Keszthely’s 2026 calendar packs festivals, exhibitions, concerts, theater, film screenings, museum workshops, food events, sports, and plenty of guaranteed and optional leisure programs across multiple venues in and around the 8360 area. Here’s what’s on between April and late May, with dates extending further as the season kicks in.
Talks, Clubs, and Free Community Events
April 23, 16:00 – The Sándor Kőrösi Csoma Club hosts “Három Helikon,” with literary historian and poet Dr. Géza Cséby sharing Helikon-era experiences. Venue: Balaton Theatre, Simándy Hall. Free entry.
May 5, 18:00 – “Kedd-Velem,” a conversation with actor Gergő “Sajt” Farkas, hosted by Zoltán Csányi. Balaton Theatre, Simándy Hall. Free.
May 11, 18:00 – World Traveler Club: “Curious Stories from Around the World – A Photographic Journey from Oceania and Asia through Africa to South America,” presented by Roland Markó. Balaton Theatre, Simándy Hall. Free.
May 13, 17:00 – Psyché Workshop with psychologist and animal-assisted therapist Nóra Angyal-Szilvás: “They Live with Us – They Affect Us – Companion Animals and Mental Health from Infancy to Old Age.” Balaton Theatre, Básti Hall. Free.
KATT Festival: Agrotourism Goes Big
April 24–25 – The 4th Keszthely Agrotourism Meeting (KATT Festival), organized by MATE Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Georgikon Campus, and the MATE VFGI Department of Agrotourism. Partners include the West Balaton LEADER Association, Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd., National Chamber of Agriculture – Zala County Directorate, and the ZalaZONE Automotive Proving Ground.
Zero Day, April 23 – 10:00 opening of the Georgikon Travel Challenge; 10:30 competition starts.
Day 1, April 24 – 10:00–13:00 KATT FutureFarm Agri-digitalization Forum at Sirius Hotel, Keszthely. 14:00 KATT Agrotourism Summit and Exhibition at the Georgikon Farm History Exhibition Site. 14:00 KATT Football Cup at the MATE Georgikon Campus pitch. Side events: Student Days, Girls’ Day.
Day 2, April 25 – 10:00–16:00 “Open Door” circuit across West Balaton treasures: Talabér Watermill and Festetics Spice Garden (Gyenesdiás; herbarium, grain milling demo, tea tasting); Festetics Tavern Wine Museum (Vonyarcvashegy; heritage and history, wine tasting); Gáspárlat Pálinka House (Balatongyörök; distilling demo and tasting); Darnay Cellar & Barn Bistro (Gyenesdiás; borona cellar tour, Mini Local Product Fair, cold-plate lunch); Alsópáhok Creative House (Szivás szenvonyó pastry making, tasting); Sártekerő Pottery Workshop (Alsópáhok; demo and wheel-throwing); Billegéri Riding Ranch (Felsőpáhok; Open Day); Kakasbonbon Chocolate Manufactory (Felsőpáhok; behind the scenes and tasting).
Also April 25 – 10:00 “Open MATE Teaching Farm” agrotourism series; 10:00–18:00 spring vineyard walk and cellar tour at the Georgikon Winery with a short guided look at spring vineyard work (pruning, budbreak, training) and a winery introduction; every visitor gets one glass of wine or juice. 11:00–12:00 guided tour at the Georgikon Botanical Garden on plant knowledge, gene conservation, sustainability, and the garden’s educational role. 13:00 and 15:00 – five-wine tasting with cheese plate at the Georgikon Winery, 6,000 HUF (about 16.30 USD) per person, on-site payment; bottled wines and juices available. 10:00–18:00 family activities at the Riding Center: skills course, horseshoe hunt and painting, foal petting; 10:00–18:00 horse-drawn carriage “taxi” shuttle between the event and the Riding Center, every 30–40 minutes with a flexible schedule; 10:00–18:00 children’s pony rides (two ponies), guided 10–15 minute loops between Fenyves Allée and the Riding Center. 20:00 – KATT AfterGreen party at the Botanical Garden.
Concerts, Theatre, and Stage
April 25, 19:00 – Caramel.Zongora. The chart-topper reimagines hits in an intimate piano concert. Balaton Theatre, main stage. Tickets 8,900 HUF (about 24.20 USD).
May 6, 19:00 – Nathan Ellis: “Túl éles” (Too Sharp), Loupe Theatre Company. A 120-minute, no-interval drama following five women inside a cracking healthcare system. Cast: Dóra Sztarenki, Eszter Földes, Dorka Gryllus, Katalin Takács, Alíz Szatmári, Dániel Brezovszky. Directed by János Antal Horváth; music by Virág “Zazie” Farkas. Sold out. Part of the 2026 Spring Season Pass. Balaton Theatre.
May 9, 19:00 – Gyöngyhajú lány – OMEGA musical, with ExperiDance on stage, starring Léna Kóbor. A coming-of-age fairy tale for adults on the Balaton shore, guided by Trombitás Frédi. 22 Re-Production dancers, 5 musical actors, 21 Omega hits including Trombitás Frédi, Régi csibészek, Ezüst eső, Petróleumlámpa, Ha én szél lehetnék, Gyöngyhajú lány. Creative team: writer-director Zsolt Pozsgai, musical director Zsolt Gömöry, costumes Ildikó Debreczeni, set design János Mira, LED visuals Zénó Mira. Large LED backdrop over 50 m². Tickets 12,900–14,900 HUF (about 35.10–40.50 USD). Balaton Theatre, main stage.
May 13, 10:00 – Batyu Theatre: “Boszorkánykonyha” (Witch’s Kitchen), a 40–45 minute object-puppet show where everyday utensils become heroes. Includes classics like Zsigmond Móricz’s Iciri-piciri; Hungarian folktales The Bear and the Cat, Stone Soup; and Elek Benedek’s The Salt. Cast: Nelli Kontha, Krisztina Borbély. Tickets 3,000 HUF (about 8.15 USD). Balaton Theatre, Simándy Hall.
May 14, 19:00 – “A Titok” (The Secret) with mentalist Danny Blue. A close-up, mind-bending evening. Tickets 8,990; 10,990; 12,990; 14,990 HUF (about 24.40; 29.80; 35.20; 40.60 USD). Balaton Theatre, main stage.
Exhibitions
April 28, 17:00 – Opening: “Three of Us” – a joint exhibition by painters Edit Ágh, Eszter Balogh, and András Gécseg. Open April 28–May 22. Free. Opened by Dr. Géza Cséby. Balaton Theatre, Simándy Hall.
May 8, 17:00 – Straw Weaving Exhibition within the “ASzakkör” program, showcasing traditional craft works by the Keszthely Straw Weaving Circle. Free, open May 8–June 4. Opening remarks by Renáta Dervalics (National Institute for Culture, Zala County Directorate) and Bálint Osvald (director, Goldmark Károly Cultural Center). Musical contribution by Sheila Judit Varjassi. Balaton Theatre, Kacsóh Hall.
Lakeside Season Kick-Off and Boat Trips
May 1–2 – Balaton Season Opening 2026 on Keszthely’s lakeshore: family and kids’ programs, concerts, a lively street party, stalls, and a rich food lineup. Full schedule coming soon.
Keszthely sightseeing boat trips run April 20–26, April 27–May 3, May 4–10, and May 18–24; outdoor adventure city games also run across those weeks, with playful routes that reveal local landmarks.
Kis-Balaton Guided Excursions
April 24–26, May 1–3, May 5–10, May 12–17, and May 19–24 – Guided tours from the Kis-Balaton Visitor Center to Diás Island’s István Fekete Memorial Site and the Matula Hut, accessed by private car, golf cart, or by water via canoe. Nature meets literature in this wetland escape, multiple times across late spring.
Coming Up
May 21 – “Hogyan Tundék…” musical time travel with the ZsigmondLala Musical Studio amateur group. Details to follow.
