Nestled in the scenic heart of Keszthely, the Festetics Palace (Festetics Kastély) promises another vibrant season in 2025. Whether you’re a culture buff, a family with young adventurers, or a lover of classic cars and lakeside relaxation, there’s a packed schedule to fill your calendar. Here’s what’s happening at the palace and its neighboring exhibition sites — prepare for hands-on fun, creativity, music, laughter, and even a touch of mystery!
August Highlights: Lego Worlds and Themed Days
From August 25 to 31, the Amazon House Visitor Center (Amazon Ház Látogatóközpont) hosts “World of Bricks” — an imaginative exhibit where fairy tales come to life and dreams are built. Intricate dioramas, created entirely from tiny bricks, bring cherished childhood memories to life for kids and adults alike. Highlights include Pirate Island, Friends summer and winter worlds, custom-built sailboats, wild west heroes, and a dramatic Star Wars Hoth battle scene.
August 28 is a themed day for animal lovers: take on a quiz to test your knowledge — for example, do you know what a male cat is called? Come with curiosity and be ready for game-based brain teasers.
On August 29, treasure hunters can join an indoor-outdoor scavenger hunt — an ideal way to keep energy high and make the most of both palace interiors and the garden paths.
August 30 raises the excitement with a fully booked Interactive Castle Mystery, searching for Hungary’s top 50 private detectives in the palace’s gorgeous setting. More fun the same day: UNO Party, where quick hands and quicker thinking win, plus Green Day, focused on creative recycling, featuring napkin decoupage and stone painting workshops.
Concours d’Elegance and Autumn Nights
September 6–7 brings luxury for car enthusiasts as the Festetics Concours d’Elegance (Festetics Kastély Concours d’Elegance) arrives — a classic car show reviving the elegance of motoring’s golden years. Cars built before 1960 compete in style and beauty, drawing crowds of vintage lovers and nostalgia seekers.
September 20 is Museum Autumn Night, when exhibits across Keszthely stay open late and special events enliven the manor’s historic halls.
Lake Balaton (Balaton) Adventures: Boats, Canoes and Guided Tours
Looking for outdoor fun? In the heart of summer and autumn, the area around Keszthely offers plenty of open-air activities. From June through October, enjoy pleasure cruises from the harbor — relax in the middle of Lake Balaton (Balaton) with sailboat rides available all season.
Expert-led canoe tours also launch from the Little Balaton Visitor Center (Kis-Balaton Látogatóközpont), along with guided hikes to wildlife spots like the István Fekete (Fekete István) memorial and Uncle Matula’s Hut (Matula bácsi kunyhója) on Diás Island (Diás-sziget). Both programs let you explore the hidden corners and tranquil waters of the Little Balaton (Kis-Balaton) nature reserve.
Every week, kids and families can join in open-air games and creative outdoor activities — the recurring “Play Outside” sessions keep energy high, whatever your age.
Music, Dance, and Stage: Cultural Showcases
September brings a whirl of performing arts, with the 23rd Keszthely Dance Panorama (Keszthelyi Táncpanoráma) from September 11–14 offering dance shows, workshops, and contemporary performances. Ticket prices range from $9 to $15 for most events.
Look out for special performances like Transylvania Express by the Dezső Fitos Ensemble (Fitos Dezső Társulat) on September 12, and Café Brasil by GG Dance Eger on September 13. Ballet, folk, and world music all take their turn in the spotlight.
Other musical highlights include the Zorán 2025 tour stopping by on September 16 — expect full houses and tickets at about $40 each.
Laughter is not forgotten: solo stand-up comedy nights and clever one-man shows are sprinkled throughout the calendar, with names like Péter Janklovics (Janklovics Péter) and Dániel Mogács (Mogács Dániel) bringing their wit to the Dumaszínház stage.
Workshops, Exhibitions, and Lunar Events
Expand your horizons in hands-on ways. Try a one-day upholstery workshop on September 27, or visit art exhibitions by the versatile Flow Balaton (Flow Balaton) creative community and see a photo showcase celebrating the Transylvania Express performance.
Aspiring astronomers should mark September 7: bring a telescope (or borrow one) to the shore of Lake Balaton (Balaton) for a breathtaking view of a full lunar eclipse.
Family Theatre and Seasonal Fun
Young visitors can look forward to classic tales, with productions like Hansel and Gretel (Jancsi és Juliska) and the music-filled Peter Pan running in October.
The autumn schedule keeps families engaged — from historical playhouse days and creative outdoor sessions to boat rides and interactive quizzes. Festetics Palace ensures there’s never a dull moment, with new surprises coming almost every week.
Looking Ahead: November and Beyond
November doesn’t slow down, either. Science enthusiasts can enjoy “Scientific Stand-Up” by László Mérő on artificial intelligence, while music lovers will appreciate the Lovasi Trio concert — with tickets ranging from $16 to $22.
No matter your interests, the 2025 Festetics Palace (Festetics Kastély) lineup delivers a blend of tradition, creativity, spectacle, and fun — all set in one of Hungary’s most enchanting lakeside towns.
