Things to do in Prague

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Prague is a great place to spend a few days, so it may be that deciding when to visit this fascinating city comes down to 'what's on' during your chosen period. Throughout the year Prague plays host to several cultural, traditional, artistic and sporting events. Whenever there's a major holiday, the Old Town Square will set something up - a craft market, a Christmas Tree or a stage for local singers and dancers to perform on. So whether you prefer music or film, festivals or sports, Prague has a wealth of things to see and do that will keep you busy for days.

Read more on this destination in The AA Keyguide to Prague.

Top events in Prague

February:
Masopust - This pre-Lenten festival runs for five days, beginning the Friday before Ash Wednesday. Though not as wild as Mardi Gras, it includes giant puppets and a parade. At night, there's music and events at Palac Akropolis and Kino Aero.

March/April:
Febiofest (late March - early April) - Founded by Slovak director Fero Fenic, this international film and documentary festival is held the first week in April. The schedule of screenings includes film student debuts, alternative films and a few big-studio releases.

Paleni Carodejnic (30th April) - This traditional spring festival called 'Witches' Night' is marked by bonfires in the countryside and broom burning supposedly to ward off evil. In Prague, the best places to see bonfires are on Kampa Island and Petrin Hill. Check that week's Prague Post for details of where the bonfires will be in the city.

May:
Majales (1st May) - In this commemorative May Day parade, students traditionally lead a procession from Namesti Jana Palacha to Staromestske namesti.

Prague Marathon - The annual marathon has one of the most picturesque running paths in the world - it crosses the 14th century Karluv most (Charles Bridge) and ends in Staromestske namesti (Old Town Square).

World Roma Music Festival Khamoro - This annual festival of Roma music and culture began in 1999. The six-day event features music from several countries, films, seminars and exhibits.

May/June
Prague Spring (12 May - 3rd June) - Every year this world-famous music festival begins on 12 May, the anniversary of the death of Czech composer Bedrich Smetana. Since 1952, it has opened its three-week concert series with his Ma Vlast and closed with Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. It attracts conductors and musicians from all over the world.

June
Fringe Festival Praha (first week in June) - Modelled on Scotland's Edinburgh Fringe festival, this week-long celebration ofalternative music, theatre and dance takes place on various indoor and outdoor stages.

August Letni Letna - 'Summer on Letna Plain' brings circuses and experimental circus performers to this city park for a fortnight in August.

September
Vinohrady Grape Harvest (3rd or 4th weekend in September - In late September the district of Vinohrady (which means royal vineyards) celebrates the grape harvest. There are displays of traditional crafts, performers in period costume and the first bottles of burcak - a young Czech wine that tastes like apple cider.