Debrecen never lets you get bored. Hungary’s second city is a heady mix of heritage and happenings: grand churches, including the iconic Great Church, green parks, floral promenades, and a museum scene that pulls its weight. The calendar is crammed with concerts, exhibitions, theater, open-air shows once the sun’s out, and family picks for every age. As a university town, it hums with student life; sports events come thick and fast, and the zoo, amusement park, and aquapark remain firm favorites.
Big Holiday Moments
December 20 is a marquee day. The 100-Member Gypsy Orchestra (100 Tagú Cigányzenekar), celebrating its 40th anniversary, stages a Christmas Grand Concert in Debrecen with a never-before-seen joint performance featuring one of today’s most popular stars. Also that evening, the Kodály Philharmonic Debrecen brings a Christmas Concert to the Kölcsey Center’s Grand Hall.
Advent, Street Beats, Candlelight
The Advent weekends turn the city center into a festive stage. On Saturday, December 20, Kossuth Square hosts the Advent Stage: 5:00–5:40 p.m. Debrecen Dixieland Jazz Band; 6:00–6:40 p.m. Orsi Kozma. Over at the fairytale-themed Meseváros (Fairytale Town) on Dósa Nádor Square: 4:00–4:40 p.m. East Brass; 4:40–5:00 p.m. DuoTrio Street Theatre. Across the Advent Market, DuoTrio performs 3:00–5:00 p.m., with costumed dancers from LESZ DANCE Dance and Sports Association from 4:00–5:00 p.m. In the Old City Hall Courtyard, 5:00–7:00 p.m. it’s Advent Silence – a light-and-music immersion.
Sunday, December 21, the city lights a communal candle. From 4:30–5:00 p.m., a heritage procession walks from City Hall to the Advent Stage led by Orthodox parish priest Barnabás Sipos, Deputy Mayor Ákos Balázs, the Holy Trinity Hungarian Orthodox Church Choir, singer Aliz Nyári, the Sing! Vocal Studio, Debreceni Népi Együttes, Kuckó Művésztanya, and the Bíró band. At 5:00–5:45 p.m., World’s Light, a joint candle-lighting with church leaders, city representatives, artists, and NGOs, with Aliz Nyári. At 6:00–6:40 p.m., Aliz Nyári returns. Meseváros hosts DuoTrio Street Theatre 4:00–4:30 p.m.; throughout the market, DuoTrio plays 3:00–5:00 p.m., and LESZ DANCE’s costumed team performs 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Concerts, From Baroque to Big Band
December 21: Debrecen Big Band celebrates 20 years with a Christmas Gala at the Kölcsey Center (tickets roughly $24–$29). Also that day, Vivaldi: The Four Seasons by candlelight fills the VOKE Egyetértés Cultural Center (about $35–$41). On December 22, Gabi Szűcs’s Let’s Christmas! swings into the Kölcsey Center Ballroom ($21–$27).
The Debrecen Advent Christmas fair runs November 28–December 23 with gift stalls, a quality foodie lineup, concerts, kids’ workshops, Meseváros, a cozy chalet, and an ice rink. As you shop along the downtown promenade, grab mulled wine and roasted chestnuts. There are 75 festive stands, a towering tree, and a glow that wraps kids and adults alike in pure holiday spirit.
December 27 is packed: Kalap Jakab’s Christmas at Lovarda University Cultural and Conference Center (about $11); Péter Aranyosi’s solo show The Digital Ninja at Főnix Arena ($19–$50); Animals’ Christmas citywide; and CHARLIE’s So Much Has Happened… (Annyi minden történt…) at the Kölcsey Center Grand Hall ($36–$40). December 28 brings Musical and Operetta Stars – Christmas Gala ($44–$50).
New Year, New Highlights
January 3: Zoltán Mága’s New Year’s Concert hits Főnix Arena ($27–$41). January 4: Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker dances into Főnix ($23–$48). January 6: star pianist Gergely Bogányi plays a solo evening at the Kölcsey Center Grand Hall ($9–$12).
From November 30 to January 6, the sparkling Light Tram (Fényvillamos) glides through Debrecen. On January 10, the Ruyter Street producers’ market returns; the Menopause Tour lands at Főnix Arena the same day ($28–$68).
Stage, Stand‑up, and Candlelit Classics
January 16: Not Now, Darling (Ne most, drágám!) from Veres1 Theatre plays the VOKE Egyetértés Cultural Center ($23–$26), while Ádám Kiss’s solo set What I Don’t Say!, hosted by Edu Tóth, takes over the Kölcsey Center Grand Hall ($24–$29). January 17: the 8th Főnix Fitt energizes the city. January 27: The Magic Flute at the University Church ($7.50). January 30: Nude with Violin at VOKE ($19–$22).
February 2: Hans Zimmer film music at the Kölcsey Center Grand Hall ($44–$55). February 8: Michael Cooney’s Who’s There?! (Nicsak, ki lakik itt?!) by Bánfalvy Stúdió at VOKE ($22–$25). February 13 offers Rock Ballads by Candlelight at VOKE ($35–$41), Farsang ohne falsch hang – musical merriment with serious intent at the University Aula ($7.50), and Peter Srámek’s Valentine’s concert at the Kölcsey Center Grand Hall ($36–$41). February 14: Ruyter Street market. February 17: Remembrance and Ecstasy with the Kodály Philharmonic ($9–$12). February 19: EGO, Dániel Mogács’s solo at Dumaszínház – Lovarda ($18–$26). February 22: Three Is the Hungarian Merriment! – a riotous musical cabaret at VOKE ($11–$13).
Spring Into Symphony and Festivals
March 3: The National Philharmonic Orchestra plays the Kölcsey Center Grand Hall ($9–$12). March 6: At the Kodály Choir’s place, a guest night at the University Aula ($7.50). March 14: Bridgerton’s Music by Candlelight at VOKE ($35–$41), plus the Ruyter Street market on March 14. March 17: Kabalevsky/Rimsky-Korsakov – Russian Music Festival – Portraits with the Kodály Philharmonic ($9–$12). March 18: Pull It Till Dawn, a rootsy folk night at VOKE ($13–$15). March 21: the 5th Made in Debrecen Festival takes over the city. March 27: Florentine Memory at the University Church ($7.50). March 29–30: Lord of the Dance 30th Anniversary Tour at Főnix Arena ($33–$66). March 30: The Elegance of Night at VOKE ($19–$22).
Jazz, Morricone, and the Big Summer
April 10: I Feel Jazzy with the Kodály Philharmonic at the Kölcsey Center ($7.50). April 11: Ruyter Street market. April 14: Hungarian Flame – Czech Soul ($9–$12). April 18–19: Debrecen Jamboree (Debreceni Sokadalom), a lively city gathering. April 19 brings Ennio Morricone’s film music by candlelight at VOKE ($35–$41) and the MÁV Symphony Orchestra at the Kölcsey Center Grand Hall ($9–$12).
May 9: Ruyter Street market. May 12: Radiance and Depth ($9–$12). May 15: Tvrtko – Chernobyl 40, an exclusive talk at Lovarda (about $21). May 16: ABBA Show at VOKE ($35–$41). May 19: Stabat Mater ($9–$12). May 29: Emperor Quartet and Great Symphony at the University Church ($7.50).
June 5–6: Primal Force – Season Finale with the Kodály Philharmonic ($9–$12). June 12–14: Debrecziner Gourmet Festival tempts taste buds. June 13: Ruyter Street market. June 15–21: National Theatre Meeting lands in town. July 11: another market day. July 22–26: Campus Festival turns Debrecen into summer’s happiest crowd.
