Experience Two Centuries of Railway Heritage at Budapest’s LokoPiknik Festival
Budapest’s Hungarian Railway History Park, Europe’s largest railway heritage experience park, invites visitors to celebrate 200 years of railway history at the spectacular LokoPiknik festival on September 27-28, 2025. This special weekend event combines the railway’s bicentennial celebration with the park’s own 25th anniversary, creating an unforgettable experience for train enthusiasts and families alike.
What Makes LokoPiknik Special
Spanning 70,000 square kilometers, the Hungarian Railway History Park showcases more than 100 unique railway vehicles and offers visitors a journey through two centuries of transportation history. The LokoPiknik festival transforms this impressive collection into an interactive celebration where steam locomotives, motor cars, and historic trains come to life before your eyes.
The 2025 edition carries special significance as it marks both the 200th anniversary of railway transportation and the park’s quarter-century milestone. This double celebration promises enhanced programming and exclusive experiences that make it a must-visit event for anyone interested in Hungary’s rich railway heritage.
Weekend Program Highlights
Saturday September 27: International Motor Car Meeting
The weekend kicks off with an impressive gathering of historic railway motor cars from across Europe. Visitors can witness these beautifully restored vehicles in action and learn about their role in railway development throughout the continent.
Sunday September 28: Celebrating 60 Years of Szergej
Sunday features a spectacular international vehicle parade celebrating the 60th anniversary of the legendary Szergej locomotive. This visual feast showcases the evolution of railway technology through carefully choreographed demonstrations.
Both Days Feature
The 19th European Garden Railway Meeting brings together model railway enthusiasts from Hungary and neighboring countries, creating miniature worlds that captivate visitors of all ages. Daily locomotive demonstrations provide insight into the mechanics and operation of these powerful machines.
Family-Friendly Activities
LokoPiknik caters to visitors of all ages with dedicated family programming. Children can enjoy bouncy castles, face painting, glitter tattoos, traditional folk games, and creative workshops, while adults explore the park’s extensive collection and interactive experiences.
Best deals of Budapest
The park’s signature interactive attractions require separate tickets, available at on-site vending machines or the main ticket office. These hands-on experiences include operating handcars, riding garden railways, and even trying your hand at locomotive operation under expert supervision.
Exhibitions in the Main Building
Your LokoPiknik ticket includes access to three fascinating exhibitions housed in the park’s main building:
First Floor: Buffalo on Rails
Discover the legendary 424 steam locomotive, affectionately known as the Buffalo, and learn about its crucial role in Hungarian railway history.
Second Floor: Kandó Kálmán and 90 Years of Railway Electrification
Explore Hungary’s pioneering role in railway electrification through the innovations of engineer Kandó Kálmán, whose work influenced railway development worldwide.
Third Floor: Darlington to Tokyo Express
This comprehensive railway history exhibition features guided tours that trace the development of rail transportation from its British origins to modern high-speed networks across the globe.
Practical Information for Visitors
The festival runs from 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 27, through 6:00 PM on Sunday, September 28, 2025. The Hungarian Railway History Park is located at Tatai út 95, in Budapest’s 14th district, easily accessible by public transportation.
Early bird tickets offer significant savings and are available through September 20 at the park’s online shop. This advance booking option ensures entry to one of Budapest’s most popular heritage events while securing the best possible prices.
The LokoPiknik festival demonstrates that railways represent living heritage rather than static museum pieces. Whether you’re a dedicated train enthusiast or a family seeking an educational weekend adventure, this celebration of two centuries of railway history offers something memorable for everyone visiting Budapest.