Upcoming Holidays and Festivals in the Czech Republic
- Before planning a trip around a festival, verify the festival dates on the festival's website or with a local tourist information office. For more information about these and other events, visit the official tourism site for the Czech Republic.
- This list includes major festivals in major cities, plus national holidays observed throughout the Czech Republic. Many sights and banks close down on national holidays — keep it in mind when planning your itinerary. Note that this isn't a complete list; holidays can strike without warning.
- See upcoming holidays and festivals across Europe
2018
April 30: Walpurgis Night (Paleni Carodejnic, a.k.a. "Witches' Night"; similar to Halloween, with bonfires); Magical Krumlov (maypole dances, lantern procession)
May 1: Labor Day (some closures), Day of Love (akin to Valentine's Day)
May 6: Prague International Marathon
May 8: Liberation Day (closures)
May 10–26: Czech Beer Festival, Prague
May 12–June 3: "Prague Spring" Music Festival
May 19–21: Shavu'ot (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)
May 25–27: Prague Food Festival (food booths in Royal Gardens of Prague Castle)
May 25–June 2: Prague Fringe Festival (offbeat theater)
May 27–June 2: Khamoro World Roma Festival, Prague (performances and events celebrating Roma culture)
May 29–June 3: Festival of Songs, Olomouc
May 31: Corpus Christi (religious festival; some closures)
Mid-June–mid-July: Prague Proms (musical festival)
June 15–16: Microbrewery festival, Prague
June 22–24: Celebration of the Rose, Český Krumlov (medieval festival and knights' tournament)
Late June (weekend): United Islands of Prague (cultural events and world music on the city's islands)
June 29–July 7: Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, western Czech Republic
June 29–July 8: Český Krumlov Chamber Music Festival
July–August: Summer of Culture, Olomouc
July 4–6: Rock for People, Hradec Králové (eclectic concert series in north central Czech Republic)
July 5: Sts. Cyril and Methodius Day (closures)
July 6: Jan Hus Day (closures)
July 9–10: Bohemia Jazzfest, Prague (free concerts in Old Town Square); travels to other Czech towns in following week
July 20–August 11: Český Krumlov International Music Festival (classical music and opera)
July 27–August 12: Telč Vacations Festival (folk music, open-air theater, exhibitions)
August 30–September 2: International Folklore Festival, Brno
September 7–21: Dvořák's Prague Music Festival
September 9–11: Rosh Hashanah (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)
September 18–19: Yom Kippur (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)
September 21–22: Slunce ve Skle beer festival, Pilsen
September 23–October 2: Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)
September 28: St. Wenceslas Day (celebrates national patron saint and Czech statehood; kicks off three-day folk festival in Český Krumlov; closures)
October 11–14: Signal Festival (light show on facades of landmark buildings), Prague
October 26–November 30: Feast of St. Martin Wine Festival, Český Krumlov
October 28: Independence Day (closures)
November 1: All Saints' Day/Remembrance Day (religious festival, some closures)
November 17: Velvet Revolution Anniversary (closures)
December: Christmas festivals across the Czech Republic, most notably in Prague and Český Krumlov (markets, musical events, lights)
December 5: St. Nicholas Eve (St. Nicholas, devils, and angels walk the streets in search of nice — and naughty — children)
December 24–25: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (Vanoce, closures)
December 26: St. Stephen's Day (closures)
December 31: St. Sylvester's Day (fireworks in Prague)
2019
January 1: New Year's Day; Restoration of Czech Independence Day (closures)
January 19: Anniversary of Jan Palach's Death (flowers in Prague's Wenceslas Square)
March 2–5: Carnival celebrations, Český Krumlov
Early March (9 days): One World International Human Rights Film Festival, Prague
Mid-March (8 days): Febiofest, Prague (international film festival); festival travels to good share of smaller Czech cities throughout April
April 19: Pesach begins (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed on 1st, 2nd, 7th, and 8th days of Passover)
April 19–22: Easter weekend (Good Friday through Easter Monday; closures)
April 30: Walpurgis Night (Paleni Carodejnic, a.k.a. "Witches' Night"; similar to Halloween, with bonfires); Magical Krumlov (maypole dances, lantern procession)
May 1: Labor Day (some closures), Day of Love (akin to Valentine's Day)