Ajka is rolling out a packed 2026 calendar, and it’s not just about concerts and plays. Across multiple venues, the city blends exhibitions, comedy, theater, film screenings, museum workshops, the Ajka Crystal Spa (Ajkai Kristályfürdő), sports, and plenty of guaranteed and optional leisure programs. It’s also the perfect base for hikes and day trips—there are countless walking and trekking routes both in and beyond the city limits.
Week One: Comedy, Nostalgia, and a Night for Women
March kicks off on Wednesday, March 4 with the Radics Peti Show in Ajka, tickets at roughly $15. A cult-favorite content creator, Radics brings his live energy to town for one night only.
From March 4 to 8, step into “Ajka ‘85 – The Triumph of a Modern City, Our Everyday Life in the Panel Oasis,” an exhibition that’s a time capsule to the 1980s. Do you remember tower-block routines, familiar streets, shop windows, and that unmistakable vibe? Old photos, personal stories, and a sit-in park installation pair with film screenings. Settle in, chat, and snap a nostalgic selfie—the images spark memories, and each memory unlocks another story. It’s nostalgia, city history, and a shared experience, all inviting you to relive ‘80s Ajka.
Thursday, March 5 brings two culture picks: “In Search of the Secrets of Blue Zones – When the ‘I’ Disappears into the ‘We’” (A Kék Zónák titkai nyomában – Amikor az “Én” eltűnik a “Mi”-ben) explores the community-first mindset that helps people thrive in so-called Blue Zones. Later, “Colors from the Sky” (Színek az égből)—painter Ferenc Vollein’s exhibition opening—sets a vibrant, contemporary tone.
On Friday, March 6, the Pesti Művész Theatre (Pesti Művész Színház) celebrates Women’s Day with “Play On Till Daybreak” (Húzzad csak, kivilágos virradatig) at the Nagy László Municipal Cultural Center (Nagy László Városi Művelődési Központ). Expect a lively show with tickets from about $19 to $22.
Deep Dives and Curtain Calls
Wednesday, March 11 returns to the Blue Zones series with “The Secrets of a Strong Immune System”—practical insights into long, healthy living.
“Ajka ‘85” is back March 11–15, repeating the audiovisual, sit-in park concept that makes lingering part of the fun.
On March 12, Robin Hawdon’s farce “One Lover Is One Too Many” (Szeretőből egy is sok) lands in Ajka—an all-in comedic tangle with tickets around $22. Saturday, March 14 takes a literary detour: the book launch of “The Mysterious Journeys of Soma and Döme” (Soma és Döme rejtelmes utazásai), teasing mystery and adventure.
Sunday, March 15 marks the 178th anniversary of the 1848–49 Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence with a city commemoration—a solemn, nationwide day of remembrance.
Nostalgia on Repeat, Stand-Up, and Smart Talk
From March 18 to 22, the “Ajka ‘85” exhibition returns once more, a gentle reminder that nostalgia never goes out of style. On Thursday, March 19, comedian Péter Elek (Elek Péter) headlines “May I Be Honest?” (Lehetek őszinte?), with tickets about $16.
Friday, March 20 features clinical psychologist Noémi Orvos-Tóth at the Nagy László Municipal Library and Leisure Center (Nagy László Városi Könyvtár és Szabadidő Központ) with “How Do We Break Inherited Family Patterns?”—a sought-after talk on intergenerational dynamics and self-understanding.
On March 25, singer Andrea Szulák takes the stage with “The Great Encounter” (Nagy találkozás), followed by yet another chance to catch the “Ajka ‘85” exhibition March 25–29.
April: Mini Disco, Big Laughs, and Classic Theater
The “’80s panel oasis” returns April 1–5 with more films, photos, and memory-lane chats. April 2 flips the vibe with the Brandnyúl mini disco—tickets are about $8 via jegy.hu or in person at the Information Center. Kids up to age 2 enter free if they sit on a lap.
The exhibition continues April 8–12 and April 15–19, so there’s no excuse to miss it. On April 22, comedy star Tibor Bödőcs brings “From Here We’ll Just Roll” (Innen már csak gurulunk) to Ajka, with guest Edu Tóth (Tóth Edu)—a hot ticket for stand-up fans.
Friday, April 24, the Pannon Castle Theatre (Pannon Várszínház) teams with the Municipal Library and Leisure Center (Városi Könyvtár és Szabadidő Központ) for “The Play at the Castle” (Játék a kastélyban), a beloved classic with tickets around $21. Psychologist Kitti Almási follows on April 27 with “Loose Ends” (Elvarratlan szálak), aiming at life’s loose ends and how to tie them up.
On April 28, “Abigél”—the musical adaptation of the iconic story—arrives with tickets between roughly $12 and $13.50. April 29 wraps the month with “We Musical Souls…” (Mi muzsikus lelkek…), packing the operetta and musical canon’s greatest hits into one energetic theater night—music, words, and verve in fast-forward.
May: Walks, Farce, and a Truth Bomb with Tunes
May Day serves up “Great Hike Walks – Boys from the Mine” (Túrajó séták – Fiúk a bányából), a guided walk starting at the parking lot by the Chapel of King Charles IV (IV. Károly király kápolna), tickets around $8 to $16. Expect stories that tunnel into mining heritage and the people behind it.
On May 9, the HeArt Company (HeArt Társulat) spins riotous comedy with “A Drop-Dead Wedding Night” (HULLAJÓ NÁSZÉJSZAKA). Then, May 21’s “Bits of Knowledge – Serious Topics, Clearly – Our Everyday Hassles” (Tudásmorzsák – Komoly témák, érthetően – Mindennapi nyűgjeink) sees protocol expert Ibolya Görög tackle daily frictions with plain talk and useful etiquette.
Friday, May 22, Radics Peti returns to the Nagy László Cultural Center and Library, tickets around $15. On May 30, “The Naked Truth” (Meztelen igazság)—a musical comedy—takes the stage with seats at about $24.
Save the Date: October Insight
Looking ahead, October 7 brings another “Bits of Knowledge” session—“Generational Differences” (Generációk közti különbségek)—with Krisztián Steigervald, a crowd-pleaser for anyone navigating Gen Z to Boomer gaps at home or at work.
Event times and programs are subject to change at the organizers’ discretion—so double-check before you go. Until then, Ajka’s waiting, whether you’re after laughs, history, music, or a quick plunge into the Crystal Spa (Kristályfürdő) between shows.
