1st of May, aka Labour Day, the solidarity day of the workers is a national holiday in Hungary, so expect all the big stores and offices closed while all the museums and baths are open. But if you prefer to celebrate 1st of May doing something unusual, you can marvel at the sights & sounds of racing cars hurtling in the streets of Budapest, take part in festivities in Városliget or enjoy some beers at open-air concerts in the evening. Pub Maying – „Kocsmajális” 2019 “Kocsmajális” (Pub Maying) will be held for the sixth time at the Dürer Piknik Park, next to Városliget (City Park). You can jump head-on into the culinary treats created by the competitors of the annual cooking contest (and have a cold beer or two watching them), but “Kocsmajális” is also a charity event. Participants will be supporting the work of the Heti Betevő Association which is a non-profit organisation helping homeless people. Volunteers from the community provide weekly Sunday lunch to hundreds of people in need at seven points in Budapest. The all day event is worth visiting with family and friends, as music and children’s programs will accompany the mouth-watering dishes. When? All day from 8.00 am Where? Ajtósi Dürer Lane 19-21. (next to Városliget) Details: https://www.facebook.com/kocsmajalis/ City Park 1146 Budapest, Kós Károly sétány Go to profile The Great Run – “A Nagy Futam” 2019 The “Nagy Futam” is the biggest annual street racing event in Europe, held downtown Budapest for the seventh time this year. If you love race cars and trucks and you want to have a really close glimpse on them, Elisabeth Square and the nearby Andrássy Avenue is the place to be on 1st of May! The star of the event this year is the aspiring Formula One driver, Dutchman Max Verstappen from the Red Bull Racing Team who will perform runs and ‘donuts’ in one of the team’s previous F1 cars. Another exciting feature of the show will be the demo of the fully-electric Formula E racing car, driven by race winner Jerome d’Ambrosio of Belgium. Contrary to past years, The Great Run will only be starting in the early afternoon which gives you time to enjoy other Labour Day festivities until then. When? from 1.00 pm Where? Elisabeth Square, Andrássy Avenue, Oktogon Details: https://hungaroring.hu/en/events/great-race-vi Andrássy Avenue 1061 Budapest, Andrássy út Go to profile Terrace Opening Parties at Pontoon & A38 Ship The people of Budapest love spending their free time in open-air bars and terraces – just like you do. 1st of May is the usual opening date for the open-air season for several party places, Pontoon Budapest and the A38 Ship amongst them. Pontoon can be found at the Pest side of the Chain Bridge, and thanks to its excellent location in the heart of the city, it’s a very popular place for dance lovers. Grab a cocktail in your hand on the terrace and enjoy the wonderfully lit evening sights of Buda across the Danube. For the lovers of the electronic music we recommend visiting the A38 Ship, standing at the Buda leg of the Petőfi Bridge. You can get there by tram 4/6 or by a 13-minute walk from St. Gellért’s Square along Műegyetem Quay. House and downtempo music will be played by a group of resident DJs called The MOOD Budapest. The front terrace bar of the ship will be open from 5.00 pm and the bar is offering Labour Day discounts for cocktails ordered until 7.00 pm. Entry is free for both places. When? from 5.00 pm Where? Széchenyi Square / Petőfi Bridge (Buda side) More on A38 Front Terrace: https://www.facebook.com/events/316201252350108/ Go to profile 1st of May the Hungarian way If you wish to see how Hungarians celebrate 1st of May the traditional way, take a walk during the day with your friends or family in the Városliget (City Park) or on Margaret Island. Although most shops are closed on Labour Day, pubs and restaurants will be open to serve you beer-and-sausage (“sör-virsli”), the traditional 1st of May dish for the ordinary Hungarian during the Communist era. When the night falls, renowned Hungarian rock bands such as Adam Török & The MINI or Beatrice will be playing it out in force at the Tabán, the public park at the Buda side of the Elisabeth Bridge. You can enjoy the sounds of music sitting on the hillside with a beer in your hand, remembering Woodstock ‘69 and the glory days of pure rock music. Margaret Island 1138 Budapest, Margitsziget Go to profile