Six months before the event, the last major contemporary art event of the year promises to break records - In the heat of summer, the date still seems a long way off, but preparations for the 3rd ART WEEKEND BUDAPEST (AWB) are already in full swing. In keeping with tradition, contemporary art lovers and visitors interested in the arts are welcome to join the program at participating institutional exhibition spaces, contemporary galleries, studios, and alternative exhibition spaces on the first weekend of Advent, November 28-30, 2025. This year's theme, "Seeing and Being Seen," promises to be a great success, as exactly six months before the event, more venues than in previous years have already indicated their intention to participate. The basic concept of AWB remains unchanged from previous years. During the three-day, free event, the participating institutional exhibition spaces, contemporary galleries, studios, and alternative exhibition spaces will be open to the general public and can be visited either as part of organized art walks or individually. The iconic 1.5-2-hour "tours" run from Friday to Sunday, at different times and routes each day, and participants can take part in mini-tours of three or four exhibitions close to each other. This year's theme: "To see and be seen" It promises to be a great success, as exactly six months before the event, more venues than in previous years have already indicated their intention to participate.
The basic concept of AWB remains unchanged from previous years. During the three-day, free event, participating institutional exhibition spaces, contemporary galleries, studios, and alternative exhibition spaces will be open to the public and can be visited either as part of organized art walks or individually. The iconic 1.5-2-hour "tours" run from Friday to Sunday, at different times and along different routes each day, allowing participants to take part in mini-tours of three or four exhibitions located close to each other.
This year's theme: "To see and be seen"
"Seeing is not just a physical process, but also a symbolic one, involving perception. Seeing goes hand in hand with perception, where we see ourselves, our experiences, and our cultural background reflected in works of art. It is a fundamental need of modern humans to see and get to know other things and other people. That is why the goal of this year's AWB is to emphasize the importance of paying attention and community, where art becomes a collective experience," said Eszter Őry, professional director of ArtNESZ Fine Arts Agency, the event's organizer. "We believe that the art scene understands and supports our community-building message, as more than thirty venues have already indicated their intention to join, six months before AWB, which is more than in previous years."
The event started three years ago with a focus on Budapest, but the involvement of rural art spaces continues. In 2025, additional satellite venues will join the program series. Following Eger, Pécs and the Slovenian Gallery-Museum Lendava on the border will also welcome art enthusiasts with their own programs during AWB.
AWB is now a member of an international platform, having joined The Spider network in 2024, which brings together Europe's leading art events and whose aspirations are in line with the goals of Art Weekend Budapest. In the spirit of knowledge sharing and networking, each year the organizer of a featured partner event is invited to the Budapest program series. In 2025, AWB's guest will be Lenka Bakes, the main organizer of Prague Art Week (PAW).
The event organizers are still looking for committed volunteers who love art to help with the organization and accompany the groups on the art walks. The AWB volunteer program is provided by the VAP platform, and joining it is an excellent opportunity for young people to gain practical experience.
