From candlelit castle tours to craft fairs, January to August 2026 in Gyula is packed with character, history, and a cheeky bit of sparkle. The long weekend of January 16–18 starts strong with guaranteed programs at Gyula Castle (Gyulai Vár), and the city keeps the tempo with guided walks, brewery tastings, readings, concerts, and late-night wellness sessions all winter long.
Castles, Candles, and Time Travel
Almásy Mansion (Almásy-kastély) hosts Fűző és forradalom (Corset and Revolution) on January 17 and 18, while its treasures shine in Beszédes virágok (Talking Flowers) on January 17 and 24. The mansion glows after dark during A kastély gyertyafényben (The Mansion by Candlelight) on January 17, 24, and 31. The Ladics House (Ladics-ház) doubles down with Császárné csészéje (The Empress’s Cup) on January 17 and 18, plus VR-powered Időutazás (Time Travel) and a Kódfejtő játék (Codebreaking Game) on January 24. For families, Kastélytúra Tacskó Döncivel (Castle Tour with Dönci the Dachshund) brings a dachshund-led castle tour on January 18, 25, February 1, and again on March 21 at the Almásy Mansion Visitor Center during Tacskótalálkozó 2026 (Dachshund Meet-Up).
Life in the Fortress
Gyula Castle’s (Gyulai Vár) calendar is loaded: sabre fencing demos and lessons, a working smithy presentation, a falconry show, and Börtönlátogatás (Prison Visit) take over January 17. Candlelit castle tours (vártúrák) and Nighttime Wellness (Éjszakai wellness) at Gyula Castle Spa (Gyulai Várfürdő) return on January 17, 24, 31, and February 7. January 18 features an Ostromséta (Siege Walk) and Fegyvertári szemle (Armory Review), with Évszázadok ostromai (Centuries of Sieges) on January 22. The fortress also runs guaranteed programs (Garantált programok) on weekends: January 16–18, 23–25, and January 30–February 1.
City Strolls and Bookish Nights
Belvárosi barangoló, a downtown sightseeing walk, pops up January 19, 23, 26, and 30. Gyula Castle Theater (Gyulai Várszínház) hosts László Krasznahorkai for a conference and reading on January 22. Mogyoróssy János City Library presents Gesztenye úti mesék on January 30 and Trampler on February 5. The Museum Free University dives into antiquity and history with Varázseszközök és mágikus technikák a római világban on January 28, Heródes, Jézus és a Szent Város on February 25, 1848. március 15. on March 25, Hadvezérek vagy mártírok? on April 29, and A fűzőtől a bubifrizuráig on May 27.
Beer, Bites, and Brunch
Elixbeer’s Sörházi beugró brewery visit and tasting runs January 17, 20–23, 24, 27–31, and February 7, 27, 29–30. La Sposa Caffè lines up a January-exclusive brunch and a talk with Ambassador Dr. Adrien Müller on January 24, a Valentine’s Day wine dinner on February 13, and two editions of A Séf vacsorája, a six-course gourmet experience, on March 7. Romantika Bistro pairs dinner with melodies by Tibi Sztojka on January 23 and 30.
Stage, Music, and Big Names
Gyulakult brings GENGSZTER POP (Bonnie, Clyde, and Ganxsta) on January 26; Valahol Amerika / Bon Bon 30 musical on February 8; Dr. Kitti Almási’s Elvarratlan szálak on February 12; Mór Jókai: A bolondok grófja by the Déryné Company (Déryné Társulat) on February 17; The Masters of Illusion (Az Illúzió Mesterei) on February 27; Clauses (Clauságok), Claudia Liptai’s solo evening, on March 5; and Danny Blue: The Secret (A titok) on May 7. Dumaszínház features András Somogyi’s Kölcsön Arcok on February 9. Magda Szabó’s Abigél plays February 25, with tickets roughly 24–27 USD (8,900–9,900 Ft).
Markets, Festivals, and Anniversaries
Portéka vásár, the craft and producers’ market at the World Clock, returns January 17, 24, and 31. The Field of Doom (A végzet mezeje) marks 500 years since Mohács on January 31, while Aristocratic Passions (Grófi passziók) explores Almásy treasures the same day. Spring blooms with the Medivid Agility and Para-Agility Festival (Medivid Agility és ParAgility) on April 24–26, Gyula Flower Festival (Gyulai Virágok Fesztiválja) on May 9–10, Gyula Pálinka Festival (Gyulai Pálinkafesztivál) on May 22–24, and the 4th Zumba Festival Gyula (IV. Zumba Festival Gyula) on August 21–23. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
