Events & Festivals in Prague
Your complete guide to what's happening throughout the year
Prague runs on events. Its calendar mixes major international festivals with intimate local gatherings that reveal the city's real character. Summer brings food festivals. Winter brings markets and indoor culture. Something happens almost always. Historic squares, riverfronts, parks, and performance halls host the action. Plan around these. You'll get Prague at its most authentic.
- Easter markets and the Prague Half Marathon in April
- Prague Food Festival and Prague Marathon in May
- Summer music festivals like United Islands in June
- Christmas markets from late November through December
- New Year's Eve celebrations in late December
- 28 September 2026 Den české státnosti
- 28 October 2026 Den vzniku samostatného československého státu
- 17 November 2026 Den boje za svobodu a demokracii a Mezinárodní den studentstva
- 24 December 2026 Štědrý den
- 25 December 2026 1. svátek vánoční
- 26 December 2026 2. svátek vánoční
- 1 January 2027 Den obnovy samostatného českého státu; Nový rok
- 26 March 2027 Velký pátek
- 29 March 2027 Velikonoční pondělí
- 1 May 2027 Svátek práce
- 8 May 2027 Den vítězství
- 5 July 2027 Den slovanských věrozvěstů Cyrila a Metoděje
- 6 July 2027 Den upálení mistra Jana Husa
January
🎵Prague Winter Festival
This classical music festival takes over historic venues. The Municipal House and Rudolfinum become its stages. Orchestras, choirs, and soloists perform Czech and international composers. The mood is formal. Dress accordingly. Classical devotees will find their winter refuge here.
🙏Three Kings Procession
A traditional Christian procession on Epiphany, featuring costumed figures representing the Three Kings. It starts with a mass and then parades through the streets, often with live animals like camels. The event is family-oriented and marks the end of the Christmas season in Czech tradition.
February
🎭Prague Fashion Weekend
A show for Czech and Central European fashion designers, featuring runway shows and presentations. The event highlights both established names and emerging talent. The atmosphere is stylish and industry-focused, attracting local fashion insiders, buyers, and media. It's held in a repurposed industrial space.
March
🎭Febiofest
Central Europe's largest indie and arthouse film festival lands here. Multiplexes and small art-house theaters across Prague screen the selections. Film buffs and industry pros mix at premieres, retrospectives, and director Q&As. You will see films that never hit wide release. This is the draw.
🎉Matějská Fair
This funfair marks spring for Prague families. Carnival rides, roller coasters, bumper cars, and game stalls fill the grounds. Fried dough and candy floss scent the air. The event feels nostalgic. The event feels lively. Families with children should prioritize this.
April
⚽Prague Half Marathon
A popular spring race with a fast, scenic course that crosses the Vltava River several times. It attracts a large field of recreational and competitive runners. The event has a lively, energetic atmosphere and is a key fixture in the European running calendar. The route is well-supported by spectators.
🛒Easter Markets
Spring markets appear in the main squares, selling decorated eggs, braided willow whips (pomlázka), handicrafts, and seasonal food. The focus is on traditional Czech Easter customs. The atmosphere is festive and family-friendly, signaling the arrival of warmer weather after winter.
May
🍽️Prague Food Festival
Top Prague restaurants and chefs converge at one scenic spot. Tasting portions from dozens of stands cover modern Czech cuisine and international dishes. Locals and visitors crowd in. The outdoor setting feels festive. The food feels concentrated. This is gourmet Prague in one afternoon.
🎵Prague Spring International Music Competition
Young classical musicians compete here, running parallel to Prague Spring. Piano, violin, and voice categories fill the program. Preliminary and final rounds stay open to the public. Emerging talent performs at exceptional levels. The room feels intense. The room feels supportive. Serious music lovers should attend.
⚽Prague Marathon
Prague's marathon loops through its historic core. Runners pass Old Town Square, Charles Bridge, and Prague Castle. Thousands toe the line. Spectators line the streets. The atmosphere carries runners forward. This matters to the running world. This entertains visitors.
🍽️Czech Beer Festival
Temporary festival grounds celebrate Czech brewing. Dozens of national breweries pour lagers and specials. Traditional Czech food accompanies the beer. Long communal tables dominate. Live music plays. Tourists and local enthusiasts mix freely. The atmosphere centers on beer and conviviality.
June
🎵United Islands of Prague
Music takes over islands and stages along the Vltava River. Czech bands share bills with international acts. Rock, pop, electronic, and world music rotate through. Many stages cost nothing. The vibe stays laid-back. The vibe stays accessible. Young crowds come. Families come by day.
🎭Prague Museum Night
Museums, galleries, and cultural institutions open free until late. Special exhibitions, concerts, and workshops run through the night. Locals visit places they normally skip. The mood turns festive. The mood turns intellectual. This is Prague's cultural night out.
🎭Shakespeare Summer Festival
Shakespeare and classics play in the Burgrave Palace courtyard at Prague Castle. Productions run in Czech. The setting compensates. Daylight fades. The atmosphere turns intimate. The atmosphere turns romantic. Theater lovers will not forget this.
July
🎵Karlín Music Theatre Open Air
Free concerts float on a pontoon beside Karlín Music Theatre. Pop, rock, jazz, and folk from Czech artists fill the program. Crowds gather on the riverbank with picnic blankets. The evening feels relaxed. The evening feels communal. Summer nights here belong to everyone.
August
🎭Prague Folklore Days
Folk ensembles from across the Czech Republic perform in city squares. Traditional costumes flash color. The music stays lively. Czech folk traditions take over the center. All ages enjoy this. The display is direct and colorful.
🎉Prague Pride
A week-long festival celebrating variety and LGBTQ+ culture, culminating in a lively parade through the city. The program includes discussions, film screenings, parties, and cultural events. The atmosphere is joyful, inclusive, and supportive, drawing participants from across the country and beyond.
🎭Letní Letná
A contemporary circus and theater festival held in a big top tent in Letná Park. It features acrobatics, aerial acts, clowning, and new circus from around the world. The program is inventive and visually impressive, appealing to adults and children alike. It brings a creative, artistic energy to the park.
September
🎵Dvořák's Prague Festival
An international classical music festival dedicated to Antonín Dvořák and his legacy. But also featuring other great composers. World-well-known orchestras, conductors, and soloists perform in venues like the Rudolfinum. The atmosphere is sophisticated and draws a dedicated audience of classical music aficionados.
October
🎭Signal Festival
A festival of light that transforms Prague's architecture with video mappings, light installations, and interactive artworks. Historic buildings and public spaces become canvases for digital artists. The city center becomes a pedestrian-friendly gallery at night, attracting huge crowds of all ages.
🎭Prague Writers' Festival
Authors, poets, and thinkers from around the world gather for readings, discussions, and debates. Events are held in historic halls and libraries, often with simultaneous translation. The festival fosters intellectual exchange and is good for literary-minded visitors looking for deeper cultural engagement.
🎭Prague International Film Festival
This festival spotlights new films from independent filmmakers worldwide. The focus is finding fresh talent. Screenings happen in central cinemas, with Q&A sessions after. It's smaller and more niche than Febiofest. Film lovers get to see innovative work here.
November
🍽️St. Martin's Festival
Celebrating the feast day of St. Martin, this event marks the traditional time for tasting the first wine of the season and eating roast goose. Many restaurants across Prague offer special St. Martin's menus. The atmosphere is cozy and culinary-focused, welcoming the onset of winter.
🛒Christmas Markets Opening
The festive season begins with the opening of Christmas markets in the main squares. Wooden huts sell handicrafts, ornaments, and food like trdelník and sausages. A large tree is lit, and choirs perform. The initial weekend has a festive and crowded atmosphere.
December
🛒Prague Christmas Markets
Throughout December, multiple markets operate daily. The Old Town Square market is the largest, with a nativity scene, a stage for performances, and rows of stalls. The smell of mulled wine and gingerbread fills the cold air. It's a classic winter experience in Prague, though very popular with tourists.
🎉New Year's Eve Celebrations
The city center hosts informal, large-scale public gatherings to ring in the New Year. Crowds fill Old Town and Wenceslas Squares, with some live music stages and food stalls. There is no official organized fireworks display. But many people set off their own. The atmosphere is boisterous and can be chaotic.
Tips for Attending Events
Practical advice to help you get the most out of local events and festivals.
For major festivals like Signal or Christmas markets, expect large crowds. Weekends are worst. Visit on a weekday morning or late evening instead. You'll get a more comfortable experience.
Prague's weather can be unpredictable. For outdoor events from spring to autumn, pack a layer or rain jacket. For winter markets, bring thermal layers, hats, and gloves. These are essential.
Many events happen in the historic center. Parking there is extremely limited. Use the metro, tram, or bus system. It's efficient. Check for temporary public transport route changes during big events like the marathon.
While many events are free, the most popular ones require tickets. Certain concert festivals sell out months in advance. Always check the official event website for booking details.
At free, large-scale outdoor events, food and drink vendors often only accept cash. Keep some Czech koruna on hand. It's wise.
If an event's description is only in Czech on the official website, use a browser translation tool. This happens often. It's common for more locally-focused happenings.
Event Categories
Browse events by type to find what interests you.
Major festivals and celebrations. These often span multiple days with varied activities.
Cultural events, arts, theater, film, literature, and exhibitions.
Sporting events and competitions. These range from mass-participation races to spectator sports.
Seasonal markets, night markets, and traditional fairs selling goods and food.
Religious observances and festivals rooted in local tradition.
Music festivals and concerts, covering classical, contemporary, and all genres.
Food festivals and culinary events celebrating local and international cuisine.
Rooms near Prague's main venues go first around festival dates - our accommodation guide covers which neighborhoods to book and when.
Where to Stay →Book Tours & Activities in Prague
Discover experiences to complement local events and festivals
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Prague.
See All Prague Tours on ViatorReady to plan your trip to Prague?
Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.