Keszthely’s Goldmark Károly Cultural Center is rolling out a lively lineup of family programs all month long, spanning stories, games, crafts, and a headlining magic show. Between November 3 and November 29, the town’s main venues turn into buzzing hubs for kids, parents, and anyone looking to be dazzled or simply unwind. The address to plug into your map: 8360, Fő tér 3. And yes, they’ve thought of everything—right down to recommended ages, durations, ticket prices, and group sizes.
The Masters of Illusion crash the stage
On Friday, November 21, The Masters of Illusion bring a refreshed production and new performers to Keszthely with two shows, at 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM, inside the Balaton Theatre’s main hall. Expect about 2×50 minutes with one intermission—enough time for your jaw to drop, collect itself, and drop again. Tickets start at 15.80 USD, and the show is recommended for ages 8 and up.
No camera tricks here. The illusions happen live, often with audience participation. These performers are regulars on international TV shows, major festivals, and luxury ocean liners, and they’ve hit stages from Las Vegas and New York to Beijing, Dubai, Paris, and Monte Carlo. Now they’re ready to enchant Keszthely.
The lineup includes grand illusion specialist Dávid Nagy Molnár, a world championship silver medalist; Péter Boldog, an eight-time national and two-time international magic champion who delivers sleight of hand with a comedic twist; and Botond Kelle, writer-director of the TV series Abrakadabra and Hungary’s professional lead for David Copperfield’s Project Magic program. Two showtimes, same magic. Your move.
Folk tales for the little ones (and their teachers)
From November 3 to November 29, the center runs autumn folk tale sessions for kindergarten and school groups, themed around Saint Andrew’s Month (Szent András hava) – Late Autumn (Őszutó). Think stories spanning past and future, spells and courtship, dances and revelry—plus plenty of hands-on fun.
Kids dive into partner games, language and movement activities, explorations of weather phenomena, and creative projects like crafting geese, collage-making, and “rainy pictures.” Sessions last about 90 minutes, led by educator Adél Tóth, and are optimized for groups of up to 25 people. The fee is 53.50 USD per session. It’s curated chaos in the best possible way—structured, creative, and perfectly seasonal.
Mark your calendar: more dates coming
The organizers are already teasing further offerings beyond November. Keep an eye on the schedule for December 1, December 2, and December 19, as well as early next year on February 2 and February 3, 2026. The number of programs and partner listings is robust—with 21 accommodation options and 12 food and drink highlights already aligned with the cultural wave rolling through town.
Where to stay: from classic to polished
– Hotel Helikon: Keszthely’s iconic lakeside property is back with 4-star superior credentials, a fully refreshed service lineup, 176 renovated rooms, a large wellness area, a gym, and family-friendly programming.
– Abbázia Club Hotel: Right in the heart of town, halfway between Lake Balaton’s shore and the Festetics Palace (Festetics-kastély). Spacious apartments for 2, 4, or 6 guests open year-round—ideal for families, corporate events, or quick layovers around Hévíz and Keszthely.
– Admiral Family Resort: A cozy, family-run pension in a large, manicured park close to downtown, open May through September. A short stroll to Gyenesdiás’s favorite beach, the marina, and the Balaton bike path—plus proximity to shopping and the city center.
– A leafy green escape: One of the area’s most well-equipped, family-style pensions sits in Keszthely’s prettiest green belt, delivering even on luxury expectations.
– Erika Panzió: Sixteen rooms and apartments, an outdoor pool, sun garden, and wellness section. Tailored hosting for solo travelers, couples, families, and friend groups.
– Family apartment house by Libás Beach (Libás strand): Quiet, calm, and a few minutes’ walk from the child-friendly Libás Beach, the Yacht Marina, and the Balaton cycling loop. Year-round self-catered studios for 2–3 and family apartments for 2+2/2+3, most with terraces or balconies.
– Hotel Ovit: Open all year with air-conditioned rooms and apartments featuring balconies or terraces, TVs, radios, phones, minibars, kitchenettes, bathrooms with showers/WC, plus Wi‑Fi and internet connectivity.
– Near Hévíz: A family apartment house 1,800 m from the thermal lake, with gorgeous views of Hévíz and the Margit Lookout (Margit-kilátó) as a neighbor. Neat garden, outdoor pool, and secure courtyard parking. Family-friendly, of course.
– Kristály Hotel: A location win—five minutes’ walk from the Lake Balaton shore, city beach, pier, bike circuit, and historic center. Forty non-smoking, comfy rooms with free Wi‑Fi and in-room safes, plus a wellness and sauna zone for rainy-day salvation.
– Melinda Villa: A newly built villa echoing the late 1800s, tucked into the Helikon Grove just 60 meters from Helikon Beach. Two double rooms and four triple rooms welcome guests from April to October, in a quiet, leafy neighborhood.
Eat, sip, and linger
– Helikon Hotel Restaurant: Local ingredients, favorite Hungarian and international dishes, and access for non-guests to both à la carte and the buffet breakfast and dinner.
– Wine shops and cellars: A curated selection focusing on Hungarian wines, with international labels too. Expect both artisanal small estates and larger modern wineries. One local winery, nestled between Lake Balaton and the Bakony, handles everything from planting to bottling and has been selling by the bottle since 1997.
– A unique wine museum: Housed in a historic cellar branch, it’s a time capsule of over 1,000 tools for viticulture and winemaking. Non-hotel guests can visit between 11:00 and 12:00 in the morning.
– Wine brotherhood: Founded in 2000 to celebrate Zala’s landscapes and traditions, the order promotes the region’s grape and wine culture through education and events.
– Downtown flavors: A classic pub-style hangout with pizzas, flatbreads, Hungarian and international specialties, cocktails, a rich spirits list, and easy access. There’s also a terrace-view bistro facing the palace and park—great for family meals, dates, or business chats—plus a creative community space/tapas bar/café-bistro for contemporary culture lovers.
– Night out, sorted: A popular entertainment spot with a restaurant, billiards, darts, pizzas, burgers, events, and weekday lunch dishes. Or opt for the Parisian Restaurant and Pension offering tailored menus, events, and year-round comfort in a family setting with a garden right in the city center.
One last thing
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs. Check updates before you go, then dive into Keszthely’s late-autumn glow.
