Every autumn, Budapest’s Museum of Fine Arts transforms into a whirlwind of events, exhibitions, and interactive programs. Whether you crave the haunting visions of William Blake, want to touch three-thousand-year-old Egyptian artifacts, or prefer Renaissance classics and animal mythology, there’s something to entice even the most reluctant visitor off the couch.
William Blake’s Dreamlike Worlds
This fall, the museum’s most talked-about exhibition focuses on William Blake, the British Romantic visionary famous for blending poetry, painting, and the utterly surreal. “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell Up Close” (Menny és pokol házassága közelről) isn’t your run-of-the-mill art tour. Visitors are invited to lose themselves in mythic beasts, prophetic visions, and the oddities populating Blake’s universe, while exploring how his wild ideas still resonate in today’s pop culture.
If you want something a bit more personal, check out the “Unorthodox Guided Tour” (Rendhagyó tárlatvezetés) sessions. Here, guest experts, writers, and artists are unleashed to share their personal connections to Blake’s world. Expect fresh perspectives and stories—plus deeper dives into how Blake inspires our own era.
Free Entry and Masterpieces to Admire
On October 23rd, Hungary’s national holiday, the museum throws open its doors free of charge for everyone. Come anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., but be prepared to queue—VIP treatment isn’t available. Most exhibitions start closing at 5:30 p.m., and everyone’s ushered out by 6:00.
For fans of classical genius, “A Masterful Selection of Masterpieces” runs throughout October and November in English. These 60-minute tours guide you through Renaissance and Baroque treasures, exploring the myths and legends that inspired the old masters, their techniques, and what makes their canvases speak centuries later. Tours run every Friday at 1:00 p.m.—perfect for an autumn art fix.
Touch Ancient Egypt—Literally
Launched in 2010, the “Hands On!” (Kezet rá!) program is a rare chance to literally get your hands on the past. In the Secrets Chamber of Egypt, trained museum volunteers let you handle ancient Egyptian objects—statues, artifacts, and more, all thousands of years old. Volunteers bring these items to life with stories and context you won’t find on info panels.
There’s more Egypt for curious minds: “Scarab Files: The Hidden Side of Ancient Egypt” (Szkarabeusz-akták: Az ókori Egyiptom rejtett arca) is an interactive series that dives into the lesser-known parts of pharaonic life. The November session, charmingly titled “Oh, My Divine Lotus Flower!” explores love and sexuality in ancient Egypt.
Themed Adventures for All Ages
The museum’s autumn festival doesn’t forget the little ones—or their exhausted minders. “Museum Recess” (Múzeumi Szünetelő) brings creative workshops and historical deep-dives in bite-sized chunks. One day, you’ll dive into the world of Venetian nobles and why they tossed rings into the sea; another day, you’ll take a spin at the pottery wheel in ancient Athens. The “God-Families” (Isten(i) családok) session considers whether Egyptian gods argued over the same family squabbles as everyone else.
Other days focus on practical art history—can you spot the centuries-old professions depicted in the gallery’s paintings? Where would these people be working if they were alive now? It’s art, but also a guessing game for grown-ups and kids alike.
Halloween: Gothic Nightmares and Mystical Tours
October 31st isn’t just about candy. “Halloween Night at the Museum” (Halloween éjszaka a Szépműben) delivers a tour of the macabre. Visitors are whisked through paintings teeming with skulls, memento mori, and tales of saints, martyrs, and afterlife anxieties. Grief, remembrance, and the mystical all swirl together in the shadowy corridors.
If you prefer your nightmares more literary, the “Romantic Nightmares” (Romantikus rémálmok) tour blends Blake’s poetic visions with Gothic horror, tracing how 18th and 19th-century monsters refuse to die quietly—they’re now mainstays in movies and pop culture.
For Educators and Curious Minds
“Slow Museum for Teachers” (Slow Múzeum pedagógusoknak) offers a relaxed, free-of-charge session for local educators, focusing on the creative use of museum spaces and art as tools for relaxation and inspiration.
And if you’re interested in a slower pace, join Szilvia Záray for a leisurely walk through the Blake exhibition, where you’ll savor each painting as if you had nowhere else to be and no smartphone in your pocket.
Animals, Autumn Hideaways, and More
Young animal lovers can enjoy “Hi, Fine Arts – Our Animal Friends” (Szia, Szépmű! – Barátaink az állatok), a hands-on session that explores the quirks of various creatures. Meanwhile, “Saturday Sampler – Zoo of Myths” (Szombati Szemezgető – Mítoszok állatkertje) explores legendary beasts from Cerberus to centaurs, and how ancient cultures explained animal-headed gods.
When fall weather chills, “Autumn Nook” (Őszi kuckó) offers a cozy retreat—inviting you to use both art and imagination to find comforting corners within the museum’s grand halls.
Open Doors Even on All Saints’ Day
On November 1st, the museum is open as usual from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.—so whether you’re chasing ghosts, masterpieces, or old gods, Budapest’s Museum of Fine Arts should definitely be on your autumn to-do list.
