of thousands of candles onto the Danube River, creating a spectacular visual display.

Beyond the candle floating, the festival celebrates the town's rich diverse cultural heritage and international connections. Programs include ethnic music and dance performances from Serbian, Greek, Polish, and Romanian groups on the Barlang open-air stage, alongside an exhibition titled “300 Years of the Dalmatians of Szentendre” and a selection of local cuisine presented by the Szentendre Croatian Ethnic Self-Government.

This year's event also features Szentendre’s sister cities: Gubbio, Italy, and Hoi An, Vietnam. Traditional Vietnamese lanterns adorn the promenade, complemented by a Vietnamese dance performance and a presentation from an Italian flag-waving group. Visitors can enjoy water shows about the history of the Danube and try out hand-powered watercraft at Postás Beach. Musical offerings include a South Slavic concert by the Kossuth Prize-winning Vujicsics Ensemble, a performance by Karaván Família, and Greek-South Slavic dance parties with the bands Kolo and Anemos. The festival comprises a total of 38 performances across seven downtown venues, with organizers ensuring that all special lanterns are collected after the event to protect the river and environment.