When Do the Parliament Lights Turn On and Off in Budapest? (Monthly Breakdown)
- Betti Tour Guide in Budapest
- Dec 24, 2025
- 4 min read
If Budapest had a daily ritual, this would be it. As the sun dips behind the Buda hills and the Danube slowly darkens, the Hungarian Parliament Building transforms from impressive to unreal. Locals pause, tourists lift their phones, and suddenly the city feels cinematic.
But when exactly do the Parliament lights turn on? And when do they disappear again?Here’s the honest, no-nonsense answer — with context, timing, and a few local quirks you won’t usually find in guidebooks.
🌇 When Do the Parliament Lights Turn On and Off?
The Hungarian Parliament lights do not turn on at a fixed clock time but follow the rhythm of the sun, switching on shortly after sunset once daylight fades enough. In winter this can be as early as 4:00–4:30 pm, in spring and autumn typically between 6:30 and 8:00 pm, while in summer, when sunset is much later, the lights usually come on around 8:45–9:15 pm. The illumination often happens in stages, so if you arrive exactly at sunset and the building looks only partially lit, give it a few minutes — full brightness usually appears once dusk properly settles.
As for when the lights turn off, there is no officially published daily time either, but based on long-standing local patterns they usually go dark around 10:00 pm for most of the year, stay on until about 11:00 pm during the summer months (sometimes later on weekends), and can extend toward midnight during special events, festivals, or peak tourist seasons.
To give you a clearer idea of what to expect throughout the year, the monthly breakdown below shows typical sunset times in Budapest and when the Parliament lights usually turn on.
January
Sunset: ~16:20–16:25
Lights on: ~16:30–16:40
Winter comes fast. If you show up by 16:30, you’re golden.
February
Sunset: ~17:05–17:15
Lights on: ~17:10–17:25
Still chilly but longer evenings mean more time for river strolls before sparkles.
March
Sunset: ~17:50–19:00 (daylight-saving starts late)
Lights on: ~just after dusk
By the end of March, twilight creeps toward 19:00+ — feast for evening wanderers.
April
Sunset: ~19:30–19:45
Lights on: ~shortly after
Pleasant temperatures make April evenings perfect for lingering photos.
May
Sunset: ~20:10–20:20
Lights on: ~20:15–20:30
Long spring nights — but sunset stays light late.
June
Sunset: ~20:40–20:45 (longest days)
Lights on: ~20:45–21:00
Summer peak: dusk is late, but oh, it pays off.
July
Sunset: ~20:35–20:40
Lights on: ~20:40–21:00
Still balmy evenings — perfect for river cruises.
August
Sunset: ~19:55–20:20
Lights on: ~20:00–20:30
Still late but easing back into autumn.
September
Sunset: ~18:55–19:00
Lights on: ~19:00–19:15
Summer heat subsides and evenings get crisp.
October
Sunset: ~17:55–18:00
Lights on: ~18:00–18:15
Very comfortable — and no need to freeze for epic shots.
November
Sunset: ~16:20–16:30
Lights on: ~16:30–16:40
Short daylight again. Best to plan dinner then eyes to the river.
December
Sunset: ~15:50–15:57
Lights on: ~16:00–16:10
Short, sweet, and super dramatic against winter skies.
Local tip: If seeing the illuminated Parliament is a priority, aim for sunset until 9:30 pm. That window is the safest bet year-round.
🌍 One Exception: Earth Hour
Once a year, usually in late March, Budapest participates in Earth Hour. During this event, major landmarks — including the Parliament — turn their lights off for one hour, typically between 8:30 and 9:30 pm.
If you happen to see the building go dark unexpectedly on that night: don’t panic, don’t refresh Google Maps, don’t blame the city. It’s intentional.
📸 Why Timing Matters So Much
Seeing the Parliament lit at night isn’t just about “seeing it.” It’s about how you see it.
The reflection in the Danube is strongest shortly after sunset
The warm lighting contrasts beautifully with the cool blue evening sky
Photos taken too late (after lights go off) lose that iconic golden tone
The best viewpoints during lit hours:
Batthyány Square (classic, unbeatable)
Margit Bridge (especially the middle section)
Danube river cruises
Even a simple walk along the Pest embankment works if timing is right
⭐ Quick Tips for Best Shots
🔥 Arrive before full dark — Plan to be riverside 10–20 minutes before sunset. The glow during civil twilight(between sunset and full dark) is where the Parliament looks cinematic.
⚡ Seasonal peak: May–June gives you the longest evenings if you like late sunset—though winter has that dramatic contrast.
📷 Winter bonus: Frozen river lights and reflections look stunning too — even earlier in the evening.
⏰ Quick Overview
Lights turn on:→ Shortly after sunset (changes daily)
Lights turn off (typical):→ Around 10:00 pm most of the year→ Around 11:00 pm or later in summer
Final Thought
Budapest doesn’t rush this moment — and neither should you. If you plan your evening around the Parliament lights, you’re not just checking off a landmark. You’re catching the city at its most self-aware, most theatrical, and honestly… most romantic.
Enjoyed this post? Let’s explore Budapest together!
I’m Betti, your private tour guide behind Betti Tours Budapest.
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