Hungary’s grandest Baroque landmark, the Royal Palace of Gödöllő, throws open its doors in 2026 with a packed calendar. Think live music in gilded halls, family-friendly museum classes, hands-on art workshops, classical concerts, and a castle festival season that spills into the gardens. Just 25 minutes from central Budapest, the Grassalkovich Palace is a showstopper on its own—this year, it’s also a cultural engine room, drawing audiences for everything from baby tours to night-at-the-museum adventures, all in a lavish, color-drenched setting.
February: Guided Jewels, Strings in Motion, and a Valentine Hunt
From February 13–16, the Valentine’s Heart Hunt takes over the palace park, a whimsical trail for couples and families. On February 15, A. E. Köchert, Jeweler to Emperors and Kings, brings guided tours inside the temporary exhibition, while the Gödöllő Young Strings deliver a strolling concert, threading live chamber music through the historic spaces. February 16 invites parents with infants to Mama, Look!—a baby-friendly guided tour that turns the palace into a soft-landing culture stop. The A. E. Köchert guided sessions return on February 21, 22, and 28, unpacking imperial-era glamour, craftsmanship, and courtly sparkle.
Also on February 21, VéNégy – Zenevarázslat: Lélekhíd (Soul Bridge), a classical music fairy tale, blends narration and live performance. February 27 brings violin virtuoso Zoltán Mága for a charity concert under the stuccoed ceilings. February 28 doubles up: it’s Elemér Day with festive touches, and another A. E. Köchert exhibition tour for jewelry lovers.
Make It, Paint It, Live It
The palace’s Alkoss Velünk! (Create With Us!) series anchors winter–spring with hands-on sessions: February 17 focuses on Europe’s greatest paintings plus decoupage technique; March 10 dives into medieval treasures with a surprise painting twist; March 17 explores landscapes and still lifes with sun-print making; March 24 celebrates József Rippl-Rónai’s art with a Rippl-style painting experience; and March 31 closes the month on Love Stories with watercolor painting. These are creative sanctuaries inside a royal shell—materials, guidance, and the thrill of making something beautiful on site.
March: Trios, Suites That Talk, and Sacred Sound
March 1 opens with Harmonia Divina – Incipit lamentatio, a sacred music concert setting a contemplative tone. On March 7, the Castle Kids’ Club saddles up for Nyeregbe, magyar! (In the Saddle, Hungarian!), a playful, history-infused session. March 14 is a standout: Romantic Piano Trios with András Keller, Miklós Perényi, and Mihály Berecz is free—an elite chamber experience in royal surrounds. That same day, Storytelling Suites turns the palace apartments into an interactive museum-education playground for families—back again on April 10 and 11. Mama, Look! returns March 16 and March 30 for stroller-through-splendor touring.
April: Easter, Saxophones, and Family Days
On April 3, the Castle Kids’ Club hosts Easter at the Palace—crafts, traditions, and springtime in Baroque gardens. April 12 welcomes mezzo-soprano Klára Csordás with the Budapest Saxophone Quartet in a cross-genre concert. April stays family-minded with double Storytelling Suites days and a gentle-pace baby tour on April 13.
May: Mother’s Day and String Quartets
On May 3, Zoltán Miller serenades with a Mother’s Day concert. On May 9, families get another Storytelling Suites immersion alongside a Castle Kids’ Club nature special—Rare Birds and Plants in the Palace Park—perfect for budding naturalists. Mama, Look! stops in on May 11. On May 17, Klára Csordás joins the Quartetto Speranza String Quartet for a refined evening of voice and strings.
June: Coronations, Musicals, and Summer Starts
June 5 rolls out Made in Hungária, the big-stage musical bursting with retro energy. June 6 offers a twofer: Royal Coronations with the Castle Kids’ Club—pageantry decoded for children—and another Storytelling Suites family program. Mama, Look! rounds out the month on June 8, keeping the palace accessible for the tiniest culture fans.
Summer Day Camps
School’s out, the palace is in: June 29–July 3 hosts Elemér and Friends, a daytime summer camp, followed by Castle Adventure Camp from July 20–24. Expect history quests, creative workshops, garden explorations, and a safe, supervised peek behind the scenes of royal life.
Stay, Meet, Unwind Nearby
A short stroll from the Grassalkovich Palace, the 64-bed Árnyas Guesthouse offers a garden-linked event hall for weddings, corporate dos, receptions, concerts, conferences, trainings, and family gatherings. The Queen Elisabeth Hotel (Erzsébet Királyné Hotel), in a restored Secessionist-era former town hall on Gödöllő’s main square, pairs cozy rooms with a charming restaurant, a signature ballroom, and full conference facilities—25 minutes from downtown Budapest. For retreats and learning, the Mater Salvatoris Retreat House and Conference Center beside the Máriabesnyő Shrine supports social and educational programs from family assistance to youth health and spiritual care. Quiet stays are easy to find in family-home districts near the center and university, with rooms featuring private baths and kitchenettes plus restful gardens. SISI Pension (Panzió SISI) sits on the main street near the palace, offering modern, friendly comfort for business trips, conferences, or just a relaxing break in Sisi’s favorite town.
Refuel at the Palace Café
The Royal Palace’s first-class café now shines in a refreshed ground-floor space—no ticket needed. New rooms, upgraded offerings, and attentive service make it a natural stop before or after an event.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
