January in Gyula kicks off with foam and flavor: Sörházi beugró opens the doors of Elixbeer Brewery for tours and tastings on January 13–15, then keeps the taps flowing almost every other day through the end of the month and into early February. Between sips, Gyulakult hosts Sándor Badár’s solo stand-up night on January 15, while Romantika Bistro pairs dinner with live melodies by Tibi Sztojka on January 16, 23, and 30.
Castles by Candlelight
History comes alive at the Gyula Castle (Gyulai Vár) with guaranteed programs January 16–18, 23–25, and January 30–February 1. Expect live crafts and martial arts: a working blacksmith shop demo (January 17), a falconry show (January 17), and saber fencing with lessons (January 17). Candlelit castle tours glow on January 17, 24, and 31, mirrored by Castle by Candlelight (A kastély gyertyafényben) at the Almásy Palace on the same evenings. The castle also offers a prison visit (January 17), an Arms Depot tour (January 18), and a Siege Walk (January 18), plus the deep-dive history program Centuries of Sieges on January 22.
City Strolls and Themed Walks
Belvárosi barangoló city walks thread through the center on January 16, 19, 23, 26, and 30. The Honvéd officers’ themed walk in the Castle Garden turns military history into a guided story on January 16 and 23. On January 17 and 24, the World Clock hosts the Portéka Market, a craft and producers’ fair that brings local makers into the heart of town.
Wellness Nights and Family Favorites
The Gyula Castle Bath (Gyulai Várfürdő) lights up for Night Wellness sessions on January 17, 24, 31, and February 7. Families can join Tacskó Dönci for kid-friendly palace tours on January 18, 25, and February 1. On January 17, the Almásy Palace opens Talking Flowers (Beszédes virágok), a look at the palace’s treasures through the language of flowers.
Cafés, Books, and Big Conversations
La Sposa Caffè hosts a talk with Ambassador Dr. Adrien Müller, From the Körös to the Wide World, on January 24, followed by an exclusive January kick-off brunch the same day. The Mogyoróssy János City Library presents the book launch of Tales from Chestnut Street (Gesztenye úti mesék) on January 30. The Museum Open University series digs into the ancient world with Magical Tools and Techniques in the Roman World (January 28), then returns with Herod, Jesus, and the Holy City (February 25), 1848. March 15 (March 25), and Generals or Martyrs? (April 29), concluding with From the Corset to the Bob (May 27).
Theater, Music, Stand-up
On January 22, the Castle Theatre welcomes a László Krasznahorkai conference and reading. Gyulakult stages GANGSTER POP, or Bonnie, Clyde and Ganxsta on January 26; Somewhere in America / Bon Bon 30 on February 8; Dr. Kitti Almási’s Unfinished Threads on February 12; Mór Jókai’s The Count of Fools by the Déryné Company on February 17; Magda Szabó’s Abigail on February 25; The Masters of Illusion in Gyula on February 27; Clauses (Clauságok), Claudia Liptai’s solo evening on March 5; Danny Blue: The Secret on May 7. The Dumaszínház brings András Somogyi with Borrowed Faces (Kölcsön Arcok) on February 9.
Food, Wine, and Festivals
La Sposa Caffè pours romance at a Valentine’s Wine Dinner on February 13, then doubles down on fine dining with The Chef’s Dinner, a six-course experience, on March 7—twice. The city bursts into bloom at the Gyula Flower Festival, May 9–10, and raises a glass at the Gyula Pálinka Festival, May 22–24. Dog lovers and athletes should mark their calendars for the Medivid Agility and ParAgility Festival, April 24–26, and the 4th Zumba Festival Gyula, August 21–23.
Dachshunds, Sieges, and Everything Between
The Almásy Palace Visitor Center hosts the Dachshund Meet-Up 2026 (Tacskó Találkozó) on March 21, a must for dachshund devotees. On February 1 and beyond, the season stitches together beer, books, baths, and battles—Gyula’s calendar is stacked with experiences that warm winter nights and set up a lively spring.
