January 30–February 1 brings a punchy start to Gyula’s 2026 cultural calendar, with dozens of programs popping up across multiple venues. Expect candlelit castle tours, brewery tastings, history-rich exhibitions, wellness nights, and theater—plus plenty of quirky, locals-only experiences that turn a winter weekend into a full-on city takeover.
Beer, Blacksmiths, and Candlelight
On January 31, Elixbeer Brewery opens for Sörházi beugró, a behind-the-scenes visit and tasting that returns throughout February. Gyula Castle fires up a working blacksmith workshop demo, then flips the mood after dark with Gyertyafényes vártúrák, atmospheric candlelit tours. Night wellness takes over the Gyula Castle Spa (Gyulai Várfürdő), while the Portéka fair brings artisans and producers to the World Clock. The castle’s lineup also includes a prison visit, a falconry show, a sabre fencing demo with lessons, and The Field of Fate – Mohács (A végzet mezeje – Mohács), a deep dive into the fateful battle. Over at Almásy Castle (Almásy-kastély): Countly Passions – The Treasures of Almásy Castle (Grófi passziók – Az Almásy-kastély kincsei) and The Castle by Candlelight (A kastély gyertyafényben) enrich the night. The Ladics House hosts The Empress’s Cup (Császárné csészéje), while Almásy’s Corset and Revolution (Fűző és forradalom) explores the tension between fashion and upheaval.
Guaranteed Castle Programs and Sunday Walks
From January 30 to February 1, Gyula Castle runs guaranteed programs. On February 1, lace up for Siege Walk (Ostromséta), tour the castle armory at Armory Review (Fegyvertári szemle), and keep the themes going with repeats of Ladics House’s The Empress’s Cup (Császárné csészéje) and Almásy’s Corset and Revolution (Fűző és forradalom). The family-friendly Castle Tour with Dönci the Dachshund (Kastélytúra Tacskó Döncivel) returns on multiple Sundays. February 2 launches Downtown Wanderer (Belvárosi barangoló), a city sightseeing walk that repeats on several Fridays and Mondays throughout the month.
Books, Theater, and History on Stage
On February 5, the Mogyoróssy János City Library unveils Trampler, a new book. On February 6, the Castle Theater (Várszínház) stages Forced March – The Last Days of Miklós Radnóti (Erőltetett menet – Radnóti Miklós utolsó napjai). The following weekend again features guaranteed castle programs (February 6–8), with February 7 bringing more candlelit tours, night wellness, and The Castle by Candlelight (A kastély gyertyafényben). Cellar Exhibition – The Treasures of Almásy Castle (Pincetárlat – Az Almásy-kastély kincsei) opens the cellars. February 8 packs a punch: Gyulakult hosts Somewhere in America / Bon Bon 30 musical (Valahol Amerika / Bon Bon 30), Gyula Castle debuts Lovers Die, Love Lives (Szeretők halnak, él a szerelem), and the dachshund-led Castle Tour with Dönci the Dachshund (Kastélytúra Tacskó Döncivel) is back.
Stand-up, Love Week, and Talks
On February 9, the Comedy Theater (Dumaszínház) brings András Somogyi’s solo night Borrowed Faces (Kölcsön Arcok). On February 10, the library hosts Let’s Learn for Life (Tanuljunk életül), another book launch, while Ladics House opens Lovers’ Week (Szerelmesek hete) from February 10–15. February 11 features Gyula Catalogs 17 (Gyulai Katalógusok 17) at Almásy. On February 12, psychologist Dr. Kitti Almási speaks at Gyulakult: Unfinished Threads (Elvarratlan szálak).
Carnival, Concerts, and Valentine’s
February 13 delivers a Carnival Party (Farsangi buli) at Gyula Playhouse (Játszóház Gyula), a joint concert evening by Miklós H. Vecsei and Qjúb, Almásy’s Eternal Love – Love in Hungarian History (Örök szerelem – Szerelem a magyar történelemben), and La Sposa Caffè’s Valentine’s wine dinner. Guaranteed castle programs run February 13–15. On February 14, Almásy adds Valentine’s Day (Valentin-nap) and Blushing Allowed! – Intimacy in the Aristocratic World (Pirulni szabad! – intimitás a főúri világban), plus Women’s Salon (Női szalon) and The Castle by Candlelight (A kastély gyertyafényben); the castle glows again with Candlelit Castle Tours (Gyertyafényes vártúrák), and Ladics House offers Loves in the Ladics House (Szerelmek a Ladics-házban). February 15 wraps with another Dönci the Dachshund tour.
Classics, New Drama, and More Tours
On February 17, Gyulakult stages Mór Jókai: The Count of Fools (A bolondok grófja) by the Déryné Company (Déryné Társulat). On February 18, the Castle Theater (Várszínház) screens Rita Halász – Deep Breath (Halász Rita – Mély levegő) with a discussion. February 20–22 brings another guaranteed castle weekend, framed by ongoing brewery visits and Downtown Wanderer (Belvárosi barangoló). On February 21, Almásy highlights Speaking Flowers – The Treasures of Almásy Castle (Beszédes virágok – Az Almásy-kastély kincsei), with candlelit tours and The Castle by Candlelight (A kastély gyertyafényben).
Late-February Highlights
February 22: the Castle Tour with Dönci the Dachshund (Kastélytúra Tacskó Döncivel) returns, and Yours Truly 2026 Gyula lands in town. February 25 offers Museum Open University: Herod, Jesus, and the Holy City (Múzeumi Szabadegyetem: Heródes, Jézus és a Szent Város) and Gyulakult’s Magda Szabó: Abigail (Szabó Magda: Abigél), tickets priced 8,900–9,900 HUF (about 24–27 USD). February 27 features The Masters of Illusion in Gyula (Az Illúzió Mesterei Gyulán) and another guaranteed castle weekend (February 27–March 1). February 28 revisits Countly Passions (Grófi passziók), Candlelit Castle Tours (Gyertyafényes vártúrák), The Castle by Candlelight (A kastély gyertyafényben), The Field of Fate – Mohács (A végzet mezeje – Mohács), and Sörházi beugró. March 1 closes with one more Dönci the Dachshund tour.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
