Are you considering a visit to the “City of Hundred Spires” in 2023? Then you might want to check out this list of major festivals and events that will make Prague come to life. Make sure to be in town at the right moment because BIG things are coming up this year! 

Three Kings Procession

Source: praha.charita.cz

January 6, 2023

The Three Kings Procession is a traditional celebration that marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of Epiphany. Three men dressed as the Three Wise Men ride through the streets of the historic centre on camelback, followed by a crowd of people in costumes. The celebration starts at 3 pm with a blessing to the carolers in the Church of St Thomas and at 3.30 the procession starts from Malostranské Náměstí, heading across the Charles Bridge towards the Old Town Square.

Where: From Malostranské Náměstí to the Old Town Square

How to get there: Walking to the city center or tram to Malostranské Náměstí

Tickets: Free admission

Prague Easter Markets

March 16 – April 23, 2023

Colourful markets with local handicrafts and delicious street food will take over the city in the weeks leading up to Easter. They are traditionally held at various plazas throughout the city, featuring a variety of activities, such as live music performances or cultural workshops. The festive atmosphere of the markets are world-renowned and part of the reason why Easter might be one of the best times to visit Prague!

Where: Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square

How to get there: Walking to the city center or metro/tram to Staroměstská and Můstek

Tickets: Free admission

Important: Bring cash, some stands don’t accept credit cards

Prague Half Marathon

Source: runczech.com

April 1, 2023

The Prague Half Marathon attracts runners from all around the world! Who wouldn’t want to go for a run right in the historic city center of Prague, past landmarks such as the Charles Bridge and the Prague Castle? The event is known for its friendly and fun atmosphere, offering a great opportunity for runners to experience the beauty of Prague while competing in a world-class running event.

Where: Prague city centre

How to get there: The start of the race TBA

Registration: https://www.runczech.com/en/events/prague-half-marathon-2023

Important: Some streets along the route will be closed down to traffic and schedules of public transport will be altered

Source: reflex.cz

Comic-Con Prague

April 14 – 16, 2023

Comic-Con is a cultural event that celebrates comics, movies, TV shows, video games, and other forms of popular culture. Annually it brings fans together to celebrate their shared interests and meet like-minded people. It’s traditionally enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. This year’s Comic-Con will be held at the O2 Universum Prague, a newly-opened congress center right next to Prague’s biggest arena. 

Where: O2 Universum

How to get there: Metro to Českomoravská

Tickets: https://www.comiccon.cz/tickets

Prague Majáles

Source: facebook.com/praha-majales

April 29, 2023

Pražský Majáles is a celebration of spring in the form of an annual student festival. It features a variety of activities, such as live music performances, cultural workshops, sports tournaments, and a market with food and merchandise vendors. The event is a great way for students to get involved in the local community. Held at various locations around the city, Majáles is organized with the goal of promoting a positive and inclusive student culture in Prague.

Where: Prague Letňany Airport

How to get there: Metro to Letňany

Tickets: https://praha.majales.cz/program-vstupenky/

Source: cirquedusoleil.com/ovo

Cirque du Soleil

May 3 – 7, 2023

The world-renowned circus company Cirque du Soleil comes to Prague with the highly energetic and acrobatic OVO performance, a colourful foray into the life of insects. Made up of 100 people from 25 different countries, including 52 performers, OVO brings to the stage high-level acrobatic stunts that redefine the limits of the human body. This unique event will take place in the O2 Arena.

Where: O2 Arena

How to get there: Metro to Českomoravská

Tickets: https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/czech-republic/prague/ovo/buy-tickets

Important: Expect large crowds at the entrance, come ahead of time (the gates are open at least 90 minutes before the start of the show)

Prague Marathon

Source: runczech.com

May 7, 2023

The Prague International Marathon has become one of the most popular races in the world. Around two-thirds of international competitors usually take part. The course runs mostly through the historic centre of the city. In addition to the race, the Prague Marathon also includes a variety of other running events, such as a 5K and a 10K race. There are also events for children and a wheelchair race.

Where: Prague city centre

How to get there: The start of the race TBA

Registration: https://www.runczech.com/en/events/prague-marathon-2023

Important: Some streets along the route will be closed down to traffic and schedules of public transport will be altered

Source: facebook.com/PrazskeJaro

Prague Spring International Music Festival

May 12 – June 2, 2023

You might have heard of the infamous events of the Prague Spring in 1968, but let me assure you that this event is much more cheerful and esthetically valid. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious classical music festivals in the world! It has been held annually since 1946, featuring a variety of classical music performances, including concerts, operas, and ballets.

Where: Various venues around the city, the most popular ones being the Prague Castle, the National Theatre, and the Rudolfinum concert hall

How to get there: https://festival.cz/en/misto-konani/

Tickets: https://festival.cz/en/all-about-tickets/

Important: Formal dress code required

The Baroque Festivities NAVALIS

Source: navalis.cz

May 15, 2023

Navalis is the largest Baroque festival in Prague with a three hundred year tradition. It takes place on the Vltava River right under the iconic Charles Bridge. 

The Baroque Festivities have a fixed scenario every year and they traditionally include a ceremonial decorating of the horses on Hradčany Square, a solemn mass in the Cathedral of St. Vitus, a procession from the Cathedral across Charles Bridge to Křižovnické Náměstí and a Baroque concert right on the water. Best places to watch are Charles Bridge or all the river fronts around it. 

Where: Vltava river under the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle

How to get there: Tram to Malostranské Náměstí or Pražský hrad

Tickets: No admission needed to watch from the river banks

Important: Make sure to secure your spot at least 30 minutes before the concert starts

Source: openhousepraha.cz

Prague Open House

May 15 – 21, 2023

Open House is a cultural event that gives people the opportunity to visit a variety of interesting and historic buildings that aren’t normally open to the public. Free guided tours are often available on various sites, including museums, galleries or churches. Prague Open House is a great opportunity for people to learn about the rich history and culture of Prague. It’s a popular event that attracts a large number of people from the local community and beyond.

Where: Various locations around Prague TBA

How to get there: The best way to move around is by walking or public transport

Tickets: Free admission

Roger Waters, “This Is Not a Drill”

Source: rogerwaters.com

May 24 & 25, 2023

The co-founder of the legendary Pink Floyd, Roger Waters returns to Prague with his first farewell tour “This Is Not a Drill”. The most famous songs and a breathtaking audiovisual show guarantee an extraordinary experience! The concert will be held at the huge O2 Arena and is expected to be sold out soon. Make sure to buy your tickets in advance if you’re thinking of attending!

Where: O2 Arena

How to get there: Metro to Českomoravská

Tickets: https://www.o2arena.cz/en/events/roger-waters-2/

Important: Expect large crowds at the entrance, come ahead of time (the gates are open at least 90 minutes before the start of the show)

Source: ironmaiden.com

Iron Maiden, “The Future Past Tour”

May 30 & 31, 2023

The end of May will be busy with big names! Iron Maiden will bring their brand new “The Future Past Tour” to Prague’s O2 Arena, featuring previously unplayed tracks from their latest studio album “Senjutsu,” as well as from their 1986 cult album “Somewhere in Time” and other classic cuts. This’ll be another popular event that you might want to secure your tickets for well ahead of time!

Where: O2 Arena

How to get there: Metro to Českomoravská

Tickets: https://www.o2arena.cz/en/events/iron-maiden-2/

Important: Expect large crowds at the entrance, come ahead of time (the gates are open at least 90 minutes before the start of the show)

Street Music Festival Praha žije hudbou 

June 2, 2023

The main idea behind the biggest street music festival in Prague is that art belongs in the streets. Hundreds of artists regularly join the festival making it into quite a unique spectacle. Hit the streets to enjoy Prague full of music and arts! If any of the artists catch your eye, don’t forget to support them with a tip! You can also support the entire Prague Lives Music Festival by buying a virtual ticket.

Where: All around the city centre

How to get there: The best way to move around is by walking

Tickets: Free admission

Important: Bring some cash to tip your favourite artists

Source: metronome.cz

Metronome Prague – Music and Arts Fair

June 22 – 24, 2023

Metronome Prague is an alternative music festival that originated right under the famous landmark of Prague Metronome. This 75-foot-tall monument reminds of the instability of political regimes and the plaza that surrounds it is a popular hangout spot for young people. Due to its recent popularity, the festival has been moved to the Exhibition Grounds in the Holešovice neighbourhood that will come alive with plenty of good music and workshops.

Where: Prague Exhibition Grounds, Holešovice

How to get there: Tram to Výstaviště Holešovice or metro to Nádraží Holešovice

Tickets: https://www.metronome.cz/en/tickets

Important: Expect large crowds at the entrance and exit

Prague Pride

Source: praguepride.cz

August 7 – 13, 2023

What used to be a single-day parade is now a week-long festival! And it’s so much fun! Colourful, vibrant, energetic, and ultimately open-minded is the Prague Pride festival that hosts a variety of performances, workshops, food stands, as well as the parade, of course! If you happen to be in Prague in August, make sure to stop by and support the local LGBTQ+ community.

Where: Various locations around the city 

How to get there: https://festival.praguepride.com/en/programme/festival-locations/

Tickets: Free admission

Important: Some streets along the route of the parade will be closed down to traffic

Source: runczech.com

Adidas Run for Women 5K & Birell run 10K 

September 2, 2023

Another major running event takes place at the beginning of September is the 5K run for women and 10K mixed run. Even though this race is nowhere near as popular as the Prague Marathon or Half Marathon, it’s quite a spectacle and can get the city rather crowded.

Where: Prague city centre

How to get there: The start of the race TBA

Registration: https://www.runczech.com/en/events/adidas-womens-race-5-km-2023 and https://www.runczech.com/en/events/birell-10k-race-prague-2023 

Important: Some streets along the route will be closed down to traffic and schedules of public transport will be altered

Dvořákova Praha: International Music Festival

Source: facebook.com/dvorakovapraha

September 7 – 25, 2023

You’ve probably noticed by now that Prague is all about classical music. So many great composers came from Prague, including the genius of Antonín Dvořák to whom this festival is dedicated. Dvořákova Praha offers more than two weeks of musical events, the extraordinary nature of which is due to both the dramaturgical grasp of the festival’s central theme and the composition of the performing musicians from the top ranks of the world.

Where: Rudolfinum Dvořák Hall

How to get there: Metro/tram stop Staroměstská 

Tickets: https://www.dvorakovapraha.cz/en/programme/how-to-buy-tickets/

Important: Formal dress code required

Source: signalfestival.com

Signal Festival 

October 12 – 15, 2023

Lights, lights and more lights! The Prague Signal Festival is an annual light art festival that lights up the whole city centre. This one-of-a-kind event brings together artists and designers from around the world to create innovative and interactive light installations and projections right in the streets, squares, and public spaces.

Where: Old Town and other locations TBA

How to get there: Walking to the city center or metro/tram to Staroměstská 

Tickets: www.signalfestival.com/en

Important: Make sure to put on some warm clothes and good walking shoes, you might be on your feet for quite some time!

Prague Christmas Markets 

December 2, 2023 – January 6, 2024

If visiting Prague Christmas markets isn’t on the top of your bucket list it definitely should be! They have been voted among the most beautiful markets in Europe and the Christmas atmosphere that hangs in the air is a good enough reason to travel all the way to Prague for the holiday season. You’ll find the Christmas markets in most of the major plazas throughout the city, as well as some smaller local squares.

Where: Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square

How to get there: Walking to the city center or metro/tram to Staroměstská and Můstek

Tickets: Free admission

Important: Bring cash, some stands don’t accept credit cards

January 2, 2023