Gyula rolls out a year-round cultural feast with exhibitions, concerts, theater, foodie gatherings, museum workshops, sports, and plenty of guaranteed and optional leisure programs. The fortress town’s crown jewels—the Gyula Castle (Gyulai Vár), Castle Theater (Várszínház), Gyula Castle Spa (Gyulai Várfürdő), and the famed pálinka and sausage—anchor standout events almost every month. From spring to autumn, the Castle Theater hosts festivals, while the castle itself offers quality programs nearly all year. The Gyula Castle Spa remains one of Hungary’s favorite thermal baths.
December 2025 Highlights
On December 27, dive into Courtly Passions – Treasures of Almásy Castle, Nighttime Adventure Bathing at AquaPalota, Candlelight at the Castle, Creative House: Candle Dipping at the Castle, and Candlelit Castle Tours. The Almásy Castle’s Stefánia Circle runs December 27–30, while Play and Draw Your Luck continues December 27–January 4. December 28 brings the Castle’s Fencing Courtyard and a special Castle Tour with Dönci the Dachshund. Guaranteed Programs at the Gyula Castle run December 26–28, then the Fencing Courtyard returns December 29 and 30, alongside a pre-New Year’s jam session at GyulaKultKlub, a Codebreaker Game at Ladics House, and a Creative House Jewelry Workshop at the Castle.
New Year’s in Gyula
December 31 explodes with options: New Year’s Eve at the Vigadó, Ladics House: The Empress’s Cup, Almásy Castle: Corset and Revolution, a New Year’s Eve Party at Teo Várkert Bistro, a bash at GolfGallery, Bols Café’s street ball, New Year’s Eve in Gyulavári at Kastélykert Bistro, and a New Year’s Eve Ball at the Woodland Center. On January 1, catch The Empress’s Cup again, New Year’s greeting shots in front of the Castle, and Corset and Revolution at Almásy Castle. The Empress’s Cup and Corset and Revolution continue on January 2, with more Guaranteed Programs January 2–4. January 3 offers Candlelight at the Castle, Night Wellness at the Castle Spa, a kids’ tale program, Mézi in the Middle Ages, Candlelit Castle Tours, and Corset and Revolution. January 4 repeats The Empress’s Cup, the Dachshund Castle Tour, and Corset and Revolution. From December 22 to January 4, time-travel with VR glasses at Ladics House.
January–March 2026
January 8: Ladics House Tech Club—IT? Child’s Play / 3D printing workshop featuring body scanner use. Guaranteed Castle Programs continue January 9–11, 16–18, 23–25, and January 30–February 1. Candlelight at the Castle and Candlelit Tours pop up on January 10, 17, 24, and 31, with Night Wellness at the spa on January 10, 17, 24, and 31. January 15 features Sándor Badár’s stand-up. January 26 brings Gangster Pop, aka Bonnie, Clyde and Ganxsta. January 28: Museum Free University—Magical Tools and Techniques in the Roman World.
Spring Culture and Big Festivals
February packs in Night Wellness (February 7), Candlelit Tours (February 7), Somewhere in America / Bon-Bon 30 musical (February 8), Dumaszínház: András Somogyi—Borrowed Faces (February 9), Dr. Kitti Almási: Loose Ends (February 12), Mór Jókai: The Count of Fools by the Déryné Troupe (February 17), and Magda Szabó: Abigail on February 25 (from $25.20 to $28.05). Also on February 25: Museum Free University—Herod, Jesus and the Holy City. February 27: The Masters of Illusion in Gyula. March 5: Claudia Liptai—Clauságok. March 21: Almásy Castle Visitor Center hosts Dachshund Meet 2026. March 25: Museum Free University—March 15, 1848.
Sport, Spirits, and Summer Rhythm
April 24–26: Medivid Agility and ParAgility Festival. April 29: Museum Free University—Commanders or Martyrs? May 7: Danny Blue—The Secret. May 22–24: Gyula Pálinka Festival. May 27: Museum Free University—From Corset to Bob. August 21–23: 4th Zumba Festival Gyula.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
