Szeged, the sunlit city on the Tisza, is packed with festivals, headline shows, and open-air spectacles. Its storied past powers a cultural calendar that barely leaves a free weekend. The legendary Open-Air Festival (Szegedi Szabadtéri Játékok) on Dóm Square (Dóm tér) anchors summer, but the program runs hot all year, from gospel to comedy, ballet to blockbuster musicals, family puppet shows to global sports names.
January: Concerts, theater, markets
The BÖDÖN Market (BÖDÖN Piac) returns January 11 and 25, while the Szeged National Theater (Szegedi Nemzeti Színház) runs repertory across several blocks: Jan 4–11, Jan 14–19, and Jan 22–30, with tickets from about $2.70 to $217. The New Year’s Joy Concert by The Original Golden Voices of Gospel hits the Szeged Cathedral (Szegedi Dóm) on Jan 13. D14’s inner courtyard hosts a Garage Sale on Jan 17, the same day as Chocolate Matinee for Kids/2 – The Nutcracker (Csokimatiné gyerekeknek/2 – Diótörő) at Korzó Zeneház for children. The Menopause Tour (Menopauza turné) lands at Pick Aréna Szeged (Szeged Pick Aréna) on Jan 24 ($27.10–$54.20). On Jan 28, The Naked Truth (Meztelen igazság), a musical comedy, plays the Boncz Géza Hall at IH Event Center (IH Rendezvényközpont) ($22.00 flat).
Winter comedy, classics, and family picks
February keeps the National Theater rolling Feb 1–8, 10–16, 19–22, and 23–28 (about $2.70–$217). Dániel Mogács’s EGO stand-up takes the IH Event Center on Feb 5, with Viktor Feiszt’s mic test ($20.10–$24.40). The beloved The Paul Street Boys (A Pál utcai fiúk) arrives at the City Sports Hall (Városi Sportcsarnok) on Feb 7 ($24.20–$35.00). BÖDÖN Market returns Feb 8 and 22. Apostol’s We Can’t Live Without You! (Nem tudunk élni nélkületek!) plays Feb 13 ($24.20–$29.50). Ray Cooney’s farce Run for Your Wife (Páratlan páros) comes via Bánfalvy Stúdió on Feb 20 ($20.30–$23.00).
Spring: Music legends, talks, and family theatre
March 28 brings Mazsola and Tádé (MAZSOLA és TÁDÉ), a musical puppet show at the IH Event Center ($9.60). On April 7, Bródy 80 celebrates a Hungarian icon ($38.10–$43.50). April 21 features psychologist Noémi Orvos-Tóth’s talk How Do We Break Inherited Family Patterns? (Hogyan törjük meg az örökölt családi mintákat?) at IH ($27.00). ABBA-fueled joy arrives with Mamma Mia! at Pick Aréna Szeged on May 10 ($27.10–$67.80). Tvrtko presents Chernobyl 40 (Csernobil 40), an exclusive lecture, on May 12. The 10th Zsigmond Vilmos International Film Festival (Zsigmond Vilmos Nemzetközi Filmfesztivál) unspools May 13–17, followed by the Dóm Square Cavalcade (Dóm Téri Kavalkád) May 22–24.
Summer festivals and Open-Air Festival
Deja Vu Festival (Deja Vu Fesztivál) returns June 11–12. The Szeged Open-Air Festival (Szegedi Szabadtéri Játékok) program packs July and August: Geszti Concert (Geszti Koncert) on July 1 (Újszeged Open-Air Stage/Újszegedi Szabadtéri Színpad), Dawn of Heroes (Hősök hajnala) on July 4 (Dóm Square, $13.60–$46.80), Honeybeast on July 8 ($24.20–$32.70). The Three Musketeers (A 3 testőr) storms Dóm Square July 10–11 and 17–18 ($19.10–$92.70). Charlie Concert plays July 22 ($24.20–$32.70), Cinefonic scores movie magic July 24 ($16.90–$60.20), ABBA Show on July 29 ($24.20–$32.70), and Carmen lights up July 31 ($19.10–$67.80). August continues with Petra Gubik Concert (Gubik Petra Koncert) on Aug 5 ($19.10–$27.30), Dixieland Gala (Dixieland Gála) on Aug 12 ($17.50–$23.20), and Wicked on Aug 14–16 and Aug 20–22 ($19.10–$89.80).
Big finish: Basketball legends
On Oct 30, the Harlem Globetrotters bring The 100 Year Tour to the City Sports Hall (Városi Sportcsarnok), with seats from $26.90 up to $217.
Kids, literature, and nature days
Literary and family picks dot the early year: Jan 12 sees Péter Esterházy – Lili: Seventeen Swans (Esterházy Péter – Lili: Tizenhét hattyú) in the How Old Is the Captain? (Hány éves a kapitány?) series; Jan 17 offers Sleeping Beauty – Waking Dream – Play – Opera (Csipkerózsika – éber álom – játék – opera) and The Great Yeti Investigation (A Nagy Jetinyomozás); Jan 24 brings Bunny, Hop! (Nyuszi, hopp!) with songs and nursery rhymes. February features Lóri in the World of Imagination (Lóri fantáziavilágban) on multiple dates (Feb 1–26), more Bunny, Hop! on Feb 7 and 21, The Ratcatcher Project (A Patkányfogó Projekt) on Feb 16, and the Golden Fleece Company’s King Matthias and the Truthful Shepherd (Aranygyapjú Társulat – Mátyás király, meg az igazmondó juhász) on Feb 28. March brings Fityfirity (Mar 21) and Fox-Eyes (A rókaszemű) (Mar 29).
Botanic Garden highlights
Nature lovers get Easter at the Botanic Garden (Húsvét a Füvészkertben) Apr 5–6, Hanami cherry-blossom viewing Apr 11, Spring-Welcoming Tulip Tours (Tavaszköszöntő tulipán túrák) Apr 18, Earth Day (Föld Napja) Apr 25, Fascination of Plants Day – Noah’s Ark opening (Növények Napja – Noé bárkája) May 16, Summer Flower Cavalcade (Nyári virágkavalkád) June 20, 19th Lotus Days (XIX. Lótusz Napok) July 25–26, Day of African and Exotic Plants (Afrikai és egzotikus növények napja) Sep 12, Dog Day (Kutyás nap) Sep 20, Day of Bees (Méhek Napja) Sep 26, Pumpkin Fun Day (Tök Jó Nap) Oct 17, and Momiji fall foliage day Oct 24.
