19 things to do in Prague this week, from Signal Festival to chocolate feasts

Prague's streets become an open-air gallery this week as Signal Festival returns with installations illuminating familiar landmarks and, for the first time, a dedicated route through Dejvice. The city's autumn festival calendar is in full swing, with German-language cinema, contemporary dance and a monthlong celebration of Prague's restaurants offering plenty of reasons to get out.

Away from the festivals, The X-Files star David Duchovny comes to Prague with his band, historian Yuval Noah Harari discusses the future of humanity, and rockers The Devil Wears Prada bring their latest album to ARCHA+. Here's what's worth putting on your calendar this week:

Hear Yuval Noah Harari discuss humanity's future Bestselling historian and author Yuval Noah Harari comes to Forum Karlín for The Future Is Personal, a daylong conference examining artificial intelligence, technology, trust and the forces reshaping modern society. The author of Sapiens, Homo Deus and Nexus will take part in a 60-minute conversation exploring what global challenges mean for individuals. The program runs from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Get moving at a contemporary dance festival TANCESRAZ begins its weeklong program at ARCHA+, bringing together dancers, choreographers and audiences for workshops, discussions, performances and a weekend dance battle. Monday's opening activities include a house-dance workshop with Clara Bajado, while the wider festival offers opportunities to experience Prague's contemporary and street-dance communities. Events continue through Sunday.

Hear Italian jazz in an intimate Prague venue Acclaimed Italian trumpeter Paolo Fresu brings his Devil Quartet to La Fabrika Monday evening. Known for a lyrical approach that moves between acoustic jazz, atmospheric improvisation and contemporary influences, Fresu has become one of Europe's most prominent jazz musicians. The concert starts at 8:30 p.m., offering an international alternative to the week's larger arena shows.

Eat your way through Prague's restaurants Autumn RestaurantWeek begins Tuesday, giving diners an opportunity to sample special three-course menus at more than 100 participating restaurants across Czechia, including venues in Prague. Menus cost 490 or 790 CZK per person, plus a reservation fee, with participating restaurants ranging from contemporary fine dining to international cuisine. The festival runs through Nov. 18, with advance reservations required for at least two people.

Catch Britain's Yard Act at MeetFactory Leeds post-punk band Yard Act returns to Prague after appearing at Rock for People earlier this year. The Mercury Prize-nominated group's sharp, socially observant lyrics and angular guitars have increasingly made room for disco rhythms and electronic grooves, giving its latest material a more danceable edge. The band takes the stage at MeetFactory Tuesday, with doors opening at 7 p.m.

Try your hand at acting in English Prague's Aeroškola launches a new acting course for adults Tuesday at its Letná studio. Led by American actor and dialogue coach Joe Weintraub, the 10-week course combines improvisation, character development, voice training and on-camera techniques while helping participants build confidence speaking English. Classes run Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a final video showcase.

Listen to live music beneath the stars Slovak multi-instrumentalist MAOK turns the newly renovated Prague Planetarium into an immersive concert venue Tuesday. His atmospheric, largely improvisational music unfolds beneath the planetarium's enormous LED dome, combining live sound with cosmic visuals. Two performances are scheduled, at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., providing a different way to experience one of Prague's newest technological attractions.

Try a traditional Czech craft The Gothic halls of New Town Hall become a hands-on workshop during Crafts Alive (Řemesla živě), which runs Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can meet artisans and students demonstrating traditional trades, from jewelry making and tailoring to hairdressing and woodworking. The free festival offers an unusual opportunity to discover Czech craftsmanship and try some of the skills firsthand. 

Say goodbye to MYDY—for now Czech electro-swing and electronic-pop group MYDY celebrates 14 years together with One Last Hurrah! at Roxy Wednesday. The concert marks the band's final show before an extended hiatus and doubles as the launch of its sixth album, Honeymoon Hangover. Expect a mix of new material, familiar songs and special guests from a band that has performed internationally, including at Glastonbury. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.

See The Devil Wears Prada—the metal band American metalcore veterans The Devil Wears Prada return to ARCHA+ Wednesday with music from their ninth album, Flowers. Over more than two decades, the Ohio group has developed a sound combining heavy riffs, electronic textures and emotionally charged vocals. The Prague performance is part of their latest European tour, with the evening starting at approximately 7 p.m.

Find California sunshine at Rock Café South African-born singer-songwriter Sean Koch brings his relaxed blend of indie folk, surf-influenced pop and acoustic songwriting to Rock Café Wednesday at 8 p.m. His latest album, Time Will Tell, takes a more personal approach to storytelling, combining introspective lyrics with the warm, easygoing sound that has earned him an international following.

See Prague transformed by Signal Festival The 14th Signal Festival begins Thursday, transforming streets, buildings and public spaces into illuminated artworks through Sunday. This year's Dream On! edition features 21 installations across the city center and a new Dejvice route, including a 10-meter laser installation on the Vltava and video mapping at the Old Town Hall. Thirteen installations are freely accessible, while eight indoor works require tickets. The festival runs nightly from 7 p.m. to midnight.

Discover the best of German-language cinema Das Filmfest begins its Prague edition Thursday, bringing new films from Germany, Austria and Switzerland to Kino Lucerna and Edison Filmhub through Oct. 20. The festival's latest program mixes acclaimed international dramas, documentaries, retrospectives and films rarely distributed in Czech cinemas. Several screenings include discussions with filmmakers and other guests, offering an accessible introduction to contemporary German-language filmmaking.

Hear David Duchovny sing instead of investigate Actor and musician David Duchovny comes to ARCHA+ Thursday at 8 p.m. Best known for The X-Files and Californication, Duchovny has spent the past decade developing a parallel career as a singer-songwriter. His music blends melodic alternative rock, country-folk influences and introspective lyrics, with the Prague concert featuring material from his forthcoming fourth album, Prince of Pieces.

Discover Japan's most futuristic architecture The historic Winternitz Villa opens a new exhibition devoted to Japan's extraordinary architectural experiments of the 1980s. Curated by architectural historian and photographer Adam Štěch, Postmodern Bubble explores buildings inspired by science fiction, comic books and futuristic technology. The free opening begins at 6 p.m., offering an intriguing contrast between Prague's functionalist architecture and Japan's exuberant postmodern designs.

See a classic ballet at the State Opera The National Ballet presents L'Histoire de Manon at the State Opera Thursday at 7 p.m. Based on Abbé Prévost's novel, the ballet follows a young woman whose pursuit of love and material security leads to tragic consequences. The production combines dramatic storytelling with choreography set to Jules Massenet's music, and additional performances follow Friday and Saturday.

Indulge your sweet tooth at ČokoFest ČokoFest takes over Galerie Harfa Friday, launching three days of chocolate tastings, international confectionery stalls, competitions and family activities. Visitors can sample unusual sweets, watch confectioners at work and browse treats from Czech and European producers. The festival opens Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and continues through Sunday, with free admission.

Try Pilates with a techno soundtrack Roxy swaps its usual nightclub crowd for fitness enthusiasts Friday evening with Techno Pilates. The 6 p.m. session combines a Pilates workout with electronic music, club lighting and the atmosphere of a night out rather than a traditional exercise studio. Organized by FITVIBE, the unusual workout has limited capacity, with tickets priced at CZK 599.

Hear a rising jazz star reinterpret Coltrane Chicago saxophonist Isaiah Collier brings Collier Plays Coltrane to Divadlo Dobeška Friday at 7:30 p.m. The concert honors the centenary of jazz legend John Coltrane's birth, reinterpreting his musical legacy through contemporary improvisation and spiritual jazz. Collier, one of the most closely watched musicians on Chicago's jazz scene, performs with a quartet featuring piano, bass and drums.

Discover centuries-old secrets of the natural world The National Library opens Historia naturalis, a new exhibition at the Klementinum showcasing rare botanical and zoological works from the 15th through 18th centuries. Visitors can explore historic herbals, illustrated natural history books, manuscripts and early printed works revealing how Europeans once understood plants, animals and the natural world. The exhibition opens Friday at 10 a.m. and runs through Dec. 15, with free admission.