A full season of kid-friendly culture, science, and hands-on fun is rolling into Pécs, with the Zsolnay Quarter turning into a playground for families every week. Expect baby theater, puppet shows, planetarium sessions, interactive science experiences, and a steady stream of creative workshops. Whether it’s weekend wonder or a weekday wind-down, this arts hub has plans for all ages, all year—right in the heart of Pécs.
January Kickoff: Science Sparks and Story Worlds
The season opens January 10–11 with Varázsóra – A levegő jeges lehelete (Magic Hour – The Icy Breath of Air), an engaging science show exploring the frosty, surprising side of air. Kids get up close with experiments that make physics feel like wizardry.
On January 11, the Kerekerdő Playhouse welcomes 4–8-year-olds for a wholesome mix of folk games, storytelling, and crafts. It’s a gentle, tactile way for kids to meet Hungarian traditions through play. Then January 17 brings a puppet-making workshop where children learn different puppet techniques and create their own characters linked to Bóbita’s beloved productions. January 18 follows with Mázba zárt mesék (Tales Locked in Glaze), a museum education program designed for preschoolers and grades 1–2, blending stories with art and history at a pace just right for young minds.
Varázsóra – A levegő jeges lehelete returns January 24–25, and for those who missed the first puppet-making class—or want another go—there’s a second hands-on session on January 31. By month’s end, kids in Pécs will have tinkered, told tales, and built puppets from scratch.
February to March: Folk Play, Still in Bloom
February 8 and March 8 bring more Kerekerdő Playhouse dates, keeping the folk game and storytelling tradition alive for the 4–8 bracket. Families can drop in for a familiar formula with fresh stories and craft twists each time. These sessions are social, upbeat, and perfectly bite-sized—ideal for winter weekends that need a spark.
Season Highlights Beyond Kids’ Programs
Zsolnay Quarter also stacks the calendar with atmospheric walks and creative experiences for a wider audience. From October 24, 2025 to February 1, 2026, Fények Elvarázsolt Erdeje (Enchanted Forest of Lights) transforms evenings with glowing installations. On January 10, join A Zsolnayak léptei nyomában (In the Footsteps of the Zsolnay Family)—a guided stroll through the Zsolnay family’s historic home, a rare look inside the world that shaped Pécs’s porcelain legacy. Also on January 10, Barangolás a holdfényben (Wandering in Moonlight) offers a nocturnal city experience. January 11 brings Milyen a te mandalád? (What’s Your Mandala?), a reflective, creative workshop that promises color therapy for the winter blues.
Where to Stay: From Boutique Charm to Hillside Calm
Pécs’s lodging scene near the program venues is set for every taste. Adele Boutique Hotel Pécs blends period elegance with modern comfort in a restored 19th-century building in the historic center, offering rooms and apartments that feel both curated and cozy. Barbakán Hotel sits just behind the Cathedral with 16 three-star rooms—double, triple, and quad—plus a conference room and indoor garage.
For a quiet view, Bagolyvár crowns Havihegy above the city, famed for clean air and a peaceful retreat. Its 19 rooms feature motifs of Hungarian folk art, while six suite-like units echo traditional wine press houses, each themed after a renowned Hungarian varietal. Guests unwind to panoramic city views toward the Zengő side of Pécs, alongside a Hungarian restaurant where old-school dishes and sweets share the menu with international favorites.
Prefer a homely vibe? A family-run guesthouse in the Mecsek hillside villa district offers the best of both worlds: forest trails within five minutes and the city center just as close. The Pécs Zoo and the Da Vinci Private Clinic are nearby, and the Mandulás area—with playgrounds, fire pits, and trailheads toward the TV tower—is only a few hundred meters away. Groups can even book complimentary guided hikes.
Other options include Boutique Hotel Sopianae, where a heritage facade meets a modern interior, and an apartment hotel near UNESCO-listed Early Christian Necropolis sites and the Cathedral. For character-rich lodging, check the former Our Lady Canonesses convent, a fully renovated Baroque building from around 1870, now modern inside while keeping its historic charm. There’s also a centrally located hotel a short walk from the old town, with the Knowledge Centre and Kodály Centre only 1,640 feet away.
Where to Eat: From Craft Beer to Classic Comforts
Start sweet at Angyali Kísértés Csokoládé (Angelic Temptation Chocolate) for chocolates, bonbons, and homestyle cakes. After a family morning of workshops, refuel at a welcoming local eatery with a menu that truly has everything: schnitzels, grilled and stuffed meats, brassói-style pork, fish, oven-baked dishes, risottos, classic pastas, flatbreads, and a parade of pizzas, plus salads, soups, and desserts for the table sharers.
In the city center, a traditional kitchen serves daily changing menus, from breakfast at 8 a.m. with foamy coffee, sandwiches, homemade pogácsa (savory scones), and hand-stretched strudel, to fast-but-good lunch service that feels like a proper meal. Aranykacsa Étterem (Golden Duck Restaurant) leans into quality gastronomy and wine culture with local ingredients and thoughtful spaces: tastings in the Vinárium, casual bites in the Tüke room, family and protocol dining in the Zsolnay room, and big moments—weddings, banquets, birthdays—in the upstairs Dakk hall and garden.
Bagolyvár’s restaurant matches its view with hearty Hungarian fare and nostalgic desserts. For contemporary comfort, try a bistro at the gateway to the Balkans: good ingredients, fresh, homestyle flavors, relaxed plating, and fair value. The Big Bell Restaurant adds a small-batch showcase brewery and beer garden to its offerings. Craving casual after a planetarium visit? Bohemia Sörkonyha (Bohemia Beer Kitchen) pours Beer – Burger – BBQ right in downtown Pécs. On the go, Borostyán Gyorsétterem in Király Street handles weekday lunches 11 a.m.–4 p.m. And PAULUS switches personas through the day: café morning, self-serve lunch, easygoing pub by night, with regular events woven in.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
