Fireworks in Budapest: Celebrate Safely and Protect Our Animals

Fireworks might look magical, but for many animals (and even for us) they can turn New Year’s Eve into a night of fear, stress, and danger. In Budapest, the city has taken big steps to protect both people and pets by tightening firework rules, and as a visitor, understanding these changes can help you celebrate safely and kindly. Here’s what every tourist should know to keep themselves, their loved ones, and the city’s animals safe on Szilveszter.

Why Fireworks Are So Hard on Animals

To us, fireworks are a dazzling show of light and sound. But for dogs, cats, birds, and even wildlife, they feel like a sudden attack. Animals have much more sensitive hearing than humans, so a distant bang can sound like a thunderclap right next to them. The flashes and unpredictable noises trigger panic, making pets hide, tremble, or try to escape. In past years, animal shelters in Hungary reported hundreds of lost or injured animals after New Year’s Eve, many of them dogs that bolted in terror and never found their way home.

Even small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters can be deeply stressed by the noise and light. If they’re kept outdoors, the sudden explosions can cause heart attacks or injuries as they panic in their cages. For this reason, many animal welfare groups and city authorities now strongly encourage people to avoid fireworks, especially in residential areas, and to create a calm, safe environment for all animals during the celebrations.

Budapest’s New Firework Rules (2025–2026)

To reduce noise, danger, and stress, Budapest has introduced stricter rules for New Year’s Eve fireworks. These rules are designed to balance the right to celebrate with the right of residents and animals to peace and safety.

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• Category 2 and 3 fireworks (medium- and large-scale devices like battery packs, big rockets, and loud “battery” fireworks) are banned in protected zones on New Year’s Eve. These zones include:
  • All residential areas (with a 50-meter buffer around homes, hotels, and apartments).
  • Hospitals, nursing homes, and other inpatient care facilities.
  • Animal shelters, zoos, and animal-related facilities.
  • Nature reserves, Natura 2000 sites, forests, parks, and cemeteries.
• In these protected areas, only Category 1 fireworks (small, low-noise items like sparklers, small poppers, and “devil’s crackers”) are allowed, and even those must be used responsibly and safely.
• Outside the protected zones, Category 2 and 3 fireworks can only be used in a short window: from 8 p.m. on December 31 to 2 a.m. on January 1. This limits the loudest part of the celebration to a few hours around midnight, rather than all night.
• Using fireworks in the wrong place or at the wrong time can result in fines of up to 200,000 HUF, so it’s much safer and more respectful to enjoy the city’s organized events instead of setting off your own display.

How to Celebrate Without Hurting Anyone

The good news is that you don’t need loud fireworks to have a wonderful New Year’s Eve in Budapest. The city offers many beautiful, animal-friendly alternatives that let you enjoy the festive atmosphere without the stress and danger.

• Join a river cruise or rooftop party
  Many boats on the Danube and rooftop bars in the city center organize special New Year’s Eve parties with music, drinks, and a great view of the city lights. These events are usually in firework-free zones, so they’re much calmer for pets and people alike.
• Visit the Christmas markets and light shows
  Budapest’s main Christmas markets (like Vörösmarty tér and the Advent Basilica in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica) stay open until early January and feature stunning light shows, live music, and festive food. Instead of fireworks, they use 3D projections and light installations that are magical without being frightening.
• Enjoy a thermal bath “Sparty” or a cozy dinner
  Budapest is famous for its thermal baths, and many of them host special New Year’s Eve events with music, light shows, and a relaxed atmosphere. A quiet dinner in a traditional Hungarian restaurant, followed by a walk along the Danube, can be just as memorable as a noisy firework display.

Protecting Your Own Pet in Budapest

If you’re traveling with a dog, cat, or other pet, a few simple steps can make a big difference in keeping them calm and safe.

• Keep them indoors
  On New Year’s Eve, bring your pet inside and keep them in a quiet room away from windows and balconies. Close the curtains or blinds to block out flashes, and play soft music, the TV, or white noise to help mask the sound of distant fireworks.
• Create a safe space
  Set up a cozy corner with their favorite bed, blanket, and toys. Let them retreat there if they feel anxious, and avoid forcing them to be in the middle of loud celebrations.
• Tire them out earlier
  A long walk or play session during the day can help your pet feel more relaxed and sleepy when the noise starts. Just make sure they’re on a leash and under control, especially in busy areas.
• Check ID and microchip
  Make sure your pet’s collar has a tag with your contact information, and that their microchip details are up to date. If they do get scared and run away, this is the best way to get them back quickly.
• Stay with them if possible
  If you’re staying in an apartment or hotel, try to be with your pet during the peak noise hours (roughly 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.). Your presence and calm voice can be very reassuring.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

Even with the best precautions, accidents can happen. If your pet is injured, panics and runs away, or shows signs of severe stress (like heavy panting, trembling, or refusing to eat), it’s important to act quickly.

• Call emergency services
  In Hungary, the general emergency number is 112. This connects you to police, ambulance, and fire services, who can help if there’s a fire, injury, or other serious incident related to fireworks.
• Contact a vet or animal rescue
  If your pet is hurt or extremely distressed, contact a local veterinarian or animal shelter as soon as possible. Many clinics in Budapest have emergency services, and some animal welfare organizations can offer advice or help with lost pets.
• Report dangerous fireworks use
  If you see someone using fireworks in a protected zone (like near homes, hospitals, or animal shelters), or if they’re behaving recklessly (pointing fireworks at people, animals, or buildings), you can report it to the local authorities. This helps keep the city safer for everyone.

A Kinder, Safer New Year’s Eve

Budapest’s new firework rules are not about taking away fun; they’re about creating a celebration that’s safer, quieter, and more considerate for everyone – including the animals that can’t speak for themselves. By choosing animal-friendly events, respecting the rules, and taking a few simple steps to protect pets, you can enjoy a truly special New Year’s Eve in the Hungarian capital.

So this New Year’s Eve, let’s celebrate with kindness: with a toast by the Danube, a warm meal, and the beautiful lights of the city, rather than with loud bangs that frighten our furry friends. That way, both people and animals can welcome the new year in peace, safety, and joy.