Veszprém’s Archdiocese rolls out a full 2026 calendar packed with exhibitions, concerts, family and kids’ events, guided tours, themed walks, popular-science talks, red-letter and holiday programs, and church celebrations across multiple venues in the 8200 district. The spring highlight: three Gizella Day events from May 7 to 9, blending pipe-organ brilliance, intimate prayer, and a youth meet-up built on play, community, and faith.
Gizella Day Gala Organ Concert
On Thursday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m., the Várhegyi Organ Evenings returns to St. Michael’s Basilica (Szent Mihály-bazilika) with a festive program for Gizella Day. Organist András Lakner Bognár of the Cathedral of the Visitation of Mary in Szombathely joins vocalist Gabi Gál for a concert uniting the power of a concert organ and the subtleties of the human voice in the nave’s resonant space. Tickets are available at the Biró–Giczey House box office and at the door: USD 6.90; students/seniors USD 4.15; and a seven-concert pass USD 35.80. The series spotlights the instrument’s colors and liturgical heritage while creating a celebratory citywide moment in Veszprém.
Tradition-Making Prayer in the Gizella Chapel
On Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m., Archbishop György Udvardy launches a tradition-building Gizella Day prayer in the Gizella Chapel, honoring Blessed Queen Gizella, wife of the state-founder, King Saint Stephen, and patron behind St. Michael’s Basilica’s (Szent Mihály-bazilika) construction. The chapel’s significance is amplified by Bishop Ignác Koller’s intent: it houses a Gizella relic, turning the site into a space where history and spirituality meet. The prayer gathering lasts about an hour, aims for a warm, contemplative atmosphere, and requires advance registration due to the chapel’s limited capacity. Important: because of the chapel’s layout, no seating can be brought inside, so participants should be prepared to stand for the full hour.
Youth Meet-Up: Play, Community, Faith
Saturday, May 9 brings a full-day catechist youth meet-up in Veszprém on Blessed Gizella’s feast day. After registration, participants join a shared Mass, then gather for a communal lunch before diving into a lively schedule of games, challenges, and workshops. Expect skill and sports activities, crafts, and time for spiritual depth. Highlights include an acolyte mission, the “Magdi Tour” (Magdi-túra) walk, buzzing quiz contests, and empathy-building sessions linked to Caritas. The day culminates in an awards ceremony and closing blessing. The aim: not just learning about faith, but living it joyfully in community. Sign up through catechists and, as the call says, “Come, test yourself, collect experiences, and be part of a special day!”
More 2026 Highlights
– May 17: concert
– May 23: Night of the Organs — organist Márton Levente Horváth with the Orlando Vocal Ensemble
– May 28: János Pálúr — Creation Story
– Sep 12: Night of Open Churches — organist Tamás Kosóczki, trumpeter Péter Solymosi
– Sep 26: St. Michael’s Day Concert — organist László Deák, flutist Márk Fülep
– Nov 21: St. Cecilia Day Concert — organist István Ruppert, vocalist Krisztina Bognár
– Dec 19: Advent Concert — organist Tamás Kosóczki
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
