Upcoming Holidays and Festivals in the Czech Republic

Traditions thrive in the Czech countryside.

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

2019

July 11–August 6: Summer Festivities of Early Music, Prague

July 19–August 10: Český Krumlov International Music Festival (classical music and opera)

July 26–28: Czech Ukulele Festival, Únětice (near Prague; held in brewery)

July 26–August 11: Telč Vacations Festival (folk music, open-air theater, exhibitions)

July–August: Summer of Culture, Olomouc

August 28–September 1: Praha Music Festival, Prague

August 30–September 2: International Folklore Festival, Brno

September 6–8: Pálava Wine Harvest Festival, Mikulov (music, medieval procession)

September 8–23: Dvořák's Prague Music Festival

September 20–21: Slunce ve Skle beer festival, Pilsen

September 28: St. Wenceslas Day (celebrates national patron saint and Czech statehood; kicks off three-day folk festival in Český Krumlov; closures)

September 29–October 1: Rosh Hashanah (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)

October 8–9: Yom Kippur (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)

October 10–13: Signal Festival (light show on facades of landmark buildings), Prague

October 13–October 20: Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)

November 1–30: 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)

2020

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)

January 22–26: Prague Short Film Festival

February 22–25: Carnival celebrations, Český Krumlov

March 4–15 (likely): One World International Human Rights Film Festival, Prague

March 19–17: Febiofest, Prague (international film festival); festival travels to good share of smaller Czech cities throughout April

April 8: Pesach begins (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed on 1st, 2nd, 7th, and 8th days of Passover)

April 10–13: 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)

Early May (1 day) Prague International Marathon

May 8: Liberation Day (closures)

May 12–June 4 (likely) : "Prague Spring" Music Festival

Mid-to-late May (17 days): Czech Beer Festival, Prague

May 22–30: Prague Fringe Festival (offbeat theater)

May 24–27 (likely): Prague Food Festival (food booths in Royal Gardens of Prague Castle)

May 28–30: Shavu'ot (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)

Late May (2 days): United Islands of Prague (cultural events and world music on the city's islands)

Late May: Khamoro World Roma Festival, Prague (performances and events celebrating Roma culture)

June 2–7: Festival of Songs, Olomouc

June 11: Corpus Christi (religious festival; some closures)

June 12–13 (likely): Microbrewery festival, Prague

June 19–21: Celebration of the Rose, Český Krumlov (medieval festival and knights' tournament)

June 28–July 7: Český Krumlov Chamber Music Festival

Late June–mid-July: Prague Proms (musical festival)

Early July (2 days): Bohemia Jazzfest, Prague (free concerts in Old Town Square); travels to other Czech towns in following week

Early July (3 days): Rock for People, Hradec Králové (eclectic concert series in north central Czech Republic)

July 3–11: Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, western Czech Republic

July 5: Sts. Cyril and Methodius Day (closures)

July 6: Jan Hus Day (closures)

August 26–30: Praha Music Festival, Prague

September 18–September 20: Rosh Hashanah (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)

September 27–28: Yom Kippur (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)