Csokonai National Theater is the first permanent stone theater in Debrecen. The theater, featuring Moorish and Byzantine elements, was built in a romantic style between 1861 and 1865, based on the designs of architect Szkalnitzky Antal. It was officially opened on October 7, 1865, later named after Csokonai Vitéz Mihály in 1915 and received national theater status in 2012.

The same building that still stands today has hosted performances by artists such as Blaha Lujza, Honthy Hanna, Latabár Kálmán, and Csortos Gyula. Talents like Soós Imre, Mensáros László, Márkus László, Latinovits Zoltán, and Hofi Géza began their careers here.