Debrecen4U
June 27, 2025
The Campus Festival is becoming increasingly popular nationwide
After ten months of planning, the party will start on July 16 in the heart of the Great Forest. Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to attend the event, which has been unwaveringly popular for 17 years.
This year, the Campus Festival is expected to feature more than 250 performers over four days, and the number of cultural programmes will approach a thousand at the event taking place at 21 locations. A press conference was held on Thursday in the garden of the Nagyerdő Water Tower to discuss the upcoming event, scheduled to begin on July 16.
“This city, the Great Forest, is one of the best, if not the best, festival venues in the country. The Campus Festival is Hungary’s leading rural festival today,” Member of Parliament Lajos Kósa emphasised. The Campus Festival is one of the most significant events generating tourist traffic in Debrecen.
“The Campus Festival is the “origo” of summer. Everyone I know plans their summer to visit the Campus Festival. The festival has evolved into an event of outstanding importance in Debrecen’s life. The Campus Festival can address the youth of the region as a whole. I am very proud that this festival has survived the difficult times,” the mayor pointed out. “We know that in the past few years, festivals of great importance have ceased to exist. The city will always be a partner in the organisation of the Campus Festival,” László Papp stated.
The Campus Festival has been an integral part of the University of Debrecen’s community life since its inception. Chancellor of the University of Debrecen Zoltán Bács revealed what novelties they have prepared for the festival this time. “In addition to the 15 wooden houses, a new element this year will be the Sports Diagnostics, Lifestyle, and Therapy Centre as a new venue. Health will play a major role in the modern facility, and screenings and counselling will be provided to festival-goers,” Zoltán Bács highlighted.
The managing director of Debreceni Campus Nonprofit Kft., László Páll, said that they are still just “flirting” with the idea of bringing the Main Stage into the Stadium. “We are trying to move the Main Stage a little further back towards the Mist Theatre, which means an additional 3-4 thousand seats. We have planned a new VIP terrace and are developing a Silver Zone, which is a section specifically created for companies,” he explained.
He asked festival-goers not to leave for the concerts at the last minute, as the crowds often build up. As he said, they are trying to make this route as easy to navigate as possible. “From 7.00 p.m., we will open two express lanes,” László Páll drew attention to the fact that it will be possible to approach the Main Stage via three routes, which many people are not even aware of.
Festivals are not having an easy time today, and this is a problem not only in Hungary but throughout the world. “That is why we sometimes have to let go of things that we otherwise thought were valuable. We stick to the principle that in addition to the most popular productions, we also emphasise new ones and on Debrecen performers (whose number will be around 50 this year),” programme director of the Campus Festival András Süli said.
They also pay attention to those extreme elements that make the festival truly colourful and unforgettable. He mentioned that in recent years, festival security has improved a lot, and healthcare has become faster and more efficient. As revealed, this year, a third pillar will be added, where they will also pay attention to the mental peace of festival-goers. They have launched a project called “Közbelépő” (Interlude), where they will work with mental health professionals to ensure the safety of festival-goers.
Metal-Sheet Kft. has been the main sponsor of the festival for four years. “Recently, our popularity has increased nationwide, not only in the area. I still receive feedback on this to this day. This event is the festival in the country where all ages can feel good and safe,” Head of Sales and Marketing at Metál-Sheet Kft., Zsófia Máthé underlined.
MBH Bank is a new sponsor at the festival. Deputy CEO András Puskás said that, in his opinion, the most atmospheric festival in Hungary is the Campus Festival. He visited here for the first time last year, and as he recalled, he fell in love with the event, bringing his whole family along.
BMW Group Plant Debrecen is also a sponsor of the event for the fourth year. Similar to previous years, they will strive to guide participants in the workforce. “BMW is trying to become part of the community this year too,” Head of Communications Réka Jenei said.
The number of employees contributing to the preparations for this year’s Campus Festival is approximately 1,000 people. During the festival, this number reaches three thousand. “The Campus Festival is a community product: an event that is brought together by the work of many people,” CEO of Debrecen Campus Nonprofit Kft. Péter Miklósvölgyi emphasised.
This year, a national advertising campaign has also been launched, with increased funding to promote the festival, attracting visitors from nearly 30 countries.
Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu
