Top things to do in Prague in July. As temperatures soar to near highs of 30 degrees in July, the city really comes out to play! Boat parties open up, open-air festivals come to life, and some of the coolest markets, concerts and shows are available throughout summer in Prague! Here are some of the month’s top events and things to do in Prague! Have fun in the Czech capital!
1. Design Market Holiday
2. Festival Za dveřmi
3. Prague Folklore Days
4. Prague Agility Party
5. Drum & Bass Boat Party
6. Prague Open Air
7. Matamar Boat
8. Summer Festivities of Early Music
9. Summer Shakespeare Festival
10. Games at Charles Bridge and Kampa
11. Street food on the Embankment
Love local at the Design Market Holiday, a creative gathering of artisans, craftsmen, artists and chefs from around Czech, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Germany and Ukraine. Shopaholics, foodies and creatives alike, this is your shopping paradise on earth! The event is free, running across two days. Pick up unique goodies such as ceramics, essential oils, yoga clothes, loungewear, handcrafted soaps, pet accessories, artisanal leather goods, homemade candles, and, and, and! There are food and drinks stalls, too, including plenty of yummy vegan treats!
Popular in Czechia since the 17th century, this one-of-a-kind gathering is the chance to marvel over Prague’s master puppeteers and see the iconic Czech marionettes in action! But, the Festival Za dveřmi is so much more! In fact, it’s a complete celebration of street theatre art! That’s right, troupes, groups and solo acts gather in and around Wenceslas Square, performing puppet theatre, dance, juggling, clownery, acrobatics and spoken word pieces. Not only Czechs, but talents from Poland, Netherlands, Germany and Japan show off their thang, too!
Ever owned a Babushka doll? Now is your chance to see the stacking doll come to life at this folk-centric festival! Fun fact: polka dance originated in what was then, Bohemia, and these traditions have been upheld for decades. Dressed in traditional Czech kroje, witness various folk dance ensemble groups parading the streets during the Prague Folklore Days! There are even performers from other countries, like Latvia! Not only limited to dance, expect to see beautiful costumes, windbrass folk orchestras, folk singing and marching ensemble groups!
Bring your border collies, shepherds, poodles and vizslas and impress the crowds (and your own proud #doggieparent hearts) during the Prague Agility Party — a special event designed specifically for our four-legged friends! Jumping over hurdles, through obstacle courses, tunnels and up and over walkwalks and poles, it’s all super exciting to watch and be a part of! Mingle with like-minded animal lovers, and even a new bestie for your pooch! The competition runs for three days and is set up at a horse sports complex, where the grounds comprise sand and not hard tar.
Hey, YOU, party head! We’ve got a challenge in store! Think you have what it takes to party from sunset to sunrise throughout the city? If you l.o.v.e. your Drum and Bass (one of Prague’s most popular music genres), you’re in for a serious treat! Get ready for a drum and bass party … on a boat (!!!), ending up at a banging nightclub afterward. Three stages of partying are involved: the Pre-Party at a pub hotspot, the Boat Party along the Vltava River (free booze cruise included), toppled off at the best of the city’s hottest night clubs — all entrance fees taken care of!
In a city where music has been treasured for centuries, sit back, relax and enjoy the melodies during Prague Open Air’s four-month-long musical extravaganza! During the month of July, there are seven concerts to enjoy, covering a wide variety of genres, including rock, acoustical jams, funk, pop, hip-hop and orchestrated numbers! The concerts and shows take place around two venues under the stars: Ledárny Braník and Občanská Plovárna (Civic Swimming Pool).
It’s all about that BASS BASS BASS! Bringing the extra heat this summer, Czech-born DJ duo MATAMAR (Martin Cvrk & Marek Letenský) are here to entertain lovers of the heavy-hitting electro house/grime/hip-hop music. Forget any old venue, this four-hour party doubles as a party boat cruise along the Vltava, the entire boat equipped with DJ decks, massive speakers and a dance floor!
How well do you know your history and art? Soaring to popularity across Europe circa the 17th century, transport yourselves to yesteryears when the ornate Baroque art and architecture movement was at its peak at the Summer Festivities of Early Music festival! Not just limited to this style, the event celebrates a variety of theatre, dance and music styles from the history books. Cue the period costumes, traditional makeup, musical instruments and dance choreography you’d expect from these times. Adding to its allure, the events take place around various historical city venues, from castles to churches!
‘All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.’ – As You Like It. Nothing rings more true for Europe’s greatest and oldest open-air Shakespeare festival! Gather all ye’ Shakespearean loving friends, foes and geeks, where the world’s most famous literary master is commemorated, front row and centre! This year, the iconic production of Hamlet will be staged as the main feature, but there are numerous other plays to see (mostly presented in Czech, Slovak and occasionally, English).
Almost like a rendition between The Amazing Race and a scavenger hunt, the Games at Charles Bridge and Kampa is an epic alternative sightseeing tour, fun for the entire family! You’re given a map (via mobile) and a set of clues that need solving, each pinpointing and centred around various iconic city landmarks. Some examples include the Knights of the Cross Square, Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the Charles IV monument, Old Town Bridge Tower, Kampa Island and the Grand Priory Water Mill ( there are 27 sites in total).
Ever eaten an insect before? How about a typical Serbian-style “burger?” Don’t just imagine it all, actually taste such traditions and delicacies at the Street Food event on Prague’s Smíchovská náplavka waterfront promenade. Sample and eat your way through bites and dishes from around the world, from Africa to Asia to South America!
Photo of Dancing House in Prague by Peter Čech Photography
Here you can find more tips on THINGS TO DO IN PRAGUE.
