Pécs turns into a playground for families as the Zsolnay Quarter rolls out a full slate of kid-focused programs across multiple venues on Saturday, December 27, 2025. From baby theater and puppetry to planetarium sessions, hands-on science workshops, and craft and educational activities, it’s a weeklong mix of discovery and downtime in the city’s arts hub. The day also features a tactile design stop: Csempehajtogatás (Tile Folding) – a notebook cover–folding workshop rooted in tile patterns, set in Pécs on the same date. Organizers note they reserve the right to change the time and program, so check before heading out.
Hands-on, eyes-wide-open programming
Baby theater brings the very youngest into a calm, sensory-rich space where sound, color, and gentle movement do the storytelling. Puppetry sessions offer a playful bridge from make-believe to meaning, while the planetarium opens a gateway to the night sky with family-friendly shows that shrink the cosmos to kid size. The Zsolnay Quarter leans into interactivity: science-based workshops turn curious fingers into mini lab assistants, with simple experiments that explain the everyday, and craft corners blend making with learning so children leave with both a keepsake and a concept. Throughout the Quarter, the rhythm is relaxed and welcoming, built for pram pushers and school-age explorers alike.
Spotlight: Csempehajtogatás notebook cover workshop
On December 27, a tile-folding studio pops up in Pécs: Csempehajtogatás (Tile Folding) marries pattern play with paper engineering to create custom notebook covers. Participants fold designs inspired by the region’s famed ceramics, turning the city’s built heritage into something pocket-sized and personal. It’s a short, tactile session big on fine motor skills and visual rhythm—ideal for kids who love making things and parents who love leaving with useful souvenirs.
After hours: Enchanted Woods of Light
Running from October 24, 2025 to February 1, 2026, Fények Elvarázsolt Erdeje (Enchanted Woods of Light) keeps the magic going well past sunset. It’s a light-trail experience where paths glow, shapes bloom from darkness, and families can stroll through illuminated scenes that remix winter nights into something dreamy. Perfect as a wind-down after a busy day in the Quarter or as a standalone highlight during the holiday stretch.
Stay the night: character-rich hotels and hideaways
The Adele Boutique Hotel brings four-star polish to a protected 19th-century building in Pécs’s historic center, blending period charm with modern comfort in rooms and apartments. The Barbakán Hotel sits just behind Pécs Cathedral and steps from the old town, with two-, three-, and four-bed rooms, a conference room, and garage parking—great for families rolling in by car. For a city-meets-nature balance, a quiet, family-run guesthouse hugs the Mecsek hillside villa district above downtown: forest trails start within five minutes, the city is just as close, the zoo and Da Vinci private clinic are nearby, and Mandulás—packed with playgrounds, fire pits, and walking routes to the TV tower—lies only a few hundred meters away. Groups can even book free guided hikes.
The Büdöskúti key cabin is a rustic midpoint between Remete-rét and Orfű, about 800 m northwest of the main road along the Blue Trail (Kéktúra) and Green Cross (Zöld Kereszt) trails, sleeping up to 12—ideal for outdoorsy groups. Boutique Hotel Sopianae plants itself in the city center with a pleasing contrast: a heritage exterior wrapped around a modern interior, plus warm, discreet service. Another restored gem is the former residence of the Congregation of Our Lady canons: a Baroque, protected building from around 1870, fully renovated to a modern standard right in downtown Pécs. For apartment-style stays, an aparthotel sits a short walk from the World Heritage early Christian burial sites, the Cathedral, and the famed museum street in a leafy villa neighborhood.
Bagolyvár: views, folk flair, and old-school flavors
Perched above Pécs on Havihegy, Bagolyvár breathes clean air and calm. Its charm lives in 19 rooms decorated with Hungarian folk motifs, plus six suite-like lodgings modeled on wine press houses—each designed to reflect the character and atmosphere of a famous Hungarian grape variety. Guests get sweeping views across the Zengő-facing side of the city in a hush that’s hard to find downtown. The attached restaurant leans into Hungarian home cooking, sweet nostalgia, and international plates, dressed in stylish décor.
Eat your way across town
Aranykacsa Restaurant (Aranykacsa Étterem) champions local ingredients and modern technique, pairing quality dining with wine culture. Tastings happen in the Vinárium; casual drinks and meals in the Tüke room; family or protocol gatherings in the Zsolnay room; and weddings, banquets, or birthdays upstairs in the Dakk hall and in the garden. A likable bistro at the Balkans’ gateway serves fresh, homestyle dishes with good ingredients in a relaxed, value-driven setting. Big Bell Restaurant (Big Bell Étterem) adds a small craft show-brewery and beer garden for hops fans.
In central Pécs, Bohemia Beer Kitchen (Bohemia Sörkonyha) rings the bell for Beer – Burger – BBQ, while Borostyán Fast Food (Borostyán Gyorsétterem) on Király Street covers weekday lunches 11:00–16:00 with budget-friendly, quality plates. PAULUS is a shapeshifter: café in the morning, self-service eatery at lunch, and a beer spot in the evening, with a steady program of events. For sweet cravings, Angelic Temptation Chocolate Shop (Angyali Kísértés) tempts with chocolates, bonbons, and homemade-style pastries.
Easy city days, full family memories
The Zsolnay Quarter’s kids’ calendar makes it simple: show up, try something new, and let curiosity set the pace. With planetarium sessions that shrink the universe and baby theater that expands attention spans, the day builds naturally from quiet wonder to hands-on making. Add an evening wander through an Enchanted Woods of Light, and Pécs feels tailor-made for families in the holiday season—especially when a warm room, a hearty dinner, and a hilltop view are waiting a short stroll or drive away.
Note: Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
