Marcali rolls into 2026 with a full slate of culture, festivals, and family fun, from gallery shows to derby thrills and splashy summer kickoffs. The city’s Cultural Promenade (Kulturális Korzó) anchors much of the action, while markets, rides, and science talks spill across town through June. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs, so keep plans flexible.
Art Front and Center
It starts April 27–30 with Painting Essence, a showcase by drawing teacher and painter László D. Fazekas at the Cultural Promenade’s Contemporary Gallery. Running April 27–May 2, Csököly Muses spotlights folk furniture painter Vivien Landi upstairs at the same venue. From April 30 to May 2, amateur painter Róbert Bartis debuts Flowers Among Us, an exhibition that keeps returning in weekly runs: May 4–9, May 11–16, May 18–23, May 25–30, June 1–6, June 8–13, June 15–20, June 22–27, and June 29–30 in the upstairs space of the Cultural Promenade.
Ideas, Issues, Voices
On April 28, Mission Possible, or the Achievable Mission brings Somogy County’s public culture professionals together; registration closes April 17. Photographer Gabriella Csoszó and the Radnóti Theatre’s photo exhibition Enough Again (megint ELÉG) returns to Marcali with social issues in the spotlight at the Cultural Promenade’s Contemporary Gallery on May 6–9, then runs again May 11–16, May 18–23, and May 25–30.
Derby Day and May Buzz
May 1 gallops in with the Marcali Lóki Carriage Driving Derby. On May 3, May Buzz takes over with a funfair—bumper cars, devil’s wheel, fairy-tale carousel, and a bouncy castle—plus a “Ride Smart on Two Wheels!” cycling skills game, and a bustling craft market with food vendors.
Talks That Pop
Journalist-author András Kepes brings the talk You Are Right to Marcali on May 19 at the Cultural Promenade and the Cultural House, with tickets at 5,000 HUF (about 13.40 USD). On May 21, astronomer Dr. László Kiss returns for Black Holes: Mysterious Celestial Bodies in Our Galaxy, an interactive lecture at the Cultural Promenade, tickets 2,000 HUF (about 5.36 USD). A second listing the same day, Astronomy Lecture 3.0 – Black Holes, promises galactic adventures in an entertaining style, with tickets available on-site and online.
Markets and Summer Splash
Garage Sale days pop up at the Covered Market on May 9 and June 13. Summer lands with a splash on June 6 at the Marcali Municipal Thermal Spa Season-Opening Party, featuring a Kids’ Parade, a potato-dish cook-off, water games, and a vintage vehicle meet.
