Top 12 weekend events in Prague: Celeb snapshots, mussel mania, and autumn arrives

For just 12 more days, one of the oldest crowns in Europe and its accompanying jewels will be on display for free at Prague Castle. The exhibition of the Czech crown jewels marks the lead-up to St. Wenceslas Day on Sept. 28.

If you’ve ever been entranced by the high fashion photography of Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, and other coveted magazines, don’t miss the Bruce Weber: My Education exhibition opening at the Stone Bell House (GHMP) tomorrow. The American photographer is known for his work with Patti Smith, Leonardo diCaprio, Heath Ledger, and Czech actress Eva Herzigová; and this five-decade retrospective in Prague is his first ever major European one.

Immerse yourself in a programme of more artists, writers, and thinkers joining DOX’s FALL festival across the weekend, starting with a presentation from Max Porter, the author of the highly acclaimed novel Grief is the Thing With Feathers. Filmmakers, critics, essayists, and more from around the world will share their insight over four days of exhibitions, readings, and workshops.

Delicacies of the ocean have landed in Prague, with Czech Mussel Week engaging a slew of restaurants to participate in 1+1 offers for patrons who are fans of the versatile shellfish. Every location offers different preparations of mussels, with FUZE serving up mussels with red orange, Thai basil and beer, and several other unique combinations. Go to the Czech Mussel Week website to reserve a voucher.

Cider lovers will rejoice this weekend with a huge lineup of craft beverages from the Czech Republic and abroad on offer at Cross Club. The Cider Festival 2024 is the biggest fermented event of the year and will be accompanied by food trucks and music for the whole family to enjoy From Sept. 20-22.

Prague’s beautiful Náměstí Míru square will be set up for a unique festival of wine, burčák, crafts, music and entertainment on Sept. 20. Gather in front of Basilica of St. Ludmila with friends and family to enjoy a sunny Friday afternoon with a glass in hand at Vinobraní na Grébovce 2024.

The park of Břevnov Monastery will be hosting its own Prosecco Picnic in the Park on Sept. 20 and 21 – for the last time! Bring a picnic blanket or snag a seat and enjoy musical performances with your Italian bubbly. Over 25 traditional types of prosecco will be on offer, along with alcohol-free options such as homemade lemonades.

Have a wholesome autumnal weekend spent perusing markets and artwork by heading to the LAVRS Market in the Slovanský dům on Sept. 20 and 21, which will be showcasing Prague’s largest selection of secondhand shops. The market is focused on sustainability and slow fashion, extending to a beauty zone for hair, face, and nails, along with tattoos for 500 CZK.

Then head to the largest Czech illustration and comics festival at LUSTR 11, held at Holešovická tržnice, which will present contemporary Czech, Slovak, and foreign artwork. From Sept. 20-28, view comic exhibitions, illustrations from the scene in New York, and showcases from young talents abroad.

To mark the arrival of autumn, visit the Ctěnice Castle grounds to participate in Jablkobraní, the traditional apple harvest celebrations on Sept. 21 (the eve of the autumn equinox). Refreshing apple and honey ciders will be on offer, along with wine from Kutna Hora and homemade jams and syrups. Decorate gingerbread, get henna painted, try your hand on a spinning wheel, and watch a puppet show with your children. Admission to the outdoor program is free.

Wrap up your weekend with a slow and relaxing evening in Kunsthalle, where a reading space will be set up for visitors to bring their own books or select from their library. At the Ambient READ event this Sunday, read with strangers from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., accompanied by meditative music, and discuss your book in the cafe afterwards. If you’re really looking to treat yourself to some R&R this weekend, stop by the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, where celebrity specialist Garry Trainer is offering personalized sessions all weekend – with A-list clientele like Lewis Hamilton, Justin Bieber, Paul McCartney, and Gwyneth Paltrow to his name.