Festivals & Events

On the 18th of October, Debrecen Zoo will host a special event, where a magical multimedia exhibition and light show will open for the first time in a rural city, from 5:00 p.m. At the opening ceremony, Mayor László Papp will officially inaugurate the exhibition and the park's latest renewable energy investment, which will provide a quarter of the non-profit company's electricity consumption for the whole year, thus covering the entire renewable energy needs of the exhibition for half a year. Garden of Lights is a magical space with light installations and projections, transporting visitors to the world of Pinocchio. It's a great family attraction, combining fairy tales, technology, and creativity, creating unforgettable memories and connecting generations. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased at early bird prices via this link. The exhibition is open from the 18th of October,2024 to the 2nd of March, 2025. It is worth reserving a minimum of one hour for a walk in the garden. More information about the lightshow can be found at this link. Date: 18 October, 2024 - 2 March, 2025 Location: Debrecen Zoo Source:dehir.hu, gardenoflights.com/en/

As last year the audience can see a series of  Royal Ballet performances via live satellite replay screenings starting with Alice in Wonderland on the 20th of October. The latest shows will be on screen on the first Sunday after the live broadcast, at a family-friendly time, from 3:00 p.m. in a live satellite replay mode Tickets are available online and at the Apollo Cinema’s box office. Normal ticket: HUF 2700/ performance Children//Pensioner/Educator ticket: HUF  2200/ performance (Discount tickets can only be purchased in person at the box office.) 20 October, 2024, 3.00 p.m. ALICE IN WONDERLAND, ballet Running time: 205 minutes, with two intermissions Fall down the rabbit hole in the ballet adaptation of Lewis Carroll's famous fairy tale.Travel with Alice to Wonderland and meet a host of eccentric characters in Christopher Wheeldon's uniquely spectacular family ballet. Tickets:https://jegy.apollomozi.hu/?jegyfoggalas&id=31607 15 December, 2024, 3.00 p.m. CINDERELLA, ballet Running time: 195 minutes, with two intermissions During Advent, the audience can fall into a magical world where even dreams come true with a little fairy dust! This colourful ballet by the founding choreographer of the Royal Ballet, Frederick Ashton, offers an unforgettable theatre experience for the whole family. Tickets:https://jegy.apollomozi.hu/?jegyfoggalas&id=31609 22 December, 2024, 3.00 […]

The 21st Verzió Film Festival welcomes all interested visitors with exciting documentaries and community events in Debrecen too between the 14th and the 17th of November. Verzió International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival was founded in 2004 with the founders’ vision to create a platform, till then missing from Hungary, for international documentary films with a focus on human rights. Screenings: 14 November 5.00 p.m. Black Snow, https://verzio.org/en/2024/films/black-snow 15 November 5.00 p.m. Queendom, https://verzio.org/en/2024/films/queendom 16 November 5.30 p.m. Crips, https://verzio.org/en/2024/films/crips 17 November 4.00 p.m. The Tempest of Neptune, https://verzio.org/en/2024/films/the-tempest-of-neptun About the local, Debrecen organiser Alternative Communities (AKE) The Association of Alternative Communities (AKE) is a Debrecen-based organisation founded in 1998. The aim of the association is to reintegrate alternative-minded citizens of Debrecen into society, while allowing them to pursue their activities according to their own values. Today, AKE generates mostly grassroots initiatives and works with informal groups, developing and organising communities. Date:14-17 November  Location: 16 Baross Street, AKE Source:FB events, verzio.org/en/

The excitement of Christmas fills the air as the Debrecen Advent Festival kicks off on 29 November in the city’s beating heart. Debrecen Advent brings a festive spirit to the city; the main square is transformed into a magical winter wonderland of Christmas lights! Discover the charming craft stalls offering unique gifts and indulge in Hungarian culinary delights such as chimney bread and lángos (fried flat bread). Don’t miss out on a cup of mulled wine or a little skating in front of the Reformed Great Church. With around 750 square metres of sparkling ice spread over a 120-metre stretch, the Kossuth Square ice rink will provide a stunning backdrop for winter fun for professional and novice skaters this year. The Hütté next to the rink offers an authentic Alpine atmosphere and gastronomic delights. This year, there will also be a Ugly Sweater Run in Debrecen, and you can join the Christmas donation (Szeretetdoboz in Hungarian). Don’t miss the magic of Advent in Debrecen, which has something for everyone.  

Debrecen Advent will be hosting the following events between the 9th and the 15th of December. 10 December  6.00 p.m. Valcer Dance Studio’s Festive Gala at Kölcse Center During the evening, the young and old of Valcer Dance Studio, excellent Latin and standard dancers, cheerleaders and show dancers will perform evoking a festive atmosphere with productions of popular world Christmas hits; and with the most successful choreographies of 2024. Tickets for the dance gala can be purchased via this link. 13 December  5.00 p.m. - 5.40 p.m. Concert of Dongó Ensemble at Kossuth Square The Advent children's show of the Bumblebee Ensemble brings us the atmosphere of the winter holiday season with the best of Hungarian and foreign children's poems and folk poems, from the dance of snowflakes to the music of the fairy godmother and the adventures of a cold snowman to the starry night of Christmas. Children can try their hand at making music on stage, and the most skillful can solve riddles set to music for small gifts. The diversity of the music of the band, founded in 1976, has been defined from the beginning by the hundreds of poems from which they have tried to draw […]

Paola Cortellesi's work "There is Still Tomorrow" was the most-watched film of the year in Italy last year, ahead of Barbie and Oppenheimer. The heroine of the story is Delia, a mother of three living in Rome in the second half of the 1940s. The city is caught between the hope of liberation and the financial difficulties caused by the war that has just ended. Day after day, Delia does the impossible, working at home and at work, tidying the family nest, looking after the children and elderly family members, putting up with the tantrums of her war-torn husband. A tireless woman, she tries her best to prevent her daughter from marrying, but her efforts seem futile. One day, however, she receives a letter that prompts her to take a surprisingly bold step. Is it possible to make a film about women's equality and even domestic violence that is entertaining, humorous and relatable at the same time? Italian superstar Paola Cortellesi has succeeded so well that Our Tomorrow will Be Tomorrow not only won the Audience Award and the Special Jury Prize at the Rome International Film Festival, but was also the most-watched film of last year in her country. […]

Advent screenings return to the Apollo Cinema in the spirit of festive, spiritual preparation. Every Saturday from the 30th of November to the  21st of  December, films will be screened, helping to get into the festive spirit, together with the host congregations, and their pastors who are inviting the audience to a discussion after each screening.  Within the series, on the 14th of December, Movie Inception (12) will be screened in English with English subtitles on the 14th of December from 4.00 p.m. Every Saturday of Advent, visitors are welcome to the events, which are free of charge but registration is required. You can register via the following link, through the Apollo Cinema ticket booking system or in person at the cinema's box office. About the screening on the 14th of December: English language, American film with English subtitles, 142 min, 2010 The screening and subsequent discussion will be hosted by the Reformed University Congregation of Debrecen Please note that the original English language version of the film will be screened and the subtitles will be in English.  The post-screening talk will be given in English by Doug McClintic, American Reformed pastor of the congregation.   Date: 14 December Location: […]

All German speakers are very welcome to join the Advent evening of Deutsches Kulturforum Debrecen on the 14th of  December at 6.00 p.m. At the event, participants can get to know each other, while drinking a mug of mulled wine or hot tea, tasting typical German and Hungarian Christmas desserts and experiencing the real Christmas spirit together!   Date: 14 December, 6.00 p.m. Location: Deutsches Kulturforum Debrecen Source:deutsches-kulturforum.hu

The following events and progammes await visitors between the 16th and the 22nd of December within the framework of Debrecen Advent. 20 December 5:00 p.m. - 5:40 p.m.  Concert of  Vivien Csakmag at Kossuth Square Young singer-songwriter  Vivien Csakmag Vivien has been actively singing in various productions for 12 years, but her love of music has been evident since she was a little girl. Besides performing, she is involved in talent education as a music teacher. The members of the orchestra are: Vivien Csakmag, Ádám Féss, Zalán Huff and Márk Szodin. 6:00 p.m. - 6:40 p.m. Music Performance of Kitti Péter and Marcell Horváth at Kossuth Square A vocal piano duo formed in 2023. Their style is pop, jazz and its combination, reinterpretation for vocals and piano. New rhythms, exciting harmonies, the meeting of pop and jazz will create exciting moments. 21 December 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Dósa nádor Square and at 4.15 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. at Kossuth Square The five-piece brass band is a returning participant in the Debrecen Advent.Their wide repertoire includes classical music, film music and pop music.Their Advent program features well-known Christmas melodies from various nations. Their festive selection brings the audience closer to […]

As the holidays approach, everyone wants to surprise their loved ones. The shelter currently has nearly 200 dogs and more than 80 kittens in its care waiting to be adopted into loving families. Every year, they have a tradition called "Be someone's Jesus", where a gift can be given to the dogs and cats in the shelter.  Photos of their residents  have been uploaded into a folder and, as always, it can be indicated under the photos who to give a gift to. This year, besides the dogs of the Hajdúhadház Animal Establishment, an album for the dogs of the MÉSZ Foundation, is also made. Programme plan: Dog walk from 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.  (ends an hour earlier than the program, for the sake of our dogs) From 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. petting cats in the Cat House. from 11 am to 4 pm, we have a cat walk in the  Fair  from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.  At the flea market there will be an opportunity to support the rescues by purchasing various souvenirs. There will also be a bake sale, feel free to leave room for dessert after breakfast and before lunch. For more information please visit […]