Prague’s top 12 weekend events: A rooftop run, castle exploration, and Latin American bites

Several events over the weekend in Prague will give you unfettered access to sites new and old across the city, starting with Castle Night on the evening and night of Aug. 24. Dozens of castles, chateaux, and other monuments throughout the Czech Republic will be open to visitors, offering unique experiences such as tours, storytelling, music, and theater. In Prague, you can visit Invalidova building in Karlín, the Czech Senate, and the State Gardens under Prague Castle. Around 100 castles and monuments will partake in this event.

See the city from a bird's eye view at this year’s ARCHIRUN, taking you and your running shoes through architectural gems that are not normally accessible. This unique running event will take place on Aug. 24, starting and ending in the building of the Association of Project Studios at the Center for Architecture and Urban Planning. Along the route, see the modern Flow Building, Masarykovo Station, the ARA Palace, Máj department store, National Theatre, and more. The route is approximately eight kilometers long, suitable for all levels.

This summer in Prague has been accompanied by the endless drone of drilling and construction in what seems like virtually every corner of the city; and finally, you’ll be able to view and gain insight into one of the major projects in development. The Day of Open Construction at Praha-Výstaviště on Aug. 24 gives you the opportunity to go behind the scenes of the extensive construction that’s been taking place for the new stop at Výstaviště, and the future four-track railway station in Bubny. Guides will take you into places which are usually restricted - but prior registration is required.

The 11th year of the lively Latin America Merkádo is moving from Jiří z Poděbrady to the Rašínovo Nábřeží embankment after ten years, bringing with it exotic food, products and performances from Latin America. Fifty stands will be on site serving up chili, maté, fruits, textiles, jewelry and more, along with traditional dishes from popular Latino restaurants and bars around Prague. Brazilian drums, Mexican guitars, and Cuban salsa will soundtrack the festival held from Aug. 23-24, and hammocks will be available to lounge in after filling your belly and smashing one of the piñatas filled with sweets.

Enjoy the final days of summer with an open-air festival of live music, food trucks, and activities for children at the 2024 Malesicák Fest on Aug. 26. Held at Malešický Park, local bands such as Doktor Dancer and Meadow Avenue will perform throughout the day, while creative workshops and various stalls will be lined up around the playground.

If an open-air electronic music festival is more your speed, experience a dynamic lineup of international and local DJs at BadBoy Fest on Aug. 24, bringing hard-hitting genres like drum and bass, dubstep, and bass house to Prague Louka in Zbraslav-Lahovice. At the festival you can enjoy swimming in a summer biotope and even wakeboarding, while the world-renowned freestyle motocross rider Libor Podmol will put on a thrilling FMX performance as part of the program. A special children’s zone will also be on site for younger visitors.

For lovers of pop culture, prepare to delve into the world of cosplay at ConCrunch from Aug. 23-25 in the Křižík pavilions at Výstaviště. Experienced cosplay professionals will be giving lectures and workshops for budding cosplayers, and an artist alley will have original products from creators on sale. The festival is also catered towards photographers and fans of cosplay, bringing together a passionate community of creatives and performers.

After the Czech Prime Minister and President themselves attended a screening to commemorate the 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion, make sure you catch the "wave" yourself: Vlny (Waves) had its world premiere at the 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival this year and brings one of the most historic periods of Czech history to life. You can watch it with English subtitles at the French Institute in Prague on Friday, Edison Filmhub on Sunday, and Kino Aero on Thursday and Sunday.

Francophiles mustn’t miss the live orchestra rendition of the beautiful score from Le Magnifique at the Civic Swimming Pool on Aug. 24. Renowned Czech musician Ondřej Brzobohatý will be at the helm, conducting the exclusive performance accompanied by selected film clips in an unforgettable setting.

Indulge in the campy adventures of your favorite murderous cyborg in a marathon of the three Terminator films at Kino Aero on Aug. 24. Arnold Schwarzenegger will grace the screen for over five hours in a blockbuster extravaganza, with fans of the cult classics bound to be in raptures alongside you in the cinema.

You can never get your fill of burgers in Prague, with restaurants such as Choosy Burger Bistro, Take Eat EZ, and U Dřevák Beer&Grill serving up incredible offerings - and from Aug. 23-24, these vendors and a range of other street food spots will be gathering at the Fashion Arena Prague Outlet for the Arena Food Festival. Churro and macaron stands will balance out your palate, and you can wash it all down with drinks from APEbar and a range of soft drinks and beer.

A gastronomic fiesta will be unfolding at Manifesto Market Anděl from Aug. 23-25 for the much anticipated Street Food Festival, where you can enjoy specialties from around the world that are not always so easy to find in Prague. Japanese and Korean dishes such as takoyaki, toppoki, bibimbap, sweet pancakes, and taiyaki will be parcelled out, along with Turkish and American grill and Neapolitan pizza. A DJ will be spinning tunes on Friday, while a dance performance and live music are to follow on Saturday and Sunday respectively.