In 2026, Szekszárd’s biggest cultural hub, the Babits Mihály Cultural Center at 7100 Szekszárd, Szent István Square (Szent István tér) 10, rolls out a packed program of theater, concerts, exhibitions, public lectures, family days, and hands-on playhouses. The institution also houses the popular Agora Cinema (Agóra Mozi) and the House of Arts, while its rooms double as a home base for local clubs and art groups that keep the city’s cultural life buzzing throughout the year.
April Highlights: Comedy, Choirs, and a Volcano at Night
April opens on Tuesday, April 21, with two standout evenings. First up: Robin Hawdon’s farce Szeretőből egy is sok (One Lover Is Too Many), appearing as the fourth show in the Orfeum season ticket series. The same day, the CultSips Public University presents Ethiopia, or Candle Lighting at the Erta Ale Volcano, a globe-trotting talk that blends travel, culture, and an unforgettable volcanic nightscape.
On April 24, the Singing Youth Gala Concert (Éneklő Ifjúság Díszhangverseny) takes the stage, showcasing young voices and choral sparkle. April 25 doubles down: the 13th Fedorka–Sosevolt Versnap 2026 celebrates poetry with performances and fresh texts, while the Alisca Brass Band steps forward for a standalone concert that promises brass power and hometown pride.
Rounding out the month, April 27 brings American Comedy – Swing Musical (Amerikai komédia – Szving musical), a jazz-infused theater night. On April 29, the Whole-Health Public University tackles The Love Relationship as Crisis (But Not Only as a Love Crisis) with speaker Cecília Bozzay (Bozzay Cecília), a mental health professional, complex art therapist, and mediator in family, couple, and divorce issues. The free evening is hosted by Margit Pócs, head of the Mental Health Workshop. That same night, the Forrás Folk Dance Ensemble Independent Theater premieres Útravaló (Provisions for the Road), a dance-theater creation blending roots and contemporary movement.
May: Big Musicals, Craft Talks, and a One-Man Night
On May 5, Endre Fejes – Gábor Presser’s Jó estét nyár, jó estét szerelem – A Musical About a Hooligan (Jó estét nyár, jó estét szerelem – Musical egy huligánról) arrives as the fourth show in the Múzsa season ticket series, mixing cult status with a gritty, melodic punch. May 8 invites the curious to Individual Graphology Short Analyses, a brief personal handwriting-reading experience.
Travel fans, circle May 12 as the CultSips Public University journeys From Tashkent to the Aral Sea – Uzbekistan, a deep dive into Central Asia’s landscapes and legacies. On May 14, comedian László Lakatos lands with his solo night I’ve Arrived (Megjöttem), opened by Oliver Wolf; tickets are $21.30. The month continues with Gergő Kovács’s song recital on May 15, and a heartfelt tribute on May 21: What Am I Without Music… – A Cserháti Zsuzsa and Péter Máté Memorial Concert (Zene nélkül mit érek én… – Cserháti Zsuzsa és Máté Péter emlékkoncert), honoring two beloved icons of Hungarian pop and soul.
June: From Pocahontas to Apostol
June belongs to young audiences and evergreen bands. On June 10 and 11—twice on the 11th with dedicated series—Laura Topolcsányi – Viktor Maráth’s Pocahontas hits the stage three times: as the Elementary Season Ticket 4th Show, Elementary Plus Season Ticket 4th Show, and Kindergarten Season Ticket 4th Show. Story, song, and movement are tuned for kids across age groups.
June 13 brings the legendary Apostol to Szekszárd for a concert that’s equal parts nostalgia and sing-along energy. Then June 23 drops a French comedic gem: Husbands in a Jam (Férjek a slamasztikában), a two-act farce where timing and misunderstandings do the heavy lifting.
Autumn and Beyond: Pianos, Mozart, Movies, and a Classic
The fall slate starts September 7 with a duo-piano concert by Endre Hegedűs and Katalin Hegedűs, promising virtuosity and poetic interplay. November 6 brings organist Gergely Rákász – Mozart, a spectacular classical program designed to make the master’s music glow anew. On November 24, a Film Music Concert turns the silver screen’s greatest hits into a live experience.
Looking ahead to winter, January 23, 2027 marks a major theatrical event: László Dés – Péter Geszti – Krisztián Grecsó’s The Paul Street Boys (A Pál utcai fiúk), based on Ferenc Molnár’s beloved novel, makes its Szekszárd appearance. Expect heart, camaraderie, and one of the most enduring coming-of-age stories in Central European literature.
Stay and Savor: Where to Sleep and Sip
If you’re making a weekend of it, Szekszárd’s wine-country hospitality steps in. Hotel Merops****, a wine hotel just a short walk from the city center and next to the Mészáros wine house, pairs tranquil small-town vibes with tailored service in a stylish setting. Nearby, Nádasdi House (Nádasdi Ház) offers 8 rooms and 2 apartments, plus the on-site Main Street Bistro serving a generous, modern-leaning Hungarian menu. They organize wine tastings and host Szekszárd-flavored events in their cellar, from birthdays and friendly dinners to corporate gatherings.
On the city’s north side, Sió Motel sits along Route 6 between the Szekszárd and Tolna wine regions, close to the Gemenc Forest (Gemenc) and the Sárköz area, spread across 2.5 hectares. For a sleek mid-range option, Hotel Zodiaco*** bills itself as the only three-star property in and around Szekszárd, continuously upgrading with guest comfort in mind for both business trips and weekend escapes.
Wine Country Calling: Cellars and Kitchens
Among local producers, Attila Estate (Attila Birtok) in the Baranya Valley cultivates 14 hectares and vinifies Blaufränkisch (Kékfrankos), Kadarka, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Zweigelt. Bodri Winery (Bodri Pincészet) stretches across 247 acres, doubling as a tourism center with a winery, events complex, Optimus Restaurant, show kitchen, and guesthouses in a picturesque southern valley of Szekszárd. The grand cellar spans 19,375 square feet beneath twelve domes, and a 3,229-square-foot aging cellar opens for tours. The 15,069-square-foot rosé plant delivers volume with quality. The estate sleeps 61 in tastefully designed rooms and spoils guests with a thermal-water underground domed Roman bath, jacuzzi, and sauna. In the kitchen, chef Norbert Makk pairs contemporary takes on Hungarian classics with Bodri wines for spot-on harmony.
From big-stage musicals to intimate talks and family matinees, Szekszárd’s 2026 culture diary is set. Bring curiosity, leave with stories—and maybe a bottle or two.
