The Royal Days Festival: Medieval Mayhem In Székesfehérvár (Stuhlwhite Castle)

Every year, Székesfehérvár (Stuhlwhite Castle) bursts to life as the Royal Days Festival takes over the city. Centered around the celebration of Saint Stephen (Szent István), this multi-arts extravaganza is the biggest event in Hungary’s historic capital, drawing locals and visitors for ten days of pure cultural indulgence from August 10 to 20, 2025. Expect lively markets downtown, bustling with stilt walkers, musicians, minstrels, kings, queens, knights, and dueling reenactors who bring the streets to life. The festival is packed with family activities: crafts, royal games, puppet shows, wild concerts, and even fortune-tellers and witches ready to reveal your future.

Medieval Vibes and Modern Beats

The heartbeat of the festival is the three-day Coronation Games, where historical groups, early music bands, live craft demonstrations, and giant royal puppets fill the city center and Zichy Park. There is something for everyone, whether you want to relive the Middle Ages or soak up modern music.

Tradition, History, and Spectacle

A highlight among the religious events is the solemn mass, preceded by a grand procession as relics of the Hungarian Holy Family—Saint Stephen (Szent István), Blessed Gisella (Boldog Gizella), and Saint Emeric (Szent Imre)—are carried from the Bishop’s Palace to the grand cathedral. Everything culminates on August 20, Saint Stephen’s Day, with a majestic parade, final celebrations, and a closing ceremony on the Zichy stage.

2025, adrienne