Gyula is packing late January and February with candlelit castle nights, hands-on history, beer tours, concerts, and book launches. From the medieval Gyula Castle (Gyulai Vár) to the aristocratic Almásy Castle (Almásy-kastély) and the intimate Ladics House (Ladics-ház), the city turns winter into a walkable festival—plus spa nights, foodie stops, and family picks throughout the month.
Walks, Stories, and City Flavor
Belvárosi barangoló, the downtown sightseeing stroll, returns several times: January 30; February 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, and 27. It’s your quick orientation to Gyula’s streets, facades, and legends. The Mogyoróssy János City Library hosts fresh reads: Gesztenye úti mesék on January 30; Trampler on February 5; Tanuljunk életül on February 10. On February 25, the Museum’s Free University explores Herod, Jesus, and the Holy City.
Castles After Dark
Gyula Castle (Gyulai Vár) offers guaranteed programs January 31–February 1, February 6–8, February 13–15, February 20–22, and February 27–March 1. Expect torchlit tours, live crafts, and martial demonstrations. Candlelit castle tours glow on January 31, and February 7, 14, 21, and 28. Special features include saber fencing on January 31, a falconry show the same day, the working blacksmith on January 31, a prison visit on January 31, the battlefield story The Field of Doom – Mohács (A végzet mezeje – Mohács) on January 31 and February 28, and the arsenal review Armoury Inspection (Fegyvertári szemle) on February 1. The siege walk Siege Tour (Ostromséta) marches in on February 1.
Almásy Castle: Fashion, Secrets, and Love
Almásy Castle (Almásy-kastély) offers themed tours throughout: Corset and Revolution (Fűző és forradalom) on January 30–31, February 1, 3, 11, and additional dates across the month; candlelit nights The Castle by Candlelight (A kastély gyertyafényben) on January 31 and February 7, 14, 21, and 28; Countly Passions (Grófi passziók) on January 31 and February 28; Pincetárlat, a vault tour of treasures, on February 7; Women’s Salon (Női szalon) on February 14; Speaking Flowers (Beszédes virágok) on February 21; plus Blushing Allowed! (Pirulni szabad!) on February 14, exploring intimacy in aristocratic life. Valentine’s Day gets its own program on February 14, and February 13 hosts Eternal Love (Örök szerelem), tracing love in Hungarian history.
Ladics House: Porcelain and Romance
Ladics House (Ladics-ház) spins tales with The Empress’s Cup (Császárné csészéje) on January 30–31, February 1, 3, and other select dates, then opens Lovers’ Week (Szerelmesek hete) from February 10–15. On Valentine’s Day, Loves at the Ladics House (Szerelmek a Ladics-házban) offers a special guided tour through the home’s personal histories.
Beer, Bites, and Local Markets
Elixbeer Brewery (Elixbeer Sörfőzde) keeps the taps flowing with Sörházi beugró—brewery visits and tastings—on January 30–31 and February 3–7, 10–11, 12–14, 17–21, 24–28. Pick up artisan finds at the Portéka fair by the World Clock on January 31. Gabóca’s cheese workshop hosts a farm market on January 30. Romantika Bistro pairs dinner with live tunes by Tibi Sztojka on January 30. La Sposa Caffè serves a Valentine’s wine dinner on February 13.
Stage, Music, and Words
Gyulakult’s calendar spans music and theater: Somewhere in America / Bon Bon 30 musical (Valahol Amerika / Bon Bon 30) on February 8; Mór Jókai: The Count of Fools (A bolondok grófja) by the Déryné Company (Déryné Társulat) on February 17; Magda Szabó: Abigail (Abigél) on February 25; and The Illusion Masters in Gyula on February 27. The Castle Theatre (Várszínház) stages Forced March – The Last Days of Miklós Radnóti (Erőltetett menet – Radnóti Miklós utolsó napjai) on February 6 and Rita Halász’s Deep Breath (Mély levegő) on February 18. Comedy arrives with the Dumaszínház: András Somogyi – Borrowed Faces (Kölcsön Arcok) on February 9. Music fans can catch Miklós H. Vecsei and Qjúb in concert on February 13, and a special theatrical concert at the castle, Lovers Die, Love Lives (Szeretők halnak, él a szerelem), on February 8. Dr. Kitti Almási speaks on Unfinished Business (Elvarratlan szálak) on February 12, and the Almásy series launches Gyula Catalogues 17 (Gyulai Katalógusok 17) on February 11.
Wellness, Traditions, and Family Picks
Gyula Castle Spa (Gyulai Várfürdő) opens for Night Wellness (Éjszakai wellness) on January 31 and February 7, 14, and 21. The Máriás House (Máriás-ház) hosts a Swabian pig feast in the German Quarter on January 31. For kids, Playhouse Gyula (Játszóház Gyula) throws a carnival party on February 13. Dog lovers can join Castle Tour with Dönci the Dachshund (Kastélytúra Tacskó Döncivel) on February 1, 8, and 15, plus March 1.
Organizers reserve the right to change programs and dates.
