Children’s programs light up Siófok all year, but December 2025 goes full sparkle on the south shore of Lake Balaton. Expect a whirl of children’s theater, hands-on fun, concerts, pirate boating, playhouses, and family-friendly festivals. The Kálmán Imre Cultural Center (Kálmán Imre Művelődési Központ) anchors the season with big-stage productions, while the city rolls out Mikulás surprises from the railway station to the Grand Beach (Nagystrand). Here’s the full family playbook for a merry month in Siófok.
Süsü the Dragon takes the big stage
December 12, Friday, 10:00
Venue: Kálmán Imre Cultural Center (Kálmán Imre Művelődési Központ)
István Csukás – István Bergendy: Süsü, the Dragon (Süsü, a sárkány) – musical fairy play in 2 acts
Performed by Hadart Színház
Duration: about 120 minutes with intermission
Süsü, the lovable one-headed dragon, is forced to leave the dragons’ realm after his terrifying three-headed father disowns him. People fear him at first, but he soon becomes friends with a wandering prince, and both find a new home at the royal court. Along the way, meet the wistful princess longing for a prince, the caring nanny, the perpetually shivering king, and the endearingly clumsy mercenaries. The full two-act production unfurls with a rotating grand-stage set, original re-orchestrated music, and a spectacular 78.7-inch-tall Süsü puppet authorized by the original puppet-maker.
Cast: Süsü – Ádám Lévai; Prince – Mihály Bordás; Princess – Éva Bátyai / Boglárka Háda; King – János Háda; Nanny – Szilvia Molnár; Trunkó – Csaba Gieler; Brunkó – Gábor Maday; Dragonwort seller – György Juhász; Court jester I – Boglárka Háda / Jázmin Háda; Court jester II – Réka Lakatos / Réka Zsigmond. Directed by János Háda.
The Grinch plots, then melts
December 16, 10:00 (Kisvakond season pass), and 14:00 (Csimota season pass)
Venue: Kálmán Imre Cultural Center (Kálmán Imre Művelődési Központ), theater hall
The Grinch (Grincs) – one-act fairy play by Pesti Művész Színház
A cynical, grumpy green shagpile wants to steal Christmas—until a girl’s pure festive joy turns his heart right-side up. It’s funny, warm, and all about what Christmas means and why optimism refuses to break.
Our Grinch lives alone in a gadget-stuffed cave on Kobak Hill with loyal dog Max, avoiding the Who-like neighbors down in Kifalva unless he needs supplies. Their celebrations grow bigger and louder every year, and when the townsfolk vow to triple Christmas this time, he decides there’s only one way to restore peace: steal it. He disguises himself as Santa, snares a whiny reindeer to pull his sleigh, and sets out. Meanwhile, down in Kifalva, Cindy-Lou Ki plans to trap Santa just to thank him for helping her overworked mom. As Christmas nears, her sweet plan collides hilariously with the Grinch’s mischief.
Pablo and Picasso: Carnival of the Animals
December 20, Saturday, 14:00
Venue: Kálmán Imre Cultural Center (Kálmán Imre Művelődési Központ), theater hall
Pablo and Picasso – or Carnival of the Animals (Pablo és Picasso – avagy az állatok karneválja) – family musical by Pannon Castle Theatre (Pannon Várszínház)
“For thrill-seekers and rule-breakers.” One lead is Pablo the rhinoceros; the other is a boy with a gift for drawing, nicknamed Picasso at school. They connect over a shared sense of absence—maybe love and acceptance—and a thriving imagination. Human and animal communities pull them into adventures, new friends gather, and their common wish finally takes shape. Kids, animals, and even plants unite, building a bridge to a world where every form of life is valued.
Tickets: adult $11.05, child $9.67
Cast highlights: Picasso – Ákos Ruzsin; Pablo – András Koscsisák; Mom – Erika Gyenis / Vanda Horváth; Zenóbia (salamander) – Barbara Kárpáti; Szevériusz (iguana) – Dávid Szelle; Dia (spider) – Borbála Szalontai; Izidor (snail) – Zoltán Dániel Pintér; Kriksz – Fruzsina Farkas / Flóra Sági; Kraksz – Zsófia Kovács; Parlando (beetle) – Titán Perger; Falafel (vegan lion) – Gergely Kuti; Ti-Ti Szün (parrot) – Nóra Magashegyi; Datolya (chimp) – Boglárka Takáts / Flóra Sági; Kókusz – Zsanett Fanni Kutasi; Bambusz – Manka Kiss-Kocsis; Bori – Panka Kiss / Panna Bori Balogh; Somolyay – László Keresztesi; Ivett – Kamilla Kátai; Lizard agent – Flóra Sági / András Czombál; plus ensemble. Play space: László Vándorfi; costumes: Erzsébet Rátkai; choreography: Kristóf Widder; associate team: Kitti Szücs, Nikolett Balázs; co-director: Márton Lenchés; director: László Vándorfi.
Mikulás on rails, waves, and sand
December 5, 10:00–18:00 – Mikulás on the railway, Siófok Station, Millennium Park 1.
December 6 – Mikulás Run in Siófok.
December 6 – Siófok Children’s Boat with Mikulás on board.
December 6 – Mikulás at Siófok Grand Beach (Nagystrand). The Christmas Story Bus rolls in with the red “Télapó-mobile” (télapómobil) open for peeks inside, packed with stories and festive vibes from December 6 through December 23. Drop by 10:00–18:00 to meet Santa and soak up the glow on the beachside promenade.
Mark the dates
December 12 – Siófok events hub stays buzzing.
December 16 – Double Grinch shows for pass holders.
December 23 – City Mikulás wraps the season.
Organizers reserve the right to change dates and programs.
