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 – Prague, 26–27 May 2018
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.
Venue: Prague
Admission: Advance ticket sale: 2-day ticket – CZK 525 (EUR 20), preferential tickets for youths and students. At venue: 2-day ticket – CZK 690 (EUR 26), preferential tickets for teenagers and students.
https://meziploty.cz/
Metronome Festival, Prague, 22–23 June 2018
This is the baby in our selection, and from its very inception in 2016, it forced its way into the ranks 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, and this year's third edition of the festival returns with an even stronger line up: The Chemical Brothers, Massive Attack ... It takes place at the Trade Fair Palace, which is can take up to 15,000 people. Numerous refreshment stalls, restaurants and the "fun zone" ensure that you are not bored even for a minute!
Venue: Prague
Admission: 2-day ticket from CZK 2,190 (EUR 85), preferential tickets for persons under 18 years of age); VIP ticket from CZK 4,990 (EUR 194); a tent fee of CZK 250 (EUR 10) per person.
Aerodrome festival, Panenský Týnec, 28–30 June 2018
Barely a week after the Metronome Festival comes another golden summit of the summer festival season – the Aerodrome Festival. Another open-air festival, worth the short detour, awaits you. The motto of the organizers is quite clear: Leave the worries of working days at home. So why not heed the advice and switch off for a while? You can look forward to a number of big names like Lana Del Rey, Mackelmore and Nine Inch Nails. The main star of the festival will be Wiz Khaliha. People in the know will definitely appreciate the band Portugal, The Man or duo Ofenbach. The venue is 25 minutes out of Prague, making it an ideal destination for music lovers and people who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Venue: Panenský Týnec
Admission: 3-day ticket – CZK 3,490 (EUR 139), 1-day ticket – CZK 1,690 (EUR 66), VIP ticket – CZK 7,500 (EUR 299); tent fee from CZK 500 (EUR 20).
https://aerodrome.cz/en/
Rock For People, Hradec Králové, 4–6 July 2018
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? This year, you can look forward to acts like The Prodigy, Volbeat, The Kooks and the famous Czech band Tři Sestry. 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.
Venue: Hradec Králové
Admission: 3-day ticket – CZK 1,850 (EUR 75) without tents and from CZK 2,300 (EUR 90) with camping; 1-day ticket – CZK 1,100 (EUR 43); VIP ticket – CZK 4,000 (EUR 156).
https://www.rockforpeople.cz/en/
Colours of Ostrava, Ostrava, 18–21 July 2018
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. This year, you will be able to listen to the energy-filled rhythms of N.E.R.D., the bewitching pop sounds from London Grammar, Paul Kalkbrenner's house, and the Lucky Chops, combining jazz and funk. 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.
Venue: Ostrava
Admission: 3-day ticket – CZK 2,990 (EUR 122 EUR), 1-day ticket – CZK 1,990 (EUR 82), possibility of 3-day camping from CZK 500 (EUR 20) per person; VIP ticket from CZK 4,990 (EUR 194).
https://www.colours.cz/
Let It Roll, Milovice, 2–4 August 2018
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.
Venue: Milovice
Admission: 3-day ticket from CZK 1,900 (EUR 75) per person, starting fee from CZK 450 (EUR 18) per person; VIP package from CZK 11,990 (EUR 470). You can use the festival bus service for transport.
https://www.letitroll.eu/news/
Letní Letná, Prague, 15 August – 2 September 2018
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?
Venue: Prague
Tickets: Performance tickets from CZK 540 (EUR 20) to CZK 720 (EUR 28); Ticket for all shows from CZK 2,200 (EUR 85) per person.
http://en.letniletna.cz/2018/
8th International Classical Music Festival Dvořák’s Prague, Prague, 2–21 September
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. Let us mention a few names to look forward to this year: Israeli clarinetist Sharon Kam or soloists Krystian Zimerman, Yevgeny Kissin and Valentina Lisitsa.