Michael Jackson exhibition opens in Budapest: Exclusive memorabilia and local memories of the King of Pop

Sixteen years after his death, Michael Jackson’s popularity remains unbroken. The King of Pop once again tops the Forbes list of the highest-earning deceased celebrities, while the biographical film Jackson is set to arrive in cinemas in 2026. The film’s first teaser has already broken records, attracting more than 116 million views in just 24 hours. Riding this renewed global interest, Michael – The HIStory Exhibition has now opened in Budapest, offering a unique experience for visitors of all ages.

The King of Pop, up close

The exhibition aims not only to highlight the legend but to bring the person behind it closer to visitors. Located near Kálvin Square, at the venue of the Travelling Galaxy – Star Wars Exhibition (Budapest, Kecskeméti Street 5), the display presents Michael Jackson’s life and career across six themed spaces. Through interactive and audiovisual installations, visitors can walk among life-sized statues, original stage costumes, film props and rarely seen memorabilia as they explore various eras of the singer’s artistic journey.

Curator Balázs Nagy, a private collector, has spent decades assembling the collection, with items sourced from auction houses, archives and music history institutions around the world. Many of the artefacts are on display in Hungary for the very first time, Turizmus.com reports.

• Sensational: Michael Jackson’s original handprint now on display in Budapest!

Memories tied to Budapest

Special attention is given to Michael Jackson’s personal connection to Budapest. In 1994, the singer arrived in the Hungarian capital with Lisa Marie Presley to film the commercial for his HIStory album. The visit served both as a work trip and as part of their honeymoon, and several memorabilia from that stay are now featured in the exhibition—including the black Swarovski glove and shirt he wore during the shoot, the gold-and-silver helmet from the HIStory Tour, and even a signed speeding ticket he issued to a Hungarian police officer at the Kempinski Hotel.