Prague's top 10 weekend events: Whisky delights, Shakespearean fables, and Bollywood

This weekend is, of course, dominated by Halloween celebrations as the week-long spooky celebrations wrap up with decadent parties and parades. The final series of events this weekend will include silent film screenings at Edison Filmhub, the Sacre Coeur Halloween Night in Smíchov, and more. Read our ultimate Halloween events guide below.

Discover the delights of drams at the 11th annual Whisky Life Prague festival. Held over Nov. 1 to 2 in the atmospheric surroundings of Nové Město's Town Hall, it offers whisky lovers a chance to sample over 400 varieties from around the globe. Masterclasses provide a guided approach to tasting rare drops otherwise unavailable in the Czech market. Special single cask selections, unusual finishes and unique vintages await discovery at this definitive whisky celebration.

Grab your popcorn and get set for a touch of Mumbai as the 21st Indian Film Festival takes over Kino Světozor this weekend. Running until Nov. 2 and coinciding with the celebrations of Diwali, it's the perfect chance to indulge in the sights, sounds and cinematic splendor of Bollywood. Highlights include Karan Johar's highly acclaimed blockbuster Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. After screenings, stick around for traditional masala chai, Indian snacks and even a Bollywood dance party on the final night at Chapeau Rouge.

Shakespeare and Sons in Malá Strana will celebrate the release of Prague-based author Evan Rail’s new book The Absinthe Forger on Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. A book signing and talk on absinthe’s cultural impact by Evan himself will ensue, transporting you to a world of gruesome murders and dodgy bootleggers.

Delve into themes of bigotry, class and revenge as The Merchant of Venice comes to life on stage this weekend. The Prague Shakespeare Company presents William Shakespeare's timely tale of discrimination and difficult debts at the atmospheric Estates Theatre. Kicking off on Nov. 2, see stars Irwin Appel and Stephan Wolfert shine in the leading roles of moneylender Shylock and merchant Antonio.

Czech dušičky, or All Souls' Day, takes place annually on Nov. 2. Combining remembrance and lively tributes to the departed, many commemorative events will take place across the city including vigils at cemeteries and a parade from Chodov Fortress at 5 p.m. The Mexican cultural traditions of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) also continue to run from Halloween into the first week of November, with the main festival running this weekend at the Náprstek Museum of Asian, African and American Cultures, and a lively procession through Bethlehem Square and the center of Prague on Nov. 2.

Dance through the halls of Gabriel Loci monastery in a daze of thumping beats and evocative light shows on Nov. 1 for the SOUND rave, combining dark and sultry Halloween vibes with a techno line-up. Final release tickets are still available.

Prague Sounds Festival takes over the city from Nov. 3 to Nov. 20. Now in its 28th edition, the festival continues to bring unprecedented performances from across genres under one roof. Kick things off with the celebrated Branford Marsalis Quartet and their effortless jazz mastery on Sunday at Lucerna’s Grand Hall, which launches the festival and gives a taste of what’s to come.