Just wanted to say it's a trip! I don't really know how it is in US cities, but in Hungary, it seems like everyone crowds along the Danube River, waiting for fireworks (which lasts a good 30 minutes) and then the National Anthem is played where everyone is REAL solemn and quiet-like.
But that's not the trippy part! It appears it starts around 7 pm and there's a place near the river called Walking Street (in English, Vaci u. in Hungarian) and it seems everyone goes there first. No cars, so it is packed WALL TO WALL with people blowing noise-makers, wailing away on horns, wearing goofy hats and masks, yelling, drinking, whatever. There's a dance club on the Street that blasts techno/dance music and a strip club right opposite (with a window dance) if you want to get your jollies another way. As you walk, you are always "bipped" (nod to Whimsy) on the head with aforementioned horns, but it's all in good fun (meaning no malicious HARD hits which might go on in the US). At different points on the street or river, bands play (we saw a swing and a rock/metal band; I'm sure there was others).
All in all, a kickin' good time and it was a great experience!