Changes in Opening Hours Due To The August 20th Celebrations

Hey there, folks! Are you ready for the long weekend coming up in Budapest? It’s time to celebrate the August 20th national holiday, and boy, do we have some changes in store opening hours to talk about!

First things first, let’s get the bad news out of the way. As a general rule, most of the shops will only be closed on August 20th, as it’s the only official holiday and non-working day. For the three days before that, from Saturday to Monday, stores that are usually open on weekends can stay open as usual. So, here’s the breakdown:

• On August 17th, 18th, and 19th, shops that are typically open on Saturdays and Sundays will be open.
• On August 20th, most stores will be closed, including big chains and shopping malls, so you might find it harder to do your shopping.

If you were planning on doing your grocery shopping on Tuesday, August 20th, you might want to think again. Most of the major supermarket chains, like Aldi, Auchan, CBA, Príma, Lidl, Metro, Penny, SPAR, INTERSPAR, and Tesco, will be closed for the holiday. Yep, you read that right – closed! So, make sure to stock up on all your essentials beforehand.

Now, let’s talk about the rest of the weekend. Saturday and Sunday should be business as usual for most stores, with their regular weekend opening hours. However, Monday is where things get a bit tricky. Some chains, like CBA and Penny, have confirmed that they will be open on Monday, August 19th, following their usual Monday schedule. As for the others, like Aldi, Auchan, Lidl, SPAR/INTERSPAR, Metro, and Tesco, they haven’t announced their plans yet. It’s likely that they’ll stick to their regular Monday hours, but there’s a chance they might switch to a weekend schedule. Better safe than sorry, right?

But wait, there’s more! If you’re in need of some last-minute groceries or forgotten items on August 20th, not all hope is lost. You can still count on the convenience stores at gas stations run by the big chains to be open. In Budapest, you might be lucky enough to live near a non-stop Roni or Manna store, which will also be operating on the holiday.

Tobacco shops and privately-owned small stores have the freedom to decide their own opening hours on August 20th, so it’s best to check with them directly.

In addition to that, the following places can stay open on August 20th:

• Gas stations
• Independent flower shops
• Newsstands
• Candy stores
• Restaurants and entertainment venues

What about pharmacies, you ask? Well, most of them will be closed on August 20th, so make sure to get your prescriptions filled in advance. However, there will be some designated pharmacies open for emergencies. You can find their locations and contact information on the National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition’s website.

The festivities will affect transportation services as well. The MÁV-Volán group has announced that there will be changes in their transportation schedule during the long weekend, so keep an eye out for that. For information about changes and traffic restrictions in Budapest during the long weekend, check out the BKK’s announcement.

Oh, and one more thing! If you’re planning to grab a bite at the festival food stalls, you’ll be happy to know that they’re aiming for affordable prices. A mug of draft beer will cost 380 forints, and the prices at the Saint Stephen’s Day Bistros (SZIN Bistros) will be much lower than usual. You can get mineral water for 200 forints, cola for 350 forints, and a Viennese pretzel for 300 forints at Hungary’s biggest free festival in the capital. Half a liter of mineral water will only cost you 200 forints, and a deciliter of wine will be 260 forints. A scone will set you back 275 forints. The only thing that might be a bit pricier is pálinka, which will cost over 400 forints – but hey, at least it’s the real deal!

In summary, here’s what you need to know:

• Most major supermarkets will be closed on August 20th.
• Saturday and Sunday should have regular weekend opening hours.
• Monday, August 19th, is a bit of a question mark for some chains, so check beforehand.
• Gas station convenience stores and non-stop shops in Budapest will be open on the holiday.
• Most pharmacies will be closed, but emergency ones will be available.
• Tobacco shops and small private stores may vary, so ask them directly.

There you have it, folks! Plan your shopping accordingly, and most importantly, enjoy the long weekend and the festivities. Happy August 20th!