Gyula packs the calendar with culture, history, food, and late-night fun through 2025 and 2026. The castle, the open-air Castle Theatre, the beloved Castle Spa (Várfürdő), and the homes of pálinka and kolbász anchor a year-round program where exhibitions, concerts, plays, tastings, museum workshops, and sports meet. From spring to autumn, the Castle Theatre (Várszínház) hosts multiple festivals; the Gothic brick castle and its visitor routes stay busy almost all year. The Gyula Castle Spa (Gyulai Várfürdő) remains one of Hungary’s favorite healing baths.
New Year’s Eve in Gyula
December 31, 2025 brings a citywide party: a New Year’s bash at GolfGallery; a brewery tour and tasting at Elixbeer; Vigadó’s Silvester; Ladics House with The Empress’s Cup (Császárné csészéje); a Woodland Center ball; a “Gyulavári” celebration at Kastélykert Bistro; Almásy Castle’s Corset and Revolution (Fűző és forradalom); Bols Café’s street party; and a party at Teo Várkert Bistro.
New Year’s Day shots and living history
On January 1, 2026, Almásy Castle continues Corset and Revolution (Fűző és forradalom), the Gyula Castle (Gyulai Vár) salutes the year with ceremonial gunfire outside the castle, and Ladics House repeats The Empress’s Cup (Császárné csészéje). The “draw your luck” game runs at Almásy Castle from December 27, 2025 to January 4, 2026; time travel with VR glasses runs at Ladics House from December 22, 2025 to January 4, 2026.
Guaranteed castle programs and candlelight
Guaranteed programs roll across January weekends (Jan 2–4, 9–11, 16–18, 23–25, Jan 30–Feb 1). Highlights: the children’s tale Mézi a középkorban on Jan 3; candlelit castle tours and The Castle by Candlelight (A kastély gyertyafényben) on Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; plus nighttime wellness at the Castle Spa (Várfürdő) on Jan 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. More candlelit tours return Feb 7 with another spa night the same evening; the rhythm continues into spring.
Stage, talks, and illusions
Gyulakult lines up Sándor Badár’s stand-up (Jan 15), GANGSTER POP: Bonnie, Clyde and Ganxsta (Jan 26), the musical Somewhere in America / Bon-Bon 30 (Valahol Amerika / Bon Bon 30) (Feb 8), András Somogyi: Borrowed Faces (Kölcsön Arcok) (Feb 9), Dr. Kitti Almási: Loose Ends (Elvarratlan szálak) (Feb 12), Mór Jókai: The Count of Fools (A bolondok grófja) by the Déryné Company (Déryné Társulat) (Feb 17), Magda Szabó: Abigail (Abigél) (Feb 25), The Masters of Illusion (Az Illúzió Mesterei) (Feb 27), and Claudia Liptai’s Clauságok (Mar 5). Museum Free University talks include Roman magic (Jan 28), Herod, Jesus, and the Holy City (Feb 25), March 15, 1848 (Mar 25), Commanders or Martyrs? (Apr 29), and From Corset to Bob Haircut (May 27).
Food, tech, dogs, dance
La Sposa Caffè serves The Chef’s Dinner (A Séf vacsorája), a six-course experience, Jan 23. At Ladics House, kids dive into tech with a 3D printing club and Body Scanner on Jan 8. Dog lovers gather at the Almásy Castle Visitor Center for Dachshund Meet 2026 (Tacskótalálkozó 2026) on Mar 21. The Agility and ParAgility Festival runs Apr 24–26. The Gyula Pálinka Festival (Gyulai Pálinkafesztivál) returns May 22–24. The 4th Zumba Festival Gyula (IV. Zumba Fesztivál Gyula) shakes the city Aug 21–23.
Total events listed: 45.
