There is always something happening all year round. For most events you can buy tickets online or at Prague's numerous tickets agents and very often tickets are also available at the door too.


WINTER

St. Nicholas' Eve - Date: 5 December. This is mostly celebrated in the city centre. People wander around the streets in threesomes, dressed as St. Nicholas, an angel and a devil, symbolising confession, reward and punishment. On this day grown men stick to the hobby of beer drinking. (Read more)

The Bohuslav Martinů Festival - Since 1995, this classical music festival is held in Prague. The main attraction is the musical performances by famous Czech composers.

Christmas market on Old Town Square - During December a giant Christmas tree lights up the centre of the square, while the space around it is crammed with market stalls selling carved toys, ceramics, glass figurines, Christmas gifts, delicious gingerbread cakes, barbecued sausages and mulled wine. Even if you are not there to do shopping you can enjoy watching street performers and indulge yourself in the Christmas atmosphere.

New Year's Eve (Sylvester) - On 31 December head for spectacular fireworks and a mellower pace at Prague Castle or Vyšehrad. For great festivities go to Old Town Square where live big screening and other performances are held. Other places to go are Wenceslas Square, and Old Town and New Town. Be prepared for streets packed with crowds of tourists and champagne bottles smashed everywhere.

Prague Writers Festival - For all Literati lovers come to hear the reading of extracts and hobnob. It is your chance to see Czech literal idols. www.pwf.pragonet.cz (Read more)

Jan Palach Day - On 19 January the country marks the day in 1969 when a very young university student, Jan Palach, died after setting fire to himself on Wenceslas Square to protest about the invasion by Warsaw Pact troops the previous August and the subsequent Soviet occupation of former Czechoslovakia.

Bohemian Carnival - Date: 13-24 February. You will see costumes and street parades in the heart of the city centre. Prague's Bohemian Carnival offers a great programme of events for both children and adults. (Read more)



SPRING

One World International Film Festival - This take place at the beginning of March. www.jedensvet.cz (Read more)

International Music Festival - A series of classical and contemporary concerts is performed in venues all over the city throughout March.

Interfestival of Magic - international festival of magic arts (March).

European Film Days — festival of contemporary European films (March).

St. Joseph's Day - is a more subdued version of the Irish St. Patrick's Day and is celebrated around the same time in March every year. (Read more)

Febiobest - Starting at the end of March, an independent film festival features more than 500 movies. Many are movies with English subtitles. www.febiofest.cz (Read more)

Matějská Pouť - St. Matthew's Fair marks the arrival of warm weather and features cheesy rides for children at Prague's exhibition grounds at Vystaviste. Admission is 50 CZK. During February and March the location is Prague Exhibition Grounds (Výstaviště), Holešovice. (Read more)

Witches' Night - Date: 30 April. This festival marks the end of winter and the new birth of spring. Bonfires are lit to purge the winter spirits. These festivals are mostly found in the countryside but can be seen at Petřín Hill in Prague as well. (Read more)

Book World Prague - Starting at the end of April hundreds of exhibitors from 26 different countries will show off the latest in great literature. Book World Prague is at the Industrial Palace, Prague Exhibition Grounds. www.bookworld.cz

Prague International Marathon - (May). The route runs throughout the city. Join the other runners from all around the world. After the run finish be prepared for a great street party. The whole race is 42km (26 miles) but you can take the shorter option of the 10km (6 miles) race or even the family fun run, a 2km walk for health. For the full marathon run you have to pay a registration fee of 300 to 600 CZK. (Read more)

Prague Spring International Music Festival - Date: 12 May-3 June. This is a famous series of classical music and dance performances in churches, palaces and concert halls, drawing thousands of visitors every year. Enjoy a first-class symphony, opera and chamber music from talented artists. The celebrations begin with a procession from Smetana's grave in Vyšehrad to his namesake concert hall in Municipal House. www.festival.cz

Khamoro - At the end of May you can visit the international festival of gypsy culture, an exuberant demonstration of Romany culture from around the world. The festival features concerts, seminars and workshops. www.khamoro.cz (Read more)

Prague Fringe - A fringe theatre festival takes place in various parts of the city. Most of the time the performances are in English.

Musica Ecumenica — festival of classical music (April).

International Tattoo Convention - The tattoo fair takes place in May, on a weekend at the SK Slavia Praha complex at Strahov.

World Festival of Puppet Art -  The Marionette theatre festival takes place all over Prague in the month of May.


SUMMER

Anniversary of Franz Kafka's death - Date: 3 June. Honour the memory of one of Prague's great writers on the anniversary of Franz Kafka's death, when admirers from around the world visit the artist's resting place to pay respects. The venue is the New Jewish Cemetery.

United Islands of Prague - There are various venues across the city throughout June. Expect beers stands and concerts at Vltava river front. www.unitedislands.cz (Read more)

Festopl - festival of police orchestras and choirs (June).

Mystic Skate Cup - The International pro-skateboarding cup is held in the specially designed Mystic Skate Park on Štvanice Island.

Dance Prague (Tanec Praha) - In June you should not miss the international festival of contemporary dance and movement theatre. Now this festival is one of the most successful in Prague. www.tanecpraha.cz (Read more)

Shakespeare Summer Festivities - Through June to September there are Shakespeare performances at Prague Castle Complex. www.shakespeare.cz

Prague International Organ Festival - Festival for organ lovers, held annually in Prague, presenting a series of organ concerts by well-known organ virtuosos from all over the world. The venue where the concerts are held is the stunning baroque St. James Basilica right beside Prague's Old Town square. (July-August)

Summer Old Music Festival - This is held at Collegium Marianum throughout June. It is quite popular and also attracts some of the best performers around. www.tynska.cuni.cz

Jan Hus Day - Celebrations are held on 6 July to commemorate the 1415 burning at the stake of Bohemian religious reformer Jan Hus. It kicks off with low-key gatherings and bell-ringing at Bethlehem Chapel the evening before.

Festival of Italian Operas - In late August come to see this 10-day festival featuring Italian operas at the State Opera House. The festival provides a chance to see very good productions outside the main opera season.

Open-air Opera Festival - held in the courtyard of the Lichtenstein Palace from July to August.



AUTUMM

Strings of Autumn Festival - This is held during September to November. Visit this festival of classical music. www.strunypodzimu.cz (Read more)

Prague Autumn International Music Festival - This runs from September to October (three weeks of classical music performances). See international and Czech orchestras at the famous venue Rudolfinum. The festival features some world-renowned classical talents including Russian symphony orchestras and choirs, virtuoso violinists, symphonic arrangements of jazz and much more. www.pragueautumn.cz

Golden Prague - International Television Festival of music and dance programmes. (Ocober) www

Young Prague - International youth theatre and music festival. (November) www.youngprague.cz

Vinohrady Grape Harvest - In late September you can visit the annual celebration of the country's first grape harvest. There is traditional music and crafts along with plenty of young wine.

International Jazz Festival - This commences in the last week in October (this week-long festival has a tradition of more than 30 years). If you like jazz, this festival should not be missed especially as you can see performances by jazz legends from all around the world, with plenty of local stars in between. The festival is held in several venues across Prague but mostly at Lucerna Music Bar. www.jazzfestivalpraha.cz (Read more)

Anniversary of the Velvet Revolution - 17 November is a day which changed the lives of Czechs. A commemoration and wreath-laying ceremony is conducted on Wenceslas Square.