The Czech Republic’s beautiful capital city holds a number of events during springtime, ranging from celebrations of the changing of the seasons to religious and cultural festivals. Now is a great time to avoid the tourist crowds and get a great deal on Prague hotels, so pack your bags and decide which of these top events to aim for.
Easter
Easter in Prague is a beautiful event, and must be experienced at least once by all fans of the city. The streets are decorated with flowers, bunting and lights, while the market stalls offer everything from handmade Easter eggs to classic souvenirs. Street performances and hot, freshly-cooked food can be found throughout each day, making it a wonderful place to be during the religious holiday.
Prague Easter markets
Prague’s Easter markets are almost an attraction in their own right, and as they stay open a few weeks after Easter you can still visit them even if you don’t want to face the crowds of the weekend itself. Folk crafts, artisan produce and live musicians can all be found here, and as many stalls offer tasters it’s a great way to discover the local cuisine. Make your way around all the stalls before buying anything, as you’ll often find chocolates in all shapes and sizes – at varying price points!
Bohemian Carneval
The Bohemian Carneval is Prague’s answer to Mardi Gras, a festival held since the Middle Ages celebrating the coming of spring. It takes influences for many different eras in the city’s past, and throughout the week-long extravaganza you’ll find masked balls, street parades, story-tellers and a wealth of traditional food. Events can also be found in many of the museums and gardens, so you can celebrate regardless of what the weather’s doing!
Prague Spring Music Festival
Since 1946 Prague has hosted its Spring Music Festival, a major feature of the city’s annual calendar. Opera, symphony and chamber music events take place across the region, with international groups including the Prague Symphony and the Vienna Philharmonic taking part in this wonderful celebration of classical music. Performances can be found in theatres, opera houses and even churches.
Prague Festival of Czech Beer
In May, beer lovers will be pleased to find the city’s annual Festival of Czech Beer, a two-week celebration under three huge beer tents in the heart of the city. With servers in traditional Czech costume and a beer-hall feel to the whole occasion, you’d imagine you were in Munich’s iconic Oktoberfest, were it not for the 80 Czech beers on offer. Along side this, look out for hog roast, meat and cheese platters, and delicious handmade breads.
