Gyula rolls into 2026 with a packed calendar: exhibitions, concerts, theater, food fests, museum workshops, and sports make this historic spa town a year-round magnet. Gyula Castle, the Castle Theatre, and the beloved Várfürdő thermal baths anchor a program lineup that rarely lets up. From spring to autumn, the Castle Theatre hosts festivals, while the fortress and its grounds keep crowds busy with tours, live demonstrations, and candlelit spectacles. Pálinka and kolbász still rule the table, and there’s almost always a headliner event each month.
January: Walks, brews, comedy, and candlelight
January opens with Belvárosi barangoló city walks (Jan 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30), easygoing guided strolls through downtown. Beer fans get their fix at Sörházi beugró, a recurring Elixbeer Brewery tour and tasting (Jan 13–17, 20–22, 23–24, 27–31) that becomes a near-daily ritual by month’s end. On Jan 15, Sándor Badár hits the stage with a solo stand-up night, while Romantika Bisztró sets the mood with Dinner Melodies with Tibi Sztojka (Jan 16, 23, 30).
The castle cranks up a weekend of Guaranteed Programs Jan 16–18, with falconry shows (Jan 17), a working blacksmith demo (Jan 17), saber fencing instruction (Jan 17), an armory review (Jan 18), a siege walk (Jan 18), and a prison visit (Jan 17). Candlelight leads the way across Gyertyafényes vártúrák castle tours (Jan 17, 24, 31) and A kastély gyertyafényben nights at the Almásy Castle (Almásy-kastély) (Jan 17, 24, 31). The Várfürdő keeps evenings steamy with Night Wellness sessions (Jan 17, 24, 31). The Portéka fair gathers artisans and producers at the World Clock (Jan 17, 24, 31). The Almásy treasures shine in Beszédes virágok (Jan 17), and kids meet the local legend on a Kastélytúra with Dachshund Dönci (Jan 18, 25; Feb 1). Jan 22 brings a László Krasznahorkai conference and reading at the Castle Theatre, plus the castle’s History of Sieges. La Sposa Caffè plates a six-course chef’s dinner on Jan 23. The city library presents a book launch, Gesztenye úti mesék, on Jan 30. Another Guaranteed Programs weekend arrives Jan 23–25, then again Jan 30–Feb 1.
February: Wellness, musicals, and mind-bending talks
February keeps the lights low with Gyertyafényes vártúrák and Night Wellness on Feb 7. Gyulakult presents Valahol Amerika / Bon-Bon 30, a musical, on Feb 8, and Dumaszínház brings András Somogyi with Kölcsön Arcok on Feb 9. Psychologist Dr. Kitti Almási talks Elvarratlan szálak on Feb 12, followed by Mór Jókai’s The Count of Fools (A bolondok grófja) performed by the Déryné Company (Déryné Társulat) on Feb 17. The Museum Free University dives into Varázseszközök és mágikus technikák a római világban (Jan 28), Herod, Jesus and the Holy City (Heródes, Jézus és a Szent Város) (Feb 25), and March 15, 1848 (1848. március 15.) (Mar 25), plus Generals or martyrs? (Hadvezérek vagy mártírok?) (Apr 29) and From the corset to the bob (A fűzőtől a bubifrizuráig) (May 27). On Feb 25, Gyulakult stages Magda Szabó’s Abigail (Abigél). Feb 27 features The Masters of Illusion (Az Illúzió Mesterei) in Gyula.
March and spring: Food, pets, and festivals
March brings Clauságok, Claudia Liptai’s solo evening (Mar 5), another six-course Chef’s Dinner at La Sposa Caffè (Mar 7), and the Dachshund Meetup 2026 at the Almásy Castle Visitor Center (Mar 21). April 24–26, dogs fly and weave at the Medivid Agility and ParAgility Festival. May lights up with Danny Blue: A titok (May 7), the Gyula Flower Festival 2026 (May 9–10), and the Gyula Pálinka Festival (May 22–24). The 4th Zumba Festival Gyula brings the beats Aug 21–23.
Plan it, but stay flexible
Dates and programs may change at the organizers’ discretion, so double-check before you go. Whether it’s tasting craft beer, wandering by candlelight, lounging at night in thermal waters, or catching theater and talks, Gyula’s 2026 calendar is happily overflowing.
