Upcoming Holidays and Festivals in the Czech Republic

Traditional costume in Pustevny, 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

2024

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)

February 20–23 (likely):  Carnival celebrations, Český Krumlov

February 28–March 3:  Prague Short Film Festival

March 20–April 19:  One World International Human Rights Film Festival, Prague

March 29–April 1:  Easter weekend (Good Friday through Easter Monday; closures)

April 24 & 29 (likely):  Second and seventh full days of Passover (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)

April 30:  Walpurgis Night (Paleni Carodejnic, a.k.a. "Witches' Night"; farewell-to-winter bonfires, including a big one on Prague's Petřin Hill)

May 1:  Labor Day (some closures), Day of Love (akin to Valentine's Day)

May 3–4:  United Islands of Prague (cultural events and world music on the city's islands)

May 5:  Prague International Marathon

May 8:  Liberation Day (closures)

May 12–June 2:  "Prague Spring" Music Festival

May 26–June 1:  Khamoro World Roma Festival, Prague (performances and events celebrating Romani culture)

May 27–June 1:  Prague Fringe Festival (offbeat theater)

May 29–June 2:  Festival of Songs, Olomouc

May 30:  Corpus Christi (religious festival; some closures)

June 7–8 (likely):  Microbrewery festival, Prague

June 12–13:  Shavu'ot (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)

June 13–15:  Rock for People, Hradec Králové (eclectic concert series in north central Czech Republic)

June 21–23:  Celebration of the Five-Petalled Rose, Český Krumlov (medieval festival and knights' tournament)

June 28–29:  Baroque Night in Český Krumlov Castle (dance, music, dining)

June 28–July 7:  Český Krumlov Chamber Music Festival

Late June–mid-October:  Prague Proms (concert series)

June 28–July 6:  Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, western Czech Republic

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

July 6:  Jan Hus Day (closures)

July 8–9 (likely):  Bohemia Jazzfest, Prague (free concerts in Old Town Square); travels to other Czech towns in following week or two

July 12–August 3:  Český Krumlov International Music Festival (classical music and opera)

July 16–August 6:  Summer Festivities of Early Music, Prague

July 17–20:  Colours of Ostrava (major city between Olomouc and Polish border; range of musical genres with international acts)

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

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

August 28–September 1:  Praha Music Festival, Prague (choral and orchestral performances)

August 28–September 1 (likely):  International Folklore Festival, Brno

September 5–23 (likely):  Dvořák's Prague Music Festival (concert series)

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

September 13–14:  Slunce ve Skle beer festival, Pilsen

September 20–22:  Český Krumlov Baroque Arts Festival

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

September 27–29:  St. Wenceslas celebrations, Český Krumlov

October 3–4:  Rosh Hashanah (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)

October 12:  Yom Kippur (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)

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

October 17–18 & October 24–25:  Sukkot (first two full days), Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)

Mid-October–November:  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)