The 10 best things to do in Prague this weekend: June 23–25, 2023

Until 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, a modern circus celebrating confusion, an acrobatic motorcycle show, and much more.

Taste one of the summer’s best treats at the Prague Ice Cream Festival, which takes place on June 24 and 25 at Výstaviště Praha. The largest festival of its kind in Central Europe, the event is a chance to taste many flavors of ice cream, such as gelato, soft, yogurt, ice roll, sorbets, and special (vegan and organic), from Czechia, Slovakia, Poland or Austria.

Until Oct. 31, catch a glimpse of honey bees up close at the photographic and interactive exhibition Close Up of Queen Honey at the Botanical Garden Prague. In addition to images magnified up to 4,000 times by author Viktor Sýkora, the exhibition also includes interactive elements making visitors feel like they are inside a beehive.

A festival that brings music to everybody, Praha žije hudbou transforms dozens of locations across the city into small open-air music spots on June 23 and 24. Its line-up includes established artists, as well as undiscovered musicians, dancers, theater performers, and even cabaret magicians. The main festival route will lead from Kampa to the entrance to the Palladium shopping center, which will host acts The colorblinds, Vojtaano, Recovers, and Elayla.

Catch Little Shop of Horrors on June 24 as part of Kino Aero’s Flower Swap series. Directed by Frank Oz, the 1986 American horror-comedy-musical film revolves around a giant man-eating plant asking to be fed. For more family-friendly fun, watch a Czech-subtitled version of the animated movie Elemental, which is a tale of kindred spirits, at Kino Světozor on June 24 and 25.

4X3 Faces of Ingmar Bergman brings Summer with Monika, Persona, The Seventh Seal, and many other films directed by Swedish Ingmar Bergman to Edison Filmhub on June 23, 24, and 25. Newly released No Hard Feelings, a light romantic comedy starring Jennifer Lawrence, is at Kino Aero on June 24.

A new exhibit called The 1950s in the Historical Building of the National Museum, available until May 2024, will introduce visitors to a dark decade of Czechoslovak history. On a lighter note, The Right Toy, an exhibition that runs until Sept. 10 at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague 1 will showcase the different types of toys available to children, and question which of them is most appropriate and beneficial for them.

The sixth edition of the Metronome festival continues this weekend with international headliners ZAZ, Moderat, and Editors on June 23; and M83, Tove Lo, and White Lies on June 24. The festival includes an accompanying program of outdoor art installations, a family-friendly fair, and, for the first time, a rap music stage.

Catch a premiere production of Pagliacci / Cavalleria rusticana, the most famous opera belonging to the Italian verismo genre, at The State Opera on June 23. Part of its Grand Guignol Series, The Prague Horrortheater presents The Cabinet of Doctor Tumblety: Mothers and Fathers on June 23 at Divadlo MA. The English-language theater evening features several stories on the theme of Mothers and Fathers. 

Indulge in an unlimited brunch feast at Kunsthalle Praha on June 25. The buffet-style setup includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, courtesy of Chef Martin Jandík and his team, which will whip up experimental gastronomy dishes ranging from Mediterranean to Asian cuisine right before your eyes. Plus, the brunch ticket also includes entrance to the Kunsthalle Prague exhibition.