Welcome, exam season, welcome, Christmas meltdown. Before you permanently move into the Knowledge Centre and choose caffeine overdose as your new favourite pastime activity, stop for a moment. In this article, we’ve collected five events and locations in Pécs which can help you maintain your mental health or at least make these few dark weeks before the exams a little more bearable. Now, here comes your December must-do bucket list.
- The Classic: Pécs Advent at Széchenyi Square
We know, we know, it’s “basic”, “touristy” and “always just the same”. But let’s be honest: December in Pécs isn’t complete without freezing to death in front of the Mosque with a cup of mulled wine in your hands. This place is your official “safe place”, where you can cry your eyes out between studying two exam topics. For some reason, the lights, the smell of the chimney cake and the crowd always bring that cosy vibe we keep finding ourselves returning to every year. Pro tip: You’ll find the best chimney cake not at the fair but right at the beginning of Citrom Street.
- Your New Go-to Spot: DOBOZ Coffee Shop, Just near the City Centre
If you haven’t known where to get your morning coffee, then listen up: The second venue of DOBOZ, located near the roundabout with the statue of Zsolnay Vilmos on Rákóczi Road has just recently opened its doors and it’s exactly the place the city centre needed. Their coffee’s very tasty, and the place has a pure and simple yet friendly atmosphere. It’s a perfect spot to sit down with a laptop and “study” (meaning scroll TikTok and people-watch) or just pick up a latte.
- Enchanted Forest of Lights (Zsolnay Cultural Quarter)
This winter, the Zsolnay Cultural Quarter has really gone above and beyond: the Enchanted Forest of Lights is truly a unique event and no, it’s not just for children. If you need a place to escape from mundane reality and take some pictures that’ll look great on your Instagram feed, then head to the Zsolnay Quarter. The light installations and multimedia boardwalk are the most spectacular after dark (from 17:00). You’ll need an entrance ticket (although it’s more affordable with a student discount), but it’s certainly worth visiting at least once, as we rarely get to see such a professional visual experience in the city. Of course, unless it’s the Light Festival, but summer is still far away.
- A Cosy-Up Cinema Experience: Apollo Cinema
When you’re completely fed up with the cold and reality, Apollo Cinema is still the best escape route. Forget the massive crowds in the mall; Apollo still has that old-fashioned, film critic, liberal arts vibe we adore so much. It’s worth checking out the screenings on their website. Here you can watch the good old classics, and next month, on only one occasion, Satantango will be screened in Hungarian with English subtitles. If you haven’t read the novel by our Nobel Prize-winning author, László Krasznahorkai, it’s the perfect occasion to watch the film adaptation by Béla Tarr.
- Cultural Event: National Theatre of Pécs
The National Theatre of Pécs awaits those interested throughout December and January. Everyone can find a suitable performance or play. The theatre offers concerts, musicals, operas, ballet performances and countless other events. And if you haven’t found a Christmas gift yet, a performance in this magnificent, eclectic building is sure to be a success, since gifting memories and experiences is always a good choice.
In conclusion, all we can say is that exam season isn’t a sprint race but rather a marathon – although sometimes it does feel more like an obstacle course with flaming hoops. Don’t feel guilty if you sometimes close your book and choose to wander around the city instead of cramming for another exam. These places exist to bring you back to reality when you feel like you’ll never get through the list of exam topics. Drink plenty of water (and mulled wine), good luck with the exams, and let’s meet in 2026! Hang in there, guys, you’ve got this!
Photos: Volford Éva
