Gyula doesn’t do quiet seasons. The historic spa town rolls out year-round culture: exhibitions, concerts, theater, food festivals, museum sessions, sports, and a slew of guaranteed and optional leisure programs. The medieval Gyula Castle, the open-air Castle Theater (Várszínház), and the beloved Castle Spa (Várfürdő) anchor a lineup that rarely leaves a weekend blank. Pálinka and kolbász have home-field advantage, while festivals, candlelit tours, and late-night wellness keep locals and visitors roaming till late.
November: From St. Martin to Stand-Up
November 11 sets the tone. Pop into the Ladics House for the exhibit The Empress’s Cup (Császárné csészéje), then drift to the German Quarter’s St. Martin’s Day celebration (Németváros). On November 12, babies and parents sway at Magic Song (Varázsének) with Uncle Imi Hevesi (Hevesi Imi bácsi), while Dr. Imre Csernus brings New Challenges Instead of Burnout! (KIÉGÉS helyett ÚJ KIHÍVÁSOK!) to Gyulakult (tickets about $16.10). November 13 pairs Komló Étterem with Bolyki Winery for a St. Martin’s wine dinner. On November 14, Romantika Bistro (Romantika Bisztró) serves Dinner Melodies (Vacsora dallamok) with Tibi Sztojka; November 14–16, the castle runs its Guaranteed Programs.
November 15 layers it on: The Castle by Candlelight (A kastély gyertyafényben), a handicraft workshop and fair at the János Mogyoróssy City Library, the Portéka artisans’ and producers’ market at the World Clock, candlelit castle tours, and Night Wellness at the Castle Spa (Várfürdő). On November 16, kids meet Dönci the Dachshund (Tacskó Dönci) on the Castle Tour (Kastélytúra).
November 19 delivers Sándor Csányi’s How to Misunderstand Women? 2 (Hogyan értsük félre a nőket? 2) and another Magic Song session. On November 21 the library opens Erzsébet Brittich’s Alone (Egyedül) with a book launch and exhibition; Romantika Bistro reprises dinner with Tibi Sztojka; the castle’s Guaranteed Programs run November 21–23. November 22 stacks Night Wellness, Talking Flowers – Treasures of the Almásy Castle (Beszédes virágok – Az Almásy-kastély kincsei), candlelit castle and fortress tours. November 23 returns with Dönci the Dachshund’s palace tour.
On November 24, Dr. Lajos Köteles presents Why Is the Hungarian Countryside Sick? (Miért beteg a magyar vidék?) at the library. November 26 questions history itself at Museum Free University: Do We Need to Rewrite the History Books? (Múzeumi Szabadegyetem: Át kell írni a történelemkönyveket?), plus another Magic Song. On November 27, the Comedy Theater (Dumaszínház) brings Dániel Mogács’s Ego (about $16.40–$20.80). November 28, Castle Theater (Várszínház): Get Ready to Laugh! (Poénra fel!) (about $13.50), dinner music at Romantika, and Guaranteed Programs at the castle through November 30. November 29 features The Castle by Candlelight, Aristocratic Passions – Treasures of the Almásy Castle (Grófi passziók – Az Almásy-kastély kincsei), Night Wellness, and a Portéka market in the Castle Park. November 30, another Dönci the Dachshund tour closes the month.
December: Honey, Santa, and Candlelight
On December 4, Gyulakult hosts Nectar Theater (Nektár Színház): The Nutcracker (Diótörő). December 5, Michael Cooney’s Who’s in My Bed?! (Nicsak, ki lakik itt?!) hits the stage (about $21.60–$24.30), La Sposa Caffè welcomes Santa, and the 16th Gyula Honey Festival (Gyulai Mézfesztivál) opens December 5–6 alongside Guaranteed Programs at the castle through December 7. December 6 is stacked: candlelit fortress tours, a Portéka market, Cellar Exhibition (Pincetárlat) in the Almásy Castle, The Castle by Candlelight, Night Wellness, and the 5th Santa Party (V. Mikulás Party) at Egy Pillanat Caffé. December 7 brings Dönci the Dachshund again—and yes, Joulupukki, the real Finnish Santa, strolls Gyula.
On December 9, the Castle Theater offers Herb Books – Life’s Big Questions (Füves könyvek – Az élet nagy kérdései). December 11, Ladics House runs a 3D printing club: Christmas prep with a 3D printer, while Gyulakult hosts Attila Kökény and Viktor Rakonczai’s music evening An Advent Evening with Us (Egy Adventi Este, Velünk) (about $37.80–$40.50). Guaranteed Programs at the castle return December 12–14.
December 13 brings a Castle Park Portéka market, Night Wellness, The Castle by Candlelight, candlelit fortress tours, and Women’s Salon – Treasures of the Almásy Castle (Női szalon – Az Almásy-kastély kincsei). December 14, it’s Dönci the Dachshund again. December 16, the Castle Theater stages János Háy: The Girl Who Keeps a Dog (A kutyatartó lány). December 17, Museum Free University explores Treasures from the Árpád Era (Kincsek az Árpád-korból). Guaranteed Programs at the castle: December 19–21, with Talking Flowers, The Castle by Candlelight, Night Wellness, and a Portéka market on the 20th; Dönci the Dachshund on the 21st.
Year’s End to Spring: Still Rolling
December 26–28 sees more Guaranteed Programs at the castle, plus The Castle by Candlelight, candlelit tours, Aristocratic Passions, Night Wellness on the 27th, and a Dönci tour on the 28th. The momentum carries into 2026: January 2–4 Guaranteed Programs at the castle; January 3 Night Wellness, candlelit fortress tours, and The Castle by Candlelight; January 4 Dönci the Dachshund. January 8, Ladics House returns with a 3D printing club on body scanner use. January 28, the museum school dives into Magic Tools and Techniques in the Roman World (Varázseszközök és mágikus technikák a római világban).
February 25 doubles up: Gyulakult stages Magda Szabó: Abigail (Abigél) (about $24.30–$27.10) and the museum’s Herod, Jesus, and the Holy City (Heródes, Jézus és a Szent Város). February 27, The Masters of Illusion land in Gyula. March 21, the Almásy Castle Visitor Center hosts Dachshund Meet 2026 (Tacskótalálkozó 2026). March 25 marks Museum Free University: March 15, 1848 (Múzeumi Szabadegyetem: 1848. március 15.). April 24–26, the Medivid Agility and Para-Agility Festival takes over. April 29 asks: Generals or Martyrs? (Hadvezérek vagy mártírok?) May 27 glides from From Corsets to the Bob Cut (A fűzőtől a bubifrizuráig). August 21–23, the 4th Zumba Festival Gyula (IV. Zumba Festival Gyula) shakes the summer.
