Winter is not over yet, but spring is at the corner, the carnival season is about to start, and Valentine’s Day is coming! Debrecen is waiting for you in February with many experiences from relaxing wellness experiences and delicious gastronomic tours to romantic Valentine’s Day concerts!
Here are 10+1 things to do in Debrecen in February.
1. Nature is slowly coming back to life, so a refreshing walk in the Great Forest, voted as the most beautiful forest of Hungary, is a must in February! On the shores of the charming Lake Békás located in the middle of the park forest the sunbathing mallards will be sure to put a smile on your face and be happy to pose for a selfie with you.
2. Zoo Debrecen is open all year round so don’t miss it when in Debrecen because you can see there such exotic animals up close as the reticulated giraffe, the Nile hippo and the ring-tailed lemur. While you’re there, don’t forget to check out the zoo’s newest arrivals, the little red panda and the leopard cub, just a few months old!
3. Relax in the thermal baths of the Aquaticum SPA or treat yourself to a refreshing wellness treatment! For a more exclusive experience, join the carnival sauna marathon in the Sauna World or the Valentine’s Day night dip in the Adventure Spa!
4. Some real big names take to the concert hall stage in February! One of the most popular Hungarian bands, Kowalsky and Vega, will be performing, Punnany Massif will be giving an acoustic concert and the iconic album Tubular Bells by the world-famous English musician Mike Oldfield, released 50 years ago this year, will be performed by nine great musicians! More serious music lovers can listen to the great concerts of the 100-year-old Kodály Philharmonic Orchestra live.
5. Go sightseeing! Discover the hidden treasures of the amazing merchants’ houses and palaces of Debrecen’s main street, find the spectacular murals decorating the hidden squares of the city center, and wander through the charming streets of the old town!
6. One of the most beautiful buildings in Debrecen is the recently completely renovated Csokonai Theater, where both the theater atmosphere and the performances offer an unforgettable experience. In February, you can see popular musical-dance productions such as The Attic and The Boys from Pál Street.
7. The outdoor food festivals are still a long way off, but you won’t have to miss out on the experience in February. It has been a tradition for several years now that the first big wine show of the year, Furmint February starts the season focusing on one of the most distinctive Hungarian grape varieties, Furmint, and the wines made from it at. This year again, dozens of Hungarian winemakers will bring their best Furmint wines to Debrecen, which can be tasted in informal friendly discussions.
8. One of the best ways to protect yourself from the grey, chilly days is to visit exhibitions that offer colorful visual experiences. From mid-February, the MODEM will host an exhibition of monochrome works from one of the most important private collections of fine art in Hungary. In the Bényi Gallery‘s exhibition entitled Silently Observing, Subjectively Representing, paintings depicting colorful urban spaces and the people who live in them are on display.
9 February is the month of lovers. If you fancy a little romance, pop into a downtown café for a hot chocolate or dine by candlelight in one of the cozy restaurants. The food creations prepared specially for Valentine’s Day are sure to enchant you!
10. If you haven’t had enough Valentine’s Day romance and want to experience something extra, you can take a guided Valentine’s Day walk in the zoo to discover the bedroom secrets of the zoo’s inhabitants, go to a love night party in the Aquaticum Adventure Baths, and enjoy romantic Valentine’s Day concerts in the Reformed Church and the Kölcsey Centre performed by popular Hungarian singers.
+1 Hungary’s oldest and largest national park, the Hortobágy, half an hour’s drive from Debrecen, is a magical winter wonderland. In February, several guided tours offer the chance to explore the wildlife of this amazing UNESCO World Heritage site, from a hiking tour to an arboretum walk and a visit to a stables.
