Pécs turns winter weekends into a playground for kids and families, with the Zsolnay Quarter rolling out a packed calendar of baby theater, puppetry, planetarium shows, hands-on science sessions, and creative workshops. From January through March 2026, the city’s arts hub keeps little ones busy and curious every day with performances, discovery programs, and crafty downtime across multiple venues in the 7600 district.
The big crowd-pleaser, Varázsóra – A levegő jeges lehelete (Magic Lesson – The Icy Breath of Air), returns over several weekends to spotlight the chilly side of physics and air. Planetarium highlights and interactive experiments anchor the program list, supported by traditional games, folk storytelling, and puppet-making linked to Bóbita performances. Preschoolers and early graders get their own museum education sessions, while families are encouraged to mix, match, and make a day of it in the Quarter’s walkable spaces.
January Kickoff: Science, Storytime, and Handy Crafts
January 10–11 sets the tone with Varázsóra – A levegő jeges lehelete (Magic Lesson – The Icy Breath of Air) in Pécs, bringing cold-air demos, science basics, and gasp-worthy visual tricks that hook younger audiences without losing the grownups. On January 11, Kerekerdő játszóház (Round Forest Playhouse) opens its cozy playhouse for ages 4–8 with folk games, live storytelling, and hands-on crafting—perfect for kids who love making things and hearing tales spun face-to-face.
On January 17, Kézműves-bábkészítő foglalkozás (Craft Puppet-Making Workshop) dives into puppet-making. Kids explore different puppet techniques and build their own characters tied to Bóbita’s stage repertoire—think texture, shape, and movement, all designed for small hands and big imaginations. January 18 shifts gears with Mázba zárt mesék (Tales Sealed in Glaze), a museum education session tailored for kindergarteners and grades 1–2, blending stories with ceramics and glaze—an art-history-meets-play approach that keeps kids engaged.
January 24–25 brings another round of Varázsóra – A levegő jeges lehelete (Magic Lesson – The Icy Breath of Air), ensuring no one misses the frosty fun. The month closes on January 31 with a second Kézműves-bábkészítő foglalkozás (Craft Puppet-Making Workshop), giving creative kids another chance to craft puppets and learn stage-savvy tricks.
February and March: Folk Playhouse Returns
Kerekerdő játszóház (Round Forest Playhouse) comes back on February 8 with its simple formula that works: folk games, storytelling, and kid-friendly crafting for the 4–8 crowd. March 8 repeats the set—same warmth, same charm, fresh stories—building a rhythm of monthly playdates that grow with the kids.
Don’t-Miss Extras Around Pécs
Beyond the core family program, the city layers on mood and magic. From October 24, 2025, through February 1, 2026, Fények Elvarázsolt Erdeje (Enchanted Forest of Lights) turns the season into a luminous dreamscape—an enchanted forest of lights perfect for evening strolls with bundled-up kids.
On January 10, A Zsolnayak léptei nyomában – séta a család egykori otthonában (In the Footsteps of the Zsolnays – Walk Through the Family’s Former Home) offers a guided tour of the historic Zsolnay family home, a deep dive into the legacy behind the Quarter’s artistry. Night owls can opt for Barangolás a holdfényben (Moonlit Ramble) the same day, a moonlit wander that flips the city’s mood from daytime bustle to quiet glow. January 11 adds Milyen a te mandalád? (What’s Your Mandala Like?), a workshop that lets participants design their own mandalas—reflection, color theory, and meditative pattern-making wrapped into one.
Stay the Weekend: Where to Sleep
Pécs makes it easy to turn a program day into a mini-break. Adele Boutique Hotel Pécs pairs a 19th-century protected building with modern finishes in the historic center, delivering a luxe blend of period charm and contemporary comfort. Barbakán Hotel sits just behind the Cathedral, close to the Old Town, offering two-, three-, and four-bed rooms, a conference space, and a garage.
For a hillside escape, Bagolyvár above Havihegy brings fresh air and sweeping views toward Pécs’ Zengő side. Rooms draw on Hungarian folk art across 19 uniquely decorated spaces, plus six suites modeled after traditional press houses, each themed to a classic Hungarian wine. Its attached restaurant leans into old-school Hungarian recipes alongside international picks.
Smaller groups can book the Büdöskúti kulcsosház (Büdöskút Key House), tucked between Remete-rét and Orfű about 800 yards off the main road along the Blue Trail (Kék-túra) and Green Cross (Zöld Kereszt) trails, sleeping up to 12—ideal for hikers and nature-loving families. The centrally located Boutique Hotel Sopianae flips the script with a heritage-look exterior and modern interior design, while other city guesthouses and apartment hotels cluster close to the World Heritage early Christian sites, the Cathedral, and Museum Street.
Eat, Sip, Repeat: Family Dining in Town
Fuel the day with Angyali Kísértés Csokoládé (Angelic Temptation Chocolate) for chocolates, bonbons, and homestyle cakes. For all-ages bistro comfort, head to spots that do it all: Hungarian classics with modern touches, pizzas and pastas for picky eaters, soups and salads for light bites, plus hearty grills and oven-baked plates for post-planetarium appetites. Big Bell Étterem (Big Bell Restaurant) now boasts a microbrewery and beer garden; Bohemia Sörkonyha (Bohemia Beer Kitchen) leans into Beer – Burger – BBQ downtown; Paulus morphs from café in the morning to self-serve at lunch and a beer spot by night. Quick and friendly lunch? Borostyán Gyorsétterem (Amber Fast Food) on Király Street covers weekdays 11:00–16:00 with affordable, reliable plates.
Many venues offer event rooms for family celebrations, receptions, or group meetups. Whether you want wine tastings at the Vinárium, a casual drink in the Tüke room, formal meals in the Zsolnay room, or a festive upstairs banquet in the Dakk hall with garden seating, there’s a table—and a vibe—for every crew.
Program schedules are subject to change. Organizers reserve the right to modify dates and content.
