Gyula’s winter–spring calendar is bursting: castle sieges at dusk, candlelit wellness, craft beer tastings, literary nights, and dachshund-led tours. From January to August, the city leans into history, gastronomy, and performance with guaranteed programs at the fortress, in-depth museum experiences, and festivals that stretch into summer.
Castles, Sieges, and Candlelight
Gyula Castle (Gyulai Vár) centers the action with recurring Armory Reviews (Fegyvertári szemle), Sieges Through the Centuries (Évszázadok ostromai), and atmospheric Candlelit Castle Tours (Gyertyafényes vártúrák) on January 24 and 31, and February 7. The Siege Walk (Ostromséta) brings battle lore to life, while The Castle by Candlelight (A kastély gyertyafényben) glows at the Almásy Mansion (Almásy-kastély) on January 24 and 31. The Ladics House (Ladics-ház) offers intimate programs like The Empress’s Cup (Császárné csészéje), a Code-Breaking Game (Kódfejtő játék), and Time Travel with VR Glasses (Időutazás VR-szemüvegekkel).
Guaranteed Programs and Themed Walks
Weekend blocks of Guaranteed Programs at Gyula Castle (Garantált programok a Gyulai Várban) run January 16–18, January 23–25, and January 30–February 1. The Downtown Stroll – City Walk (Belvárosi barangoló – városnéző séta) returns January 19, 23, 26, and 30, while Honvéd Officers in the Castle Garden (Honvédtisztek a Várkertben) maps military history on January 23.
Dachshunds, Brunch, and Noble Passions
A Castle Tour with Döndi the Dachshund (Kastélytúra Tacskó Döncivel) trots through the Almásy Mansion (Almásy-kastély) on January 18, 25, and February 1, culminating in the 2026 Dachshund Meetup (Tacskótalálkozó) at the Almásy Mansion Visitor Center (Almásy-kastély Látogatóközpont) on March 21. La Sposa Caffè serves a January Kickoff Exclusive Brunch (Januárindító exkluzív brunch) on January 24, then doubles down with The Chef’s Dinner – a Six-Course Culinary Experience (A Séf vacsorája – hatfogásos gasztroélmény) on March 7 (two seatings). Countly Passions – The Treasures of the Almásy Mansion (Grófi passziók – Az Almásy-kastély kincsei) and Speaking Flowers (Beszédes virágok) showcase aristocratic treasures on January 31 and 24.
Beer, Wellness, and Markets
Brewery Pass – Elixbeer Brewery (Sörházi beugró – Elixbeer Sörfőzde) tours and tastings run January 20–24, 27–31, and February 1, 5, 7–9, 12, 13, 17, 25, 27, and March 5. Night owls get Nighttime Wellness at the Gyula Castle Spa (Éjszakai wellness a Gyulai Várfürdőben) on January 24 and 31, and February 7. The Portéka Market (Portéka vásár), a craft and producers’ market at the World Clock (Világóra), pops up January 24 and 31.
Books, Music, and Stage
The Castle Theater (Várszínház) hosts a László Krasznahorkai conference and reading on January 22. The Ferenc Erkel Memorial House (Erkel Ferenc Emlékház) traces The History of Hungarian Music (A magyar zene története) on January 23. Gyulakult presents Gangster Pop, or Bonnie, Clyde and Ganxsta (GENGSZTER POP avagy a Bonnie, a Clyde és a Ganxsta) on January 26; Somewhere in America / Bon Bon 30 musical (Valahol Amerika / Bon Bon 30) on February 8; Loose Ends (Elvarratlan szálak) with Dr. Kitti Almási on February 12; Mór Jókai: The Count of Fools (A bolondok grófja) on February 17; Magda Szabó: Abigail (Abigél) on February 25; The Masters of Illusion in Gyula (Az Illúzió Mesterei Gyulán) on February 27; Clauságok with Claudia Liptai on March 5; and Danny Blue – The Secret (A titok) on May 7. The Dumaszínház comedy troupe brings András Somogyi – Borrowed Faces (Kölcsön Arcok) on February 9. Romantika Bistro pairs dinner with Tibi Sztojka on January 23 and 30.
Museum Free University
Dive into Magical Tools and Techniques in the Roman World (Varázseszközök és mágikus technikák a római világban) on January 28; Herod, Jesus and the Holy City (Heródes, Jézus és a Szent Város) on February 25; March 15, 1848 (1848. március 15.) on March 25; Commanders or Martyrs? (Hadvezérek vagy mártírok?) on April 29; and From Corsets to the Bob Cut (A fűzőtől a bubifrizuráig) on May 27.
Festivals and Big Weekends
The Medivid Agility and ParaAgility Festival (Medivid Agility és ParAgility Fesztivál) runs April 24–26; the Gyula Flower Festival 2026 (Gyulai Virágok Fesztiválja) blooms May 9–10; the Gyula Pálinka Festival (Gyulai Pálinkafesztivál) pours May 22–24; and the 4th Zumba Festival Gyula (IV. Zumba Festival Gyula) energizes August 21–23. Add La Sposa Caffè’s Valentine’s Day Wine Dinner (Bálint-napi borvacsora) on February 13 and a Körös-to-World talk with Ambassador Dr. Adrien Müller on January 24.
Anniversaries and Commemorations
The Field of Doom (A végzet mezeje) marks 500 years since the Battle of Mohács on January 31. The János Mogyoróssy City Library (Mogyoróssy János Városi Könyvtár) hosts Chestnut Street Tales (Gesztenye úti mesék) on January 30 and Trampler on February 5.
