The streets of Budapest were transformed into a sea of color and celebration on Saturday as Budapest Pride 2025 drew an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 participants, sending a powerful message of defiance to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his government’s increasingly hardline stance on LGBTQ+ rights.

Amid the sweltering summer heat, the Pride march stretched across the Elizabeth Bridge, spilling along both banks of the Danube River and into the heart of the city. What would normally be a 20-minute walk from Pest to Buda turned into a vibrant, three-hour-long procession filled with music, dance, and protest.

This year’s turnout dwarfed last year’s 35,000 attendees, a surge many attributed directly to Orban’s controversial ban on LGBTQ+ content and growing authoritarian tone. Many marchers said they came out this year precisely because of government pressure, calling it a form of peaceful resistance.

Protest banners and handmade signs openly mocked Orban, reflecting the frustration of Hungary’s youth. “In my history class, I learnt enough to recognise a dictatorship. You don’t need to illustrate it – Vik!” read one sign. Another declared, “I’m so bored of Fascism.”

Marchers wore T-shirts featuring Orban’s face, humorously reimagined with bold eyeshadow and lipstick, turning the prime minister into a symbol of satire.

Budapest, known for its nightlife and festival culture, leaned into its image as a party city but this time, the celebration carried a political edge. Pride became more than a parade; it was a peaceful show of defiance, a demand for equality, and a rejection of fear.

Organizers hailed the event as a major success and a clear indication that Hungary’s LGBTQ+ community and its allies will not be silenced.