The Zsolnay Cultural Quarter in Pécs, the largest investment of the Pécs 2010 European Capital of Culture project, has grown into the city and region’s standout arts, culture, and leisure hub. For 2026, it’s rolling out concerts, theater, comedy, family days, science camps, car shows, and candlelit symphonic nights across its gardens, stages, and even a 200-car parking garage turned exhibition hall.
May Highlights
On May 13, protocol expert and bestselling speaker Ibolya Görög arrives with Hurrá – nyaralunk! (Hurray – We’re Going on Vacation!), a sharp and funny etiquette tour for the holiday season. Tickets run about 15 USD. May 14 brings Metronóm Jazz Klub: Boggie – Apoteózis, followed by the Boogie Show – Pécs on May 15. On May 20, Zsolnay Színház hosts Krusovszky Dénes’s Akik már nem leszünk sosem (Those We Will Never Become), a haunting stage adaptation.
The automotive gem arrives May 23–24: the 3rd Japanese Classic Car Show returns, this time at the Zsolnay Quarter, with talks and a stunning lineup inside a parking garage that can handle 200 cars. On May 26, Dumaszínház presents Lehetek őszinte? (Can I Be Honest?)—Elek Péter’s solo evening, hosted by Gergő Szobácsi—with tickets from about 19 to 22 USD. May wraps with a full-on family fête: Városi Gyereknap (City Children’s Day) on May 31.
June: Music, Cabaret, and Club Jazz
June 6 features Lázár tesók (The Lázár Brothers), Domokos and Ágoston, familiar from Esti Kornél and Pegazusok nem léteznek (Pegasuses Don’t Exist). Their stripped-back, intimate songs balance melancholy and humor in clean, beautiful forms. On June 10, Karinthy és barátai (Karinthy and Friends) brings cabaret with Eszter Csákányi and Steve Hajdu. On June 16, the Loupe Társulat stages James Fritz: 4:12. On June 18, Metronóm Jazz Klub celebrates Egri János 60. Also watch for Kökény Attila & Rakonczai Viktor – Újra látlak… on June 19, tickets around 27 USD.
Summer Science and Weekly Picks
Two sessions of Természettudományos kaland (Science Adventure) summer camp run July 13–17 and July 20–24. Weekly Pécs and Zsolnay roundups keep calendars full across May–July, while Saturday tours invite beer fans to Fedezd fel a Pécsi Sörfőzdét! (Discover the Pécs Brewery!) for tastings every Saturday. More Metronóm Jazz Klub stops: Oláh Dezső Trió – Intermezzo on July 16; Fusio Group – New Visions on August 13.
Autumn Into Orchestral Nights
September brings a green turn with Alkalmazkodás a változó klímához – Nyárálló fák, cserjék és évelők (Adapting to Climate Change – Summer-Hardy Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials) on Sept 9. On Sept 17, Vecsei H. Miklós and QJÚB present Szarvassá változott fiú kiáltozása a titkok kapujából (The Boy Who Turned into a Stag Shouting at the Gate of Secrets). Sept 24: organist Gergely Rákász performs MOZART, tickets about 16–21 USD.
Big-Name Concerts and Theater
October 7 sets the mood with a Hans Zimmer candlelight concert, about 35–40 USD, followed by Kálmán–Lehár–Pozsgai: Mosolyország királynője (The Queen of Smile Country) on Oct 10, tickets roughly 15–19 USD.
November to December Premieres
November stacks up: Jövőre Veled ugyanitt! (Same Time, Next Year!) on Nov 5, QUEEN Symphonic Live on Nov 16 at about 27–41 USD, and Vivaldi: The Four Seasons by candlelight on Nov 19 (about 35–40 USD). Tvrtko – Csernobil 40 (exclusive lecture) appears Nov 18, tickets about 22 USD. December 12 closes the year in a glow: Ennio Morricone filmzenéje gyertyafénynél! (Ennio Morricone by Candlelight), about 35–40 USD.
Into 2027
April keeps the flame: April 17 brings ARETHA FRANKLIN Live Show starring Gisele Jackson (about 16–43 USD), and April 21 delivers MICHAEL – The Michael Jackson Show from London’s West End (about 16–43 USD).
