Night of Museums at the Museum of Ethnography

During the 2026 edition of the Night of Museums, the Museum of Ethnography will once again open its doors to visitors, offering workshops, concerts, performances, and an immersive cultural adventure around the world.

The programs will range from South American Indigenous body painting, Japanese manga, and African masks to traditional Greek dances, the rhythms of Roma music, and Hungarian shepherd traditions—all while allowing visitors to be not just spectators, but active participants in the experience.

Tickets are available online!

The free admission benefit normally available on the third Saturday of the month will be available on 27 June instead of 20 June.  Further information

We recommend the following programs to our international visitors:

4:00–5:00 PM
Location: 2nd-Floor Event Space
Let’s Dance! – Greek Dance Workshop at the Museum of Ethnography

During the Night of Museums, dance takes center stage alongside the exhibitions in the halls of the Museum of Ethnography. This dance workshop, led by Athina Papadimitriu and Magyar Elektra, welcomes participants of all skill levels.

No prior dance experience is necessary—you can join alone, with friends, or with family.

4:30–5:30 PM
Location: Damjanich Street Auditorium
Ethnosound – Roma Music: Interactive Concert and Kanna Workshop

Roma music is a true Hungarian treasure that has endured through the centuries and remains vibrant today. Explore the history of this musical tradition and discover the legacy of outstanding Roma musicians, whose journey has led from playing in taverns to filling concert halls with their authentic music.

6:00–7:00 PM
Location: 2nd-Floor Event Space
Várhegyutca – Concert

Várhegyutca is a young, ten-member band that creates a vibrant and communal atmosphere through joyful music infused with world music influences. In their performances, emotions are not only expressed but also transformed into an invitation to move and dance. The band is an active participant in Budapest’s club scene and performs at festivals across Hungary.

7:30–8:45 PM
Location: Damjanich Street Auditorium
Dance Hall with the Angyalföldi Vadrózsa Dance Group

The Angyalföldi Vadrózsa Dance Group invites everyone to join in and dance. Accompanied by live music, experienced dancers will help participants learn the basic steps of dances from different regions, which can then be enjoyed together in circles or pairs.

The dances are taught progressively, making it easy to join even if you are trying these movements for the first time. No prior experience or dance partner is required—you can come alone or with friends.

8:00–9:00 PM
Location: Collection Exhibition 
Guided tour of the Collection Exhibition 

Spanning over 3,000 square metres, the exhibition presents nearly 3,600 artefacts across 8 thematic units, offering a broad insight into everyday life, traditions, and cultural connections. 

The Museum of Ethnography is one of Europe’s leading ethnographic institutions. Its new building, opened in 2022, allows this unique Hungarian and international collection to be displayed on a significantly larger scale, with renewed spaces and visitor-focused solutions. 

The collection comprises more than 232,000 objects, alongside photographs, manuscripts, and audiovisual materials, reflecting cultures from the 17th century to the present day. The exhibition extends beyond its galleries, shaping the entire building through new materials, spatial experiences, and multimedia elements. 

Meeting point: Central Information Desk (Level -2) 

8:00–9:30 PM
Location: Cinema (level -2.)
We Had a Memory! 

Sumony – Memories of Pasturelands and Shepherding Life in the Area 

The film recalls the former pasturelands and shepherding life of Sumony in Baranya County through personal stories. Through the memories of Imre Mészáros and his companions, a disappearing world unfolds: communal grazing, the everyday life of shepherds, and a deep connection to the landscape. The stories not only evoke the past, but also show what the transformation of the land means for those who live there. 

The screening (with English subtitles) is followed by a discussion in Hungarian. The full programme lasts approximately 90 minutes. 

8:00–9:30 PM
Location: 2nd-Floor Event Space
Besh o droM – Concert

For more than a quarter of a century, Besh o droM has toured the world, from Tolna to Australia, and is back on the road again this summer. Their music is energetic and constantly evolving, moving freely beyond the boundaries of traditional Balkan sounds.

If you have not heard them yet, now is your chance—and if you have, you already know why it is worth hearing them again.

Admission: via the elevator from the lobby facing Heroes’ Square (2nd floor) or through the terrace.

9:00–10:30 PM
Location: Damjanich Street Lobby
Folk on 45 – Concert

Folk on 45, an acoustic duo consisting of singer Lili Träger and guitarist Lajos Szőllősi, is a unique ensemble that blends motifs from global hits with Hungarian folk songs, creating new compositions and a distinctive musical world.

Using a looper pedal, they build a live, pulsating musical texture in which layers of rhythm, harmony, and melody gradually come together to create an almost orchestral sound. Within this live-created musical space, Hungarian folk songs are not simply evoked but recontextualized and transformed into a contemporary musical statement.