The Hungarian National Gallery in Budapest is the country’s most prominent art museum, tracing the birth and evolution of Hungarian fine art. Beyond its legendary permanent and temporary exhibitions, you’ll find tours in several languages, themed programs, regular family days, festivals, concerts, and a wide range of kids’ activities—think creative workshops, art-focused classes, and even summer camps for the youngest museumgoers.
October: A Kaleidoscope of Color and Art
Autumn kicks off with “Tipegők – Aranyló ősz” (Toddler Time – Golden Autumn) on October 21, inviting children and parents to discover nature’s colors in art and create crafts using leaves and seeds. On the same day, art lovers can join the curator-led tour “Árnyék nélkül. Czimra Gyula művészete” (“Without Shadow: The Art of Gyula Czimra”), led by Marianna Kolozsváry. The exhibition’s title hints at Czimra’s luminous compositions and his quietly subdued life—now finally in the spotlight.
October 22 brings “Színezd újra! – múzeumi műhely gyerekeknek” (“Color It Anew! – Kids’ Art Workshop”), where autumn leaves transform from natural wonders into creative art: kids make collages, paint with sprays, and even experiment with sun prints while exploring some of the Gallery’s most beautiful autumn-themed paintings.
“Árnyék nélkül” returns for additional curator-led tours on October 25, coinciding with “Történelmünk a vásznakon” (“History on Canvas”). This special walk delves into the Gallery’s renowned historical pieces, focusing on 19th-century works by Gyula Benczúr, Viktor Madarász, and Bertalan Székely, then tracing historical themes up to contemporary art.
On October 26, Sunday’s musical highlight is a performance by the Tavasz Nőikar (Spring Women’s Choir) in the grand dome hall, filling the museum’s echoing spaces with song.
Fun for Kids: Fall Break Adventures
The “Szünetelő” fall break program (October 28–29) targets children aged 6-13 with age-specific guided tours: one day focused on joyful artworks, the next on storied altarpieces.
November Highlights: From Everyday Wonders to Stage Magic
November begins with “Tipegők – Kisasszonyok és úrfik” (Toddler Time – Little Ladies and Gentlemen), taking young visitors into the elegant salons and homes of the past, peeking into the lives, games, and fashions of yesteryear’s girls and boys.
Grown-ups can join the November 5 “Szellemi fitnesz – A mindennapok szépsége” (“Mental Fitness – The Beauty of Everyday Life”) program, using Adolf Fényes’s sunlit scenes as a springboard for shared memories and creativity. Inspired by his tranquil paintings, participants create their own masterpieces.
The kids’ workshop on November 5 and again on November 12 brings the world of theater to life. Youngsters write stories, act them out, create props and stage sets, and try on different roles—kings, queens, farmhands, and more—learning through play amid the art.
Adults looking for something different might attend “EX-POSE(S)” on November 7, a striking dance performance exploring the intersection of bodies, movement, and visual art. On the same day, there’s also an Italian-language tour featuring highlights of Hungarian art, tracing trends from medieval times to the modern era.
Celebrating Artists, Style, and Stately Mustaches
From November 8, the museum pays tribute to Adolf Fényes with “A csend képei” (“Pictures of Tranquility”) marking the 80th anniversary of his passing. Participants can paint unique aprons inspired by his art. That same day, “Állandó változásban – Divattörténet a festményeken” (“Constant Change – The History of Fashion in Paintings”) explores changing styles in art, spanning centuries from baroque extravagance to modern minimalism—part of the Autumn Festival of Museums.
November 9 brings a quirky favorite: “A nagy bajuszkörkép” (“The Big Mustache Survey”). Guided tours trace beards and mustaches through history and art, exploring what different facial hair once stood for—order, masculinity, rebellion, or freedom.
Unique Tours and Festive Treats
November 13’s “Mama, nézd! – Napfényes hétköznapok” (“Look, Mom! – Sunny Days”) shines a light on Fényes’s ability to elevate quiet moments: sunlight in humble interiors, bustling market scenes, and the bright rhythms of everyday life between history and the present.
On November 15, the Gallery hosts St. Martin’s Day Adventure for school-age kids and another Fényes-focused exhibition walk. Later in the month, “Look at that, Mom!” tours continue, and on November 30, architecture buffs can join “Épületséta – Kriptától a kupoláig” (“Building Tour – From the Crypt to the Dome”), a behind-the-scenes look that visits royal crypts, panoramic domes, and hidden corners of the former palace.
Exhibitions and Special Programs Through 2025
Looking further ahead, the Gallery’s calendar is packed with major highlights: “A LÉLEGZŐ FÉNY” (“Breathing Light”) explores spiritism, theosophy, and Buddhism in late 19th- and 20th-century Hungary (April 2025–March 2026). There’s a long-awaited retrospective of Gyula Czimra starting May 2025, while Japanese ceramics and orientalism receive special pop-up shows throughout autumn. Occult Science lectures, authentic Japanese tea ceremonies—including a Christmas edition—keep the program varied into late December. All year long, the Buda Castle District offers ongoing events for all ages and interests.
