This year’s central theme highlights the healing power of art, focusing on how creative experiences support emotional processing, relaxation, and creative thinking. Programs such as the art therapy workshop Night Lights, Inner Worlds explore these ideas through hands-on creative practice, while related talks examine what happens during artistic creation and reception.

The festival features exhibition tours, expert talks, studio and workshop visits, thematic walks, discussions, and film screenings. While some programs are designed for experienced audiences, many also serve as accessible entry points for newcomers. A large share of events are interactive, and many locations are opened exclusively for the festival, offering rare behind-the-scenes access to studios, restoration workshops, and museum storage spaces. 

Major institutions are also taking part, including the Hungarian National Gallery’s Dolce Vita exhibition, the Ludwig Museum’s Black Mirror show, and the Museum of Fine Arts’ large-scale exhibition marking the 120th anniversary of Victor Vasarely’s birth. Guided tours, including expert-led interpretations connecting art and mathematics, offer deeper insight into the works. Additional highlights include exhibitions at Pesti Vigadó, the Light Art Museum, the Róth Miksa Memorial House, and the Goldberger Textile Collection. 

Visitors will also gain access to iconic buildings such as the Gül Baba Mausoleum, Budapest’s oldest functioning synagogue, and the historic palace housing the Hungarian National Gallery, often revealing new perspectives on familiar spaces. Contemporary artists including István Nyári, Boglárka Nagy, and studios at HAB, Artus Studio, and Budapest Art Factory will open their doors, alongside special visits to János Fajó’s studio and artist-led gallery tours. 

The festival also includes interactive programs for collectors and curious visitors, such as artwork valuation sessions, forgery detection workshops, and creative treasure hunts. Family-friendly activities include puppet shows inspired by Pál Szinyei Merse and hands-on art workshops for children. 

The Night of Artefacts Festival invites audiences of all ages to explore art through experience, discovery, and participation. The programs can be accessed with either a day ticket or a season pass. Please note that prior registration is required for all events.