Hála Nektek! – A Free Open-Air Concert of Gratitude by the Danube

This Saturday Budapest’s famous riverbank becomes the setting for a deeply moving open-air concert of thanks. Hála Nektek! — which translates simply to “Thank You!” — is a free outdoor celebration organized by Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony, coordinated with the Tisza Party to take place on May 9, 2026, from 1:00 PM at the Pest embankment at the foot of the iconic Chain Bridge.

What the Event Is About

This isn’t just a concert — it’s a heartfelt public tribute to everyday heroes: teachers who spoke out, journalists who stayed independent, civil rights defenders, environmental activists, student organizers, and countless others who stood up for their communities over the past 16 years and paid a personal price for it. The event is designed as a collective moment of gratitude before the city steps forward into a new era, making it a rare and emotionally resonant experience to witness as a visitor to Budapest.

From the Riverbank to Kossuth Square

The beautiful thing about May 9 is how the two events flow naturally into one another. The Hála Nektek! concert is timed so that attendees can walk together from the Chain Bridge along the Danube to Kossuth Square and join the main Rendszerváltó Népünnepély celebrations, including the Prime Minister’s oath of office at 3:00 PM. If you want to experience the full sweep of this historic day, starting at the riverbank and ending at Kossuth Square makes for an unforgettable afternoon and evening in Budapest.

Practical Info

• Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
• Time: 1:00 PM
• Location: Pesti Rakpart (Pest Embankment), at the foot of the Chain Bridge (Lánchíd), Budapest
• Entry: Free and open to everyone
• Getting there: The Chain Bridge is walkable from central Pest and easily accessible from several tram and bus lines along the embankment

Be Part of the Story

The Hála Nektek! concert is more than a musical event — it’s a shared moment of reflection, gratitude, and hope set against one of the most beautiful backdrops in all of Europe. If you find yourself in Budapest on May 9, make your way to the Chain Bridge at 1:00 PM, soak in the atmosphere along the Danube, and then join the crowd as it moves together toward Kossuth Square for the rest of the day’s historic celebrations. You’ll be glad you did.