Weekend Picks: Programmes for the Final Days of Budapest Design Week

Budapest, 17 October 2025 –  Budapest Design Week, Hungary’s largest creative industry event series, once again takes its place as one of the most significant design and cultural programmes of the autumn season: from 8–19 October, a series of exciting events will unfold across a variety of venues. The weekend events calendar includes exhibitions, workshops, design tours, and roundtable discussions in Budapest and nine more Hungarian cities. There is one thing in common: all the events focus on the current trends in contemporary Hungarian design, sectoral collaboration, and initiatives showcasing the diversity of the creative industry.

Contemporary Coordinates in Budapest

In Budapest, exciting programmes are everywhere – especially during the weekend, when almost every corner of the capital comes alive with creative initiatives, exhibitions, and presentations.

This year, the sixth edition of  360 Design Budapest, organised by the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency, is taking place in the Buda Castle District at 1 Táncsics Mihály Street, where visitors can explore works by nearly 100 domestic and regional creators. The selection showcases the diversity of contemporary object culture, offering not only spectacular installations but also thematic guided tours and professional discussions.

In the same season, one of Budapest’s – and Budapest Design Week’s – largest fine art events, Art Market Budapest, moved to a new location on Kerepesi Street, at the MTK Sportpark. Alongside the Art Photo Budapest section, several exciting design-related projects are presented, in addition to the wide array of works of fine art. Visitors can browse contemporary design objects, artworks, and limited-edition collections, while also gaining insight into the offerings of both domestic and international galleries.

The MaxCity design-themed weekend is another highlight of the weekend programme. Among other attractions, it features an engaging carpet festival, diverse design showrooms, pop-up exhibitions, roundtable discussions, and family-friendly activities – with a particular focus on the latest interior design trends and the theme of sustainable living at home.

For one week, the renowned Bauhaus villa on Napraforgó Street opens its doors to visitors. Here, the CODE Showroom presents The Home of Icons – A Bauhaus Story, a special interior exhibition featuring iconic design furniture, contemporary installations, and thematic guided tours that celebrate the architectural and object culture of the modernist legacy. Architecture enthusiasts can also take the time to study one of the finest examples of the Pasarét Bauhaus neighbourhood.

For visitors with an interest in international design, the Design Without Borders exhibition at the Kiscelli Museum’s church hall is highly recommended. It showcases the work of nearly 180 creators from 15 countries, dedicating separate sections to, among others, Dutch and Polish design.

Those seeking a contemporary art perspective can visit Hotel Clark Budapest, where the The Nature of Cyberspace exhibition, organised by Art Corner by Leo, explores structural parallels between natural and digital systems through the handcrafted works of István Dukai.

Another significant contemporary photography exhibition can be found in the lobby of a major hotel in Budapest, the W Budapest. Zoltán Tombor’s Face to Space photo-based installation examines the relationship between humans and the built environment through the use of light dynamics and spatial solutions.

Fashion and design once again intertwine throughout the Budapest Design Week programme, sometimes conceptually, sometimes with a lighter touch.

The EVENTUELL Gallery presents FUTURISTIC, an exhibition showcasing the latest works by contemporary textile, fashion, and product designers, with a focus on formal experimentation and new approaches to material use.

Meanwhile, the Serbian visual studio Braća Burazeri + Dechko Tzar and the Budapest-based Printa pop-up event unveil a brand-new collaborative collection featuring bold graphics inspired by the urban fabric.

For those approaching fashion from a jewellery perspective, the Narrative Jewellery exhibition at B32 Gallery is a must-see. Goldsmith Anna Börcsök, a dedicated representative of the Hungarian narrative jewellery scene, draws attention not only to visual aspects but also to the stories and meanings behind her pieces.

Similarly, the exhibition Touch at Deák17 Gallery, organised by the Kézzelfogható Foundation and Mana Classes, highlights the sensory experience of art and the importance of social inclusion through tactile jewellery.

Themes of social awareness and community design are woven into several programmes. For example, the Slowly Opening Spaces – Fields of Presence exhibition presents the results of joint projects between MOME and the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service, created in the spirit of social responsibility. Additionally, visitors can discover works by the new generation of designers at the student exhibition MOME Passages at Bäse – Creative Clubhouse.

Fresh design thinking is also reflected in the Balaton Bútor x METU – Chair Redesign project, in which students reinterpreted two iconic Hungarian furniture pieces – the “Veszprém” and “Babu” chairs – from a contemporary perspective.

Alongside traditional craftsmanship, current topics are also explored: audiences interested in the intersection of technology and fashion can experience Absolute Aesthete – Discovered Realities, an installation using artificial intelligence and augmented reality to showcase new possibilities for future customisation and digital expression.

Local + the Creative Scene Beyond Budapest

In addition to the events in the capital, the regional programmes of Budapest Design Week also boast a strong professional presence.

DesignPécs, one of Budapest Design Week’s oldest regional partner organisers, is joining for the eleventh time this year with exhibitions, workshops, and fashion programmes from 8–19 October. Highlights include the Sewing and Artistic Boundaries Workshop, which combines techniques such as sewing, painting, and embroidery to allow participants to breathe new life into existing garments.

The second major regional hub, Sopron, celebrates its tenth edition of Sopron Design Week, focusing on the local creative community. Organised by Főfotó Budapest, the project Stereo Images – Exhibition and Workshop invites visitors into the captivating world of stereoscopic photography with contributions from photographers János Krasznai and Gábor Zsigmond.

Additionally, Viktória Balogh’s exhibition, also curated by Főfotó Budapest, highlights the art of photography and the visual experience through delicate works.

Another key milestone is the Debrecen Design Week, held this year for the second time. The Eastern Hungarian city joined the festival with six programme elements. A highlight of the professional programme is the presentation of the publication Mi a (m)érték?! (What’s the Measure/Value?), which explores sustainability, culture, the built environment, design, fashion, and consumption from an interdisciplinary perspective.

In addition, numerous other events in Budapest and beyond offer exciting weekend programmes for all ages. The majority of the programmes are free of charge. You can find the entire programme catalogue and detailed information on the official website: www.budapestdesignweek.hu. Visitors can navigate the festival with the help of maps, descriptions, and guides available online, as well as the printed BDW Guide. Furthermore, the locations of Budapest Design Week events are marked with flags and stickers on building façades.

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Budapest Design Week 

Budapest Design Week is the largest experience-based domestic event series, targeting a broad audience. Organised annually by the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency, the series aims to highlight the direct impact of design across all aspects of life while raising awareness and recognition of design as both a cultural and economic resource. The event features a diverse programme of accompanying events, featured highlights, and partner-organised side events, offering activities in the capital and major cities across the country through associated programmes. HFDA’s long-term goal is to transform BDW into a leading regional, experience-based design event series.

360 Design Budapest

The 360 Design Budapest event series, organised yearly by the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency, draws attention to the everyday role of design surrounding us in 360 degrees. The event aims to make Hungarian and regional product designers more widely known using modern tools, help domestic design brands enter the international market, and present new, innovative, sustainable directions for the target audience interested in design. By realising the event, the Agency wants to help Hungary become a regional centre in the design industry and create a programme which is attractive to tourists from all around Europe.

About the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency was founded in 2018 to support every actor in the fashion and design industries in an efficient and structured way, following predetermined strategic pillars: professional coordination, enhancing Hungarian brands’ availability and trade opportunities, educational development and manufacturing development. To realise these goals, HFDA organises domestic events each year, such as the region’s major fashion event, Budapest Central European Fashion Week, Budapest Design Week, or the 360 Design Budapest exhibition, which has received international awards. Besides, they provide Hungarian creators opportunities for participation and debuting at international professional events such as the Milano Fashion Week and the Maison & Objet design fair. Their primary tasks include strategic cooperation with professional organisations, increasing exports, and supporting Hungarian brands’ professional development with mentorship programmes.