Pécs, the lively university capital of Baranya County, sprawls at the foot of the Mecsek Hills with layers of Roman, Ottoman, Swabian, Croatian, and Hungarian heritage. Founded as Sopianae in the early 2nd century, it’s now a cultural and educational powerhouse with UNESCO World Heritage sites and standout architecture. Winter in Pécs is busy: weekly lineups, concerts by candlelight, comedy nights, theater premieres, and a brand-new illuminated wonderland in the Zsolnay Quarter pull everyone into the streets.
Weekly guides you’ll actually use
Every week, the city posts two go-to calendars. The Zsolnay Quarter weekly schedule runs Jan 5–11, Jan 12–18, Jan 19–25, Jan 26–Feb 1, Feb 2–8, Feb 9–15, and Feb 16–22. It bundles one-off events, recurring programs, guided tours, temporary exhibitions, and year-round options across the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter. Alongside that, the Pécs weekly guide over the same date ranges curates family and kids’ activities, popular science talks, arts events, and foodie picks for all ages. Both are your shortcut to what’s on, without doomscrolling.
A forest of light in the Zsolnay Quarter
The Zsolnay Cultural Quarter becomes a glowing light park for the first time, the Enchanted Forest of Lights (Fények Elvarázsolt Erdeje), with dazzling installations that draw in both kids and adults. Think winter fairyland meets city stroll: a perfect backdrop for a family outing, a romantic walk, or a catch-up with friends. The Winter Light Grove runs Jan 9–15, Jan 16–22, and Jan 23–29. Expect those photo moments you’ll keep.
Classics and candlelight
Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker fills the Lauber Dezső City Sports Hall (Lauber Dezső Városi Sportcsarnok) on Jan 11, with tickets between roughly $29 and $43 (10,500–15,400 HUF). Later in the month, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons gets the candlelight treatment at the PKK Apáczai Cultural House on Jan 29, turning a winter night into a warm Baroque glow. And on Feb 11, Harry Potter by Candlelight brings the saga’s music to the same venue, with seats from about $35 to $41 (12,900–14,900 HUF).
Stand-up that bites
Science meets humor on Jan 13 as László Mérő’s The Power of Words lands at Dumaszínház in the Zsolnay Quarter’s E78 Hall, tickets around $20–$22 (7,290–8,190 HUF). On Jan 29, Dániel Mogács brings EGO with opener Viktor Feiszt, $21–$22 (7,590–8,190 HUF). Nóra Rainer-Micsinyei takes the mic on Feb 18 with Marika for Prezident Speziell, priced about $20–$22 (7,390–8,190 HUF). On Feb 13, Harsányi 50 blends stand-up and music at the Pécs Third Theatre (Pécsi Harmadik Színház) for roughly $16 (5,600 HUF).
Theater, from satire to love letters
The Pécs Third Theatre (Pécsi Harmadik Színház) is busy. On Jan 19, Marble Liqueur / Terrio (Márványlikőr / Terrio) serves humor and amour in two acts, tickets around $19 (7,000 HUF), returning Feb 22 at the same price. Jan 23 brings Good Luck (Jószerencsét) at about $17 (6,500 HUF). Jan 24 and Feb 6 present The Wall’s Got the Other One – or The Notary Upstairs (A FAL ADJA A MÁSIKAT – avagy Közjegyző az emeleten), each at roughly $19 (7,000 HUF). Feb 14 is for the romantics: Unread Message – for Valentine’s Day by the Oberon Company, about $16 (6,000 HUF), a neat, intimate counterpoint to the city’s bigger stages.
Big shows, big rooms
The Lauber Dezső City Sports Hall (Lauber Dezső Városi Sportcsarnok) hosts the musical comedy Naked Truth (Meztelen Igazság) on Jan 17 with seats from about $22 to $36 (7,900–12,900 HUF). On Jan 31, the Menopause Tour hits the same arena at roughly $39–$55 (13,990–19,990 HUF). Expect laughs, sing-along moments, and a crowd-ready vibe tailor-made for winter weekends.
ABBA forever
On Feb 21, Kultik Cinema (Kultik Mozi) rolls out ABBA – The Happy New Year Concert Show, a pure pop sugar rush for around $14 (4,900 HUF). It’s the kind of feel-good that resets a gray February.
Beer geeks, this one’s yours
Every Saturday, the city’s brewing history pours out at the Pécs Brewery (Pécsi Sörfőzde) tour and tasting: Jan 17, Jan 24, Jan 31, Feb 7, Feb 14, and Feb 21. It’s Hungary’s oldest still-operating brewery, and the visit walks you through production plus a guided tasting of their specials. If you’re into the craft, you’ll want to hear the machinery hum and compare notes in the glass.
Plan your winter in Pécs
– Jan 5–11: Zsolnay and citywide weekly programs kick off; The Nutcracker on Jan 11.
– Jan 9–15: Enchanted Forest of Lights opens in the Zsolnay Quarter.
– Jan 12–18: Fresh weekly listings; Mérő’s science stand-up on Jan 13.
– Jan 16–22: Light park continues; Naked Truth on Jan 17; first brewery tour on Jan 17.
– Jan 19–25: Theater run with Marble Liqueur / Terrio on Jan 19; Good Luck on Jan 23; more lights Jan 23–29; brewery tour Jan 24; The Notary Upstairs on Jan 24.
– Jan 26–Feb 1: New weekly guides; Vivaldi by candlelight Jan 29; brewery tour Jan 31; Menopause Tour Jan 31.
– Feb 2–8: Weekly guides refresh; brewery tour Feb 7.
– Feb 9–15: Weekly updates; Harry Potter by Candlelight Feb 11; Harsányi 50 Feb 13; Valentine’s Unread Message Feb 14; brewery tour Feb 14.
– Feb 16–22: New weekly guides; Marika for Prezident Speziell Feb 18; ABBA tribute Feb 21; brewery tour Feb 21; Marble Liqueur / Terrio returns Feb 22.
From candlelit symphonies and ABBA choruses to sharp stand-up and glowing night walks, Pécs turns winter into a citywide stage. Warm up with local beer, lean into the light, and let the weekly guides steer you through.
