A murder mystery is coming to the Festetics Palace (Festetics-kastĂ©ly) in Keszthely on October 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM, and it’s not your average whodunit. Step inside one of Hungary’s grandest castles, gather your wits, and join the hunt among the nation’s top 50 private sleuths. For $52 per person, you and your friends (ages 14 and up only!) get to play detective, crack the case of a sudden murder, and work through clues and evidence in a dazzling historical setting. Spots are limited, and all participants are welcomed with a drink, as well as sweet and savory treats. The winning team? You’ll just have to see the surprise for yourself.
Model Train Mania Meets Detective Fun
On October 20, November 15, and December 20, a special event takes over both the Model Railway Exhibition (VasĂştmodell kiállĂtás) and the Historical Playhouse (TörtĂ©nelmi JátĂ©kpark). From 10 AM to 5 PM, kids and adults alike can take on a “hidden scenes” challenge: find the secrets concealed along the huge railway diorama using your phone and your sharp investigative skills. Everyone who succeeds receives a small reward. The day doesn’t end there—hop onto the miniature train and finish up at the Historical Playhouse, where crafts and board games set the tone for a perfect Saturday adventure.
Fall Break: Each Day with a Twist
From October 23 to November 2, the Historical Playhouse becomes the ultimate fall break hangout for families. Each day offers something unique:
– Mondays bring classic slide film screenings for a touch of nostalgia,
– Tuesdays host board game championships for competitive spirits,
– Wednesdays transform kids into their favorite fairy-tale heroes with glitter tattoos or face painting,
– Thursdays are all about animal, fairy-tale, and playful trivia—with real prizes,
– Fridays feature a detective hunt packed with surprises and fun,
– Saturdays ramp up with a UNO PARTY (first to finish their cards wins),
– Sundays turn into “Green Day,” promoting creative recycling through napkin decoupage and pebble painting.
Screen time is out: real experiences, new friends, and a whole lot of laughter await every child whose family brings them along.
Fall at the Castle: Tours, Exhibits, and Spooky Nights
Meanwhile, from October 24 to November 2 (except November 1), the Festetics Palace comes alive with themed guided tours. Explore “Coaches, Carriages, Automobiles in Aristocratic Life” at 11:00 AM, discover “Hunting as an Indispensable Part of Conservation” at 1:00 PM, and experience the magical “Night Lights at the Historic Model Railway Exhibition” at 2:30 PM. It’s also the only time each year that the palace’s northern wing opens its grand ballrooms, suites, and the legendary Venetian Mirror Hall (Velencei tükörterem) to visitors.
Bedtime Theatre with Angéla Eke (Eke Angéla)
Mark your calendar for October 25 for something a little magical: Sleep Theatre (AlvĂłszĂnház) with actress AngĂ©la Eke (Eke AngĂ©la). Twice that day (4:30 PM and 8:30 PM), guests lounge on beautiful beds surrounded by plush blankets and pillows, rather than stiff theater seats. AngĂ©la tucks you in—yes, literally—before reading a special tale, blending the art of storytelling with comfort in a dreamy, immersive setting. Tickets are available at the palace box office or online.
Model-Making & Crafty Creativity for Families
Also on October 25, the Historical Playhouse invites creative families to an afternoon of original t-shirt printing. Bring your own shirt, create your own unique print from scratch or use the provided templates, and take home wearable art. Aimed at children ages 5–10 (with parents), this hands-on workshop runs alongside slides, a bouncy castle, and scores of indoor games, led by graphic artist Zsolt Bankó from the Festetics Art Workshop (Festetics Műhely).
Halloween Nights: Not for the Faint of Heart
October 28–30 brings a spine-tingling twist: “Halloween Nights” at Festetics Palace, after dark. Small groups (no more than 25, ages 14 and up only!) are led through echoing corridors and haunted halls, with mysterious shadows and sounds from centuries past lurking at every turn. Choose from 6:00 or 7:30 PM entry slots and get your tickets while they last—these immersive tours are popular and spooky.
October 30 adds a special feature: a tracking event at the Hunting Exhibition (Vadászati kiállĂtás). Learn to spot animal tracks and other wild signs—perfect for aspiring naturalists and curious minds.
Holiday Magic and Special Exhibits
From November 30 to December 31, immerse yourself in the lace artistry of the Halas Lace Exhibition (Halas csipke kiállĂtás) in the palace’s northern wing.
December 6 is pure family magic: the “Santa Experience” at the Playhouse. Bake buttery cookies for Santa, prepare treats for the reindeer, ride the special Santa Train (ticket included), write your wish and post it straight to the North Pole, and join the group in a song at 4 PM to make sure Santa finds his way. Kids and families are welcomed to an unforgettable, creative, and joyful pre-Christmas celebration.
However you choose to spend your autumn and winter in Keszthely, Festetics Palace and the Historical Playhouse are giving you plenty of reasons not to stay home. A heady mix of mysteries, hands-on arts, enchanting theater, and a dash of holiday magic awaits.
