The Czech Republic is a country of festivals. In this article, we offer you a short preview of festivals where you can get to know the best of the cultural works of this beautiful country. You will find festivals focused on different musical genres, as well as a circus festival. Some of them do not have an English version of the website, so please do not hesitate to contact us for reservations at info@avantgarde-prague.cz
Mezi Ploty
Our preview begins with one very original event. The goal of the festival Mezi Ploty (Between Fences), which takes place in the grounds of the psychiatric hospital in Prague, Bohnice, is to remove barriers between people with physical disabilities, people suffering from mental illnesses and the “normal” population. The main idea of the festival is to show that the concept of “normality” can be very subjective. How better to spread this message, than through cultural events? The festival is also an opportunity to listen to representatives of the Czech music scene, from Fast Food Orchestra, through Tomáš Klus to Vojtěch Dyk.
Period: end of May
Venue: Prague
Genre: theatre and various music
Website: https://meziploty.cz/
Metronome
Since its inception in 2016, Metronome Festival has become one of the big players on the Czech festival scene. In 2016, it boasted big names such as Iggy Pop, The Kooks or Foals, and a year later, it featured Sting or Kasabian. For its sixth edition, the Metronome festival continues to move forward. In 2023, it will welcome Jamiroquai, Zaz, Moderat or Tove Lo, with the aim of making you spend a very good weekend. Numerous refreshment stalls, restaurants and a fun zone ensure that you are not bored even for a minute!
Period: end of May
Venue: Prague
Genre: various genres
Website: https://www.metronome.cz/en
Rock For People
This traditional festival does have something to offer. The first festival was held in 1995, and since then, several big names in world-class music have featured there. They’ve included names like Manu Chao, Faith No More, 30 Seconds To Mars, Skrillex ... need we say more? In 2023, you can look forward to acts like Machine Gun Kelly, The 1975, Muse, Palaye Royale and many more. In addition to performances on several stages, you will be enticed by numerous festival shops, refreshment stalls, skate parks and other attractions. You certainly won’t be disappointed.
Period: mid-June
Venue: Hradec Králové
Genre: rock, alternative rock, pop rock
Website: https://rockforpeople.cz/en/
Colours of Ostrava
This is perhaps the most famous festival outside the Czech Republic. It is held at quite a unique location, at the site of a former mine and blast furnaces, and it boasts a full program featuring world stars. In 2023, you will be able to listen to OneRepublic, Macklemore, Burna Boy, Ellie Goulding, Interpol, Purple Disco Machine, Tom Grennan and other artists. Apart from the unique musical performances, there will also be a rich accompanying program and quality service at your disposal – a well kept space for camping, bicycle rental and light projections. In short, you only need to come once to keep coming back year after year.
Period: around 20 July
Venue: Ostrava
Genre: various genres
Website: https://www.colours.cz/?lang=en-US
Let It Roll
Let It Roll is the largest drum-and-bass festival in the world: more than 100 artists, 20,000 visitors and a 10-year tradition. The festival is in itself one big show. Breathtaking light projections, impressive fireworks, but notably 8 stages offering space to novices and seasoned DJs. Andy C, Pendulum, Wilkinson or Netsky will be blasting their bass beats here. In addition to these well-known names, the audience will also be encountering new labels, still looking for their place on the music scene.
Period: beginning of August
Venue: Milovice
Genre: drum and bass
Website: https://letitroll.eu/
Letní Letná
After an exhaustive preview of open-air music festivals around Prague, let’s now move to a somewhat more intimate atmosphere. You may be wondering why we have included a circus festival among our top festivals, but this event really deserves to be there. The Contemporary Circus will be appreciated by all, young and old alike. The possibilities in this genre are practically unlimited, and this year you will even be able to see a performance in which one of the main roles is played by an excavator. The festival features performances by four French circus troupes, which will be repeated every day at the same time. The pleasant environment of Letná park is just the place for a summer day’s relaxation. Circus, a sprawling park, sunshine – what more could you ask for?
Period: mid-August to early September
Venue: Prague
Genre: theatre and contemporary circus
Website: https://letniletna.cz/en/
International Classical Music Festival Dvořák’s Prague (Dvořákova Praha)
Our list of the best summer festivals in the Czech Republic would not be complete if we failed to mention classical music. There are many concerts and festivals in the summer, but Dvořák Prague Festival has its unique charm. This relatively young festival (held since 2008) attracts some of the most prominent composers and musicians who are united by one thing – to pay homage to the genius of Antonín Dvořák and Czech culture. You can look forward to a rich program.
Period: September
Venue: Prague
Genre: classical music
Website: https://www.dvorakovapraha.cz/en/