Veresegyház is turning into Pest County’s cultural hotspot again this summer as Mézesvölgyi Nyár — the VERES 1 SZÍNHÁZ summer festival — rolls out a crowd-pleasing lineup of hit plays, premieres, concerts, and star performers. The outdoor theatre season takes over Búcsú tér (2112) from July through mid-August, promising big emotions, familiar classics, and a world premiere under the open sky. The festival’s mix spans family favorites, musical comedies, and a one-man biographical evening, making it easy to build a long night around a show — with plenty of spots in town to eat, drink, and stay over.
Dates to Circle on Your Calendar
The season opens on July 8 with A Pál utcai fiúk (The Paul Street Boys), a two-part musical adaptation of Ferenc Molnár’s coming-of-age classic that’s become a modern stage staple. Expect a full house for this heartfelt story of friendship and rivalry that Hungarian audiences know by heart.
On July 12, families get The Jungle Book, the Hungarian stage favorite A dzsungel könyve, swinging its way across the Veresegyház stage with irresistible rhythms and beloved characters. It’s the kind of show that pulls in kids and keeps adults smiling, too.
July 22 brings the headline-grabber: Csengetett, Mylord? (You Rang, M’Lord?) — world premiere. Inspired by the cult British sitcom’s upstairs-downstairs mischief, the show promises sharp humor, quick-fire dialogue, and a fresh theatrical spin for a live audience. It’s the season’s big novelty and likely the first to sell out.
August leans into laughter and music. On August 7, Anconai szerelmesek (Lovers of Ancona), a perennial musical comedy hit, delivers sunny Italian vibes, tangled romances, and hummable tunes. Four days later, on August 11, it returns in seaside mood as Anconai szerelmesek a Balatonon (Lovers of Ancona at Lake Balaton), sending the same characters on holiday with even more capers and summer sparkle.
Closing night lands on August 15 with Egy életem, a biographical stand-up evening starring Imre Csuja. The stage legend pulls back the curtain on a life in theatre, mixing memory, humor, and heart in a one-man confessional the audience won’t forget.
How to Plan Your Night Out
All performances are in Veresegyház, at Búcsú tér, easy to reach from Budapest — it’s about a 20-minute drive on the M3. If you’re making a weekend of it, the town is set up for it: lodging, wellness, lakeside strolls, and plenty of dining options near the venues. It’s the kind of summer festival where you can catch a show and keep the night going with dinner, a drink, or even a midnight walk around the water.
Where to Stay
If you like a central base with a small wellness area and an on-site restaurant, Libra Hotel in the heart of Veresegyház is a reliable year-round pick. It’s close to the lakes and looks over the main square, with comfortable rooms, a cozy restaurant, a conference room, and a wellness corner. Being a three-star property, it balances comfort and convenience without overcomplicating things — perfect if you’re booking around show nights.
If you’re here to reset as much as to be entertained, Veresegyház’s “böjtház” retreat offers a garden setting on a spacious 43,055-square-foot plot with fasting programs, sauna, massage, fitness, and body treatments. It’s tucked into the suburban part of town, quiet and green — a soft landing after a packed performance.
For a more boutique, lakeside vibe, look for guesthouses with terraces and kitchens scented with fresh bakes — places built around a reed-fringed lake, with ducks gliding by and a little wooden bridge. These are the secrets locals recommend when you ask for somewhere calm, stylish, and storybook-pretty.
Where to Eat and Drink
Start with the Libra Étterem, the hotel’s restaurant overlooking the square; it’s an easy pre-show stop if you want something straightforward and central. If you’re after a big, friendly setup that can handle groups, the revamped Termál Étterem offers an expanded, air-conditioned dining room, a non-smoking area, clean rooms for overnights, and even a bowling lane. They host events of up to 80 people and have flexible wedding menus if a fest-season celebration is on your mind.
In the mood for a mix-and-match menu? There are spots in town where Hungarian staples meet modern international twists. Expect quality ingredients, a cocktail list that keeps changing, house-made lemonades, and a coffee-and-tea lineup worth lingering over. When spring turns to summer, the sunlit terrace becomes the hangout for a glass of wine or a premium gin and tonic before curtain-up.
Veresegyház also does cozy flawlessly. Think checkered tablecloths and the gentle ripple of water at Ivacsi Lake. The lakeside kisvendéglő serves fish dishes front and center plus a round of comfort classics. It’s the place you imagine when someone says old-school Hungarian hospitality, and it’s perfect for an unhurried dinner after the applause.
Holdfény Étterem sits in a calm pocket of town and specializes in events — weddings, birthdays, reunions, corporate evenings, you name it. For a quick, familiar fix, La Bella Étterem és Pizzéria covers the pizza-and-pasta craving without fuss. Marika Konyhája, a local favorite for over two decades, serves daily menus and à la carte dishes and also handles catering for family and company events, sports days, and weddings.
Save room for dessert. The town’s standout confectioners offer a vast selection of cakes for any occasion, from photo-album classics to one-off custom designs. The Sulyán family of master pastry chefs boasts Olympic and world championship golds, and their Szilvagombóc (Plum Dumpling) cake took the national Cake of the Country title in 2010 — a sweet slice of modern Hungarian culinary history worth seeking out.
Tickets and Contacts
The festival encourages booking by phone, and the organizers are available for questions about dates and details. With a program that swings from Molnár’s boys to a brand-new farce and a veteran’s life story, Mézesvölgyi Nyár 2026 has something to suit every summer mood — and a town ready to keep you fed, rested, and smiling long after the curtain falls.
