Veszprém is rolling out a full-year program from the Archdiocese with exhibitions, concerts, family and kids’ events, guided tours, themed walks, talks, red-letter and holiday programs, and church celebrations across multiple venues in the 8200 district. The spring highlight: Gizella Days, with sacred music, a reflective prayer at the historic Gizella Chapel, a youth faith gathering, and a smart-tech parenting talk—plus a calendar of organ nights through December.
May 7: Gizella Days Festive Organ Concert
The Castle Hill Organ Evenings return on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Michael’s Cathedral, weaving the power of the concert organ with the intimacy of the human voice. Organist András Lakner Bognár (from the Cathedral of the Visitation in Szombathely) joins vocalist Gabi Gál for a one-off program that blends radiant pipes and nuanced vocals in the cathedral’s resonant space.
Tickets: 6.80 USD; students/seniors: 4.10 USD; season pass for 7 concerts: 35.30 USD. Buy at the Biró–Giczey House box office or on-site before the performance.
May 8: Tradition-Building Gizella Days Prayer
At Archbishop György Udvardy’s initiative, a tradition-setting Gizella Days prayer will take place on Friday, May 8, at 7:00 p.m. at the Gizella Chapel—built in honor of Blessed Queen Gisela (Gizella), spouse of King Saint Stephen, and patron-builder of St. Michael’s Cathedral. The chapel also holds the Gisela (Gizella) relic, placed here at the behest of Bishop Ignác Koller, so the site carries both historical weight and spiritual presence.
The approximately one-hour prayer will be intimate, with limited capacity due to the chapel’s size; advance registration is required. Note: seating cannot be brought inside, so participants should be ready to stand for the full hour.
May 8: Mohács 500 Opening Lecture
At 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 8, the Archdiocesan Library and Archives launches its six-part public lecture series marking 500 years since the Battle of Mohács with an opening talk in the Grand Seminary conference hall. Director Dr. Balázs Karlinszky presents Veszprém and the Diocese of Veszprém on the eve of Mohács, tracing the High Medieval life of the episcopal seat and its city right before the fateful clash.
The series explores local, dynastic, ecclesiastical, and international dimensions of the battle’s impact—an event that reshaped Hungarian history and left a lasting imprint on the Church, society, and the wider region.
May 9: Youth Faith Meet—Play, Community, Belief
On Saturday, May 9, the Archdiocese invites young people to a full-day Gizella Days youth gathering in Veszprém, mixing fun with spiritual depth. The day starts with registration, followed by a shared Mass where participants celebrate their faith together. After a communal lunch, expect games, challenges, and hands-on activities, capped with an awards ceremony and closing blessing.
The program is designed so catechism students don’t just learn about faith—they live it, joyfully, in community. There will be skill and sports games, crafts, and quiet moments for spiritual reflection. Highlights include an acolyte mission, the Magdi Hike, lively quizzes, and Caritas-themed sensitivity workshops. The goal: adventure and inner recharge, a shared experience of belonging, and the strength of faith. “Come, test yourself, collect experiences, and be part of a special day!” Sign up through catechists.
May 9: Smart Devices and Kids—Only Consciously
Also on May 9, at 2:00 p.m. in the Archbishop’s Palace ceremonial hall, psychologist Dorottya Pap unpacks digital awareness with a focus on children’s use of smart devices in her talk Children and Smart Devices? Only Consciously! She explains in plain language how screens shape the developing nervous system and what overuse can cost. Expect insights into how digital content steers brain maturation and how apps are engineered to capture time and attention—often invisibly.
Participants will hear what we really “pay” with when using free apps, how dependency forms, and why boredom matters for healthy development: unstructured time is a natural catalyst for growth. The talk offers practical anchors too—reliable sources, where parents can seek help, and references to materials from Bethesda Children’s Hospital. One core message: parents set the example; kids mirror adult digital habits. Tech is part of daily life—the difference between tool and burden largely depends on us. A Q&A follows for personal questions.
More 2026 Dates to Bookmark
– May 17: Gizella Days festive organ concert with András Lakner Bognár returns to the spotlight.
– May 23: Night of the Organs concert with organist Márton Levente Horváth and the Orlando Vocal Ensemble.
– May 28: János Pálúr presents Creation Story—a program built around musical narratives of beginnings.
– September 12: Night of Open Churches with organist Tamás Kosóczki and trumpeter Péter Solymosi exploring sacred soundscapes after dark.
– September 26: St. Michael’s Day concert featuring organist László Deák and flutist Márk Fülep.
– November 21: St. Cecilia’s Day concert with organist István Ruppert and vocalist Krisztina Bognár, honoring the patron saint of music.
– December 19: Advent concert to welcome Christmas with organist Tamás Kosóczki, rounding off the year in candlelit anticipation.
From music and memory to community and conscience, Veszprém’s 2026 program spans the city and the seasons—inviting residents and visitors to listen, learn, pray, and play.
