This Saturday, the Budapest Pride parade and party brighten up the streets and squares of the Hungarian capital. Starting at Dráva utca, walking along the Danube riverbank to Szabadság tér, then ending with a Rainbow Party, the 27th annual Budapest Pride festivities should be more memorable than ever. We pick out some of the features and highlights.
Now in its 27th year, Budapest Pride is one of the city’s liveliest and most inclusive annual events. Here’s what to look forward to tomorrow, Saturday, 23 July – and into the early hours of Sunday.
People start convening near the Danube in Dráva utca, District XIII, from around 2pm, and the parade sets off at 3pm. Vans, trucks and cars, DJs and cyclists provide the music as marchers stroll down the riverfront, heading into downtown District V, and turning left at Zoltán utca near the Shoes on the Danube Bank memorial.
If you can’t set off with the main group from the start, you can always nip in at special entry points along the way, at Carl Lutz rakpart, Margaret Bridge, id. Antall József rakpart, Széchenyi rakpart and Zoltán utca.
You can see the route here. Remember to pack plenty of water, but no glass bottles are allowed, and dogs should be kept on a leash.
The last stop is the wide square of Szabadság tér, where from 5pm, duo DJs Bianca&Lujza spin tunes and Lady Szomjas introduces a number of presenters and performances until 8pm. Look out for Elona Musk, who’ll give a drag show to remember. Many NGOs showcase their activities in the Civilian Village set up on the square.
Things kick off again with the Rainbow Party at Budapest Park from 10pm. More than a dozen DJs and performers keep the beat going until 4am, including Galactic Jackson, Falcao, Technokool and Barbad.
Tickets for the night-time event are available here. Pre-sale price is 3,490-3,990 forints, it’s 4,990 forints on the door, 7,990 a solidarity ticket.
