The historic spa city of Gyula rolls out a year-round calendar loaded with exhibitions, concerts, theater, food festivals, museum workshops, and sports, plus a host of guaranteed and optional leisure programs. Gyula Castle, the Castle Theater, the famed thermal baths, and the homeland of pálinka and sausage anchor a schedule where barely a month passes without a standout event. From spring to autumn, the Castle Theater hosts festivals, while the fortress programs run almost nonstop. The Gyula Castle Spa remains one of Hungary’s most beloved healing baths.
Spotlight: Early December
December 7 brings a Castle Tour with Dönci the Dachshund; the real Finnish Santa, Joulupukki, drops into town; and multiple candlelit events flicker to life: guided tours at the Ladics House, a fairytale kids’ session at the Castle called “Gingy in the Middle Ages,” plus the Ladics House’s Empress’s Cup and a crafty morning, Naturally for the Tree. The Christmas Portéka Market sets up in the Castle Garden. From December 5–7, hop the Blue Mini-Train Santa Service and catch guaranteed programs at the Castle.
Family Picks and Mini-Theater
On December 8, Gyulakult stages The Snow Fairy’s Tale, a musical mini-theater. On December 9, the Castle Theater hosts Herb Books – The Big Questions of Life, while the Ladics House reprises Empress’s Cup, also on the 10th. From December 2–10, the Almásy Castle leads Corset and Revolution guided tours.
Hands-On: Tech, Craft, Music
December 11 features a 3D printing workshop for kids at the Ladics House: Christmas Prep with a 3D Printer, alongside Empress’s Cup and a Pygmy Workshop making festive decorations. That night, Attila Kökény and Viktor Rakonczai perform One Advent Evening, With Us at Gyulakult, tickets $41.
Mid-December Glow
Empress’s Cup continues December 12, as do guaranteed Castle programs December 12–14. Gyula’s Nobel Week, honoring László Krasznahorkai, runs December 6–12. On December 13: Castle by Candlelight; Women’s Salon – Treasures of Almásy Castle; an Advent workshop at the Castle; Gyulakult Club concerts; Night Wellness at the Spa; the Portéka Market; and Candlelit Castle Tours. December 14 adds the Dönci tour, Empress’s Cup, a 3D cookie-cutter workshop, and an Advent concert at the Vigadó.
Talks, Theater, Treasures
December 16 features Empress’s Cup and János Háy: The Dog-Keeping Girl at the Castle Theater. On December 17, the Museum Free University explores Treasures from the Árpád Era. Guaranteed Castle programs return December 19–21, with more candlelit tours and Castle by Candlelight on December 20, plus Advent workshops, Night Wellness, the Portéka Market, Talkative Flowers – Treasures of Almásy Castle, and the Erkel Mixed Choir’s Christmas concert. December 21 brings Krisztkindli, a special guided tour at the Ladics House, and another Dönci tour.
Holiday Break and New Year
From December 22 to January 4, dive into Time Travel with VR Glasses at the Ladics House, with a Codebreaking Game on December 23 and 30. Guaranteed Castle programs run December 26–28; December 27 offers Castle by Candlelight, Candlelit Tours, Countly Passions – Treasures of Almásy Castle, and Night Wellness. Another Dönci tour follows December 28. On December 30, Gyulakult Club hosts a Pre–New Year’s Eve Jam Session.
Ring In 2026 in Style
New Year’s Eve choices include a Ball at the Woodland Center, a street party at Bols Café, a bash at GolfGallery, celebrations at the Vigadó, and New Year’s Eve in Gyulavári at the Palace Garden Bistro.
Into the New Year
Guaranteed Castle programs return January 2–4, with candlelit tours, Castle by Candlelight, and Night Wellness on January 3, plus a Dönci tour January 4. Tech fans get Body Scanner: Use and Operation on January 8 at the Ladics House’s 3D Club. Gyulakult hosts Sándor Badár’s stand-up January 15, and Gangster Pop, or Bonnie, Clyde and Ganxsta on January 26. The Museum Free University covers Magical Tools and Techniques in the Roman World on January 28. February brings Dr. Kitti Almási’s Unfinished Threads (February 12), Magda Szabó’s Abigail (Abigél) (February 25, $24–$26), Herod, Jesus and the Holy City (February 25), and The Masters of Illusion (February 27). March features Klaudia Liptai’s Claus-things (March 5), the Dachshund Meetup 2026 (March 21), and March 15, 1848 at the Museum Free University (March 25). Spring rounds out with the Medivid Agility and ParAgility Festival (April 24–26), War Leaders or Martyrs? (April 29), Danny Blue: The Secret (May 7), From Corset to Bob Cut (May 27), and the 4th Zumba Festival Gyula (August 21–23).
Organizers reserve the right to change times and programs.
