Autumn is coming and as it is the most beautiful season of the year in the Czech Republic, we have a list of events that are worth visiting. Everyone can find something of their own – there is a legendary horse-race, a week full of design, classical music festivals, gastronomic events, and the unique exhibition dedicated to one of the most famous Czech artists, František Kupka.
Art and Design
In mid-October, you can discover Prague in a new light. From 11-14 October, you can visit the traditional Signal Festival, which will focus on the celebrations of the 100th Anniversary of the Foundation of Czechoslovakia. Be dazzled by the art of light in the centre, in Vinohrady, and Karlín. There will also be video mapping in addition to many original installations. Most works will be displayed in a public space; the artistic light will illuminate churches, squares, palaces, chapels, orchards, as well as a designated place of the Vltava River. Designblok (25-29/10) is the largest design and fashion show in Central Europe, dating back to 1999. This year attractions include the creations of designers and manufacturers from all over Europe, novelties by prestigious brands, as well as prototypes of young designers and design studios. Design will completely take over Prague during these five days. The event is attended by more than 200 exhibitors in the main Desingblok space, which is located at the Fairgrounds at Praha Holešovice. And if you have not yet had enough design, you can visit Czech Design Week (28/11 – 02/12), a design show that will present the authors of the independent scene over five days.The Municipal House at Republika Square in Prague will present a part of the famous Slav Epic by Alfons Mucha until 13 January 2019. Of the 20 original canvases, 11 paintings of smaller dimensions will be displayed due to the small space of the gallery. If you want to see the remaining nine canvases, you have to go to Brno. The canvases are displayed at the local fairgrounds until the end of 2018.
The work of František Kupka, one of the most famous Czech artists and also one of the founders of modern abstract art, can be seen in the National Gallery in Prague. The Gallery has prepared a completely unique exhibition for the autumn – you can see Kupka’s work, from his early work in 1890s to his abstract works from 1950s, at the Wallenstein Riding School.
Gastronomic Events
The Sun in Glass microbrewery festival (21-22/09), one of the oldest and largest microbrewery festivals in the Czech Republic, is already in its eleventh year. The festival will take place in Plzeň with a rich programme is prepared for its visitors, including a tour of the hosting Purkmistr brewery and the adjacent beer spa, and competitions in beer drinking, holding beer glasses and beer barrels, and restocking beer crates.A festival of wine, young wine and good mood – this is the Valtice Wine Harvest on 5-6 October in Valtice in South Moravia, with the main programme being held at the Valtice Chateau. You can look forward to tasting traditional and regional meals, and enjoying the view of a costumed procession through the town.
The 10th Karlovský Gastronomic Festival will take place in Velké Karlovice in Northern Moravia on 6-7 October. The most visited gastronomic event in the middle of the Beskydy countryside is a festival of (not only) Wallachian cuisine and regional products.
Music Festivals
From 9-13 October, the music halls, clubs and other unusual spaces on both banks of the Labe River will host the 24th international Jazz Goes to Town festival in Hradec Králové. The jazz music festival presents the best world and European musicians, as well as representatives of the Czech jazz scene, including young artists.Just like in the previous year, the popular Strings of Autumn festival (09/10 – 10/11) offers a mixture of jazz, classical music, traditions and experimental music. You can choose from 11 concert evenings at various locations in Prague.
The 6th international Janáček Brno 2018 music and theatre festival (17/11 – 05/12) is prepared by the Brno National Theatre and the entire festival is dedicated to Leoš Janáček. This year’s festival programme also focuses on the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia. The complete theatrical works of Leoš Janáček will be performed under the production of global artists. The programme includes 15 concerts with outstanding performers.
Other Events
The oldest horse-race in the Czech Republic, Velká pardubická, takes place every second Sunday in October in Pardubice, a city in East Bohemia. This year’s race will take place on 14 October, when the main competition takes place. The horses must overcome a total of 31 obstacles, the most famous of which is Taxis – one of the most difficult jumps in the world. The race is an important social event: approximately 30,000 people watch the race at the Pardubice race course every year.You can commemorate the 213th anniversary of the Battle of Austerlitz from the 30 November to 2 December, in Slavkov u Brna, near the capital of Moravia. As like every year, the festival will commemorate the fundamental events that have had a long-lasting effect on Europe. The main event in the programme is the pompous Saturday battle below Santon Hill, where approx. 1,000 soldiers in period uniform, 60 horses and 15 cannons will participate.
