The 10 best things to do in Prague this weekend: June 16–18, 2023

On June 16 and 17, Merkádo will take place at náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrady. The largest Latin American festival in Czechia will offer spices and exotic foods, including high-class Argentinian barbecue, handicrafts, jewelry, home accessories, and other products from South and Central America; music and dance programs; as well as workshops.

The Beer Festival at Náplavka brings brews from mini and micro Czech breweries plus gastronomic delicacies and live music to the Prague embankment on June 16 and 17. On June 17, Automat Matuška will host a pop-up event together with Garage22 and JZT Ferments with music, drinks – ranging from beer and cocktails to non-alcoholic – and food, such as special barbecue ribs.

Polish Day in the Gardens 2023 is at the Polish Institute in Prague on June 17. Learn the basics of the Polish language through a speed dating event, plan future trips to cities and regions that have information stands, and taste Pierogi and Żurek for an authentic taste of Poland. 

Until June 27, the Tanec Praha festival puts a spotlight on a captivating visual lineup of dancers from Czechia, Ukraine, Bresil, Italy, and Belgium at Divadlo Ponec, which turns into a scene for celebrating the beauty of human movement. The festival’s highlight is a performance from the iconic figure of the Flemish conceptual scene, Jan Martens, who will present a production on the stage of the Hybernia Theater on June 19. 

The Belgian band Hooverphonic will play at Ledárny Braník on June 17 as part of the Prague Open Air music festival, in a performance anticipating the release of a new album next year. Also on June 17, the krautgaze/dreamcore Czech band and the German shoegaze rockers Lucy will perform at Meet Factory.

Kino Aero will host a Hunger Games marathon on June 17, with all four films of the franchise that launched starring actress Jennifer Lawrence into movie stardom. An English-friendly version of the animated movie Elemental, which is a tale of kindred spirits, is at Kino Světozor on June 17 and 18. 

Taste different styles of gin at Ginfest 2023, which will offer more than 150 different gins from all over the world, gin cocktails from the best bartenders, seminars, workshops, and guided tastings with leading gin experts, plus catering and DJs. The event takes place on June 17 at Villa Pellé.

Between June 17 and July 1, the Open Air Festival Arena showcases theatre, new circus, music, and contemporary performing art at Smíchovská náplavka - Hořejší nábřeží Embankment. Watch tightrope watchers in a mechanical ballet, modern circus celebrating confusion, an acrobatic motorcycle show, and much more.

U.S. artist Andres Serrano’s photography exhibition Infamous Beauty, which is based on sharp contrasts around social issues, recently opened at DOX and is available to the public until Jan. 2024. The group exhibition Forced Not to Forget at Leica Gallery Prague, which runs until Sep. 10, shows photographs from Prague Spring ahead of this year’s 55th anniversary of the historical event.

On June 17 and 18, the Respect Festival 2023 brings the sounds of world music to Rohanský ostrov. Some of the acts coming to the festival are Al Bilali Soudan from Mali, Rangamatir Baul from India, Brazilian Guilherme Kastrup and his Kastrup Quartet, Corina Sîrghi și Taraful Jean Americanu from Romania, plus Damir Imamović who will present Bosnian sevdah.