15 Boozy Festivals for Warm Weather

Beer Season Opening Ceremony 2014– April 24, 2014
Chodovar’s Beer Wellness Land Spa and Brewery will officially mark the opening of “beer season” on April 24th this year (wait, were we not supposed to be drinking, yet…?). Activities include a barman’s show and competition, a parade, brewery tours and live music in the garden. Let the drinking games begin.

Open Wine Cellars – April 26-27, 2014
More than 30 winemakers open their doors during this public tasting in the Pálava region in South Moravia. Ticket price (two-day pass 890 CZK in advance, 990 CZK at the festival) includes a tasting glass, bag, guide, and 200-CZK voucher towards buying your favorite wine. Free shuttle service between the villages and vineyards.

Český Pivní Festival – May 15-31, 2014
Prague’s Czech Beer Festival moves to Prague’s Letná Park this year, but the basics remain the same – multiple tents filled with more than 70 brands of pivo and Czech food served by staff in traditional costumes. The Rock’n’Beer Fest includes 56 bands.Admission 90 CZK (free before 2pm on weekdays).

Ružový Maj – May 18, 2014
Prague’s rose wine festival adds a touch of elegance to summer’s lineup of alcoholic events. Twenty vineyards will offer samples while attendees browse the gourmet food booths alongside local Czech jewelers, fashion designers, and ceramics. The afternoon and evening also include swing music performances.

Beerfest Olomouc– May 29-31, 2014
This four-day festival includes more than 30 breweries and 40 bands and is topped off with the International Meeting of Beer Souvenir Collectors. Participants can buy, sell, trade or just show off their pivo-themed paraphernalia. As an added inspiration to start drinking early, the first 1,500 attendees are treated to a free beer.
Admission is 200 CZK daily.

Beerfest Olomouc, May 29-31

Pivo na Náplavce – May 30-31, 2014
A family-friendly festival along the banks of the Vltava River, organized by the farmers market association. This waterfront exhibition offers more than 35 smaller microbrews along with craft lemonade, sodas, and mineral waters.

Prague Drinks Wine – June 6-7, 2014
Inspired by gatherings of the Hapsburg Empire, festival organizers have lined up more than 40 winemakers from the Czech Republic and neighboring countries for a tasting at Troja Palace. Busy parents who want to enjoy a day of drinking will appreciate the kids’ corner with professional nannies on site. Tickets are 550-950 CZK.

Pivofest Trutnov – June 8, 2014
If you want a chance to actually sample every beer at one festival, check out the ten breweries pouring at this festival near the Polish border. Entertainment includes a parade of classic cars and live music from noon to midnight. Admission: 120-130 CZK.

Prague Drinks Wine, June 6-7

Open Air Festival – June 14, 2014
The Ferdinand Brewery in Benešov is pairing punk rock and pivo this June. The lineup of eight bands will provide a hardcore soundtrack to your day drinking from 1:00pm-10:00pm. Tickets are 150 CZK.

Bernard Fest – June 20-21, 2014
This family-owned, Humpolec-based brewery celebrates the 20th anniversary of their festival this year. A live music program is set to rock the stage and brewery tours are available. Tickets ranges from 300-780 CZK.

Harrachov Beer Festival – July 19, 2014
Held on the grounds of the Harrachov microbrewery and glassworks, this festivals includes a wide range of beers from the local microbrewery and the breweries Kocour and Konrád, plus concerts, a glass fair, workshops for children and extreme competitions for adults: chug a mug of beer, get tipsy and ride a bike or toss a barrel!

Harrachov Beer Festival, July 19

Mikulovske Pivobraní – August 9, 2014
This South Moravian (Mikulov) boasts “fun for the whole family” alongside a Miss Wet T-shirt competition and pole dance performances, so draw your own conclusions. Other activities include a Master Beer Belly Championship drinking contest, live rock music, and more than 70 types of beer.

Vizovické Trnkobraní – August 22-23, 2014
This annual plum-harvest festival in Vizovické Trnkobraní includes plenty of the Czech Republic’s other national drink, slivovice. With a plum dumpling-eating contest and a long list of musical performers, what more could you want? Tickets start at 280 CZK.

Pardubice Wine Festival – August 22-23, 2014
Wine fans will converge on the town of Pardubice in late August sample from more than fifty local and international vineyards. Activities include sommellier competitions, tastings and entertainment on the town’s Perštýn Square.

Highland Games Whisky Festival – August 30, 2014
Sychrov Castle hosts this annual ode to tartans, kilts, bagpipes and, naturally, whisky. While the festival itself is devoted to promoting Scottish heritage via music, exhibits, and workshops, the day also includes a whisky festival.

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What’s your favorite warm-weather boozefest?