A whole season of family and kids’ programs is rolling into the Zsolnay Quarter in Pécs, blending play, discovery, and pure downtime every day of the week. Expect baby theater, puppet shows, planetarium sessions, hands-on science, craft and educational workshops, plus family-friendly experiences across multiple venues in the city’s cultural heart. Mark your calendars from early January, and keep an eye out for returning favorites that pop up through March.
January Kickoff: Space tales and glazed stories
January 3 opens with Space Tales, a family program in Pécs that leans into rockets, exploration, and the glow of the cosmos—perfect for curious minds itching for liftoff. The same day, the Quarter invites you to step inside history and design with a trio of themed programs: In the Footsteps of the Zsolnays – a guided walk through the family’s former home; Tile Folding – a notebook-cover workshop that reimagines classic Zsolnay motifs; and Zsolnay and Pécs – thematic guided tours through the Zsolnay Family and Factory History Exhibition. It’s a crash course in local heritage, wrapped in stories and craft you can take home.
On January 4, Glazed Stories returns—museum education tailored to kindergarteners and 1st–2nd graders. Think tactile, visual, and totally kid-centered. That same day, Silk Painting Experience Classes open up a dreamy color lab, and Ceramic Experience Painting brings brushes to bisque in the Zsolnay Quarter. It’s all about making and learning without losing the fun.
Science that crackles, play that roots you
Varázsóra – The Icy Breath of Air is scheduled twice, January 10–11 and January 24–25. This science show plays with physics and the strange magic of cold air, making invisible forces both visible and thrilling. It’s interactive, it’s clever, and it’s built for kids who love to ask why.
January 11 launches Kerekerdő Playhouse, a cozy hub for ages 4–8 with folk games, storytelling, and crafty sessions. It’s old-school in the best way—hands, voices, and imagination front and center. Kerekerdő returns on February 8 and March 8, so if you miss one, you’ve got two more chances to jump in.
Puppet-making weekends
January is peak puppet season. January 17 and January 31 both host Handicraft Puppet-Making Workshops, where children try out different puppet techniques and make their own characters tied to Bóbita’s performances. It’s the perfect crossover: build a puppet, then see the world it lives in on stage. Expect a lively mix of fabric, felt, string, and plenty of gluey fingers.
Glazed Stories circles back on January 18 for another museum-education round for the youngest learners, keeping the rhythm of art and story going throughout the month.
Lights, moonlight, mandalas
Running October 24, 2025 through February 1, 2026, The Enchanted Forest of Lights turns evenings into a glowing walk-through—think immersive light installations for all ages. On January 10, Moonlight Ramble adds a nighttime wander to the mix, inviting families to experience the Quarter and its surroundings in a softer, silvery frame.
On January 11, What Is Your Mandala? rolls in with mindful making—patterns, symmetry, and color meditations that are surprisingly soothing for both kids and adults.
Where to stay: Pécs picks for families
The Adele Boutique Hotel sits in a protected 19th-century building in the historic center, marrying turn-of-the-century charm with modern comforts in its rooms and apartments. Barbakán Hotel, just behind Pécs Cathedral, offers 3-star doubles, triples, and quads, plus a conference room and garage. In the hillside villa district above downtown, you’ll find quiet stays close to forest trails and the city—zoo and Da Vinci Private Clinic nearby, Mandulás playground and fire pits a short walk away, with guided hikes for groups.
Bagolyvár, perched on airy Havihegy, pairs a serene view toward the Zengő side of Pécs with a folk-art twist: 19 rooms decorated with Hungarian folk motifs and six suites styled after traditional press houses, each channeling a famous Hungarian wine’s vibe. Its restaurant leans into Hungarian classics and nostalgic sweets, with international dishes rounding out the menu. Boutique Hotel Sopianae contrasts a heritage exterior with a modern interior, promising personalized service in a warm, discreet atmosphere. For nature lovers between Remete-rét and Orfű, the Büdöskút key-house is a 12-bed stop along the Blue Trail and Green Cross routes, about 800 m off the paved road. More central options include an apartment hotel near the World Heritage Early Christian sites and Museum Street, and fully renovated lodging in the former convent of the Congregation of Our Lady, a Baroque gem from around 1870. Another downtown hotel puts you within a short stroll of the historic core, with the Knowledge Centre and Kodály Centre only 1,640 ft away.
Eat and treat: from chocolate to bisztró
Start sweet at Angyali Kísértés Chocolate Shop with chocolates, bonbons, and home-style cakes. For generous plates with zero fuss—fried, grilled, or stuffed meats, brassói-style bites, fish, oven dishes, risottos, pastas, flatbreads, pizzas, soups, salads, and desserts—there’s a laid-back local tavern that’s great for celebrations, match-watching, or just catching up. A downtown spot follows Hungarian culinary traditions with reliable quality and fair prices, serving changing lunch menus plus early coffee, sandwiches, house pogácsa, and hand-stretched strudel from 8 a.m., and catering both on-site and off. Aranykacsa Restaurant (Aranykacsa Étterem) champions local ingredients and wine culture, with spaces tailored to the moment: tastings in the Vinárium, casual meals and drinks in the Tüke room, family and protocol dining in the Zsolnay room, and weddings or parties upstairs in the Dakk hall and garden.
Bagolyvár’s restaurant reprises its folk-forward vibe with panoramic views and a blend of Hungarian and international dishes focused on heritage recipes and desserts. At the gateway to the Balkans, a true bistro kitchen keeps things fresh, homey, and well priced. Big Bell Restaurant (Big Bell Étterem) now boasts a craft show brewery and beer garden, while Bohemia Beer Kitchen (Bohemia Sörkonyha) in the city center is exactly what it says: Beer – Burger – BBQ. For weekday fuel, Borostyán Fast Food on Király Street handles Monday–Friday lunches 11:00–16:00 with quality, affordable meals, and PAULUS shape-shifts through the day—café in the morning, self-service at noon, pub by evening with regular events.
Organizers reserve the right to change event dates and programs.
