The idea behind Researchers’ Night is simple: to make science accessible, engaging, and something that everyone can experience firsthand. Instead of simply reading about science in textbooks or hearing about it in lecture halls, visitors can take part in experiments, explore laboratories, meet researchers, see robots in action, try simulators, attend archaeological talks, tackle escape rooms, and enjoy a wide range of family-friendly activities.
Researchers’ Night is far more than a traditional series of academic lectures. Through talks, demonstrations, experiments, laboratory tours, workshops, exhibitions, discussions, and interactive activities, the event offers the public an opportunity to discover what research really looks like - and why it matters in everyday life. The event is part of a Europe-wide initiative designed to showcase the diversity of scientific research and bring researchers and the public closer together.
Researchers’ Night has been held in Hungary since 2005 and has been organized as a two-day event since 2018. In 2026, the organizers are expecting around 200 venues, 2,500 programs, and 146 participating organizations across the country.
With such a wide range of activities, there is something for almost everyone, from natural and engineering sciences to medicine, social sciences, the humanities, arts, and information technology. One of the highlights of Researchers’ Night is the chance to visit places that are normally inaccessible to the public. Universities, research institutes, and other organizations may open laboratories, workshops, and specialized research facilities, offering visitors a behind-the-scenes look at how research is actually carried out.
Budapest is set to offer one of the most diverse selections of programs, with numerous universities, research institutes, museums, and other organizations taking part. Visitors can choose from university lectures, scientific demonstrations, hands-on experiments, interactive workshops, and special tours of otherwise restricted facilities. Whether you are interested in technology, medicine, archaeology, engineering, psychology, or the arts, there are plenty of opportunities to discover something new.
Researchers’ Night is not just for adults or university students. Programs are designed for a wide range of age groups, including young children, school-age children, teenagers, university students, and adults. For families visiting Budapest, interactive experiments, creative workshops, and spectacular demonstrations can be particularly appealing. They offer children the chance to explore scientific ideas in a hands-on and entertaining way, while adults can discover something new alongside them.
Whether you are a lifelong science enthusiast, a curious traveler, or simply looking for something different to do, Researchers’ Night offers plenty of opportunities to explore, learn, and get involved.