On four consecutive weekends from tomorrow, Liberty Bridge is all yours! This focal historic span will once again become a car-free public hangout attracting huge crowds. Local bands, flamenco and swing dancers, salsa, zumba and yoga instructors, will all flood the bridge, and many other exciting events are taking place directly above the Danube. Couples sipping wine under the velvet sky, kids playing hopscotch between tram tracks and friends sharing impromptu picnics were all regular scenes from last year, but see our photos below for more inspiration. Feel free to bring your special someone or your mates, and fill the bridge with fun.
One of Budapest’s most picturesque crossings, Liberty Bridge, was closed to traffic for three months in the summer of 2016 due to construction works. During this time, crowds gathered to create an impromptu picnic spot and as more and more people hung out on the bridge, it became the hotspot of the summer. But all good things must come to an end, and towards autumn, cars were allowed back on the bridge, ending its time as a recreation space.
But a spark had been lit. The following year, urban activists Valyo successfully persuaded the authorities to turn the bridge into an official car-free recreation zone at certain times. This initiative ended with many happy scenes like a wedding photo shoot, impromptu concerts, dance shows, magic acts, picnics, BBQs and all kinds of cool gatherings. And this year, Valyo has won a hand at bridge again, so this is all happening again. On July 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 and August 4-5, the bridge will belong to everyone but cars.
