The Budapest Fireworks Dinner Cruise with Dinner, Live Gypsy Music and Open Bar for 149 Euro per person is one of the most popular choices of the summer evening cruises in Hungary, among locals and tourists alike.
One of the most well known Danube river cruises every year is the much-awaited Budapest Fireworks Cruise: this exquisite boat tour on the river Danube takes place on August 20, on the national holiday of Hungarians when spectacular fireworks show enlightens the beautiful sights in Budapest, reflected in the water of the river – thus having a double visual treat, enhanced by the great foods, drinks, and music we provide to have something really special and luxurious in romantic Budapest!
Book your Cruise now as spaces are limited – every year the programme is sold out in advance.
The fascinating river cruise consists of the 3 hour river programme, the unlimited drink package, buffet style / all you can eat dinner, live music and of course one of the best seats you could get for the Budapest Fireworks. You will feel that you are really part of something special and amazing, as are hoping the hundreds of thousands of Hungarians who travel to Budapest for this single day to see the Fireworks.
What does the Fireworks River Cruise with Gypsy Music ticket include?
Your ticket (€149) to the Fireworks Boat Tour in Budapest includes the following:
- 180 minute program between 7 pm and 10 pm when all the sights are glowing in lights (the fireworks start at 9 pm, but no ships are allowed to cruise during the show)
- Budapest Fireworks show from 9 pm – enjoy the Fireworks from our boat tour on the river Danube!
- Buffet Dinner (all you can eat)
- Live music by the award winning Hungarian Gypsy Rajko Band: the 3 members of the band will be playing salon music in the background
- Open bar: drink as much as you want – wines, beers, sparkling wine, soft drinks, tea, coffee (see the list of the available drinks on the cruise below). Note: no spirits included.
- No guide is included – kindly note that there is no commentary about the river sights on this dinner cruise
- E-Ticket via email (no printing needed)
When is the Fireworks River Cruise?
The Fireworks river cruise is one of the most special and most spectacular river boat tours in Budapest. The Danube cruise is basically a 90 minute river cruise from 7 pm to 8.30 pm (the program finishes at 10pm). Then right after the cruising, the river cruise program continues with watching the Fireworks show in the city center of Budapest, right on the river Danube, on board of our boat from 9 pm! Please note that no boats are allowed to move about from 9 pm to 9:30pm on the city sections of the river Danube, which is a safety precaution of the Budapest local government. So during the fireworks show the boat will not be allowed to cruise – hence our ‘tour’, meaning literally cruising on the river is only possible before the fireworks show start. But as hundreds of thousands stand by the riverbanks, you will have a VIP seat the watch the Fireworks Show from (with the fascinating program)
How much are the tickets for the Fireworks Cruise with Gypsy Music?
The tickets for the special holiday boat tour on August 20 are 149 Euros. Booking is via our online booking form (see the left side of the page). Book now to get your VIP river cruise now.
How can I buy tickets for the Fireworks Boat Tour, Budapest?
You can buy tickets online in advance via our online cruise booking form:
Can I have the Fireworks Cruise without the Dinner?
Our experience is that on the one hand, the tickets quickly sell out (sorry), and on the other, as the streets are very crowded because of the biggest Hungarian spectacle of the year, the Fireworks Show, it is quite hard to get from one place to another on this day around the riverbank where the annual celebrations are.
So it is pretty awkward to arrange a good dinner, then get to the river in time for a good spot for the 9 pm Fireworks. We talk from experience, but it is your Budapest holiday and your preferences, so it is up to you.
Imagine hundreds of thousands of Hungarian locals, many expats and thousands of tourists gathering on the river banks, on both sides of the river Danube to be part of this happy celebration: all along the river Danube, from the southern bridges (Rakoczi Bridge, Petofi Bridge) through the innermost city bridges, like Liberty Bridge, Elisabeth Bridge, Chain Bridge, Margaret Bridge) to the northern bridges like Arpad Bridge. The hills on the Buda side are full of hopeful and celebrating locals to enjoy the Fireworks. The streets right by the river and leading up to the river are also full. It is impossible to get through with a taxi, public transport comes to a still. The river is a VIP spot in itself – not just for its perfect position for the fireworks show, but also for its comfort from the crowds (peaceful crowds, but still lots and lots of people, easy access to a toilet if needed, etc.)
Dinner Menu at the Fireworks River Cruise, Budapest
Starters:
Hungarian Goulash Soup (LF) (GF)

Hungarian Beef Paprikash
Starters:
Hungarian Goulash Soup (LF) (GF)
Vegetable Soup (V) (LF)
Salad:
Mixed salad with Pesto (GF) (Vegan)
Pasta Salad with Yoghurt (V) (GF)
Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream (GF) (V)
Main:
Hungarian Beef Paprikash with Red Wine (GF)
Stuffed Cabbage Hungarian style (Turkey) (GF)

Strudel selection on Cruise
Chicken Fillet in Gravy and with Ragout (GF) ( LF)
Oven baked Vegetables (V) (GF)
Vegetable couscous (LF) (Vegan)
Side dishes:
Dumplings (Vegan) (LF)
Rice (GF) (Vegan)
Roasted Potatoes with Parsley (GF) (Vegan)
Desserts:
Hungarian Strudel (V)
“Somloi” Trifle (V)
Fruit Bowl can be requested (GF) (Vegan)
(V): Vegetarian
(LF): Lactose Free
(GF): Gluten Free
What can I drink at the Fireworks River Cruise?
The Open Bar on the Fireworks River Cruise contains the following beverages:
Beer:
- Gróf Széchenyi Premium Lager / draft
Soft Drinks:
- Soda / Pops Coca Cola Products
- Juices
- Bottled Mineral water (Szentkiralyi)
Hot drinks
- Coffee (Espresso) (Segafredo)
- Tea (Dilmah)
Where is the Fireworks River Cruise in Budapest?
The meeting point of the Fireworks Cruise can be on the Buda or the Pest side, depending on the ticket type you purchase. Please read your confirmation email carefully to see the actual ship and meeting point.
Please note that all seats on the cruise ship are pre-booked, no drop-ins are accepted.
Miscellaneous Info about the Budapest Fireworks
Please note that the fireworks are by nature a noisy event, which is not recommended for toddlers and smaller children. If you have sensitive ears, and you are generally hurt by firework shows, we recommend using earplugs during the event of the Budapest Fireworks.
After the Fireworks the roads and streets are full of crowds, so it will definitely take more time to get to your hotel in Budapest or to other Budapest bars to further celebrate the event.
The Hungarian Fireworks show is rich in its colours and rhythms. That said, the national symbols, like the colours of the national tricolour of the Hungarian flag get more weight in the colour scheme (the Hungarian flag is red-white-green stripes, sort of like the Italian flag, but ours is horizontally striped not vertically).
What does the Fireworks Cruise include?
The popular Fireworks cruise with Dinner & Open Bar (drink as much as you wish) is 149 Euros. Kindly note that the price is for the 2023 Budapest Fireworks cruise (each year the price is subject to change). There are only very few people in Budapest who have an up front seat to watch the most celebrated event in Hungary, Aug 20 Fireworks, and our river cruise is getting special permit on the national holiday to cruise on the river and to be positioned for great views for the fireworks.
You can book the river cruise via our online booking form. Secure your seat for the most special Hungarian river cruise in advance now. We are counting down the days till Aug 20, and are very excited to welcome you aboard.
Last updated Aug, 2023
Hello
I have paid fro 2 tickets for the Fireworks Cruise on the Szechenyi boat for the Gypsy Band.
How do I collect my tickets please?
Kind Regards
Paul Burton
Dear PAUL,
thank you for booking your Budapest Danube river cruise in advance.
The confirmation email was already sent to you on 1 Aug, I have just resent it again from our backup email address. Have you received it this time?
please children 13 years old same price ?
Dear Gianni,
unfortunately there is no children ticket on this cruise. Thank you for your understanding.
please children years old same price ?