Debrecen is gearing up for a packed 2026, mixing blockbuster concerts, smart theater, and family-friendly days out with the city’s museums, grand churches, the iconic Great Church, and leafy parks as a backdrop. Here’s the calendar you’ll actually use—from candlelit classics and film music marathons to artisan markets and marathons on foot.
February: Film scores, farce, and festivals
February opens with a cinematic punch: Hans Zimmer’s film music concert takes over the Kölcsey Center Grand Hall on February 2. A week later, Michael Cooney’s Nicsak, ki lakik itt?! (Run for Your Wife) pops up via Bánfalvy Stúdió at VOKE Egyetértés Cultural Center with tickets from $21.30–$24.00. The 10th Hungarian Film Harvest (Magyar Filmszüret) runs February 9–25 across the city, spotlighting current cinema.
On February 13, pick your vibe: Rock Ballads by Candlelight at VOKE ($34.80–$40.20), the cheeky Farsang ohne falsch hang at the University of Debrecen Aula (single price $7.20), and Peter Srámek’s Valentine’s Day concert at the Kölcsey Center ($35.00–$40.40). February 14 brings the Csak Design Fair at Méliusz Juhász Péter Library and the local-produce Ruyter Street Market.
The Kodály Philharmonic’s Remembering and Ecstasy arrives February 17 at the Kölcsey Center ($8.90–$11.30). Comedy lands on February 19 with Dániel Mogács’s EGO at Dumaszínház, Lovarda ($15.60–$22.30). On February 20, Erika Náray and Róbert Alföldi time-travel in Időutazás at VOKE ($18.60–$21.30). February 22 doubles up: Vilmos Gryllus’s Maszkabál at the Kölcsey Center ($5.70–$9.50), and the raucous musical cabaret Három a magyar vigasság! at VOKE ($10.60–$13.30). Opera fans get Puccini és Verdi hősei on February 24 at the Kölcsey Center’s Grand Hall.
The 16th DESZKA Festival, a major contemporary theater showcase, runs February 24–March 1. Veres 1 Színház brings Steel Magnolias (Acélmagnóliák) on February 27.
March: Orchestras, arena comedy, and a marathon
The National Philharmonic plays the Kölcsey Center on March 3 ($8.90–$11.30). The Kodály Choir hosts Guests of the Choir on March 6 at the University Aula (single price $7.20). On March 7, cult band Apostol rocks Lovarda ($23.90–$29.20).
March 8 is busy: László Hadházi’s stand-up Kutyák at Főnix Arena ($22.90–$46.90), plus the Debrecen Antiques Fair with a deep spread of genuine antiques, retro pieces, artworks, tools, and unique gift ideas. March 9: The Wife Starts at Forty (A feleség negyvennél kezdődik) hits VOKE ($23.90–$26.60). March 11 brings Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Az Ackroyd-gyilkosság) to VOKE ($22.60–$25.60).
The Portraits (Portrék) chamber series unfolds at the Liszt Hall: Arensky on March 12 ($6.80), Rachmaninoff on March 13 ($6.80), and Kabalevsky and Rimsky-Korsakov on March 14 ($6.80), with an encore of the latter the same day. Also March 14: Bridgerton’s Music by Candlelight at VOKE ($34.80–$40.20) and the Ruyter Street Market.
Russian music takes the spotlight March 17 at the Kölcsey Center with Kabalevsky/Rimsky-Korsakov – Russian Music Festival – Portraits ($8.90–$11.30). Folk-tinged revelry Húzzad csak, kivilágos virradatig lights up VOKE on March 18 ($12.10–$14.70). The fifth Made in Debrecen Festival champions local bands on March 21.
March 22 repeats the Debrecen Antiques Fair and adds Ludovico Einaudi’s music at the Kölcsey Center ($34.80–$40.20). March 27: Florentine Memories (Firenzei emlék) at the University Church ($7.20). Cinderella charms VOKE on March 28 ($10.60–$13.00). March 29–30 brings Lord of the Dance’s 30th-anniversary tour to Főnix Arena, and March 29 also sends runners through the city at the Debrecen Marathon. March 30 closes with The Elegance of the Night (Az Éj Eleganciája) at VOKE ($18.60–$21.30).
April: Spring festival season
The Debrecen Spring Festival runs April 9–18 citywide. I Feel Jazzy plays April 10 at the Kölcsey Center ($7.20). April 11 brings the Ruyter Street Market and a reprise of Michael Cooney’s Nicsak, ki lakik itt?! at VOKE ($21.30–$24.00). Antiques return April 12.
Hungarian Flame – Czech Soul (Magyar láng – Cseh lélek) lights the Kölcsey Center on April 14 ($8.90–$11.30). April 17: Zenevonat Superconcert with GENERÁL stars at the Kölcsey Center ($22.90–$26.60). April 18: Vera Tóth Band’s Spring Harmonies ($17.10–$21.10) and the Debrecen Fair (Sokadalom) runs April 18–19.
April 19 is stacked: Peter Pan (Pán Péter) at VOKE ($10.60–$13.00), Ennio Morricone film music by candlelight at VOKE ($34.80–$40.20), and the MÁV Symphony Orchestra at the Kölcsey Center ($8.90–$11.30). Another Antiques Fair lands April 26.
May: Symphonic Queen, ABBA, and after-hours zoo
May 2 brings Frakk, the Cats’ Nightmare (Frakk, a macskák réme) to VOKE ($10.60–$13.00). On May 4, Spring Wind – It’s Been 40 Years… Jubilee Queen Symphonic Concert (Tavaszi Szél – Már 40 Éve…) rocks the Kölcsey Center ($35.00–$40.40). The Ruyter Street Market returns May 9. May 10 pairs an Antiques Fair with Birds and Trees Day at the Debrecen Zoo.
Radiance and Depth (Ragyogás és mélység) fills the Kölcsey Center on May 12 ($8.90–$11.30). Stroll the Zoo after dark on May 15, and catch Tvrtko – Chernobyl 40 (Csernobil 40), an exclusive talk at Lovarda ($21.30). ABBA SHOW sparkles at VOKE on May 16 ($34.80–$40.20). Stabat Mater resonates on May 19 at the Kölcsey Center ($8.90–$11.30). Harry Potter Music by Candlelight enchants May 22 at the Kölcsey Center ($34.80–$40.20). The Antiques Fair returns May 24. Close the month on May 29 with the Császár Quartet and Great Symphony at the University Church ($7.20), and May 30–31 is Children’s Day at the Zoo.
June: Theater summit and gourmet days
June 5 brings Ray Cooney’s Páratlan páros (Run for Your Wife/Funny Money universe) via Bánfalvy Stúdió at VOKE ($20.20–$22.90), while the season-ending double bill Primal Force – Season Finale Concert (Őserő – Évadzáró Koncert) by the Kodály Philharmonic fills the Kölcsey Center June 5–6 ($8.90–$11.30). Take an Evening Walk at the Zoo on June 12, then dive into the Debrecziner Gourmet Festival June 12–14. The Ruyter Street Market pops up June 13, and the Antiques Fair follows June 14. The National Theatre Meeting takes over the city June 15–21. And on June 26, another after-hours zoo walk caps a summer month already brimming with taste and talent.
