Prague Events and Festivals

(Prague, Czech Republic)

Brimming with themed events and traditional Czech festivals, there are always things to do in Prague, whatever season you choose to visit. During the winter months, the Bohuslav Martinu Festival each December is a particular treat and features performances by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

As the weather warms up, the number of festivities available starts to increase and in May you can choose between events such as the Prague Spring International Music Festival, the Prague International Marathon, and the World Roma Festival Khamoro, where the past Roman culture is actively promoted.


For sports, arenas such as the Arena Mytyshi, Slavia Praha Athletic Stadium, Viktoria Zizkov Football Stadium, Sazka Arena and Spartakiad are always popular and often also host large concerts. Theatregoers in Prague will also be spoilt for choice, with the best venues including the Adalbertinum Great Hall, the Divadlo Broadway (Broadway Theatre), the Nova Scena (National Theatre) and the Opera Gala, where over 50 different concerts are staged each year.

Prague Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Jan Palach's Death Anniversary - mid-January, remembering the life of Jan Palach, a Czech student who ended his life as perhaps the ultimate protest again Soviet invasions, who is now regarded as nothing short of a national hero. This is also a day to remember loved ones and many locals in Prague visit cemeteries on Wenceslas Square, where there is a prominent Memorial to Victims of Communism
• Days of European Film - late January to early February, this popular film festival showcases around 30 different European films in the most central cinemas and attracts many of the stars, directors and producers. Also at this time of the year, the Marathon of European Films takes place, where films are shown all weekend, day and night

February

• Matthew Fair - late February to early April, fairground rides, market stalls and a host of entertainment, at the Exhibition Ground in Petrin Park

March

• One World Film Festival - early March, a noteworthy human rights event in Prague, which is run by the People in Need Foundation and always well supported
• FebioFest - late March, an established film festival which takes place at Prague's popular Blanik cinema, which is located on Wenceslas Square. Expect to see everything from locally made Czech documentaries to Hollywood blockbusters

April

• Witches' Night (Paleni Cardojenic) - late April, marking the very start of spring, Witches' Night takes place on April 30th and has a strong resemblance to Halloween. Many models of witches are burnt on large bonfires and this usually draws large crowds

May

• Folk and Country Festival - early May, with music for everyone, the Folk and Country Festival is held at the Lochotin Amphitheatre at Pilsen, close to Prague
• Prague Spring International Music Festival - mid-May to early June, this is a major event and features classical music at its absolute best, attracting many exceptional orchestras from far and wide
• Czech Folklore Festival - late May to early August, a chance to experience real life Moravian, Bohemian and also Slovakian dancing and singing, with regular performances around the Marianske Namesti
• Prague International Marathon - mid-May, crowds of athletes and spectators gather for this long road race, which starts and ends at the Old Town Square and passes many of Prague's best sights along the way
• World Roma Festival Khamoro - late May to early June, a five-day event, where you can expect to see traditional gypsy music and dancing, along with film screenings, theatrical performances and various art-related exhibitions

June

• Karlovy Vary International Film Festival - late June to early July, lasting two weeks and featuring an array of international movies. Some of the biggest films even attract the stars and directors, so expect some tickets to be scarce, and a little pricey. Held in the New Town, meaning that accommodation here and around the Karlovy Vary in particular will be hard to come by
• Dvorak's Nelahozeves - June to September, celebrating the life of the much-loved composer from the Czech Republic, Antonin Dvorak. Various classical music concerts take place around Nelahozeves, on the northerly outskirts of Prague, where Dvorak was actually born
• Summer Shakespeare Festival - late June to early September, this really is an event not to be missed and always a crowd pleaser. Popular Shakespeare plays are held in the open air, with Prague Castle providing a particularly spectacular backdrop

July

• Rock For People - early July, held just outside of Prague, Rock for People has grown into one of the largest music festivals in the whole of the Czech Republic, and is held in aid of charity
• Summer Festivities of Early Music - July and August, a celebration of everything Baroque, with live music, dancing and entertainment, all in the spectacular surroundings of the city's very best palaces and most beautiful gardens
• New Prague Dance Festival early July, many international dancers compete in a variety of different dance categories, which cover everything from ballet to Latino. The events take place at the Theatre Broadway, which is located alongside the Old Town Square
• Prague Folklore Days - late-July / early-August, an established folk festival, with a range of costumed events which captures the spirit and essence of folk culture in the Czech Republic
• Cesky Krumlov International Music Festival - lJuly and August, held close by and within the southerly town of Cesky Krumlov, this is a celebration of classical music to remember, with many outdoor concerts in the town's castle gardens
• Cesky Krumlov Piano Festival - July and August, many of the country's very best pianists perform at this event, which is held in the nearby Masquerade Hall, within Cesky Krumlov

August

• Verdi Festival - late August to early September, hosted at the State Opera House and lasting approximately two weeks, the Verdi Festival features a range of concerts, which are always well supported

September

• Mozartiana Luventus - mid-September, a range of chamber music takes place at the Villa Bertramka, with a definite Mozart theme
• Prague Autumn Festival - mid-September to early October, some of the city's best orchestras gather for this two-week classical music extravaganza
• St. Wenceslas Sacred Music Festival - late September, a celebration of St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech Republic. Highlights will include a range of music and other festivities at the city's endless selection of churches

October

• Great Pardubice Steeplechase - mid-October, a historic horse race held on the second Thursday each October, dating back as far as 1874
• International Jazz Festival - late October / early November, a date for your diary, the Prague International Jazz Festival features a variety of live music, ranging from informal groups, to big bands and jazz soloists from around the world
• Day of the Republic - October 28th, the official founding of the Czech Republic in 1918 and a national holiday

November

• Czech Press Photo - November to January, a huge collection of award-winning photographs are displayed at this free exhibition, many of which depict some powerful scenes from Prague's rich history
• MADI Travel Market - mid-November, a travel and tourism fair which attracts experienced exhibitors and travel agents from all over Europe, and includes a range of displays, discussions and presentations
• Christmas Market - late November to early January, the start of the seasonal festivities in Prague. The Christmas Market is held on the spacious Wenceslas Square in the New Town area, and features a chance to purchase some unusual Czech handicraft and stocking fillers
• FAMUFest - mid-November, students on the Prague Film Academy showcase their works over a period of four days at central venues around the Old Town
• Festival Alternativa - late November to mid-December, an alternative festival, with all kinds of international music, many screenings of modern films, and a range of other live entertainment, run by the Unijazz Association and the city itself

December

• Bohuslav Martinu Festival - throughout December, music lovers visiting Prague during December should not miss this event, which celebrates the life and music of the famous Czech composer and musician, Bohuslav Martinu