Budapest’s biggest model car bazaar and collectors’ meetup is revving up again: the KMO Auto Model Fair (KMO Autómodell Börze) is set to bring thousands of die-cast treasures, automobilia, and toys under one roof. Hosted at KMO Cultural Center and Library (KMO Művelődési Központ és Könyvtár) in Kispest, the event spreads across three halls — Déryné Theater Hall (Déryné Színházterem), Agora (Agóra), and Chamber Hall (Kamara) — plus the side corridors and foyer, promising the usual buzz and a dizzying variety of finds for every kind of fan.
Before you floor it: this listing currently has no confirmed date on the portal, so details may be out of date. For the latest info, reach out by email. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
The fair’s home base is 1191 Budapest, Szabó Ervin Street (Szabó Ervin utca) 16. When running, doors open once a month, 09:00–13:00. Mark your calendar for the slated 2025 date: December 14.
A Monthly Treasure Hunt for Every Collector
If you collect models but don’t know where to source the best finds in Budapest, the KMO Auto Model Fair & Meetup (KMO Autómodell Börze & Találkozó) is made for you. This monthly market connects you directly with the cream of Hungarian collectors. Expect small-to-large marvels, discontinued gems, and enough variety to hook kids and seasoned pros alike. Browsing for rarities online can be slow and frustrating — wrong color, wrong scale, missed auctions — but here you can scan hundreds of tables and thousands of items in person, for free, and go home with exactly what you wanted.
Whether you’re in the Matchbox lane or swear by AutoArt, hunting a long-retired model or building a fresh display, you’ll find it here. Scales run from 1:87 to 1:12, with cars, trucks, and special vehicles covering decades of motoring history. On top of the models, vendors bring accessories and a wide range of small add-ons — diorama pieces, parts, and all kinds of tinkering bits that finish a shelf or fuel a custom project.
How the Day Unfolds
Come early. The show opens at 09:00 and closes at 13:00, and the best steals tend to roll off tables fast. The three main rooms each develop their own vibe: the theater hall for big crowd-pleasers and premium rarities; Agora for steady mid-range action; Chamber Hall for niche scales and detailed accessories. The side corridors and foyer often deliver under-the-radar bargains and last-minute trades. Bring cash, a list of missing references or colorways, and a small flashlight if you’re hunting paint flaws or tampo print variations.
What You’ll Find
– Matchbox, Hot Wheels, Majorette classics and variants
– AutoArt and other high-detail brands
– Scales from 1:87 micro-magic to 1:12 display stunners
– Discontinued models and special editions
– Automobilia: brochures, badges, vintage ads, dealer swag
– Accessories, diorama gear, display cases, and tiny spares
The selection resets monthly, so repeat visits pay off — especially if you’re chasing a specific livery, year, or casting revision.
Plan Your Trip: Nearby Stays
If you’re traveling in, Kispest has several solid options near transit.
– Hotel Chesscom: In Budapest’s 19th District, just steps from the Kőbánya-Kispest Metro terminal (KÖKI Terminal). All rooms come with air conditioning, cable TV, telephone, and free Wi‑Fi. It’s listed multiple times for a reason: convenience, connections, and consistent value.
– Hotel Sunshine: Built around a green-energy ethos, this hotel runs a geothermal wall-cooling and heating system for steady year-round comfort. Its modern design and eco-minded operation create a cozy, contemporary feel.
– Hunyadi Guesthouse (Hunyadi Panzió): A friendly, family-style guesthouse offering secure parking and wallet-friendly rates. A dependable pick if you prefer a quieter base in the neighborhood.
Eat and Refuel in Kispest
There’s plenty to eat within easy reach — ideal for a post-haul debrief or a pre-fair strategy session.
– Classic Hungarian kitchen, family vibe: Several local spots lean into home-style fare, generous portions, and relaxed service — exactly what you want after a morning of haggling.
– Bújdosó Székely Restaurant (Bújdosó Székely Vendéglő): Transylvanian-style dishes, good beers, pleasant music, and a green setting. Think hearty plates and an easygoing atmosphere to linger over your finds.
– Fisherman’s Hut (Halásztanya): Built in 1938 by the famed brewer Antal Dreher (Antal Dréher), designed by Károly Koós, this restaurant is a slice of history. Inside, centuries-old Transylvanian red fir pillars and beams still support the building. On the menu: the Papp family’s boneless fisherman’s soup and a broad spread of Hungarian classics. The shaded garden, seating around 100, is a spring-to-autumn favorite.
– A beloved home-style pick: Locals tout a down-to-earth eatery in Kispest as one of the area’s best — worth the trip even from farther afield.
– Pizzoli Pizzeria (Pizzoli Pizzéria): On Üllői Road (Üllői út), baking pizzas to Italian recipes, with whole-grain dough on request. Their giant hamburger leans into retro nostalgia. For comfort-seekers, the kitchen turns out traditional soups, meat mains, pastas, and desserts.
Dates, Changes, and Getting in Touch
The organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs. The portal currently shows no confirmed active date for this listing; if you need the latest details or want to activate contact info on the site, send an email. You can also request notifications, add the event to your bucket list, or ask for more information through the portal’s tools.
If you’re browsing beyond December 14, 2025, the calendar teases additional entries across December 2025 and into January, February, March, and April 2026. Keep an eye on updates as those approach — the fair’s momentum rarely slows, and the best trades often happen when the market is most crowded.
Bottom line: if die-cast thrills your heart, Kispest’s KMO Auto Model Fair (KMO Autómodell Börze) is the Budapest meet you don’t skip — a fast, friendly, bargain-rich shortcut to the models you’ve been scrolling for.
