Pécs turns the calendar into a playlist. All year long, the city buzzes with concerts, festivals, and after-dark cultural gems, anchored by the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter, a creative hub on the grounds of the old porcelain factory. It’s not just a local favorite—it’s one of the region’s strongest cultural powerhouses, mixing art, music, and community in gorgeous industrial-chic spaces.
December 2025: Candlelight, Carols, and Indie Vibes
The season warms up on December 17 with THE CLASSIC CHRISTMAS – CANDLELIGHT EDITION at the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter. Expect an intimate glow, festive orchestral suites, and that crackling, flickering magic. Tickets run 8,990 HUF (about 24.7 USD).
December 20 doubles down. At the Pécs National Theatre (Pécsi Nemzeti Színház), Advent Concerts (Adventi Koncertek) offers a budget-friendly holiday set at 1,000 HUF (2.7 USD), while across town Szabadkikötő hosts Artúr Rambo’s album-release concert for 5,000 HUF (13.7 USD).
Across the city, markets and light shows take over: the Pécs Advent Craft and Story Fair (Pécsi Adventi Kézműves- és Mesevásár, Dec 12–18) fills the streets with crafts and storybook charm, while The Enchanted Forest of Lights (Fények Elvarázsolt Erdeje) casts its glow in the Zsolnay Quarter Dec 12–18, returns Dec 19–25, and continues Dec 26–Jan 1. Weekly roundups cover city picks and Zsolnay highlights Dec 15–21 and Dec 22–28, plus an Advent light exhibition Dec 15–21 and Dec 22–23 (2,900–12,500 HUF, or 8–34.3 USD). Saturdays invite beer lovers to Discover the Pécs Brewery! (Fedezd fel a Pécsi Sörfőzdét!), a guided tour and tasting that runs weekly. You can also catch local auto and animal markets on Dec 21 and Dec 28.
December 29 brings stand-up: The Digital Ninja (A digitális nindzsa), Péter Aranyosi’s solo show, is 9,900 HUF (27.2 USD). Weekly city and Zsolnay guides close out the year Dec 29–Jan 4.
January 2026: Classics, Comedy, and Ballet
The Enchanted Forest of Lights keeps glowing Jan 2–8 and Jan 9–15, while weekly event roundups keep you covered Jan 5–11 and Jan 12–18. The brewery tour continues every Saturday (Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 31).
Concerts arrive by candlelight and strings. On Jan 29 at the PKK Apáczai Community Center (PKK Apáczai Művelődési Ház), Vivaldi: The Four Seasons – Candlelight Concert (VIVALDI A NÉGY ÉVSZAK – GYERTYAFÉNYES KONCERT) brings The Four Seasons to life, 12,900–14,900 HUF (35–40.9 USD).
Comedy and theater refresh the midwinter mood: László Hadházi’s The Smartest Person in the World (A VILÁG ESZE), hosted by László Lovász, hits Jan 9 (8,990–14,990 HUF, or 24.7–41.2 USD). Ray Cooney’s bedroom-farce classic Run for Your Wife (Páratlan páros) lands Jan 10 (8,900–9,900 HUF, 24.5–27.2 USD). László Mérő’s Scientific Stand-Up talk, The Power of Words (A szavak ereje), is Jan 13 (8,690–9,690 HUF, 23.8–26.5 USD). The musical comedy Naked Truth (Meztelen igazság) plays Jan 17 (7,900–12,900 HUF, 21.7–35.4 USD). The beloved Tchaikovsky: The Nutcracker (Csajkovszkij: A Diótörő) arrives Jan 11 (10,500–17,500 HUF, 28.8–48 USD).
There’s more: the Menopause Tour (Menopauza turné) stops Jan 31 (9,990–24,990 HUF, 27.5–68.7 USD). Weekly Zsolnay and city guides continue through Jan 26–Feb 1, with the light show back Jan 16–22 and Jan 23–29.
February 2026: Film Magic, Legends, and Candlelit Strings
The Music of Harry Potter by Candlelight (Harry Potter zenéje gyertyafényben) pours wizarding nostalgia into candlelit arrangements on Feb 11 at the PKK Apáczai Community Center (PKK Apáczai Művelődési Ház) (12,900–14,900 HUF, 35–40.9 USD). Bridgerton gets the same candlelit treatment on Feb 25, elegantly sweeping through the Netflix-era classical-pop crossover (12,900–14,900 HUF).
On Feb 23, the legend arrives: Bródy 80 at the Kodály Centre (Pécs Kodály Központ) celebrates the iconic songwriter’s milestone, with tickets from 11,990 to 15,990 HUF (33–43.9 USD). The month ends with Zerkovitz–Topolcsányi’s operetta The Princess of the Orpheum (Orfeum hercegnő) on Feb 28 (4,900–5,900 HUF, 13.4–16.2 USD).
The brewery tour keeps flowing every Saturday (Feb 7, 14, 21, 28). Weekly schedules for Pécs and Zsolnay run Feb 2–8, Feb 9–15, Feb 16–22, and Feb 23–Mar 1.
March 2026: Einaudi, Dance Icons, and Laughs
Candlelight returns March 19 with The Music of Ludovico Einaudi – Tribute at the PKK Apáczai Community Center (PKK Apáczai Művelődési Ház) (12,900–14,900 HUF, 35–40.9 USD). On March 30, Lord of the Dance brings its 30th-anniversary tour to Pécs, with tickets 9,900–21,900 HUF (27.2–60.1 USD).
Laughs are on deck March 3 with It Was Still There at Lepsény! Ready, Set, Laugh! – Reloaded (Lepsénynél még megvolt! Vigyázz, Kész, Nevetés! – Újratöltve). Brewery tours are Saturdays (Mar 7, 14, 21, 28). Weekly city and Zsolnay guides: Mar 2–8, Mar 9–15, Mar 16–22, Mar 23–29, and Mar 30–Apr 5.
April 2026: Rock Ballads and a National Treasure
Turn down the lights and turn up the nostalgia: Rock Ballads by Candlelight (ROCKBALLADÁK GYERTYAFÉNYBEN) hits Apr 8 (12,900–14,900 HUF, 35–40.9 USD). The same night, Hobo 80+1 takes the stage at the Kodály Centre (Pécs Kodály Központ), celebrating the towering figure of Hungarian rock and poetry, 11,990–15,990 HUF (33–43.9 USD).
Saturdays stay foamy with brewery tours (Apr 4, 11, 18, 25). Weekly picks roll Apr 6–12, Apr 13–19, Apr 20–26, and Apr 27–May 3.
May 2026: Freddie’s Fire
On May 9, FREDDIE – Soul Diver: Inner Fire (FREDDIE – LÉLEKBÚVÁR: Belső tűz) lands at the PKK Apáczai Community Center (PKK Apáczai Művelődési Ház), a soulful set at a friendly 9,990 HUF (27.5 USD). Brewery Saturdays continue May 2, 9, and 16, with weekly city and Zsolnay roundups May 4–10, May 11–17, and May 18–24.
From candlelit Vivaldi and film-score nights to operetta, stand-up, and arena dance theater, Pécs packs the calendar. Bookmark the weekly guides, lace up for the light trails, and don’t sleep on the Saturday brewery tours—this city’s soundtrack is loud, luminous, and relentlessly live.
