Prague’s top 12 weekend events: Ice rinks open, greenhouses light up, and acrobats astound

A source of solace from the winter blues arrives this weekend in the form of scenic ice rinks opening in Zličín, Old Town, and Letná. Firmly ushering in the first festive vibes of the season, the first two rinks will be open from today, with Letná’s winter wonderland opening on Nov. 16.

Another hallmark of the season are the twinkling marketplaces that are cropping up around the city, providing a reprieve from wintery walks with steaming mulled wine and Christmassy trinkets. Clustered in front of the Rudolfinum is the UMTRH Hand Made Christmas Market, featuring live music, food, and drink, from Nov. 15 to 17.

A farmer’s market at Jiřího z Poděbrad on Nov. 16 will bring together Czech and Moravian winemakers in a belated celebration of St. Martin’s Day. This will be accompanied by traditional goodies and food from other vendors.

St Martin’s Day specialties of goose and duck will also be available at the National Agricultural Museum for the sixteenth year of the traditional Letenská husa on Nov. 16. Taste wines and langoustines, traditional St. Martin’s rolls, sample sweet treats, and learn how to feather and trample cabbage, ferment wine, and knit the basis of an autumn wreath. The fair will present two Starokladrub horses and will be accompanied by the dulcimer music of Alexander Vrábel.

On Nov. 16, head to the gorgeous home of Japanese teas, coffees, desserts at Cafe Sofa, which will be hosting a small Japanese market in the lobby of the building. The market will be filled with incense sticks, Studio Ghibli goodies, matcha, chocolate, and more.

The 11th Aussie & Kiwi Film Fest kicks off on Nov. 15 at Lucerna Cinema with the animated film Memories from the Shell. This year’s festival lineup features award-winning films from Australia and New Zealand, including Surfař (The Surfer), starring Nicolas Cage, and the historical drama The Convert, starring Guy Pearce. The festival also includes an exhibition, beer tastings, school screenings, and more, and runs until Nov. 20.

Transport yourself to London’s National Theatre at Kino 35 on Nov. 15 with a premiere recording of the hit play Dear England starring Joseph Fiennes (from Shakespeare in Love and The Handmaid’s Tale). The play explores the role of English football in the identity of the country on a spectacular set and with an impressive lineup of actors.

The riveting documentary following former Slovakian President Zuzana Čaputová, Ms. President, premieres at Kino Aero with English subtitles on Nov. 17. It depicts an intimate portrait of a woman in a male-dominated landscape, while balancing motherhood and other demands. Go behind the scenes of global dilemmas with world leaders in this captivating docudrama.

A new exhibition opens at Prague Castle in the Imperial Stables on Nov. 15, featuring three artists of different generations toying with concepts of memory. The Heart is a Temple presents graphic, photographic, and sculptural works from state and private collections.

Enter a living jungle, humming with the ribbit of frogs, splashing of fish and rustling of leaves, on a special evening tour of Prague’s Fata Morgana greenhouse named The Jungle That Doesn’t Sleep. The tours begin Nov. 15 and will run until Dec. 14, with several evening slots every Friday and Saturday.

From Nov. 15 to 17, international acrobats and groups will be taking to marquees and stages for Circus Nights (La Nuit du Cirque), with entries from the Czech Republic participating for the first time. Enter a fantasy “Underworld”, where acrobats flex their bodies in a fantasy environment, or take your kids along to an open lesson in ground and hanging acrobatics under the guidance of Australian professionals, across various venues in Prague.

For a festive-themed circus show, Christmas carolling, and a ceremonial tree lighting, make your way to Metropole Zličín shopping center on Nov. 16 for the Christmas Circus Show at Metropole Zličín. Count down the seconds until the lighting of the Christmas tree at 4:30 p.m. and watch roller-skating elves, tap-dancing penguins, and acrobats, accompanied by a children’s choir.

Czechia remembers the Velvet Revolution on Nov. 17 with Korzo Národní, a parade down Prague’s Národní Street, including a procession, concerts, debates, theater, and exhibitions. Highlights include the premiere of Freedom Unites Us, a film blending archival and animated footage, projected throughout the evening, and Anna Fialová’s performance of Prayer for Martha at the symbolic time of 5:11 p.m.