The origins of puppet theatre in Subotica date back to December 6, 1934, when the first organized puppet performance was documented in the newspaper Jugoslovenski dnevnik. From its very beginnings, it captured the imagination of the audience, especially captivating its youngest visitors.

During that early period, the repertoire focused primarily on puppet plays offered at symbolic ticket prices—a testament to the theatre’s enduring mission to remain accessible to children and the wider public.

The first professional ensemble was established in the 1953/1954 season, marking the start of a thriving institution that gradually built its artistic and organizational identity in the field of performing arts for children.

In 1960, with the landmark performance of The Boys of Paul Street, the theatre expanded its artistic expression to include dramatic forms. It was renamed Children’s Theatre Subotica, developing both puppet and dramatic repertoires side by side in both Serbian and Hungarian.

In addition to its main stage programming, the theatre founded the International Festival of Children’s Theatres in 1993, which has grown into a renowned regional event celebrating puppetry and the performing arts for children.