Pest County’s biggest multidisciplinary open-air arts event, Mézesvölgyi Nyár — the VERES 1 SZÍNHÁZ Summer Festival — returns in summer 2026 with blockbuster plays, music, and star performers under the trees of Veresegyház. It’s the 10th outdoor theater season for the festival, which has grown into one of the region’s cultural anchors thanks to a 1,900-seat venue, a nature-close setting, and a lineup that swings from family shows and musicals to concerts and one-off spectacle nights. The stage is set at Búcsú tér in Veresegyház, and tickets go fast for this easygoing, summer-evening ritual just outside Budapest.
Where and when
The 2026 season opens on Wednesday, July 8 at Búcsú tér, 2112 Veresegyház. From there, performances roll through August, with headline titles and special guests sprinkled across the calendar. The festival team mixes genres by design: feel-good favorites, cult Hungarian musicals, laugh-heavy comedies, and music-driven shows keep the tempo varied, the crowd broad, and the vibes simple — arrive, sit back, and let the warm air and stage lights do the rest.
On stage: classics, hits, and a cult favorite
The summer kicks off on July 8 with A Pál utcai fiúk (The Paul Street Boys), presented as a two-part musical play. The beloved Ferenc Molnár story about friendship, loyalty, and a dusty Budapest lot takes on fresh life in the open air — a perfect starter for family audiences and anyone craving that mix of nostalgia and momentum that the festival nails so well.
On August 7, Anconai szerelmesek (Lovers of Ancona), the breezy, music-infused comedy, lands on Mézesvölgyi Nyár’s outdoor stage. Packed with seaside charm, cheeky humor, and earworm tunes, it returns on August 11 at the Mézesvölgyi Open-Air Stage to meet demand. It’s a crowd-pleaser for date nights and friend groups who want a summer shot of joy without overthinking the plot.
Then, on August 15, actor Imre Csuja takes the microphone for Egy életem (One Life), a biographical stand-up evening. Expect life stories, stage war tales, and the kind of humor that only comes from decades of craft. It’s intimate, disarming, and tailor-made for the festival’s late-summer glow.
Easy access, laid-back flow
Mézesvölgyi Nyár makes the most of Veresegyház’s green setting, with a big, comfortable auditorium, clear sightlines, and that crucial summer ingredient: a friendly, unhurried atmosphere. It’s an easy trip from Budapest’s city center — about 20 minutes off the M3 — so you can make a night of it without the logistics stress. Organizers keep the program varied, so there’s always a fit: bring the kids to the classics, plan a musical night with friends, or try something different with a storytelling set that leans on wit and heart.
Make it a weekend: where to stay
If you’re extending your trip, Veresegyház has a few solid bases. The Libra Hotel sits in the heart of town near the lakes, with a cozy wellness area and the main-square-facing Libra Étterem; it’s a three-star option built for year-round comfort, with conference space if your trip doubles as work and play. In the garden-dotted suburbs, a fasting house on a 43,055-square-foot plot mixes wellness with rest — think sauna, massage, fitness, and body treatments — a reboot between shows.
Eat, sip, repeat
There’s no shortage of food and drink to wrap around a performance. The revamped Termál Étterem offers an expanded, air-conditioned dining room, a non-smoking area, and even a bowling lane — plus clean rooms upstairs if you want everything in one spot. They host events for up to 80 guests and offer wallet-friendly wedding menus, too.
For lakeside charm, the Ivacsi Lake (Ivacsi-tó) small inn sticks to old-school hospitality: checkered tablecloths, a family vibe, and fish dishes alongside other Hungarian staples. Holdfény Restaurant (Holdfény Étterem) handles everything from weddings to class reunions in calm surroundings, with a warm staff and flexible event planning. La Bella Restaurant and Pizzeria (La Bella Étterem és Pizzéria) is here for pizza nights and casual dinners, while Marika’s Kitchen (Marika Konyhája) — a local favorite for more than two decades — runs daily menus and à la carte, plus catering for family and corporate events, sports days, and weddings.
Craving something sweet? A local confectioner with three master pastry chefs lines its showcases with celebration-ready cakes. Pick a design from the photo albums or go custom; their trophy case includes multiple Olympic and world champion gold medals earned by junior Sulyán, so you’re in careful hands for big-occasion sugar art.
How to plan your festival night
– Book early. With a 1,900-seat capacity, performances still sell out, especially cult favorites like Anconai szerelmesek.
– Pair your show with dinner. Reserve a terrace table from early spring or head for lakeside comfort at Ivacsi Lake (Ivacsi-tó) before curtain-up.
– Bring the kids to the classics. A Pál utcai fiúk hits the sweet spot for families and keeps everyone engaged.
– Add a wellness day. Use the lakes, saunas, or a massage to turn one show into a weekend reset.
Dates at a glance
– July 8, 2026 — A Pál utcai fiúk (two-part musical play), Veresegyház
– August 7, 2026 — Anconai szerelmesek (musical comedy), Mézesvölgyi Nyár Open-Air Festival, Veresegyház
– August 11, 2026 — Anconai szerelmesek (musical comedy), Mézesvölgyi Open-Air Stage, Veresegyház
– August 15, 2026 — Egy életem (One Life), biographical stand-up with Imre Csuja, Veresegyház
Summer in Veresegyház is built for easy culture, with enough variety to keep repeat visits fresh. Book the tickets, pick your table, and let the Mézesvölgyi stage handle the rest.
