The best things to do in Prague this week: November 29–December 5

Newly opened|The Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague presents Fashion in Blue: Indigo in Japanese and Czech textiles then and now an exhibition of historical and contemporary Czech and Japanese textiles made using a technique known as indigo blue-dyeing or shibori, still used in contemporary fashion and art in both the East and the West.

Newly opened|A Prague branch of the French YellowKorner Gallery concept is now open in Vinohrady. Visitors to the gallery can view works from Czech and international photographers that can also be ordered directly in the gallery in various sizes and formats, and frames. Laurent Baheux, Ludwig Favre, and Pedro Jacques Krebs are now on view. The concept is intended to make "photographic art more accessible" say, organizers. Similar projects exist in 130 countries around the world.

Newly opened|A number of nativity scenes, Bétlem in Czech, have been installed across Prague. From wooden to non-traditional you can view them in Žižkov, Jindřišská Tower, Charles Bridge Museum, and elsewhere throughout the Czech capital through the new year. See locations and opening hours here.

Nov. 30-Dec. 2|The TADY VARY film festival, which completely replaced the traditional Karlovy Vary festival in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, returns with three days of films from the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival being screening, in 36 cinemas across the Czech Republic. Some of the films are shown in English or have English subtitles.

Dec. 2|Filmasia film festival presents contemporary dynamic Asian cinema, many of the films have their Czech premiere at the festival. This year’s 17th Filmasia aims to map out and introduce Taiwan’s film landscape in all its glory. 

Now streaming|Filmed in Prague, at the city's legendary Barrandov Studio, Netflix's newly released holiday streamer A Boy Called Christmas follows a boy named Nikolas, who arrives in the fabled village of the elves, Elfhelm, in search of his father. 

Opening Nov. 29|The ballet adaptation of the Christmas fairy tale The Nutcracker with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, opens a seasonal run at the Hybernia Theatre on Náměstí Republiky.

Dec. 5|Ballet superstar Sergei Polunin, considered the most talented dancer of his generation will perform solo in Sergei Polunin: Up, Close & Personal at Forum Karlín in a gravity-defying 40-minute performance. Polunin's work is inspired by the legendary dancer and choreographer Vazlav Nijinsky.

Dec. 5|Prague's National Theatre presents Burt Turrido: An Opera the story of an isolated society told via humorous existentialism: a shipwrecked man is rescued just before he drowns by a beautiful and mysterious woman – phantom or mermaid? – who brings him ashore on the last bit of land that is left. Nature Theater of Oklahoma is a New York award-winning art and performance group.

Ongoing|The Marriott's Sunday family brunch is now running every Sunday from 12:30 pm until 3 pm. Enjoy several courses including premium local meat or fresh fish, as well as a rich selection of appetizers, salads, sushi, and seafood, rounded off with a selection of homemade desserts. Brunch is accompanied by a special program of live music, a raffle, and entertainment for kids. Book your seats here.

Ongoing|Manifesto Florenc and Anděl remain open daily until 10 pm. Guests can book a heated glamping tent or fireplace seating (Florence) or a table beneath a rooftop decorated with stars (Anděl). Takeaway and delivery are still available from local vendors while on Dec. 5 Mikuláš events are planned at both locations.

Newly opened|Prague's National Museum has opened a third permanent exhibition to visitors. Windows on Prehistory is the largest exposition dedicated to the prehistoric ages in the Czech Republic with 2,000 original exhibits, models, and interactive elements collectively representing a journey through the Paleozoic seas and swamps, below sea level of the Mesolithic Sea. Learn the story of the only Czech dinosaur, plus, from the ice age, see a life-size mammoth model, and a saber-toothed tiger.

Dec. 1, Dec 5.|This week sees the opening of more ice skating rinks across the city including skating spots at Letná, Smichov, Grebovka, and Ovocný trh. You can see which other rinks have already opened in last week's update.