Debrecen doesn’t do dull. Hungary’s second city rolls through 2025 and into 2026 with a calendar stacked with festivals, big-stage concerts, candlelit classics, street theater, markets, comedy, family shows, and an Advent season that takes over the center with lights, scents, music, and a skating rink. Between imposing churches, the famed Great Church, leafy parks, and flower-bright promenades, the city blends heritage with a full-tilt program for kids, families, students, and night owls. Even the zoo, amusement park, and aquapark are in the mix, plus a steady beat of sports events. Here’s what to catch and when.
Advent magic and headline concerts
December 20 brings a centerpiece: the 100 Tagú Cigányzenekar (100-Member Gypsy Orchestra), celebrating its 40th anniversary with a Christmas Grand Concert in Debrecen, featuring a never-before-seen collaboration with one of today’s most popular stars. The same day, the Kodály Philharmonic Debrecen performs a Christmas Concert in the Kölcsey Center’s Grand Hall.
Advent programming runs thick. On December 20, Kossuth Square’s Advent Stage hosts the Debrecen Dixieland Jazz Band (17:00–17:40) and Orsi Kozma (18:00–18:40), while Meseváros at Dósa Nádor Square features East Brass (16:00–16:40) and the DuoTrio street theater (16:40–17:00). Across the Advent Fair, DuoTrio performs 15:00–17:00; LESZ DANCE’s costumed dancers pop up 16:00–17:00. In the Old Town Hall courtyard, Advent Silence – Light and Music Experience glows from 17:00–19:00.
On December 21, the Debrecen Big Band marks its 20th anniversary with a Christmas Gala at the Kölcsey Center, tickets from $24.70 to $30.20. Also that night, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons gets the candlelight treatment at the VOKE Egyetértés Cultural Center, from $35.80 to $41.30.
December 21’s Advent Sunday includes a candle-lighting procession from City Hall to the Advent Stage (16:30–17:00) led by figures including Orthodox parochus Barnabás Sipos and Deputy Mayor Ákos Balázs, joined by the Holy Trinity Hungarian Orthodox Church Choir, singer Aliz Nyári, Énekelj! Énekstúdió, Debreceni Népi Együttes, Kuckó Művésztanya, and the Bíró Zenekar. At Kossuth Square, the communal lighting Világ világossága runs 17:00–17:45 with city and church representatives and civil groups, featuring Aliz Nyári, who then performs 18:00–18:40. Street theater and dancers return across the fair and at Meseváros.
On December 22, singer Gabi Szűcs swings through Let’s Christmas! in the Kölcsey Center Ballroom, $21.90–$27.50.
Debrecen Advent: markets, music, ice
From November 28 to December 23, Debrecen Advent transforms the downtown promenade into a Christmas market with 75 festive stalls, a giant tree, concerts, kids’ workshops, a fairytale town, a Christmas hütte, and an ice rink. Sip mulled wine, nibble roasted chestnuts, and browse traditional and artisan gifts under twinkling lights.
Between the holidays: family, comedy, legends
December 27 rolls out Kalap Jakab Karácsonya at the Lovarda University Cultural and Conference Center ($10.80), Állatok Karácsonya, and a double-shot of headliners: comedian Péter Aranyosi’s A digitális nindzsa at Főnix Arena ($19.10–$48.90), and Charlie: Annyi minden történt… in the Kölcsey Grand Hall ($35.80–$38.50).
December 28 brings Musical- és Operettcsillagok – Karácsonyi Gálakoncert to the Kölcsey Grand Hall ($44.10–$49.60).
New Year to winter highlights
January 3, violin star Zoltán Mága’s Debrecen New Year’s Concert takes over Főnix Arena ($27.50–$41.30). January 4, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker lands at the same arena ($23.60–$48.40). January 6, pianist Gergely Bogányi gives a solo evening in the Kölcsey Grand Hall ($9.20–$11.70). From November 30 to January 6, the city’s Fényvillamos (Light Tram) sparkles through the streets.
January also features the Ruyter Street Producers’ Market (Jan 10) and the Menopauza tour at Főnix Arena on Jan 10 ($27.70–$69.30), the farce Ne most, drágám! by Veres1Színház on Jan 16 at VOKE ($26.60), comedian Ádám Kiss’s Mit nem mondok! in the Kölcsey Grand Hall Jan 16 ($24.60–$29.60), the 8th Főnix Fitt fitness gathering on Jan 17, Mozart’s Varázsfuvola (The Magic Flute) Jan 27 at the University Church ($7.60), and Akt hegedűvel on Jan 30 at VOKE ($19.10–$21.90).
February: film scores, theater, and candlelight
February 2, a Hans Zimmer film music concert fills the Kölcsey Grand Hall ($44.10–$55.10). On Feb 8, Michael Cooney’s Nicsak, ki lakik itt?! hits VOKE ($21.90–$24.70). Feb 13 stacks three picks: Rock Balladák Gyertyafényben at VOKE ($35.80–$41.30), Farsang ohne falsch hang at the University Aula ($7.60), and Péter Srámek’s Valentine’s show in the Kölcsey Grand Hall ($38.60–$44.50). The Ruyter Street market returns Feb 14. Feb 17 brings Emlékezés és extázis to the Kölcsey Grand Hall ($9.20–$11.70). On Feb 19, Dániel Mogács’s EGO plays Lovarda for Dumaszínház ($18.10–$25.30). Feb 22, Három a magyar vigasság! musical cabaret at VOKE costs $10.80–$13.60.
March: orchestras, Bridgerton, and a global dance hit
March 3, the National Philharmonic visits the Kölcsey Grand Hall ($9.20–$11.70). March 6, the Kodály Choir hosts guests at the University Aula ($7.60). March 14, Bridgerton zenéje gyertyafényben at VOKE ($35.80–$41.30), plus the Ruyter Street market. March 17 focuses on Russian composers Kabalevsky and Rimsky-Korsakov in the Russian Music Festival: Portraits at the Kölcsey Grand Hall ($9.20–$11.70). March 18, Húzzad csak, kivilágos virradatig at VOKE ($12.80–$15.60). March 21 welcomes the 5th Made in Debrecen Festival citywide. March 27, Firenzei emlék at the University Church ($7.60). March 29–30, Lord of the Dance’s 30th anniversary tour storms Főnix Arena ($33.10–$66.40). March 30, Az Éj Eleganciája at VOKE ($19.10–$21.90).
Spring into symphonies, film scores, and fairs
April 10, I Feel Jazzy in the Kölcsey Grand Hall ($7.60). April 11, the Ruyter Street market. April 14, Magyar láng – Cseh lélek in the Kölcsey Grand Hall ($9.20–$11.70). April 18–19, Debreceni Sokadalom fills the city. April 19, Ennio Morricone film music by candlelight at VOKE ($35.80–$41.30), and the MÁV Symphony Orchestra in the Kölcsey Grand Hall ($9.20–$11.70).
May brings the Ruyter Street market on the 9th, Ragyogás és mélység in the Kölcsey Grand Hall on the 12th ($9.20–$11.70), journalist Tvrtko with Csernobil 40 at Lovarda on the 15th ($21.90), ABBA Show at VOKE on the 16th ($35.80–$41.30), Stabat Mater on the 19th ($9.20–$11.70), and Császár Kvartett és Nagy szimfónia at the University Church on the 29th ($7.60).
Summer starters
June closes the concert season with Őserő – Évadzáró Koncert in the Kölcsey Grand Hall on June 5–6 ($9.20–$11.70). The Debrecziner Gourmet Fesztivál serves up June 12–14, followed by the Ruyter Street market on June 13, and the Országos Színházi Találkozó (National Theatre Meeting) June 15–21. July 11, the Ruyter Street market returns. Pack comfy shoes. Debrecen is busy.
