Gyula is lining up a full 2026 of festivals, concerts, theater, living-history tours, and candlelit adventures across its castle, palace, museums, cafés, and beloved thermal baths. From spring through autumn, Gyula Castle (Gyulai Vár) and the Gyula Castle Theater (Gyulai Várszínház) are the city’s cultural engines, while the Gyula Castle Bath (Gyulai Várfürdő) keeps bath-goers entertained. Here’s what to plan for, by the month—and yes, there’s a dachshund meet-up.
March: Candlelight, history, and witty nights
Start with Színpad és élet—a talk evening with actor Péter Scherer—on March 2, then jump into Tudományok a Viharsarokban at the Mogyoróssy János City Library on March 3. Almásy Palace (Almásy-kastély) launches Fűző és forradalom (Corset and Revolution) on March 3, threading fashion into upheaval, while Ladics House (Ladics-ház) pours Császárné csészéje (The Empress’s Cup) on multiple days throughout the month. On March 5, the Castle Theater screens the award-winning film Az Alzheimer with a post-show talk, and Liptai Claudia’s solo evening Clauságok lights up March 5 under Gyulakult.
From March 6–8, Gyula Castle hosts guaranteed programs—think living-history demos and guided tours—paired on March 7 with Pincetárlat – Az Almásy-kastély kincsei (Cellar Exhibition – Treasures of Almásy Palace), A kastély gyertyafényben (The Palace by Candlelight), and Gyertyafényes vártúrák (Candlelit Castle Tours). That night, Lackfi János’s Három nő, egy eset (Three Women, One Case) takes the Castle Theater stage, with tickets from about $18. And foodies, mark March 7 for La Sposa Caffè’s A Séf vacsorája, a six-course dinner.
Weekend browsing? The Portéka vásár artisanal and producers’ market pops up at the World Clock (Világóra) March 7–8 and later dates. On March 8, join Kastélytúra Tacskó Döncivel (Palace Tour with Dönci the Dachshund). Péter Scherer returns for a talk night at La Sposa Caffè on March 11. For laughs, Dumaszínház brings A bér kötelez – Az élet máshogy van, Janklovics Péter’s solo, on March 13 (about $16–$22).
Guaranteed castle programs are back March 13–15, with more candlelit castle tours March 14 and themed Almásy showcases like Női szalon (Women’s Salon) the same day. March 21 bundles Beszédes virágok (Speaking Flowers), Gyertyafényes vártúrák, A kastély gyertyafényben, and the joyous Almásy-kastély Látogatóközpont: Tacskótalálkozó 2026—the Dachshund Meet-Up of the year—plus the ongoing Fűző és forradalom. Dönci the Dachshund’s guided palace tour returns March 22.
On March 25, the Castle Theater stages Valeriu Butulescu’s Bolyai with symbolic tickets around $0.55, and the Museum’s Free University tackles March 15, 1848. The month culminates March 28–29 with guaranteed castle programs; a special Gyula Castle program A végzet mezeje – Mohács (The Field of Doom – Mohács) on March 28; a Bál a Kastélyban concert night with cellist Felicián Kalmus at Almásy; Grófi passziók (Counts’ Passions) on March 28; and Dönci’s tour on March 29.
April: Comedy, cello, jazz, legends
April opens with Pincetárlat on April 4. Dumaszínház returns April 8 with Mi bajunk lehet? by Fruzsina Ács and Máté Balázs Szabó (about $18–$20). On April 11, it’s Női szalon again. Gyulakult hosts Lia Pokorny’s one-woman show A majdnem tökéletes boldogság receptje on April 16. Beszédes virágok blooms April 18. Food lovers, Komló Restaurant (Komló Étterem) launches I. Komló Séfkaland x Ákos Sárközi on April 23. The Castle Theater swings with a Latin jazz concert April 23 (about $13).
Kati Kovács and band headline a big concert April 24, while dogs fly at the Medivid Agility and ParAgility Festival (Medivid Agility és ParAgility Fesztivál) April 24–26. Grófi passziók returns April 25. On April 29, the Castle Theater hosts Az semmi… with legends Róbert Koltai and Tamás Jordán (about $22), the Museum’s Free University asks Hadvezérek vagy mártírok? (Generals or Martyrs?), and Dumaszínház presents Tibor Bödőcs: Innen már csak gurulunk.
May: Flowers, pálinka, and star turns
May 2 repeats Pincetárlat, with a Portéka market the same day. Mentalist Danny Blue’s The Secret arrives May 7 via Gyulakult. May 9 loads up with Női szalon, an Indián hadiösvény canoe tour, and a solo concert by accordionist Zoltán Orosz—plus a two-day Portéka market and the Gyula Festival of Flowers 2026 (Gyulai Virágok Fesztiválja 2026) May 9–10.
From May 22–24, toast the Gyula Pálinka Festival (Gyulai Pálinkafesztivál), a feast of fruit brandies, music, and local pride. Beszédes virágok petals out May 23. On May 26, Zsuzsa Koncz’s concert lands under Gyulakult, tickets around $41–$44. The Museum’s Free University dives into A fűzőtől a bubifrizuráig (From Corset to Bob Cut) on May 27. Students take over with EDÜ – Erkel Student Days 2026 (Erkel Diákünnepek 2026) from May 28–30, and Grófi passziók closes the month May 30.
June: Castle days and curated gems
June 6 features Pincetárlat and the 13th Gyulavári Castle Days (XIII. Gyulavári Kastélynapok) over June 6–7. On June 13, Női szalon returns for one more refined afternoon. More dates to come—organizers reserve the right to change times and programs. Plan ahead, book early, and let Gyula’s baths, castle, and culture do the rest.
