Discover Károlyi Castle 2026: concerts, festivals, exhibitions, library tours, and botanical walks in Fehérvárcsurgó’s historic park—music, literature, heritage, and gardens year-round. Book unforgettable cultural experiences in Fejér County.
when:
Károlyi Castle in Fehérvárcsurgó, one of Fejér County’s jewels, rolls out a high-caliber cultural calendar for 2026, filling its aristocratic halls and sweeping historic park with concerts, festivals, exhibitions, conferences, and behind-the-scenes library tours. The venue hosts events year-round at 8052 Fehérvárcsurgó, 2 Petőfi Street (Petőfi utca 2.), pairing old-world elegance with lively programming across music, botany, literature, and heritage.
March 10 brings The Land of Imagination – in images and music: a special exhibition and concert by the great soprano and painter Sylvia Sass, who presents her artworks and introduces her standout student, soprano Mariana Pires, in a Mozart evening. They are joined by pianist Balázs Fülei, head of the Chamber Music Department at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music (Liszt Ferenc Zeneművészeti Egyetem).
Nature takes center stage on March 15 with a Botanical Walk in the castle’s 55.6-acre historic garden, a protected natural area. Expect newly planted species from the latest restoration, alongside 100–170-year-old native and exotic trees, the boating lake, and the gloriette. On March 20–21, an international conference tackles European integration and religious identities.
April 11 features an Easter concert by the Hangellika Choir in the chapel, plus “Up the Secret Stairs!” — a dedicated library tour revealing the castle library’s history and collection themes. Highlights include two major legacies: historian and writer Ferenc Fejtő, and genealogist-heraldist Szabolcs Vajay. Visitors can handle centuries-old volumes and learn about research opportunities. On April 18, Sonates à deux — a German–French dialogue spanning Bach, Schaffrath, and Boismortier — showcases Mónika Kecskés on harpsichord and period instruments. Another Botanical Walk follows on April 19.
May 9 reprises “Up the Secret Stairs!”, while May 9–15 hosts The Writers of European Consciousness exhibition in the Visitor Center. The Botanical Walk returns May 17. From June 5–7, the 22nd European Ornamental Plant and Garden Art Days brings a major exhibition and fair. A June 21 garden walk leads into summer. On July 17, the Voice & Brass Band performs a film music concert outdoors on the castle park island, with another Botanical Walk on July 19.
August 9–16 presents the ECHO Summer Music Academy and concerts, followed by an August 16 Botanical Walk. Autumn strolls continue September 20, while September 25–27 marks “Quartettissimo” — the 17th European String Quartet Festival.
October 3 brings another library tour. October 16–17 features a heritage conservation conference co-organized with the University of Pécs (Pécsi Tudományegyetem), and October 17 adds a choral and organ concert with Gabriella Semjénné Menus in the chapel. A Botanical Walk rounds out October 18.
November 7 returns to the secret stairs, November 13–15 stages “Fresh Harvest” — the 10th Contemporary Applied Arts Salon and Fair, and November 14 lights up the traditional St. Elizabeth’s Day candlelit concert, followed by a November 15 garden walk.
December 5 offers a final “Up the Secret Stairs!” tour, with a last Botanical Walk on December 20. Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
