Thousands Gather in Budapest for Europe Day Celebrations One Day After Péter Magyar Sworn In as Prime Minister

Thousands gathered in Budapest on 10 May 2026 to celebrate Europe Day, an occasion that this year also marked the 22nd anniversary of Hungary’s accession to the European Union. The events on Szabadság tér came one day after the new Hungarian parliament convened and Péter Magyar was sworn in as prime minister following his party’s landslide victory in the April 2026 election.

On 9 May 1950 the Schuman Declaration was issued, laying the foundations for what became the European Union.

Seventy-six years later to the day, Hungary swore in a new prime minister in a development expected to reshape the often tense EU–Hungary relationship, Euronews reported. A young woman on Szabadság tér said the change had altered the tone of the celebration. "We are all very happy.

I’ve never come out for Europe Day before, so I can’t compare it, but you can really feel the good mood, especially after yesterday," she told reporters. Another participant voiced similar sentiments about the shift in government. "I’m really pleased about it, to be honest, and I feel there is a much more enthusiastic and motivated atmosphere.

Not least because we now have a chance to set off again on a shared path with Europe," the participant said. Organisers opened the Europe Day programme with a half marathon of 21 kilometres. Participants could choose to run the full distance or compete in relay teams if they did not want to cover all 21 kilometres.

The schedule on Szabadság tér included concerts that continued into the evening. The band hiperkarma headlined the programme on the night of 10 May 2026. A detailed schedule for the Europe Day events on 10 May 2026 is available on a Hungarian-language website.