Debrecen’s cultural life promises exciting treats in the first month of autumn. Literature lovers can look forward to the Book Weekend, while foodies will enjoy the Zamat Festival and the Szaft ‘N Burger. Sports fans should not miss the second round of the Davis Cup World Final qualifiers between Hungary and Austria, while music lovers can enjoy concerts by popular Hungarian performing artists László Dés and Zsuzsa Koncz, as well as the Hungarikum Gala Concert.
Here is a preview of the September program.
László Dés concert – We are the Grund!
September 1, 2025, 7:00 p.m. ǀ Kölcsey Center
László Dés, winner of the Kossuth, Liszt Ferenc and Príma primissima awards, composer of numerous popular songs and musicals, has in recent years stepped into the spotlight with songs he wrote himself, sitting down at the piano and singing both new and long-established numbers. He has released a new album with brand new songs, which gives him the opportunity to go on tour with his new show.
Hungarikum Gala Concert
September 3, 2025, 8:00 p.m. ǀ Nagyerdei Open-Air Stage
Coopera’s summer opera and operetta festival is a unique concert experience that brings our culture to life under the canopy of the Great Forest, performed by outstanding artists!
This evening is a true cultural journey, featuring the most famous melodies of opera and operetta, interpreted by the finest performers in Hungarian performing arts. A concert experience that not only entertains, but also brings our values, traditions and Hungarikums to life.
Performers: Mónika Fischl, Marika Oszvald, Szilvi Szendi, Gergely Boncsér, Levente Molnár, Károly Peller
Orchestra: Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra Debrecen
Conductor: Dániel Somogyi-Tóth
Marcello Rota – Ennio Morricone and Nino Rota film music concert
September 4, 2025, 7:00 p.m. ǀ Kölcsey Center
An exclusive concert experience where Marcello Rota, the world-famous Italian conductor, brings to life the most iconic melodies in film history!
Marcello, who has gained international recognition as the conductor of major symphony orchestras, including the Berlin and Moscow Philharmonics and the Prague National Opera, now presents the Hungarian audience with a truly special concert. During the evening, in addition to Nino Rota’s iconic melodies, Ennio Morricone’s timeless classics from films such as The Godfather, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and The Mission will also be performed.
Book Weekend & Friends of Books Day
September 4-6, 2025 ǀ Memorial Garden
Three days dedicated to books and reading with Friends of Books!
Members of the Book Friends network – schools, libraries, bookstores, cultural institutions, civil organizations, local history researchers – will show visitors why reading is good through exciting programs. During the three days, you can enjoy library tours, guided walks, concerts, book-related craft workshops, story readings, panel discussions, bibliotherapy sessions, slam poetry evenings, and many other exciting book-related programs!
Fire and Light – Concert by the Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra
September 9, 2025, 7:00 p.m. ǀ Kölcsey Center
Program:
Mozart: The Abduction from the Seraglio – Overture KV 384 /
Paganini: Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, Op. 6 /
Beethoven: Symphony No. 2 (in D major), Op. 36
Featuring: Abouzahra Mariam – violin / Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Dániel Somogyi-Tóth
Mary, Mary, heavenly beautiful flower – Concert by the Kodály Choir
September 12, 2025, 7:00 p.m. ǀ Incarnation Parish Church
Program:
Tomás Luis de Victoria: Ave Maria a 8
Miklós Csemiczky (1954–): Ave Maria
Zoltán Kovács (1969–): Ave Maria
Carlo Gesualdo: Ave dulcissima Maria
Ola Gjeilo (1978–): Ave Generosa
Péter Zombola (1983–): Ave maris stella
Giovanni Gabrieli: Beata es, Virgo Maria
Levente Gyöngyösi (1975–): O Maria noli flere
Márton Levente Horváth (1983–): Magnificat primi toni
Ferenc Sapszon Jr. (1952–): Hail Mary
Ambrož Čopi (1973–): Beata es, Virgo Maria
Francisco Guerrero: Regina coeli
Péter Tóth (1965–): Magnificat
Featuring: Olga Vojevogyina – piano / Kodály Choir Debrecen
Conducted by: Zoltán Kocsis-Holper
Hungary – Austria Davis Cup World Final Qualifying Round II
12–13 September 2025 (Friday) ǀ 3 p.m. Főnix Arena
2025 could be a historic year for Hungarian tennis: if they manage to defeat Austria, the Hungarian national team will be in Bologna for the Davis Cup World Finals!
With a sensational 3:2 victory over Canada, ranked third in the world, our Davis Cup team has advanced to the top 16 teams in the world championship. This is the second time the team has reached this level since the restructuring of the Davis Cup – in 2020, it was in Debrecen that the team defeated Belgium to advance to the elite.
The Hungarian team is expected to field its strongest lineup. Captain Kornél Bardóczky, one of the most experienced players in the history of the Hungarian Davis Cup, can count on Fábián Marozsán, Márton Fucsovics, and Zsombor Piros to play.
Debreczeni Zamat Festival
12-14 September 2025 ǀ Nagyerdei Stadium North Event Area
At the biggest gastronomic event of the autumn, the best restaurants in the area will provide delicious food, while the country’s renowned pálinka houses, among others, will provide drinks. Every year, the festival features Hungary’s renowned gastronomic personalities, while star performers provide the entertainment. The program is enriched by gastronomic demonstrations, a sausage-making competition, a craft fair, and children’s programs.
yoUDay 2025
September 17, 2025, 6:30 p.m. ǀ Nagyerdei Stadium
Europe’s unique stadium show to kick off the academic year. An evening when thousands of university citizens—students, teachers, and staff—celebrate together. The Nagyerdei Stadium is filled with light, music, and the unforgettable power of togetherness.
This year, the yoUDay stage will once again feature the hottest performers, from the Bagossy Brothers Company to ByeAlex and Slepp to Gergely Dánielfy. Different styles, one common rhythm. Sit back, let yourself go – or dance the night away in the Arena. Here, music really is a way of life.
5. Szaft ‘N Burger – The country’s burger competition
September 20, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ǀ Great Forest – Békás Lake
The 5th anniversary edition, when Debrecen becomes the burger capital for a day! Hamburgers, steaks, barbecue dishes, concerts, bull riding, craft beers, demonstrations, presentations, and a national competition for the title of Burger of the Nation and a steak-grilling contest under the shady trees of the Great Forest!
A fantastic day centered around hamburgers. Professional individual competition, individual amateur, freestyle, and junior categories, as well as team competitions for families, friends, and company teams!
If you love burgers and quality meat, this is the place for you, whether as a participant or a spectator. In September, we will find out who is the master who will create the country’s burger. The professional competition offers serious cash prizes, valuable gifts, and, of course, the challenge cup. Teams of friends, companies, and families are welcome to enter the competition, but you can also compete in the individual, amateur, freestyle (anything other than beef), and junior categories. In addition, you can even compete in the steak category on the grill.
The event will feature professional burger and grill training, live music, delicious craft beers, and of course, hamburgers and barbecue delicacies.
Admission to the event is free for the public.
Zsuzsa Koncz concert
September 22, 2025, 7:00 p.m. ǀ Kölcsey Center
The concert is titled “Jelbeszéd 2.0” (Sign Language 2.0). One reason for this is that fifty years ago, in 1973, Koncz’s fifth album, Jelbeszéd, was released. Its exceptional songs and “tumultuous fate” (it was banned shortly after its release) give it a special place among her otherwise very successful albums. To mark the 50th anniversary, a remastered edition with bonus tracks was recently released. The other reason is that among the bonus tracks is the new composition by János Bródy that gives the concert its title, Jelbeszéd 2.0, which is intended to connect the legendary album of the past, and thus our past, with our present.
Haydn: The Creation – Concert by the Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra and Kodály Choir
September 23, 2025, 7:00 p.m. ǀ Kölcsey Center
Program: Haydn: The Creation, Hob. XXI:2
Performers: Eszter Zemlényi, János Szerekován, Lőrinc Kósa – vocals / Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra / Kodály Choir
Conductor: Zoltán Kocsis-Holper
