Gyula keeps the calendar packed year-round with exhibitions, concerts, theater, foodie pop-ups, museum workshops, and sports. The medieval Gyula Castle, the open-air Castle Theater (Várszínház), and the beloved Gyula Castle Spa (Várfürdő) anchor a slate of guaranteed and optional programs that draw visitors to the historic spa town month after month. From spring to autumn, festivals light up the Castle Theater, while the castle curates quality events nearly all year. The Gyula Castle Spa ranks among Hungary’s favorite wellness escapes.
Advent Glow and Night Tours
On December 20, Advent workshops bring craft vibes to the castle, while candlelit castle tours, Candlelit in the Castle at the Almásy Palace, and Night Wellness at the Gyula Castle Spa set the mood. The Castle Garden (Várkert) hosts Advent programs plus a Christmas Portéka market, and the Gyula Erkel Ferenc Mixed Choir delivers a Christmas concert. The same day, don’t miss Talking Flowers – Treasures of the Almásy Palace (Beszédes virágok – Az Almásy kastély kincsei) and Ladics House: Empress’s Cup (Ladics-ház: Császárné csészéje), alongside Almásy Palace: Corset and Revolution (Almásy-kastély: Fűző és forradalom).
Family Trails and Festive Markets
December 19–21 brings Advent markets at the Craft Fair Courtyard and guaranteed castle programs. On December 21, Corset and Revolution and Empress’s Cup return, families can join Palace Tour with Dachshund Dönci (Kastélytúra Tacskó Döncivel), and Advent at the Ladics House: Krisztkindli offers a special guided tour. December 22 features a downtown walking tour, while December 22–January 4 adds Ladics House: Time Travel with VR Glasses. December 23 features a code-breaking game at the Ladics House.
Between the Holidays: Wellness and History
More guaranteed castle programs run December 26–28. On December 27: Night Experience Bathing at AquaPalota, plus more candlelit castle tours and palace evenings, and Counts’ Passions – Treasures of the Almásy Palace (Grófi passziók – Az Almásy-kastély kincsei). December 28 revisits the Dönci tour.
New Year Parties Across Town
December 30 brings GyulaKultKlub’s pre–New Year jam session and another Ladics House code game. New Year’s Eve options are everywhere: Bols Café Street Bash, New Year’s at Vigadó, a Ball at the Woodland Center, New Year’s in Gyulavári at Kastélykert Bistro, a party at GolfGallery, and a blowout at Teo Várkert Bistro.
January Highlights
January 2–4 keeps the guaranteed castle programs going. January 3 brings back Candlelit in the Castle, candlelit tours, and Night Wellness at the Castle Spa. January 4: another Dönci palace tour. January 8, the Ladics House hosts IT? Child’s Play, with a 3D printing workshop and Body Scanner demo. January 10 brings more Night Wellness. January 15: GyulaKult presents Sándor Badár’s solo stand-up. January 26: GyulaKult stages Gangster Pop: Bonnie, Clyde and Ganxsta (GENGSZTER POP avagy a Bonnie, a Clyde és a Ganxsta).
Springboard to Spring
February lines up Comedy Theater (Dumaszínház): András Somogyi – Borrowed Faces (Kölcsön Arcok); Dr. Kitti Almási’s Loose Ends (Elvarratlan szálak); Mór Jókai: The Count of Fools (A bolondok grófja) by the Déryné Company (Déryné Társulat); Museum Free University talks on Herod, Jesus, and the Holy City; GyulaKult: Magda Szabó: Abigél, tickets $24.70–$27.10; and Masters of Illusion (Az Illúzió Mesterei). March features Claudia Liptai’s Clauságok, a Dachshund Meetup 2026 at the Almásy Palace, and a Museum Free University session on March 15, 1848. April 24–26: Medivid Agility and ParAgility Festival. April 29: Generals or Martyrs? May 7: Danny Blue – The Secret. May 22–24: Gyula Pálinka Festival (Gyulai Pálinkafesztivál). May 27: From Corset to Bob Cut. August 21–23: 4th Zumba Festival Gyula (IV. Zumba Festival Gyula).
Gyula’s tally this season: 45 reasons to visit.
