Events Guide Czech Republic 2010

January

Josef  Čapek Retrospective
Until January 17th you can catch the Josef Čapek Retrospective at Prague Castle Riding School (Jízdárna Pražského hradu) Further details can be found here.

Aida at the National Theater
One of Verdi’s most famous opera’s will be performed at the National Theater on January 11th. A second performance is scheduled for February 8th.

Grand Restaurant Festival
From January 15th to February 15th, the Grand Restaurant guide in cooperation with participating restaurants has organized a festival so ‘even ordinary mortals can enjoy the best food’. We assume this means the prices are more affordable. Full details, conditions and menus can be found here.

Czech Press Photos 2009
Last year’s exhibition of award winning press photos at the Old Town square is open until January 31st.

February

Bohemian Carnivale
This is a modern take on an old tradition running from February 5th – 16th with masked balls, theater and other events. There are also more traditional local events which go under the name of “masopust”.

State Opera House Ball
The State Opera House is changed to a ballroom on February 6th. Dance away the winter blues at this annual event.

Cirkus Cirkus
Prague’s inaugural circus festival will be held from February 12th – 13th at the Incheba Arena (formerly the small sports hall) at Prague’s Výstaviště.

Walking with Dinosaurs
In case the kids have turned into little monsters stuck indoors over the winter, you can show them some real ones, or at least replicas, at O2 Arena February 17th.

March

Jeden Svět / One World
The Czech Republic’s premier documentary festival runs in Prague from March 10th – 18th. The festival will continue around the country. Check the website for venues and dates.

Miluj Svůj Život / Love your Life
The 27th International Festival of Esoterica and Spiritual Directions will be held from April 12th – 14th at Gymnázium Omská, Prague 10. Some panels are in English. See website (www.ezotera.cz) for full festival program.

Febiofest
The 17th Febiofest (www.febiofest.cz), Prague’s largest film festival, will take place from March 25th to April 2nd. Screenings will be held in Village Cinema Anděl, and PONREPO cinema.

The Hervis Prague Half Marathon
This lead up to the Prague International Marathon is run on March 27th. Registration information and other details can be found here.

Expats.cz / Prague.tv Playwriting Contest Finalists
The top three entries in the Expats.cz / Prague.tv Playwriting Contest will be performed at the Prague Playhouse. Check their website for further details.

April

Exhibition of Butterflies, Prague Botanical Garden
Walk among the tropical butterflies at the Fata Morgana, Prague Botanical Garden. Exhibition runs from April 2nd – 30th.

13th International Wine and Spirit Trade Fair
This chance to sample both local and foreign wines and spirits will be held at the Prague Exhibition Grounds (Výstaviště Praha Holešovice) from April 27th – 29th.

Witch Burning Night
In many towns and villages, people build bonfires for Witch Burning Night April 30th. If you intend to light a bonfire, the Prague Fire Department recommends you take safety precautions. If you intend to build a large fire, it’s important to notify the local fire department first. Please remember, fires in forests are strictly prohibited.

May

Volkswagen Prague Full Marathon
Looking for something outdoors? The Volkswagen Prague Marathon weekend runs from May 8th – 9th. All necessary information can be found here. Be warned, all traffic, including trams, is stopped for the duration of the event.

Prague Spring
This year, Prague’s famous classical music festival, Prague Spring, celebrates its 65th birthday. The event takes place from May 12th to June 5th with the festival prelude on May 9th. Full program and details at their website (www.prague-spring.net).

Book World Prague
Prague’s largest book fair is held from May 13th-16th with a mix of public events and those exclusive to people in the industry. This year’s guest of honor is Poland. Further details at the website.

Czech Beer Festival
If May was seeming too high brow, there is also the Czech Beer Festival from May 15th – 30th, billed as the largest gastronomical event of 2010. Apart from your favorite brews, various samples of Czech cuisines will be on offer. Details, including beers and menus, are available at  www.ceskypivnifestival.cz.

Pavement Reunion Tour comes to Prague
The darlings of the lo-fi music scene are embarking on a reunion tour and coming to Palác Akropolis May 20th. Tickets on sale through TicketPro.

Khamora
The Czech Republic’s best known international Roma cultural event will take place from May 24th – 29th. The event includes film screenings, concerts, exhibitions and seminars. See website (www.khamoro.cz) for details.

Prague Food Festival
And in case you haven’t had your fill after the beer festival, the top chefs in the Czech Republic show off their skills at the Prague Food Festival from May 28th – 30th. Check their website (www.praguefoodfestival.com) for program and menus.

Prague Fringe Festival
This local fringe festival returns this year on May 28th and finishes on June 5th, showcasing quirky and experimental productions, many which are in English. Details are scant now, so visit the website throughout the year to see what they’re planning.

June

The Prague Writers’ Festival
This year the festival will celebrate its twentieth anniversary. The theme is “Heresy and Rebellion” and events are to take place at the National Theater Nova Scéna from June 6th – 10th. See website (www.pwf.cz) for details.

The United Islands of Prague
This free outdoor musical festival will return to venues around the River Vltava from June 24th – 27th. In the past, performers have included local and foreign acts. Check their website for further details (www.unitedislands.cz).

Prague Museum Night
On the night of June 12th from 7pm to 1am, a number of Prague museums open their doors for free for a unique view of the city’s culture heritage. Free bus travel is provided between venues. See their website (www.prazskamuzejninoc.cz) for details.

Sonisphere Festival
The four big names in 80s speed metal; Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax and Megadeth on one bill for one night, June 19th at Mimoň Airport. See the TicketPro website for prices and times.

July

Rock for People
This outdoor musical festival will return to Hradec Králové from July 3rd to 6th. Headliners have yet to be confirmed. Check their website (www.rockforpeople.cz) for developments.

The Karlovy Vary Film Festival
This film festival is the Czech Republic’s oldest and most prestigious. It will run from July 2nd – 10th this year. Keep checking the website (www.kviff.com) for films and sessions through the year.

Colours of Ostrava
This international music festival, held in the Moravian city of Ostrava, will take place from July 15th – 18th. Check the website for the line-up as the date approaches.

Hip Hop Jam
For those whose musical tastes run to the more ‘urban’, you’ll want to pencil July 15th – 17th in to your diaries for the Czech Republic’s main hip hop festival. See website for details.

Folková Růže (Folk Rose)
Just in case, neither rock nor hip hop are your thing, there is this folk and country music festival in Jindřichův Hrádec from July 15th – 17th. See website for details.

Summer Shakespeare Festival
No firm dates yet but this popular festival usually takes place in July. Most of the performances are in Czech, but the 2009 program included performances by the British Shakespeare Company. See website (www.shakespeare.cz) for details.

Benatská Noc (Venice Nights)
That’s Venice as in Benátky nad Jizerou, a town north of Prague, which will again host a rock festival. It´s typically held in July, although 2010 dates haven´t been confirmed. Watch www.benatskanoc.cz for details.

Prague Folklore Days
This festival celebrates various traditional European cultures will take place from July 29th – August 1st. Visit their website for details.

August

Sazavafest
Another Czech music festival; this one is celebrating its tenth anniversary. The festival is set to run from August 5th – 7th. For venue and acts, check out their website: (www.sazavafest.cz).

September

Czech International Air Fest
This event for air enthusiasts and anyone who has ever dreamed of flying will return to Hradec Králové from the 4th – 6th September. 

Der Film
This German language film festival organized by the Goethe Institute runs from September 30th – October 4th. Except in certain cases, all films will have Czech and English subtitles. See website (www.derfilm.cz) for films and sessions.

Strings of Autumn
This showcase of experimental and traditional music takes place in venues across Prague. Last year’s festival started at the end of September. Check the website (www.strunypodzimu.cz) for updates.

October

Designblok
Local designers get to exhibit their creations. See what is cutting edge in Czech design from October 5th – 10th. Watch their website for updates.

November

Mezipatra

The Czech Republic’s longest running queer film festival has screenings from November 4th – 9th in Brno and November 11th – 16th in Prague. See website (www.mezipatra.cz) for details.

St Martin’s Day
Though a relatively recent tradition, the St Martin’s Wine, opened on November 11th, gives you a chance to sample some young Czech and Moravian wine, which is characteristically fresher and lighter.

Czech Press Photos 2010
This annual recognition of outstanding press photography will again take place at the Old Town Hall from November 15th to January 31st 2011. See website for details.

December

St Nicholas Day (Mikuláš)
Also known as Angels and Devils Day, this annual event held on the evening of December 5th involves distributing chocolates to kids while people in devil costumes try to terrify them.