Szombathely never takes a season off. The city’s Feel Szombathely! series rolls out lively weekends packed with music, food, art, and even sports, for anyone who wants to switch off without slowing down. The signature crowd-puller is the Savaria Historical Carnival, while the Savaria International Dance Competition has been a national flagship for more than four decades, right alongside the Lamantin Jazz Festival. Come autumn, the St. Martin’s Day Fair takes over as the headline act every year, with its own nationwide fan base.
Hands-on markets and crafty mornings
On November 22, make your own Advent wreath at the Market Hall (Vásárcsarnok), a cheerful, creative pre-Advent morning. The flea market returns to the Market Hall on November 23, with repeat Zsibvásár dates on November 30, December 7, 14, 21, and 28. Mini flea editions, Minizsibi, pop up on November 26 and December 3, 10, and 17. Producer markets and the late-afternoon Piac Öttől Ötig! keep Thursdays busy on November 27 and December 4, 11, and 18. On November 29, warm up for Christmas with a TálVarázs workshop at the Market Hall to craft your own table centerpiece—pick a mug or a small bowl as the base, and all supplies are provided. December 13 scales up to a full-on Christmas fair and an Advent craft market at the market from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring local artisans, primary producers, food programs, music, talks, and workshops.
Big stages, big names
Charlie brings Annyi minden történt… to the Agora – Cultural and Sports Hall (AGORA – Művelődési és Sportház) on November 24, tickets 13,990–15,990 HUF (about 38–44 USD). On November 29, Presser Gábor – Sztevanovity Dusán – Horváth Péter’s A Padlás (The Attic) lands at AGORA, tickets 8,300 HUF (about 24 USD). November 30 flips to Ring a Swing! Fenyő Miklós AdvenTurné 2025, tickets 9,800–16,800 HUF (27–49 USD). December 7 brings A nagymama (The Grandmother) to AGORA, 8,990–10,990 HUF (24–31 USD). December 8: Kökény 50 with Attila Kökény and Viktor Rakonczai, 12,990–16,990 HUF (35–47 USD). December 15 serves Meztelen igazság (Naked Truth), a musical comedy, 7,900–8,200 HUF (22–24 USD). On December 22, Dalba zárt karácsony (Christmas Trapped in Song) arrives with tickets at 7,500–12,900 HUF (21–37 USD). December 29 closes the year with Michael Cooney’s Nicsak, ki lakik itt?! (Funny Money), 5,900–8,900 HUF (16–25 USD), and New Year’s Eve features Vesztegzár a Grand Hotelben (Quarantine at the Grand Hotel) at the Weöres Sándor Theatre, 7,900 HUF (22 USD).
Comedy hours and one-woman fire
November 26 unleashes Marika for Prezident specziell, Rainer-Micsinyei Nóra’s solo night at Dumaszínház, 5,990–7,190 HUF (16–20 USD). On November 27, Nem bánunk semmit sem… – Híres énekesnők nagy titkai (We Regret Nothing… – The Big Secrets of Famous Female Singers) plays at MMIK, 4,900 HUF (14 USD). After New Year: Pótszilveszter with Péter Aranyosi on January 11, 7,900–9,900 HUF (22–28 USD). January 15 brings Deszeretlek, István Dombóvári’s solo show, hosted by István Bellus, 8,890 HUF (25 USD). January 22 turns serious-funny with Scientific Stand Up – Péter Oszkó on investments, 6,490–6,690 HUF (18–19 USD).
Orchestra glow and film-score snow
The Savaria Symphony Orchestra often plays the Bartók Hall: VI. Gergely Vajda on December 12 (6,500 HUF, 18 USD), A Film Music Christmas on December 19–20 (14,500 HUF, 41 USD), then a glide into 2026 with VII. Gabriel Hollander – Sarah Defries on January 16; VIII. Gergely Vajda – Péter Bársony on February 6; IX. Péter Halász – Abigél Králik on February 27; X. Gergely Vajda – József Balog on March 13; XI. Mátyás Antal – Ditta Rohmann on March 27; XII. Máté Hámori – Pál Mácsai on April 2; XIII. Gergely Vajda – Rozália Szabó on April 17; XIV. János Kovács – Levente Puskás on May 8; XV. Gergely Vajda – György Lakatos on May 29; XVI. Gergely Vajda – Gábor Varga on June 11. All 6,500 HUF (18 USD).
Theater streaks and holiday classics
The Weöres Sándor Theatre stacks runs on December 4–9, 11–13, 15–22, and December 29–31, tickets 2,000–7,900 HUF (6–22 USD). For pure ballet magic, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker hits Arena Savaria (Aréna Savaria) on January 8, 10,500–17,000 HUF (30–48 USD). Spring brings Peter Pan (Pán Péter) on April 18 at AGORA for 3,900–4,900 HUF (11–14 USD), plus Same Time, Next Year (Jövőre Veled ugyanitt!) that evening, 6,900–8,900 HUF (19–25 USD). March 20 marks Bródy 80, tickets 13,990–15,990 HUF (38–44 USD).
