There is something uniquely captivating about the moment a building opens its doors and invites us inside - into staircases, grand halls, and hidden courtyards we might otherwise never experience. Budapest100 -  Open House Weekend is built around exactly this feeling. If you find yourself in Budapest in early May, this weekend offers a rare opportunity to see the city from the inside out - just as few ever do. 

Budapest100 is an architectural and cultural festival launched in 2011 by the Contemporary Architecture Centre (KÉK) and the Blinken OSA Archive. Its founding idea is as simple as it is inspired: each year, Budapest buildings celebrating their 100th anniversary open to the public. Over the past 15 years, more than 700 buildings have taken part, and nearly 170,000 visitors have explored the city’s built heritage with the help of over 2,600 volunteers. 

This year, Budapest100 returns to its roots. After a decade of thematic editions - highlighting everything from urban green spaces to late modern architecture and the Buda Castle District - the focus once again shifts to centenary buildings. In 2026, the spotlight falls on structures built between 1916 and 1926. At the same time, the organizers are also celebrating those “milestone” buildings that missed their moment in previous years, making this 16th edition the most expansive birthday celebration yet. 

These hundred-year-old buildings are more than architectural landmarks. They are layered with the lives of generations, shaped by communities, and marked by the city’s constant transformation. Budapest100 brings these stories back into the spotlight - making them visible, tangible, and shareable for a weekend. 

This year, 41 residential buildings and public institutions from across nearly every district of Budapest will take part. The selection is strikingly diverse: from inner-city apartment houses to suburban villas, and from churches to cinemas, department stores, and even kindergartens. 

Most programs are open without registration, so visitors can join spontaneously and explore at their own pace. Registration for guided tours and selected events opens on April 23. The full program will be published on April 22, and a printed booklet will be available at the Contemporary Architecture Centre, the Blinken OSA Archive, and other designated locations announced via the organizers’ social media channels. 

The festival takes place on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10, 2026, across multiple districts of Budapest simultaneously. As venues are spread throughout the city, it’s worth planning your route in advance - and perhaps venturing into neighborhoods you haven’t explored before.