Open House - Festive Day of Arts

The Pesti Vigadó has been an important meeting place on the banks of the Danube for over 190 years. On May 9, as part of the 13th Open House, we once again welcome visitors with a full day of free programs: architectural tours, concerts, dance house, children’s activities, exhibitions, and a wide range of shared experiences.

Launched in 2015, the Open House series has become one of the Vigadó’s most beloved events over the years. This year’s central theme is connection – to one another, to the arts, and to the building itself.

Among the performers, audiences can once again enjoy returning favorites such as the Budafok Brass Society and SongFactory, alongside jazz productions and spontaneous community moments, including flash mobs. Younger visitors can look forward to a children’s concert by Ági Szalóki and the well-known stamp-collecting detective game, while lovers of acoustic sounds can attend a concert by Balázs Szabó.

Those interested in discovering the building in greater depth can join guided architectural tours in both Hungarian and English, or attend an interactive lecture by Balázs Megyesi, offering closer insight into its cultural heritage.

Current exhibitions – including Essentia Artis, Klebelsberg Mosaic, the exhibition titled “Arts Under One Roof” presenting the plans of the Hungarian Architecture Center and Museum, and István Szőnyi – Beyond the Door – will also be freely accessible throughout the day, with the option to join guided tours.

The highlight of the evening is the music and dance production “Within Two Handshakes of Each Other”, commemorating the 350th anniversary of the birth of Ferenc II Rákóczi. A four-hand piano version of the Rákóczi March by Franz Liszt, folk music motifs, and dances from the Carpathian Basin together trace the diverse “handshakes” of our traditions.

All Open House programs are free to attend; however, tickets for the evening highlight performance are available for 1,500 HUF. Prior registration is required for the architectural tours.

Be part of this day, and connect to the shared experiences that come to life at the Vigadó.

Most of the programs are held in Hungarian; however, English-language architectural tours will also be available. Concerts and exhibitions can be enjoyed by English-speaking visitors as well.

DETAILED PROGRAM:

10:00 AM–5:00 PM | ESSENTIA ARTIS
Exhibition of the Scholarship Holders of the Hungarian Academy of Arts
The Essentia Artis exhibition presents the diversity of contemporary art through a selection of works by the Hungarian Academy of Arts’ scholarship recipients who completed the program in 2025. The exhibition is built on a dialogue between different artistic disciplines.

10:00 AM–7:00 PM | Arts Under One Roof
Exhibition of the Hungarian Museum of Architecture
The exhibition presents the diverse activities, future directions, and future home of the Hungarian Museum of Architecture. It places architecture at the center as an interdisciplinary art form that shapes our lives. Guided tours are available in Hungarian.

10:00 AM–7:00 PM | Klebelsberg Mosaic
The Klebelsberg Mosaic exhibition presents the cultural legacy of Kuno Klebelsberg through artworks from the period. Focusing on architecture and related art forms, it offers a new perspective on his lasting influence. Guided tours are available in Hungarian.

10:00–17:00 | Craft Exhibition and Market
This year, the Open House once again hosts its popular craft market in a picturesque setting, featuring exceptional Hungarian artisans. Take home a unique, handmade piece crafted with care – from jewelry and bags to ceramics, textiles, and home décor items.

10:00–17:00 | The Art of Disconnection
This year’s Open House theme is connection – but sometimes we need a pause to truly be present. The 5th floor exhibition space offers a quiet retreat where visitors can relax and step away from the flow of programs. Bean bags, armchairs, and a peaceful atmosphere await, while the paintings of István Szőnyi invite you to slow down.

10:00–18:00 | Mini Academy – Visual Arts Workshop
Connect with yourself through art! At the Mini Academy workshop, children and adults can try two different techniques guided by visual artists. No prior experience is required; creating one piece takes approximately 10–40 minutes.

10:30–11:20 | Soft Movement Session with Bettina Jurák
The Soft Movement Session is a gentle, free-flowing class where mindful movement, somatic exercises, and breathing help awaken the body, release tension, and reconnect with yourself.

10:30–10:45 and 11:00–11:30 | Budafok Brass Society
The band was formed in 2024 by professional wind musicians. Their musical style blends elements of jazz and funk with Hungarian pop and dance music, offering audiences familiar melodies enriched with virtuoso improvisations.

10:30–11:30 | Ági Szalóki – Children’s Concert
Ági Szalóki is an acclaimed performer active since 1994, inspired by traditional music and Hungarian poetry. Her family concert features songs from Körforgás, Cipity Lőrinc és Gingalló, and Zümmögő idő.

10:30–12:30 | Art Therapy Session for Children
In this art therapy session, children develop their self-expression through creative activities while exploring their inner world in a safe and supportive environment.

10:30-17:00 | Historic walk tour at the birthplace of Budapest

Join a guided tour through the building’s beautiful interior spaces, discover its 190-year history, and enjoy the unique panoramic view.

• 10:30–11:15 Historic walk tour at the birthplace of Budapest I (Hungarian)
• 10:30–11:15 Historic walk tour at the birthplace of Budapest II (Hungarian)
• 10:45–11:30 Historic walk tour at the birthplace of Budapest III (English)
• 12:00–12:45 Historic walk tour at the birthplace of Budapest IV (Hungarian)
• 12:00–12:45 Historic walk tour at the birthplace of Budapest V (Hungarian)
• 12:15–13:00 Historic walk tour at the birthplace of Budapest VI (English)
• 13:30–14:15 Historic walk tour at the birthplace of Budapest VII (Hungarian)
• 13:30–14:15 Historic walk tour at the birthplace of Budapest VIII (Hungarian)
• 13:45–14:15 Historic walk tour at the birthplace of Budapest IX (English)
• 16:00–16:45 Historic walk tour at the birthplace of Budapest X (Hungarian)
• 16:00–16:45 Historic walk tour at the birthplace of Budapest XI (Hungarian)
• 16:15–17:00 Historic walk tour at the birthplace of Budapest XII (English)

11:00–12:00 | Balázs Szabó – Acoustic Concert
Balázs Szabó, founder of the Szabó Balázs Band, performs a solo concert at the Pesti Vigadó. With just a guitar, his best-known songs and poetic adaptations are presented in an intimate, stripped-down setting.

11:00–12:00 | Kodály-like
Interactive Music History Presentation by Gábor Eckhardt
A playful journey through the life of Zoltán Kodály, from childhood to international fame. In this interactive and humorous presentation, Gábor Eckhardt brings Kodály’s world to life with images and piano – for all ages.

11:40–12:00 és 13:00–14:00 | Song Factory Budapest Concert
Song Factory Budapest is a choir performing Hungarian and international popular music arrangements. Their repertoire offers an exciting blend of musical styles and eras.

12:00–12:45 | Ákos Fekecs – Handpan Concert
For Ákos Fekecs, music has been a means of connection since childhood. As a drummer, handpan performer, and composer, he brings together different cultures and people. Through his concerts and teaching, he creates connections and shares his knowledge through music.

12:20–12:35 and 13:10–13:25 | Dancing Spaces
Site-specific performance by students of the Hungarian Dance University
Starting from the question of where we are, this performance explores how space moves us and how we move within it. A reflection on place, movement, and the connections that emerge between them.

12:30–13:00 | Mini Concert with Students of the Szabolcsi Bence Music School
The historic downtown music school regularly appears at the Vigadó with pop-up concerts. At the Open House, both students and teachers take part in the program.

13:00–13:45 | Balázs Megyesi – Telling Artifacts from the Eras of the Vigadó
Art expert Balázs Megyesi invites the audience to an interactive object presentation, where they can explore the cultural world of different periods through artifacts evoking the various eras of the Vigadó.

13:00–17:00 | Gift – Open Art Workshop
Treat yourself to a creative experience! Choose a small stone, decorate it, wrap it, and take it home. An open art workshop for all ages. Duration: approx. 25 minutes. Led by Anita Bozóki, integrative art therapist.

13:00–17:00 | Image-Making Without a Camera
Workshop with Képfaragó Workshop
At the Képfaragó Workshop, images and photographs are reimagined through simple craft techniques. Create new visuals without a camera while exploring the material and story of photography.

13:30–14:30 | Gems of Contemporary Literature - Finissage
A conversation accompanied by readings with Farkas Gábor, Kodolányi Judit Klára, Magyari Tekla, Marcsák Gergely, and Méry János.

14:00–14:45 | Concert by Students of the Ward Mária School, Budapest
The Ward Mária School of Music offers education in church music, classical music, and folk traditions. Through their performance, they aim to connect past and future generations through musical heritage.

14:00–15:00 | Connections – Official Opening and Award Ceremony of the Vigadó Art Competition Exhibition
The official award ceremony of the “Connections” art competition will take place during the Open House event on the 4th floor of the Pesti Vigadó. Young participants aged 6 to 18 expressed their personal thoughts on the theme of connection through drawings, paintings, collages, and photographs. The submitted works were evaluated by a professional jury composed of members of the Hungarian Academy of Arts. Outstanding works will be exhibited at the event, and the prizes will be presented in a ceremonial setting.

14:00–15:00 | Artist Talk – Female Positions, Artistic Perspectives
A conversation with three female visual artists – Eszter Csurka, Judit Rabóczky, and Judit Horváth Lóczi – exploring sensitive and relevant questions about the universal experiences of womanhood through their artistic practice.

15:00–15:45 | Concert by Jazz Faculty of the Szabolcsi Bence Music School
The Szabolcsi Bence Music School introduced its jazz department in 2024, now presented by its teachers. The historic downtown school regularly appears at the Vigadó with pop-up concerts, featuring both students and faculty at the Open House.

15:00–16:00 | Chain Reaction - Behind the Scenes
Meet the creators of the upcoming production Chain Reaction
On 16 May 2026, the Pesti Vigadó will premiere its first in-house theatre production, Chain Reaction, directed by Zoltán Rátóti. Written by Katalin Vajda, the play explores the story of the birth of the atomic bomb, with Leó Szilárd at its centre. Before the premiere, visitors of the 13th Open House will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes. The performance was created through the cooperation of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and the Hungarian Academy of Arts, and is produced by the Pesti Vigadó.

15:00–16:30 | Dance House with the Bartók Dance Ensemble
The Bartók Dance Ensemble is a leading group in the Hungarian folk dance scene. Their aim is to present authentic folk dance at a high artistic level, supported by a strong and cohesive community.

15:00–16:00 | Finissage – Márta Ungváry-Kiss: Balaton Beach Architecture – Lecture
The experience of going to the beach is twofold: despite the inconveniences and shortcomings, we still feel a strong attachment to Lake Balaton. This emotional bond shapes our image of it, while also reminding us to approach its beach architecture with humility and understanding.

16:00–17:00 | Guided Tour – Tibor Kocsis Iski: ESSENTIA ARTIS
What does it mean to be a contemporary artist today, and how can the traditions of applied and folk art be renewed in the age of artificial intelligence? Together, we will explore these questions with Tibor Kocsis, Munkácsy Prize-winning visual artist and chief curator of the Essentia Artis exhibition.

16:00–16:40 | Guided Tour of the “Arts Under One Roof” Exhibition
The tour is led by architect Eszter Dénes, co-curator of the exhibition. An award-winning architect, she presents the future home of the Museum of Architecture.

16:00–17:00 | A Small World in One Place – Budapest Salons at the End of the 19th Century
The lecture takes you into the vibrant salon culture of the time, where concerts, readings, and inspiring conversations took place. In the salons of figures such as Mór Jókai and the Wohl sisters, artists and intellectuals gathered, giving rise to new ideas and connections.

16:30–17:45 | Jazz’hog Band
At the Vigadó’s welcome concert, the Jazz’hog Band sets the mood for the evening with manouche jazz melodies. With two guitars and double bass, the ensemble brings the energy of gypsy jazz in a relaxed, inviting atmosphere.

17:30–18:30 | Bágyi Balázs New Quartet – Concert
Essentia Artis – Finissage
The Bágyi Balázs New Quartet has performed at numerous European festivals and international tours, appearing in 2024 in countries such as the Czech Republic, Estonia, and Mexico. Their repertoire is based on original compositions, featuring music from their album Encore.