April Festivals
Beltine Festival of Celtic Culture: takes place every year from 30 April to 1 May, and features fun activities for the whole family. The festival runs non-stop for 16 hours. Features include Celtic music, dance performances, games and workshops, martial arts demonstrations, a children’s programme and vendors selling crafts and food. Activities take place in selected castles and chateaux in Cheb, located in West Bohemia. Velikanoc: is an old pagan springtime ritual, when men walk through their town or village using a decorated willow switch to swat their favourite women on the legs. Legend has it that this is supposed to bring rejuvenation, but there are times during this event that it seems to be taken a bit too far! May Festivals
Ceske Povstani: is a country-wide celebration of the Czech uprising late in WWII. The anniversary of the 1945 anti-Nazi revolt that preceded the arrival of the Soviet army is celebrated on 5 May. June Festivals
Summer Shakespeare Festival: is held each summer from June through September, when Prague Castle becomes a showcase for performances staged in the courtyard of the Burgrave Palace. The plays are very popular and the venue is spectacular. United Islands of Prague Festival: takes place on the islands of Prague in the Vltava River. The festival is a big draw for families and even local dignitaries attend some of the cultural events. From the islands, you’ll have views of the city intermixed with the natural beauty of the islands where you can also enjoy leisurely walks and relaxation away from the festival activities. Events continue in the city at night, in many Prague clubs. Czechs come from all over the country, and visitors come from all over the world, to watch athletes and performers such as Scotland’s 9-foot giant, ‘Big Rory,’ entertain. Traditional music, dance, sport and lots of different entertainment fill out the day. Summer Folk Dance Week: occurs in Tabor and features Czech and Moravian folk dances. The event is of particularly interest to dancers wanting to learn more about the folklore and folk dances of the Czech and Moravian regions and those seeking new repertoires and new inspiration. The second festival is known as Obzinky: after the harvest is complete, workers make wreaths of rye, straw, wild flowers, or stalks of wheat, and place the wreathes on the heads of local girls. Afterwards, they go to the landowner, placing a wreath on his head, and then dance and feast together. The owner’s wreath is displayed in a place of honour until the next harvest. Prague Autumn International Music Festival: has become a permanent fixture of Prague’s annual calendar, as well as for the entire European classical music scene. Musical stars from all over the world have performed during this festival over the years, drawing thousands of classical music fans from countries everywhere. November Festivals
Start of the Velvet Revolution: the anniversary date of this revolution is 17 November, marking the police’s violent response to the non-violent student demonstrators in Prague in 1989. This is recognised as the event that triggered the fall of communism throughout the country. December Festivals
Cert a Mikulas: is a festival dedicated to both the Devil and St Nicholas. On 5 December, parents, relatives and neighbours dress up in costume and go to the homes of the children to see if they’ve been naughty or nice, and leaving them gifts. | 
