Gyula never runs out of reasons to visit. The castle, open-air theater, and thermal spa anchor a year-round whirl of festivals, concerts, plays, exhibitions, tastings, family workshops, and night tours. As the cradle of pálinka and kolbász (sausage), the historic spa town reliably rolls out a standout event almost every month, while the Gyula Castle Spa (Gyulai Várfürdő) remains one of Hungary’s most beloved medicinal baths. From spring to autumn the Castle Theater (Várszínház) hosts festivals, but even off-season the castle and museums keep the pace brisk.
Week of November 4–10: Coffee, rock, and remembrance
Nov 4–6, Ladics House repeats Empress’s Cup (Császárné csészéje), a peek into bourgeois life through a single porcelain cup. On Nov 6, La Sposa Caffè pours In the Footsteps of Addictions, or “Zacher Cake” (Függőségek nyomában, avagy “Zacher-torta”) — a talk on addictions with a sweet twist — while GyulaKult stages Másik Lehel – Vizeli Csaba: KLAPKA, a rock musical. The Mogyoróssy János City Library unveils a Steigerwald book launch, and Ladics House runs its “IT? Child’s Play” 3D printing club on printer mechanics.
Nov 7 brings the Castle Theater’s Éva Péterfy-Novák: One Woman (Egyasszony) (from $7.90), raw and riveting. Romantika Bistro pairs dinner with Sztojka Tibi’s live set. Nov 7–8, La Sposa Caffè serves a St. Martin’s Day feast with new wine. Nov 7–9, the castle’s Guaranteed Programs package returns — dependable guided experiences rain or shine.
November 8–15: Candles, composers, craft, and wellness
Nov 8 glows: The Palace by Candlelight (A kastély gyertyafényben) lights the Almásy Palace by candlelight; the city marks the birth anniversary of Ferenc Erkel; the Women’s Salon (Női szalon) explores Almásy treasures; Portéka runs its artisan and producers’ market at the World Clock; GyulaKultKlub hosts György Ferenczi and the 1st Pest Rackák (Ferenczi György és az 1-ső Pesti Rackák) in concert. The Autumn Festival of Museums (Múzeumok Őszi Fesztiválja) continues, the Castle Spa offers Night Wellness, and Candlelit Castle Tours (Gyertyafényes vártúrák) wind through the fortress.
Nov 9, more Ladics House; Nov 10, the Castle Theater spotlights RZ65, Zoltán Rátóti’s solo hits from 15 years. Nov 11, the German Quarter stages its St. Martin’s Day celebration; Ladics House continues. Nov 12, GyulaKult hosts Dr. Imre Csernus: NEW CHALLENGES instead of BURNOUT! (KIÉGÉS helyett ÚJ KIHÍVÁSOK!) (from $16.10), while Magic Song (Varázsének) brings a live-music baby-and-mom session with Uncle Imi Hevesi (Hevesi Imi bácsi). Nov 13, Komló Restaurant (Komló Étterem) plates a St. Martin’s wine dinner with Bolyki Winery.
Nov 14 repeats dinner melodies, and Nov 14–16 the castle guarantees another program-packed weekend. Nov 15 brings back Night Wellness, Portéka’s market, candlelit castle tours, and The Palace by Candlelight.
Mid–late November: Comedy, babies, and big questions
Nov 16, Palace Tour with Dönci the Dachshund (Kastélytúra Tacskó Döncivel) leads a family tour. Nov 19, GyulaKult hosts Sándor Csányi: How to Misunderstand Women? 2 (Hogyan értsük félre a nőket? 2); Magic Song returns. Nov 21 repeats dinner with Sztojka Tibi and the castle’s Guaranteed Programs (Nov 21–23). Nov 22 stacks The Palace by Candlelight, Speaking Flowers (Beszédes virágok; Almásy treasures), Candlelit Castle Tours, and Night Wellness. Nov 23, another palace tour with Dönci the Dachshund.
Nov 26, Museum Open University (Múzeumi Szabadegyetem) asks: Do We Need to Rewrite the History Books? (Át kell írni a történelemkönyveket?) Magic Song runs again. Nov 27, Dumaszínház brings Dániel Mogács: “Ego” ($15.80–$19.90). Nov 28, Castle Theater: Let’s Joke! (Poénra fel!) (from $13.30); dinner melodies repeat; the castle’s guaranteed slate returns Nov 28–30. Nov 29 layers Night Wellness, Aristocratic Passions (Grófi passziók; Almásy treasures), candlelit palace tours, and Portéka’s market in the Palace Park. Nov 30, guided tour with Dönci the Dachshund.
December warms up: Honey, humor, holidays
Dec 4, GyulaKult hosts Nectar Theater: The Nutcracker (Nektár Színház: Diótörő), a musical-dance fairy tale. Dec 5, Michael Cooney: Funny Money (Nicsak, ki lakik itt?!) (from $21.60–$24.30) and the 16th Gyula Honey Festival (Gyulai Mézfesztivál) gets sticky Dec 5–6, while the castle delivers Dec 5–7. Dec 6 brims: Candlelit Castle Tours, Night Wellness, The Palace by Candlelight, One Moment Caffè’s 5th St. Nicholas Party (Egy Pillanat Caffé V. Mikulás Party), Portéka’s Palace Park market, and Cellar Exhibition (Pincetárlat; Almásy treasures). Dec 7, more Dönci-led palace touring.
Dec 9, the Castle Theater ponders Herb Books — Life’s Big Questions (Füves könyvek – Az élet nagy kérdései). Dec 11, Ladics House’s 3D club goes festive with Christmas Preparations 3D Printing (Karácsonyi készülődés 3D printing); later, GyulaKult stages Attila Kökény & Viktor Rakonczai: An Advent Evening with Us (Egy Adventi Este, Velünk) ($38.80–$41.50). Dec 12–14, guaranteed castle programs.
Dec 13 stacks Portéka’s market, Night Wellness, candlelit tours, the Women’s Salon, and The Palace by Candlelight. Dec 14, Dönci’s tour returns. Dec 16, the Castle Theater stages János Háy: The Dog-Keeping Girl (A kutyatartó lány). Dec 17, Museum Open University dives into Treasures from the Árpád Era (Kincsek az Árpád-korból).
Year-end into January: Lights on, spa on
Dec 19–21, the castle guarantees more. Dec 20 layers Portéka, The Palace by Candlelight, Candlelit Castle Tours, Night Wellness, and Speaking Flowers. Dec 21, Dönci returns. Dec 26–28, guaranteed castle days; Dec 27 offers The Palace by Candlelight, Aristocratic Passions, Night Wellness, and candlelit tours. Dec 28, one more Dönci tour.
Jan 2–4, the castle kicks off the year with Guaranteed Programs. Jan 3 repeats Night Wellness, candlelit castle tours, and The Palace by Candlelight. Jan 4, another palace tour with Dönci. Jan 8, Ladics House’s 3D club tackles the Body Scanner. Jan 28, Museum Open University conjures Magical Tools and Techniques in the Roman World (Varázseszközök és mágikus technikák a római világban). Feb 25, GyulaKult closes winter strong with Magda Szabó: Abigail (Szabó Magda: Abigél) ($24.30–$27.00).
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
