The Hungarian National Gallery is Hungary’s largest public collection documenting and showcasing the rise and evolution of the nation’s visual arts. Beyond its permanent and temporary exhibitions, it offers guided tours in Hungarian and foreign languages, themed programs, family days, festivals, and concerts. Kids get plenty of hands-on creativity too, with workshops, art education sessions, and summer camps designed to spark curiosity and skill.
MÚZEUM+ Tihanyi
On December 3, MÚZEUM+ spotlights Lajos Tihanyi, born 140 years ago and a defining member of the avant-garde group The Eight. For decades up to the 1970s, Hungarian audiences knew his work almost exclusively from black-and-white reproductions, and his legacy found its way back to Hungary along a decidedly adventurous route. This evening program introduces Tihanyi as both a warm-hearted friend and a revolutionary artist whose voice reshaped modern Hungarian painting. Budapest
Color It Anew! – Kids’ Museum Workshop
December’s sessions invite children on a magical winter journey through the most distinctive works of Hungarian art. Imagination takes them to icy, snow-covered landscapes and to warm, cheerful homes, each paired with a mesmerizing story. The workshops prepare for winter and the holidays alike: Saint Nicholas, Mary, and the infant Jesus all make an appearance. After playful exploration and conversation in the galleries, kids head to the studio to create, inspired by winter tales. December 3, 10, 17. Budapest
Look, Mom! – Parallels of Motherhood
On December 4, the gallery looks toward Christmas by tracing the most depicted mother and child in art history—the Virgin Mary and Jesus—across panel paintings and sculptures. The tour finds surprising echoes of this timeless theme from the Middle Ages through modern and contemporary art. Budapest
Rebellious Forms, Bold Colors – The Art of Lajos Tihanyi
A special retrospective marks the 140th anniversary of Tihanyi’s birth, displaying his most important paintings, graphic works, and personal objects. Having lost his hearing in childhood, Tihanyi forged color and form from silence and found a singular voice in the language of painting. Without academic training, he developed an extraordinary visual idiom that made him one of the most original figures of The Eight and 20th-century Hungarian art. Guided tours deepen the dive into his practice. December 6, 11, 21, 27, 30, and January 9. Budapest
Create! – A Gilded Celebration
On December 6, St. Nicholas Day, get into the holiday spirit with the legend of Saint Nicholas and the shimmering glow of Gothic altarpieces. After the tour, participants decorate small table linens with gold paint, drawing on motifs from the altars—perfect, radiant accents for the festive table. Budapest
Waiting and the Miracle of Birth
Writer and art historian Rita Halász leads an Advent-themed, offbeat guided tour on December 7. Expect quiet magic: meditations on waiting, birth, and the depth of the season, framed by works that speak softly yet powerfully. Budapest
Mental Fitness – Christmas Miracle
On December 10, an Advent program invites visitors into the serene, celebratory realm of paintings and altars. Explore the spiritual depth and beauty of the holiday through artworks, then turn inspiration into creation in the studio. Budapest
Visita guidata in italiano
On December 12 and January 9, an Italian-language tour presents major masterpieces of Hungarian art, guiding visitors from the Middle Ages to today with special attention to the 19th and 20th centuries. With luck, Dante himself may pop up among the canvases. Budapest
Festive Moods with Adolf Fényes
This tour, on December 13, conjures every element of holiday feeling—flavors, snowy scenes, Christmas games, the music of angels, and the scent of fir. Center stage is the Adolf Fényes memorial exhibition, complemented by related works from the permanent collection. Budapest
Advent Architecture Walk – From Crypt to Dome
On December 14, step inside the former royal palace, home to the gallery, and discover its many marvels. The walk includes the Habsburg Palatine Crypt, the dome with its breathtaking panorama, and other extraordinary corners of the building, alongside stories of the gallery’s history and collection. Budapest
Toddlers – Shooting Stars
A quiet winter afternoon program on December 16 follows a brilliant celestial sign into the world of centuries-old altars. Listen for angels’ songs, imagine a stroll through a winter landscape with fresh snow crunching underfoot, and explore the magic of white paint. After the gallery adventure, make festive creations for the season. Budapest
Look at that, Mom! – Reflections of Motherhood
On December 18, celebrate the birth of the most famous child by exploring depictions of mothers with children. The tour maps how this intimate, enduring theme returns after the Middle Ages in modern and contemporary art. Budapest
Family Day – Christmas Prep with Csontváry (Csontváry Kosztka Tivadar)
On December 20, the gallery’s family day blends art, play, and holiday vibes. If you’re craving something truly special before Christmas, this is the one not to miss. Budapest
Color It Anew! – January’s Kid Detectives
January 7 kicks off a new chapter for kids: the gallery’s spaces are wrapped in mystery, calling for the sharpest young sleuths. The small detectives track a great painter—Lajos Tihanyi—examining dozens of works to spot every hidden clue. If they’re clever, the puzzle resolves. Along the way, creation is part of the fun: they “forge” paintings, draft a composite sketch, and experiment with photo manipulation. Budapest
Look at that, Mom! – Sunny Days
On January 8, a family-friendly tour explores the Pictures of Tranquillity exhibition and views works by Adolf Fényes (1867–1945), alongside pieces from the permanent collection. Budapest
The Art of Adolf Fényes
On January 10, a focused program turns the spotlight fully onto Fényes, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the painter’s evocative world. Budapest
