Enjoy the various cultural programs that this beautiful town can offer you and the numerous events organized by the University!
Faculty entertainment is organized by the local student union units. Papers edited by students of each individual Faculty contribute to the flow of information. The Student Union also organizes events to make student life more enjoyable, like Camp for Freshmen, Freshmen' Ball, University Days, etc. The performances of 'Janus' University Theatre are popular not only with students, but the whole community of Pécs as well.
Besides the traditional Pécs Days, held in September by the City Council, the student unions organize National Cultural Days which aim at introducing various cultures, traditions to the citizens, especially, to the students of Pécs. So far, Egyptian, British, North American, African, Ibero-American, Asian Days have been held, together with Latin-American, Italian and Polish cultural festivals, and an International Evening has also been held with many ambassadors of the home countries of international students studying here.
As Pécs is a student city, many bars, clubs and discotheques provide students with additional relaxation and amusement. You can find all the necessary and up-to-date information on exhibitions, theatre and cinema programs, parties, concerts and other cultural and sport events in the free "PécsiEst" (Pécs at Night) magazine, which is published every other week. You should look out for them at dormitory receptions, university entrances, restaurants and bars or at tourist information points around the city centre. We also suggest that you check out their website, which informs you about upcoming cultural events in the biggest cities of Hungary, including the capital - (Hungarian website).
Arts and Theatre
If you want to discover the cultural offerings of the city, one of the best places to visit is the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter, home of several exhibitions, art events and the Janus University Theatre, which already offers German language theatre plays as well. The National Theatre of Pécs is located at the heart of the city in Király Street, where you can enjoy a changing variety of the most popular theatre plays with a student discount.
Museums
It should not cause you a headache where to go to visit a museum because many of them are located in the downtown, so you don't have to go far if you want to see the most popular art and historical exhibitions of Pécs.
Do not miss the most famous of all, the Cella Septichora (Szent István Square) Visitor Centre, a cemetery from the early Christian times, which has been part of the World Heritage since the year 2000. The one I really recommend visiting is the Vasarely museum (3 Káptalan Street), which building was the one-time house of the Vasarely family. Seeing these special, geometric pictures is a unique experience for your senses. You only have to walk a few meters to find the Csontváry Museum. The acclaimed Hungarian painter Csontváry has become world-famous for his painting "The Lonely Cedar", which can also be found among his other masterpieces exhibited in the gallery.
If you are interested in visiting other museums in Pécs, you can find information in English on the Museums of Pécs site.
Music
For those who prefer jazz, world or classical music, Kodály Centre, one of Hungary's most beautiful world-class concert halls is the place to visit for a high-quality concert experience. A regular performer of the concert hall is the Pannon Filharmonic Orchestra playing many classical interpretations of contemporary works, such as movie themes, creating a perfect mixture of the music of the past and the present.
If you are more into bands, bars or clubs you can see the list of places here.
Pécs also has some music centered festivals where you can discover the music of the most popular Hungarian and international bands. PEN, the Pécs University Days is one of the most prominent student events of the year with a series of concerts and performances. Fishing On Orfű is the ultimate summer festival in June located right next to the lake Orfű in the Mecsek Mountains.
Festivals
There are plenty of other festivals year-round, where you can enjoy the traditional and modern Hungarian performances. The POSZT (National Theatre Meeting in Pécs) in June offers many theatre related indoor and outdoor programs. The traditional Sétatér Fesztivál is perfect for those interested in Hungary's and the surrounding nations' drinks, foods and culture supplemented with a wide range of entertainment programs - for 3 weeks, day and night. The Wine and Champagne Festival is all about its name with many different types of wine to taste and other home-made products to buy in a framework of a non-traditional culinary festival. Even if it is not strictly interpreted as a festival, Mecsek Rallye is definitely one of the biggest and oldest sport events of the city with fast cars racing on the slopes of Pécs. With the arrival of winter the festival season is not over yet. As many other cities, Pécs also has its traditional Advent fair on the Széchenyi and Kossuth squares with hot drinks, handmade gifts and a traditional Christmas swirl.
Of course there is life beyond the wide variety of festivals, so even if there is nothing "special' going on in Pécs, you still don't have to sit at home. There are 2 cinemas in Pécs offering movies in English with Hungarian subtitles. The Cinemacity in Pécs Pláza mall has the newest box office movie offers, while at the Apolló Art Movie you can watch well or less-known art movies.
More information
If you want to get up-to-date with the cultural program selection, you can read several online and offline media to be informed. The free EnjoyPécs English-Hungarian Cultural and Touristic Program Magazine is a bi-monthly magazine that can be found in Tourinform offices, hotels, restaurants, pubs, movies, other cultural institutions and also at the Faculties and dormitories of the University. This magazine covers everything you need to know about the cultural life in Pécs and beyond. Moreover the issues are also available online with all the information an international student needs. The UNIV Pécs University Magazine has also a selection of upcoming programs; you can find it at every faculty of the UP.