Biggest Art Fair in Hungary Begins 26 Feb at Bálna Budapest - Record Attendance Expected
- 2 Feb 2026 8:47 AM
Hungary’s largest art fair, Art and Antique, takes place from 26 February to 1 March at the Bálna event centre in Budapest, expanding its footprint this year to accommodate growing interest from both galleries and visitors.
Organisers say the fair will be larger than ever, with 50 galleries confirmed to take part. Because of strong demand, additional rooms at the riverside venue will also be opened to the public.
While paintings and sculptures remain central, the fair reflects the broader art and collectibles market.
Visitors can expect to see a wide mix of items, including furniture, jewellery, carpets, books and other art objects, alongside contemporary and classic works.
“Art and Antique provides a broad overview of the Hungarian art market each year,” said chief organiser Ádám Tausz. He noted that both exhibitor and visitor interest has been rising steadily, with record attendance anticipated. Organisers have also observed a shift in demographics, with more people in their 20s attending in recent years, alongside established collectors.
This year the fair appears with an updated visual identity and an increasingly varied range of works and objects on offer.
One of the defining features of the event is the range of price points. Alongside high-value artworks and antiques, visitors can also find more accessible design pieces and decorative objects. Buying is, of course, optional — many people attend simply to explore the variety of styles, periods and materials on display in one place.
The programme also includes guided tours and interactive activities. A prize competition organised by an auction house and the BÁV ART Gallery will see one visitor win a piece of fine jewellery: a 14-carat white gold necklace with pendant, set with a 0.485-carat brilliant-cut diamond, valued at over HUF 600,000 (around EUR 1,578).
For expats interested in Hungary’s art and antiques scene — whether as collectors or curious visitors — the fair offers a snapshot of what’s currently on the market in a single venue.
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Art and Antique
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