This weekend in Prague: Israeli island fest and Prague Castle for free

The ceremonial opening of the new season at Prague Castle will offer free admission on May 14 from 10 am to 5 pm for St. Vitus’ Cathedral, the Old Royal Palace, Golden Lane, and other sights that usually require tickets. Plus there’s a chance to see inside the Spanish Hall, Mirror Hall, and other ceremonial spaces. The Royal Garden will have a camp with cosplayers. Read more here.

See inside one of Prague’s Cold-War era anti-nuclear shelters, Kryt Folimanka. Prague 2 opens up the complex under Folimanka park once a month, and the next time is May 14 from 9 am to 3 pm. The network of tunnels and rooms was able to support 1,300 people. Free admission, enter at Pod Karlovem Street. Read more here.

Celebrate 99 years of Czech Radio with guided tours of the station’s main building on Vinohradská Street from 9 am to 4 pm, and music at Riegrovy sady from 1 pm to 10 pm on May 14. Read more here.

An international lineup of comics will be at The Comedy Store. The show is headlined by award-winning comic Ria Lina. Also appearing are Ben Norris and Paul Sinha, plus local comedian David Čech. Divadlo Bravo, May 13. Read more here and here.  

English progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator influenced a generation of musicians ranging from Rush to John Lydon. The current lineup has founding member Peter Hammill plus lone-time members Hugh Banton and Guy Evans. Their rescheduled show is at Divadlo Archa on May 13. Read more here and here.

American singer/songwriter Conan Gray, known as the Gen Z pop king, brings his world tour to Forum Karlín on May 14. His debut studio album “Kid Krow” had the hit songs "Maniac" and "Heather." Read more here. and here.

Experimental rock band black midi was nominated for a 2019 Mercury Prize and is now touring with their second album, “Cavalcade,” released in 2021. Their third album, titled “Hellfire,” is due in July. They will be at MeetFactory on May 15. Read more here and here.

German hard rockers Rammstein will be at Letiště Letňany on May 15 and 16. The shows will have increased security, and people are asked not to bring large bags. Read more here and here.

Two lasers beams will cross Charles Bridge on May 13 and 14 from 8 pm to midnight to mark the International Day of Light to celebrate the International Day of Light. The event, which is being staged by the organizers of the Signal festival of light art, will symbolically use the colors of the Ukrainian flag. Read more in our original story.

The annual Navalis is held in memory of St. Jan Nepomucký, the man whose statue virtually every tourist touches. A procession takes some of his relics down from Prague Castle and across Charles Bridge on May 15 at 7 pm. This is followed by a boat regatta and then a concert on the water. Read more here.  

Enjoy authentic Israeli cuisine, hear music, attend workshops, and play backgammon at Israel on the River. You can also support local makers of designer goods, fashion, and accessories with Israeli roots. May 14 and 15 at Střelecký ostrov. Read more here.

The season’s first Karlínskou grilovačku takes place at Karlínské náměstí on May 15 from 11 am to 7 pm. People can find lots of food, especially grilled meats, and hear music from Elias & the Shepherds. Read more here.  

Taste over a dozen types of domestic and imported cider at Cider Fest at Smíchovská náplavka on May 14. There will also be sausages, oysters, and other delicacies plus music. Read more here.

Find vintage and secondhand clothes at secondround vol. 4, at The Pitchers on Smíchovská náplavka on May 13 from 4 pm to 8 pm, with music from DJ Mur from 6 pm to 10 pm. Read more here.

Baden Baden swimming pool Štvanice opens its second season with deck chairs, grilling, and live music. The program begins late afternoon, on Saturday, May 14. Read more here.

Medieval battles will take place at Chodovská tvrz in Prague 4. Events will take place between May 13 and 15, but the combat itself is only on May 14. There are lots activities for kids, period music, and workshops throughout the festival. Read more here.

Watch the 25th Prague Dragon Boat Festival on May 14 and 15 at Loděnice KVS. The charity event will have competitions in juniors, women, men, and mixed categories. Read more here and here. 

The family festival Bambule is at Výstaviště on May 14 and 15. The program lineup is filled with entertainers who are popular with little ones, plus fun zones and competitions. Author Filip Rožek and his dog Gump will meet and greet fans. Entertainers include Lollipopz as well as Kája and Bambuláček. Read more here.