Debrecen rolls into 2026 with a packed cultural calendar that blends blockbuster concerts, theater hits, film and theater festivals, candlelit tributes, bustling markets, and family days at the zoo. From winter’s glow to summer’s heat, the city’s big halls—the Kölcsey Center (Kölcsey Központ), Főnix Arena (Főnix Aréna), and VOKE Egyetértés Cultural Center—anchor a season of must-see experiences across music, comedy, and stage classics.
February: Film, Farsang, and Big-Name Concerts
It kicks off on February 2 with a Hans Zimmer film music concert in the Kölcsey Center’s Grand Hall. On February 8, Michael Cooney’s farce Nicsak, ki lakik itt?! (Funny Money) lands via Bánfalvy Stúdió at VOKE Egyetértés Cultural Center, with tickets from about $21 to $24. From February 9–25, the 10th Hungarian Film Harvest (Magyar Filmszüret) celebrates new Hungarian cinema across town.
February 13 stacks the night: Rock Ballads by Candlelight (Rockballadák gyertyafényben) at VOKE Egyetértés ($35–$40), a cheeky Farsang ohne falsch hang at the University of Debrecen’s Aula (about $7.40), and Peter Srámek’s Valentine’s concert at Kölcsey ($36–$42). February 14 brings the Csak Design fair at Méliusz Juhász Péter Library (Méliusz Juhász Péter Könyvtár) and the local Ruyter Street farmers’ market.
Classical fans: Remembrance and Ecstasy (Emlékezés és extázis) by the Kodály Philharmonic on February 17 at Kölcsey ($9–$11.40), and on February 19, Dániel Mogács’s comedy EGO with Viktor Feiszt at Lovarda ($15.90–$22.70). February 20 offers Time Travel (Időutazás) with Erika Náray and Róbert Alföldi at VOKE ($18.70–$21.40). Families can’t miss Vilmos Gryllus: Masquerade (Maszkabál) on February 22 at Kölcsey ($5.80–$9.60), alongside the riotous musical cabaret Thrice the Hungarian Merriment! (Három a magyar vigasság!) at VOKE ($10.60–$13.30).
Opera lovers get Heroes of Puccini and Verdi (Puccini és Verdi hősei) on February 24 at Kölcsey, and the 16th DESZKA Festival (Feb 24–Mar 1) fills the city with cutting-edge theater. On February 27, Veres 1 Színház brings Steel Magnolias (Acélmagnóliák).
March: Icons, Candlelight, and a Marathon
The Hungarian National Philharmonic performs on March 3 at Kölcsey ($9–$11.40). On March 6, As Guests of the Kodály Choir (Vendégségben a Kodály Kórusnál) at the University Aula (about $7.40). March 7: Apostol’s We Can’t Live Without You! (Nem tudunk élni nélkületek!) at Lovarda ($24.50–$29.90). March 8 is comedy night with László Hadházi: Dogs (Kutyák), hosted by László Lovász, at Főnix Arena ($23.30–$47.30).
Treasure hunters flock to the Debrecen Antiques Fair (Debreceni Régiségvásár) on March 8, 22, and later dates, with antiques, retro pieces, and art objects galore. March 9 brings The Wife Starts at Forty (A feleség negyvennél kezdődik) at VOKE ($24.50–$27.30), and on March 11, Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (Az Ackroyd-gyilkosság) ($23.10–$26.10). The Portraits chamber series (Portrék) at the University’s Liszt Hall features Arensky (Mar 12) and Rachmaninoff (Mar 13), each about $6.90, plus Kabalevsky and Rimsky-Korsakov on March 14 (two showings). Also on March 13: VABADABA – Péter Geszti with Eszter Váczi at Kölcsey ($36–$42), and March 14 delivers Bridgerton Music by Candlelight (Bridgerton zenéje gyertyafényben) at VOKE ($35–$40) and the Ruyter Street market.
The Russian Music Festival swings into Kölcsey on March 17 with Kabalevsky/Rimsky-Korsakov Portraits ($9–$11.40). Folk vibes hit VOKE on March 18 with Play On Till Dawn (Húzzad csak, kivilágos virradatig) ($12.50–$15.20). March 21 marks the 5th Made in Debrecen Festival. On March 22, another antiques fair pairs with Ludovico Einaudi’s Music at Kölcsey ($35–$40). March 27’s Florentine Memory (Firenzei emlék) at the University Church costs about $7.40.
Families get Cinderella (Hamupipőke) at VOKE on March 28 ($11.20–$13.70). The Főnix Arena hosts Lord of the Dance’s 30th anniversary tour March 29–30 (00:00–00:59), while runners take the city during the Debrecen Marathon on March 29. March 30 caps with The Elegance of Night (Az Éj Eleganciája) at VOKE ($18.70–$21.40).
April: Spring Festival and Symphonic Fireworks
The Debrecen Spring Festival (Debreceni Tavaszi Fesztivál) runs April 9–18. Jazz lands on April 10 with I Feel Jazzy at Kölcsey ($7.40). The Ruyter Street market returns April 11, plus another run of Michael Cooney’s Nicsak, ki lakik itt?! that day ($21–$24). The antiques fair returns April 12.
On April 14, Hungarian Flame – Czech Soul (Magyar láng – Cseh lélek) at Kölcsey ($9–$11.40) pairs Hungarian and Czech moods. Big shows follow: Music Train Superconcert with the Stars of GENERÁL (Zenevonat Szuperkoncert a GENERÁL sztárjaival) on April 17 ($23.10–$26.90), the Tóth Vera Band’s Spring Harmonies (Tavaszi harmóniák) on April 18 ($17.60–$21.70), and the family-friendly Debrecen Fair (Debreceni Sokadalom) April 18–19. VOKE hosts Peter Pan (Pán Péter) on April 19 ($11.20–$13.70), while Ennio Morricone’s Film Music by Candlelight (Ennio Morricone filmzenéje gyertyafénynél) glows that evening ($35–$40). Also April 19: the MÁV Symphony at Kölcsey ($9–$11.40). Another antiques market closes April on the 26th.
May: Queen Symphonic, ABBA, and Zoo Days
May 2 brings Frakk, the Cats’ Scourge (Frakk, a macskák réme) at VOKE ($11.20–$13.70). On May 4, Spring Wind – For 40 Years Now… the Jubilee Queen Symphonic Concert (Tavaszi Szél – Már 40 Éve…) storms Kölcsey ($36–$42). The Ruyter Street market is back May 9. On May 10, Debrecen Zoo marks Birds and Trees Day, plus an antiques fair the same day.
Symphonic nights continue: Radiance and Depth (Ragyogás és mélység) on May 12 at Kölcsey ($9–$11.40). The zoo opens for an evening stroll on May 15, while journalist-traveler Tvrtko presents Chernobyl 40 (Csernobil 40) at Lovarda that night (about $21.40). On May 16, ABBA SHOW lights up VOKE ($35–$40). Stabat Mater follows on May 19 at Kölcsey ($9–$11.40). Harry Potter Music by Candlelight (Harry Potter zenéje gyertyafényben) casts its spell May 22 at Kölcsey ($35–$40). More antiques on May 24, then a chamber highlight May 29 with Császár Quartet and Great Symphony (Császár kvartett és Nagy szimfónia) at the University Church (about $7.40). Family weekend: Children’s Day at the Zoo (Gyermeknap az állatkertben), May 30–31.
June: Gourmet Weekend and Theater Summit
Ray Cooney’s Run For Your Wife (Páratlan páros) plays June 5 at VOKE ($20.30–$23). The Philharmonic’s season finale Primal Force – Season Finale Concert (Őserő – Évadzáró Koncert) fills Kölcsey June 5–6 ($9–$11.40). The zoo’s evening walk returns June 12, while foodies converge on the Debrecziner Gourmet Festival (Debrecziner Gourmet Fesztivál) June 12–14. The Ruyter Street market pops up June 13, then the antiques fair on June 14. The National Theatre Meeting (Országos Színházi Találkozó) takes over June 15–21, and June 26 adds another evening stroll at the zoo.
Throughout, Debrecen’s museums, parks, and the iconic Great Church stay ready for detours between shows. Plan ahead—many of these concerts and festivals sell out fast.
