On the one hand, the first of May is a Catholic church holiday, precisely that of József, the worker, the patron saint of workers. In addition, May 1 is Labor Day in most parts of the world – except for the United States of America and Canada. On this occasion, it will be possible to participate in many programs this year as well. We have collected some of them!
There are many programs to choose from on May Day. / Photo: patches.1 / Shutterstock
Why is Labor Day on May Day?
In the last century – mainly in the Soviet Union, then in the socialist member states – the first of May was considered a labor holiday, which was celebrated with mandatory parades and programs. This was the first time in Hungary in 1890. After the fall of the communist system, starting in the nineties, the first of May changed both in its meaning and in its form of celebration: it became a workers’ solidarity day, when many trade union associations organize movements. This year, local governments are also organizing programs and many other outdoor venues are preparing for the public holiday.
Why was beer and hot dogs served on May Day?
On the one hand, because beer and hot dogs were produced by the industrial proletariat, while wine was produced by the peasantry. Moreover, between the wars, beer was only available to the wealthy class, and then, due to party influence, it suddenly reached the common people as well, which made the worker feel like a gentleman. In addition, hot dogs are perfect for being produced, transported and served in large quantities and cheaply. This tradition is still preserved in some form in many places.
This year’s Városliget maypole will be like this
May Day was first celebrated in Városliget in 1890. This year’s party will last from 10 a.m. until the evening. There will be children’s programs in the morning, concerts in the afternoon, and we can end the day with a party in the evening. Here are some of the programs:
- 10:00: Bing Bunny
- 11:30: Magician Anselmo’s Show
- 12:20: Bubble Ensemble
- 2:00 p.m.: Paw Patrol concert
- 15:30: Mohamed Fatima concert
- 17:00: Caramel concert
- 18:30: Gigi Radics concert
- 20:30: Dj Dominique Fergeteg Party
The Hello Europe festival also starts on the first of May
May 1–5 between, countless family, cultural, music and light art programs will await visitors at several points in the capital – from Városháza park through Károly körút and Szabadság híd to Móricz Zsigmond körtér. There will be a dance performance, gastronomic specialties, but the children won’t be left out of the fun either: fairy-tale concerts, children’s performances, a magician, a hip-hop dance show, a carousel, a recycled playground, and of course the eternal classics: face painting and glitter tattoos. The detailed programs itt and itt can be read.
A spring whirlwind awaits visitors at the XVI. district
The programs at the Kertváros majális in Erzsébet-liget run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Among them will be a puppet theater, a children’s concert, a maypole display, special performances and concerts. Here are some of them:
- 10:00 Ládafia Puppet Theater performance
- 12:00 May tree setting
- 15:30 Magic performance
- 16:20 Tóni Solymos performance
- 19:00 Surprise concert
The vehicle repair shop is also waiting for visitors
Majális will be in the Northern Vehicle Repair Shop and also in the Transport Museum. Children and adults are welcome with plenty of free programs! Among other things, What are we going with? The 125th anniversary of the Transport Museum will also be celebrated in a dignified way with the new temporary exhibition Energy mix in traffic between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.: dozens of unique vintage cars will arrive in the yard of the North and Opera Eiffel Workshops as the final stop of the Classic Vehicle Parade. After that, guided tours, musical programs, a children’s bicycle obstacle course and colorful museum educational programs await those interested from 2 and 3:30 p.m.
These will be the programs in Káposztámegyer
Niki Füredi and Tomi Pál give a concert with Disney hits on the cabbage festival. Before it was a folk dance, and after it was The Blue Painter’s Apprentice. those interested can see a puppet show. Later, the Cotton Club Singers and the MÁV chamber orchestra come, and finally they close with a surprise concert. It will be in addition
- balloon folding;
- face painting;
- stilt walkers, mirror men;
- playground;
- adventure course;
- small motorcycle track;
- craft occupation;
- petting zoo;
- and also a light train.
There will be a bike ride in Újbuda
Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., an event called Bringás Majális will be held at Sport11 (District XI, Kánai út 2.), where there will be cycling skills competitions, sticker collecting adventures, short bike tours, trying out weird and crazy bikes, and even free bikes and participants can also take part in the parts exchange. The detailed program itt readable.
This will be the case in Gazdasgrét, May
If someone likes to learn or is interested in beekeeping, then by all means go to the Gazdagrét Community Hall on Honey Majális. They hold a puppet show in which the daily life of the bees is presented. There will be a workshop What is honey good for? titled, on which we can make a beeswax scarf. There will also be a bicycle fair and an asphalt drawing competition. The event starts at 9 a.m. and lasts until 2 p.m., and the detailed programs itt can be read.
Majális will also be on Normafa
The first Majális in Normafa awaits everyone in a modern guise, yet preserving the traditions. There will be maypole decoration, bouncy castle, mead and flame, ice cream and the usual gastronomic experiences far from the noise of the city, yet close. The Normafa Síház, the Normafa Rétes and the 477 Hütte are teaming up and preparing colorful programs for both children and adults from morning to evening. The detailed programs itt can be read.
Those who want to relax are also welcome in the Bókay garden
Various performances and concerts will be held at several locations, but it will also be possible to buy handicrafts. The programs start at 10 a.m., Quimby gives a concert at 9:30 p.m. In addition, there will be a maypole display, Bing Nyuszi Show, Bálint Gájer concert and Soulwave will also perform. The event will also feature stilt walkers, giant puppets, and a craft fair. Additional programs itt can be read.
There will be a free festival in Tabán
A Taban Festival it is now the capital’s biggest, traditional season-opening music event. In addition to the “grand olds”, a younger band always plays a role here. The concerts are free and Alapi Power Band, Mini, Mobilmánia, Deák Bill Gyula and Bikini will perform, among others.
Theater lovers will not be bored either
The 128th birthday of the Vígszínház begins on May 1 at 3 p.m. They will first announce the program for the 2024/25 season, after which their actors will perform excerpts from their popular shows such as Pinocchio, The Pál Street Boys, The Attic or The Great Gatsby. In addition, all those who are interested are welcome with discounted ticket purchase options, autographs and a series of screenings.
It’s cancer-free
The XVII. in the district, from morning to evening, the drinkers are waiting. There will be a movement fair, Boka Boogie Band Rock & Roll band concert, Vintage Dolls acoustic concert, Republic live music concert, bubble football, giant bubble show, crate train, helicopter simulator in a real cabin and a tent camp with crafts.