Gyula rolls into 2026 with a packed cultural calendar, mixing living history, genre-spanning theater, candlelit castle tours, brewery tastings, gourmet dinners, and big-ticket festivals. The medieval brick fortress, the open-air Castle Theater, the beloved thermal Gyula Castle Spa (Gyulai Várfürdő), and the worlds of pálinka and sausage set the stage. From spring to autumn, the Castle Theater hosts festivals, while the fortress programs run nearly year-round. The Gyula Castle Spa (Gyulai Várfürdő) ranks among Hungary’s most popular therapeutic baths. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
January: Castles, Crafts, and Cold-Weather Comforts
January opens with layered heritage highlights: the Ladics House program Empress’s Cup; the kid-friendly Castle Tour with Dönci the Dachshund; and at Gyula Castle (Gyulai Vár), the Armory Inspection and the Siege Walk, all on January 11, alongside the Almásy Castle exhibit Corset and Revolution. Guaranteed Programs at the Castle run January 9–11, then recur Jan 16–18, Jan 23–25, and Jan 30–Feb 1. City Strolls—guided downtown walks—pop up Jan 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, and 30.
Beer lovers get their turn with drop-in brewery visits and tastings at Elixbeer on Jan 13–15, 16–17, 20–22, 23–24, and 27–31. On Jan 15, stand-up veteran Sándor Badár hits Gyulakult. Jan 16 brings the themed walk Honvéd Officers in the Castle Garden, plus Dinner Melodies with Tibi Sztojka at Romantika Bistro. January 17 is a blockbuster: Castle by Candlelight, Candlelit Castle Tours, Night Wellness at the Gyula Castle Spa (Gyulai Várfürdő), a Working Blacksmith Workshop, a Falconry Show, saber fencing demonstration and lesson, Prison Visit, the talkative-flowers-themed tour Treasures of the Almásy Castle, and a Craft and Producers Market at the World Clock. Many repeat Jan 24 and 31, including Night Wellness, Candlelit Castle Tours, Castle by Candlelight, the brewery tastings, and the Market. The Castle Tour with Dönci returns Jan 18 and 25, while Armory Inspection and Siege Walk recur Jan 18. On Jan 22, Ages of Sieges takes over the Castle; the Castle Theater hosts a László Krasznahorkai conference and reading the same day. Jan 23 offers Chef’s Dinner—six courses at La Sposa Caffè—plus more city strolls, themed walks, beer tastings, and music at Romantika Bistro. Jan 26 stages GANGSTER POP, or Bonnie, Clyde and Ganxsta at Gyulakult. Jan 28’s Museum Free University dives into Magical Tools and Techniques in the Roman World, and on Jan 30 the city library presents the book launch Chestnut Street Tales.
February: Musicals, Minds, and Magic
February keeps the pace. Night Wellness and Candlelit Castle Tours return Feb 7. On Feb 8, Gyulakult brings Valahol Amerika (Somewhere in America) / Bon-Bon 30, a musical. On Feb 9, Dumaszínház presents András Somogyi’s solo show Borrowed Faces. On Feb 12, psychologist Dr. Kitti Almási talks Unfinished Threads. On Feb 17, Gyulakult presents Mór Jókai’s The Count of Fools by the Déryné Company. Feb 25 doubles up: Museum Free University tackles Herod, Jesus, and the Holy City, while Gyulakult stages Magda Szabó’s Abigél. On Feb 27, The Masters of Illusion land in Gyula.
March: Fine Dining and Furry Friends
On Mar 5, Claudia Liptai’s solo evening Claus-things lights up Gyulakult. On Mar 7, Chef’s Dinner returns to La Sposa Caffè with six courses. On Mar 21, the Almásy Castle Visitor Center hosts the 2026 Dachshund Meet-Up, a crowd-pleasing canine gathering. On Mar 25, Museum Free University revisits March 15, 1848, the start of the Hungarian Revolution.
Spring Into Sport, Flowers, and Pálinka
Apr 24–26, the Medivid Agility and ParAgility Festival brings high-energy dog sport to town. On Apr 29, Museum Free University asks Generals or Martyrs? May 7, mentalist Danny Blue explores The Secret at Gyulakult. May 9–10, the Gyula Flower Festival 2026 blooms across the city. May 22–24, the Gyula Pálinka Festival pours tastings and music into late spring. On May 27, Museum Free University traces From the Corset to the Bob Cut.
Summer Beat
Aug 21–23, the 4th Zumba Festival Gyula turns the city into an open-air dance floor. With 45 listed events, Gyula’s 2026 is stacked—history you can touch, flavors you can sip, shows to stir the soul, and warm-water nights under medieval walls.
