30 Spring Events if You're Cash-Strapped

MUSIC

Apríles – April 26, Parukářka
April is the month of students. To celebrate, the Prague Economic University has organized a free festival featuring student bands.

Show 2014 – April 23, Strahov
Another student music festival, this time organized by students from CVUT. Also on the program:mud wrestling.

Cross Club – Ongoing
This legendary club full of intriguing scrap-metal art regularly hosts free movie screenings, theatre performances, workshops, discussions, and SKA and DnB concerts.

Storm Club – Ongoing
The promoters of the electronic music festival Let it Roll rock the whole year round with their Storm Club which typically requires no admission fee. In April, check out the Czech Drumnadnbass Awards 2013 ceremony or Jäger Vibes with breakdancers on April 26th.

Roxy Free Mondays –  Ongoing
Young bands, a mix of Czechs and foreigners,  take the stage every Monday at this renowned Prague club. On tap for April, Sarah Jackson (USA); May brings Giantree (AT).

La Loca – Ongoing
This fresh-to-the scene club hosts student bands and well-known Czech performers alike. In April, we recommend Cirkus Ponorka or all-star band Dr Max.

CULTURE

Expolaroid Praha – April, Polagraph
Join the worldwide “Polaroid month” to celebrate the re-birth of Polaroid and instant photography. The exhibit is set up in a tiny gallery in Žižkov.

Fireshow and drumming – April 2, Parukářka
The new and astonishing view of Prague from Parukářka park will take your breath away while the flaming beats of the drum show will ignite your inner fire ruler.

Public House: Age of Decay – April 5, MeetFactory
Another edition of the MeetFactory open house! This time it’s a full-on sensory experience combining film, performance art, and more.

Night of Churches – May 23, Multiple Locations
Peek into the life of Prague’s clergy and get ready for anything from monastery beer to chants. Last year, the whole of Czechia opened over 1,300 churches to the public.

NoD  – Ongoing
Beginning April 2nd, this gallery, theatre, club, café will host two exhibitions (Walking, Running, Dancing, Grasping, Fetching or Carrying and Thursday is almost Friday) for free. Free-music bonus: give it up for classical with Prague Philharmonia on April 22nd or party hard with Urban Beats on 26th.

Anděl’s Wednesday Swinging – Ongoing, Anděl Music Club
Learn how to swing it from the Prague Swingmasters every Wednesday in the Anděl Music Club for free! Music set by the oldest working Czech DJ – Mr. Karel Ctibor (born 1934).

Museum Night – June 14, Multiple Locations
If you don’t mind crowds, dedicate a summer June night to visiting as many local museums as you can. You can even take advantage of the special free public transport set up just for this popular event.

OPEN DAYS

Prague Castle Open Day – May 3
Where does the life of a Czech representative take place? This is a great opportunity to find out, unless, of course, you plan to run for Czech office. All rooms will be open to the public.

Czech Parliament – May 8, House of Commons and Senate
For the occasion of the 69th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s liberation from Nazi terror, the executive branch opens their palaces so you can see where the Czech laws are signed.

Open Garden Weekend – June 14-15, Multiple Locations
Representative gardens of official institutions, historical, even private courtyards; keep checking the regularly updated list of open places to discover unique Czech garden architecture.

HEALTHY LIVING

City on a Bike – April 12-13, Náplavka
Náplavka (the Prague riverbank) has woken up from its winter slumber and is off to a running (biking!) start. After this biking festival, you will no longer believe in gravity.

Big Spring Critical Mass Bike Ride – April 26, Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad
Do you have a retro bike? Do you have a costume? Do you have a ghetto-blaster? Load it onto your own two wheels  and celebrate the urban bike movement taking hold of the city. Need a new bike? Read our article here.

Prague Stairs 2014 – May 20, Hradčanské náměstí
Local and expat cycling stars ride the streets of Malá Strana and Hradčany. The race lap begins at Nerudova Street and ends up at the Hradčanské náměstí with a stair-climb competition in which riders will try to repeatedly mount 128 “castle stairs” (Zámecké schody) in one hour.

Freeline Skates – April 5, Stromovka
Freeline is a new type of sport combining all different kinds of movements (see the video below). If you want to try it, like their FB page, choose an hour on Doodle and come to Stromovka on April 5th.

Free Tai Chi – Střelecký ostrov/Letná
Enjoy Prague’s green spaces from a new perspective, while de-stressing, with The Tai Chi School every Wednesday at Střelecký ostrov or usually last Saturday in Letná park. The next lessons will be held on April 4th and 26th.

Yoga lessons – Vyšehrad
Every Thursday, May-October, 7 pm, yoga lessons will take place on the grass at Vyšehrad park. Beginners are especially welcome!

Pole Dance lessons – Ongoing, Moschna Dance Center
Have you ever wondered how anyone can hold onto a pole without falling while performing sexy  poses at the same time? Try it yourself for free every Sunday at 1pm.

FOOD & DRINK

Restaurant Day – May 17, Multiple Locations
This event encourages would-be restauranteurs to set up a pop-up venue. Guests will be able to taste your culinary abilities. Don’t feel like cooking? many participants offer meals for low cost or free.

MOVIES

Blind Screening – Ongoing, Bio OKO/Kino Aero
You don’t have to pay a single Czech koruna (or maybe just a small amount of them) to see a whole movie. The catch? The audience doesn’t know in advance what the film will be. 

Free Screenings – Ongoing, Multiple Locations
Another venue screening free movies, usually cult classics, is the Globe. The American Center’s Film Club is screening a mix of documentaries and Hollywood hit. If you are interested in Czech film, visit the social club ERA Svět every Tuesday. The April schedule is full of black-and-white favorites (in CZ).

MISC.

Prague Pride: The Sins – April 19, Žižkov Train Station
The Old Cargo Station at Žižkov is an ideal place for a sinful party organized by Prague Pride. On Easter, the GLBT community will dress up as nuns and priests and instead of painting Easter Eggs, will decorate condoms!

Rolls-Royce and Bentley Showcase– May 17, Dubeč
Fantasizing about being able to afford a Rolls-Royce or Bentley? The first annual showcase of these hotrods promises new and vintage models and live music.

Happy Mondays at the Zoo – Ongoing
Throughout the year, the Prague ZOO welcomes different groups of people every Monday for only 1 CZK admission. Have you adopted an animal from the ZOO? Come in April. Do you carry your kids in a sling or backpack frame? Come any Monday in May and pay just 1 CZK.

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Have we missed a free or cheap event? Let us know at eva.samsukova@expats.cz.