Brimming with masterpieces and lively events, the Hungarian National Gallery (Magyar Nemzeti Galéria) remains the go-to destination for art lovers in Budapest in 2025. Perched atop the former royal palace, it’s not just a museum—it’s a bustling cultural playground. The calendar is packed with exhibitions, workshops, guided tours in multiple languages, family days, concerts, and even the occasional mustache appreciation tour. Both kids and adults can find their niche, from craft sessions to philosophical strolls and avant-garde dance.
Sunday Choral Kicks Off Festivities
Start your Sunday with harmony on October 26. The dome hall on the first floor comes alive with the Tavasz Women’s Choir, setting a melodious tone for the coming weeks.
Kid-Focused Fun During Fall Break
Little ones aren’t left out: October 28 and 29 feature interactive guided tours for 6-to-9-year-olds and 10-to-13-year-olds, with themes such as “Cheerful Works of Art” and “Storytelling Altars.” Children are whisked through the galleries, discovering masterpieces in engaging, age-appropriate ways.
November for All Ages: History, Drama & Art
On November 4, young children discover the world of “Little Ladies and Gentlemen,” exploring the lush interiors, classic salons, and lifestyle of youth in days gone by. They’ll peek into how children once dressed, played, and learned the art of fine manners.
November 5 brings crafts and creativity. “Intellectual Fitness – The Beauty of Everyday Life” invites visitors to experience the tranquility of domestic scenes captured by Adolf Fényes, master of sunlit courtyards and bustling markets. After touring his memorial exhibition, inspiration flows into a hands-on workshop. Kids can also join the “Color It Again!” club, where the world of theater spills into gallery halls: masks, puppets, crowns, and stage sets are created by children, who become kings, queens, farmers, or lively goatherds for a day.
Dance, Fashion & Italian-Language Tours
November 7 features “EX-POSE(S),” where dance and visual art collide—perfect for anyone curious about the cutting edge where movement and painting exchange secrets. Meanwhile, Italian speakers can join a special guided tour, exploring Hungarian art from the Middle Ages to modern times, spotlighting legends from the 19th and 20th centuries. Who knows, you might even spot Dante among the masterpieces.
Homage to Fényes & Changing Trends
Mark your calendar for November 8 to dive into “Pictures of Tranquility,” a tribute marking 80 years since the passing of Adolf Fényes. Explore his legacy, then paint your own apron inspired by his favorite colors and motifs. On the same day, the “Constant Change—Fashion Through Paintings” event at the Autumn Festival of Museums takes visitors from the lavish trends of the Baroque to the short-cropped haircuts of modernity, all reflected in the portraits lining the walls.
The Big Mustache Showcase
November 9 is not to be missed by facial hair fans or the simply curious. The “Great Mustache Panorama” tour delves into Hungary’s rich tradition of styled facial hair—from twirled to outlaw-bristled, every whisker tells a tale of manliness, order, or rebel freedom. Join to see how history and style intertwine in art.
Theater, Crafts, and Sunlit Paintings
Budding dramatists can revisit the “Color It Again!” workshop on November 12. On November 13, “Look, Mom!—Sunny Days” guides visitors through Adolf Fényes’ world of glowing home interiors and bustling market scenes—a painterly window into the joys and sorrows of everyday life in 19th- and 20th-century Hungary.
Family Days & St. Martin’s Adventures
On November 15, the Gallery offers tailored tours for two age groups, taking kids on a St. Martin’s Day adventure through art. That same day, a focused tour on Fényes and the Szolnok artists’ colony lets art enthusiasts explore even deeper.
From Secret Societies to Japanese Ceramics
November and beyond offer even more: building tours from crypt to dome, world-class exhibitions on spiritualism, theosophy, and Buddhism at the turn of the 20th century, and comprehensive retrospectives on artists like Gyula Czimra. Pop-up shows feature contemporary Japanese ceramics during Budapest Design Week, while talks on occult sciences and works by Anton Rozman illuminate lesser-known corners of art history.
Authentic Japanese tea ceremonies punctuate November, culminating in a festive Christmas Chakai on December 18. And don’t miss programs throughout the Buda Castle District running all year—just remember, dates and details might change, so check the latest information before your visit.
