Discover Vác 2026: festivals, concerts, theater, comedy, family shows, markets, workshops, dining, jazz, and Danube adventures—perfect day trip or weekend from Budapest with budget-friendly tickets.
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Vác is teeing up a full-throttle cultural calendar for 2026, with concerts, theater, comedy, film nights, family shows, markets, and hands-on workshops rolling from winter to year’s end across multiple venues. On the Danube Bend, this handsome riverside city throws open its theaters, clubs, and public squares, promising an easy excuse to make a day trip from Budapest—or a long weekend—out of it.
The year revs up on February 22 with Meztelen igazság, a musical comedy at the Imre Madách Cultural Center (Madách Imre Művelődési Központ). Two days later, kids get science with punchlines at Vicces Fizika Show (February 24, Madách), with tickets from about 3.30 USD. Carnival isn’t just about costumes: singer Szilvia Bognár (Bognár Szilvia) brings Farsangi Titoktok to the Danube Bend Theater of Vác (Váci Dunakanyar Színház) on February 25 (from about 6.90 USD).
March opens with Egészséges Makk Marci kalandjai (March 3, Madách; from about 7.40 USD), then a Panoráma koncert on March 7 (from about 6.90 USD). On March 8, veteran pop outfit Apostol lands at Madách with Nem tudunk élni nélkületek!. March 12 brings Deszeretlek, stand-up star István Dombóvári’s solo night hosted by István Bellus (Dumaszínház at Madách; roughly 24.50–26.90 USD). One day later, NŐj fel live! – Napjaink szexualitása tackles modern sexuality (March 13, Madách).
The calendar’s packed on March 21: Orfeum hercegnő plays the Danube Bend Theater of Vác (about 14.90–16.30 USD), while FREDDIE headlines Madách with LÉLEKBÚVÁR – Belső tűz (about 27.40 USD). On March 24, The Paul Street Boys (A Pál utcai fiúk) takes the stage at Madách, followed by Cinderella – Mézeskalács Színház (Hamupipőke) on March 26 at the Danube Bend Theater of Vác (about 7.40 USD). Close March with Breathing – Dominika Ács (Ács Dominika) and fellow musicians (March 28, Madách; about 8.20 USD) and Tojásírás, an egg-decorating workshop on March 29 (about 2.75 USD).
April kicks in with Miklós H. Vecsei & QJÚB (Vecsei H. Miklós & a QJÚB) at Madách (April 2; about 16.40 USD). Family favorite Süsü, the Dragon (Süsü a sárkány) lights up the Danube Bend Theater of Vác (April 11; about 7.40 USD). Drama lands with Dead Heat (Holtverseny) (April 15; roughly 16.40–19.20 USD). Clinical psychologist Noémi Orvos‑Tóth speaks on breaking inherited family patterns (April 16, Madách). On April 19, laughter turns farcical with Eric Chappell’s Spanish Lies (Spanyolhátha – Hőguta) at Madách (about 24.30–27.00 USD). Music fans can also catch Hangoló IV./2. (April 21; about 4.10 USD). Classic comedy Liliomfi, or He’s a Fool Who Becomes an Actor… (Liliomfi, avagy az is bolond, aki színésszé lesz…) plays April 22–23 at the Danube Bend Theater of Vác (about 4.10 USD). Round out the month laughing with Eszter Ráskó’s new stand-up, hosted by Viktor Fülöp (April 29, Dumaszínház at Madách; roughly 24.50–29.90 USD).
May returns to wide-open soundscapes: a Panoráma koncert (May 2, Madách, Auditorium; about 6.90 USD) and Kati Kovács’s symphonic Mother’s Day show (May 3, Madách; about 29.90–35.30 USD). OSCAR – A Day in the Sign of Chaos! (OSCAR – Egy nap a káosz jegyében!) spins chaos into comedy on May 7 (about 5.45 USD). Rockomotív Bt. rolls in May 9 (Madách, Auditorium; about 6.90 USD), followed by the musical comedy One Kiss and Nothing More (Egy csók és más semmi) (May 9; roughly 16.40–19.20 USD). On May 10, Judit Halász (Halász Judit) brings Csiribiri to families (Madách, Theater Hall; about 13.00 USD). Parisian mischief lands with Rendezvous in Paris, or Happy Easter! (Randevú Párizsban, avagy Kellemes Húsvéti Ünnepeket!) (May 17, Danube Bend Theater of Vác; about 16.40–19.20 USD). On May 22, journalist Tvrtko presents Chernobyl 40 (Csernobil 40), an exclusive talk (about 21.20 USD).
Vác’s nationwide animal and flea market fills Sundays across the seasons: March 15, April 19, May 17, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20, October 18, November 15, and December 20. It’s a lively browse—animals, produce, antiques, tools, and everything in between—well worth planning a lazy morning around.
Between Verőce and Vác on the Danube’s edge, Camelot Club Hotel*** pairs rustic carved-wood rooms with air conditioning and hearty dining. It’s an easy hop off Highway 12, 1.2 miles from the roundabout, and those river views aren’t shy about showing off.
Vác’s new Visitor Center is all about experience, learning, and community. Pilgrims, culture-hunters, day-trippers, and cyclists riding the Danube’s left bank are welcome. In the spirit of open doors, the diocese invites both believers and non-believers to step into the Bishopric’s world and get closer to the history and values of the Catholic Church.
Craving adrenaline? Code27 puts you on a jet ski—bring your own or rent theirs. They’ve got the tech, coaching, and a 656-foot sandy beach for sunning and swimming. The beach bar serves cold drinks and spins music while you catch your breath. The thrill is the point: skimming the water at speed is pure, grin-stretching joy.
For riverside dining, the Duna‑parti Halászkert Restaurant (Duna‑parti Halászkert Étterem) in Vác (21 miles from Budapest) serves fish, poultry, pork, and beef specials, backed by bottles from Villány, Eger, Szekszárd, Lake Balaton, and Tokaj. There’s room for everyone: a 120-seat terrace (70 covered), plus a hall for 50 seated and 70 standing. They’ll host your wedding, reunion, office bash, or Christmas party—on site or off.
Night owls, meet JazzMine, Vác’s first jazz club—live sets, dancing, and a strong bar.
For a leisurely bite on Vác’s uniquely triangular Baroque main square, grab a table on Pampalini Restaurant’s (Pampalini Étterem) terrace by the carillon and fountain. The kitchen leans on premium ingredients and has plenty for different diets, so everyone at the table eats well.
And then there’s Kertünk, reopening April 11, 2026: more than a bar with a knockout view, it’s a hangout above the city where dogs, kids, cyclists, hikers, and daydreamers park under a plum tree’s shade. Think homemade treats, fresh air, earworm tunes, a little movement, a little making, and the kind of freedom you only get overlooking the Danube Bend.
Ticket prices across the program run roughly from about 2.75 USD to about 35.30 USD, depending on the show and seat. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs, so double-check times before you go—and leave time for a riverside walk.
