Křižík Fountain at Prague Exhibition Grounds

Křižík Fountain (Křižíkova fontána) is one of the historic attractions of the Prague Exhibition Grounds in Holešovice. Built for the Jubilee Exhibition in 1891, it became famous as a spectacular combination of water, coloured light and music.

Older visitors may remember the fountain as a regular evening “dancing fountain” show with several performances every night in summer. This regular nightly-show format is no longer the main visitor attraction. Today, the Křižík Fountain area is used mainly as a venue for short-term events such as concerts, theatre performances, shows, fashion events, food festivals and cultural programmes.

A Fountain Built for the Jubilee Exhibition

The original Křižík Fountain was created in 1891 for the Jubilee Exhibition in Prague. Its lighting was designed by the Czech inventor and electrical engineer František Křižík, whose work helped shape modern electric lighting and transport in the Czech lands.

At the time, the illuminated fountain was a technical wonder. Water, electric light and music created a modern spectacle that impressed exhibition visitors and became one of the symbols of technical progress in Prague.

The fountain was later restored and modernised, especially in connection with the 1991 General Czechoslovak Exhibition, when the site again became associated with large-scale public entertainment.

Water, Light and Music

The modern fountain system has been described as using almost 3,000 water jets, dozens of pumps and more than a thousand coloured lights. The surrounding Křižík Pavilions form an amphitheatre-style space around the fountain.

In its most famous period, the programme combined water effects, lighting, recorded or live music and sometimes dance or theatrical performance. Classical works, film music, ballet themes and popular music were all used in past productions.

Today, visitors should not expect a daily programme of regular water-and-light shows unless a specific event is advertised. The area now works more like an event venue than a permanent scheduled fountain attraction.

Practical note: Before going, check the current Výstaviště Praha programme. Křižík Fountain may host a concert, festival or special show, but it is not safe to assume there will be nightly fountain performances.

Current Use as an Event Venue

Výstaviště Praha describes Křižík Fountain as a space available for short-term events. Visitors may come here for concerts, shows, theatre performances, fashion events, gastronomy events and festivals.

When events are not taking place, the premises are generally open to the public without special restrictions. During ticketed events, access is controlled according to the organiser’s rules.

In recent years, the fountain area has been used for events such as music shows, food festivals, maker fairs, lifestyle events and large public gatherings. Programmes change frequently, so the current calendar is more important than old guidebook showtimes.

Classical Music and Special Performances

The fountain has historically been associated with both modern and classical music. Past programmes included works inspired by Dvořák, Smetana, Vivaldi, ballet themes such as Swan Lake or Romeo and Juliet, and popular film music.

Special productions may still use the fountain’s water, light and stage setting, but these should be treated as individual events rather than a daily attraction.

Visiting Information in 2026

Location: Prague Exhibition Grounds, Výstaviště Praha, Prague 7 – Holešovice.

In Czech: Křižíkova fontána.

Original opening: 1891, for the Jubilee Exhibition.

Named after: František Křižík, Czech inventor and electrical engineer.

Current status: Event venue, not a regular nightly fountain-show attraction.

Access: Free public access when no event is taking place; ticketed entry during concerts, festivals or special shows.

Showtimes: No reliable daily showtimes. Check the current event programme before visiting.

Getting there: Tram stop Výstaviště is the most convenient. You can also take Metro C to Nádraží Holešovice and continue by tram or walk.

Nearby sights: Prague Exhibition Grounds, Industrial Palace, Mořský svět aquarium, Lapidarium of the National Museum, Stromovka Park and Planetarium Prague.

Výstaviště Praha information: Křižík Fountain at Výstaviště Praha.

Prague City Tourism information: Křižík Fountain on Prague City Tourism.

Why Křižík Fountain Is Still Worth Knowing About

Křižík Fountain is no longer the predictable nightly tourist show that many older guidebooks describe. Its value today is different: it is a historic technical monument and a flexible event space inside the renewed Prague Exhibition Grounds.

If there is a concert, festival or special production during your visit, the fountain area can still be an atmospheric evening venue. If not, it remains worth noticing as part of the story of František Křižík, Prague’s 1891 Jubilee Exhibition and the long history of entertainment at Výstaviště.