19 things to do in Prague this week – from white horses to virtual worlds

Prague welcomes one of its most atmospheric autumn traditions this week as St. Martin rides a white horse across Charles Bridge, accompanied by geese, soldiers and a symbolic delivery of snow. The Nov. 11 celebrations also bring the first wines of the 2026 vintage, special goose feasts and lantern-lit family activities to the city.

Away from the festivities, an immersive-art festival transforms DOX into a world of virtual experiences, Jessie Ware brings disco-infused pop to SaSaZu, and LP returns to O2 universum.

Families can discover architecture through play, while the week's final days offer English-language theater, a new Kunsthalle exhibition and an early opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts. Here's what's worth putting on your calendar this week:

American singer-songwriter LP returns to Prague Monday with the All Is Not Lost Tour, bringing a distinctive blend of indie rock, pop and emotionally charged vocals to O2 universum. Best known for the international hit "Lost on You," LP has also written songs for artists including Rihanna and Christina Aguilera. The concert begins at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m.

Tom Waits' haunting music meets William S. Burroughs' dark storytelling in The Black Rider at Divadlo Komedie Monday. The cult musical follows a young man who makes a dangerous bargain to win the woman he loves, combining grotesque humor, theatrical spectacle and unforgettable songs. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. with Czech and English surtitles, preceded by a free introduction at 7 p.m.

Prague's restaurants begin rolling out their traditional St. Martin's menus Monday, ahead of Wednesday's main celebrations. Café Savoy on Újezd serves roast goose with two kinds of cabbage and dumplings, alongside rich goose soup, through Nov. 15. Other Ambiente restaurants, including Kantýna and Kuchyň at Prague Castle, are also preparing seasonal specialties. Reservations are recommended, as portions can sell out.

The ART*VR Festival begins Tuesday, bringing virtual reality, immersive installations and experimental digital storytelling to DOX, Prague Planetarium and Signal Space. The fourth edition features 43 projects exploring the boundaries between art, technology and human experience, with this year's central theme examining intimacy in the digital age. Visitors can experience interactive VR artworks, international competition entries and films projected across the planetarium's dome. The festival runs through Sunday.

Japanese pianist and composer Hiromi brings her extraordinary blend of jazz, classical music, rock and improvisation to Lucerna's Grand Hall Tuesday at 8 p.m. The concert is part of Prague Sounds, which continues throughout November with an international lineup that also includes Anna Meredith, Samara Joy and Anoushka Shankar. Known for her virtuosic technique and boundless energy, Hiromi has become one of contemporary jazz's most recognizable performers.

The Aussie & Kiwi Film Fest continues Tuesday, bringing contemporary Australian and New Zealand cinema to Kino Lucerna, Edison Filmhub and Ponrepo. The 13th edition features dramas, comedies, documentaries and short films offering different perspectives on life in the Southern Hemisphere. All films are presented in their original language or English, with Czech subtitles, making the festival particularly accessible to Prague's international community. The event continues through Thursday.

The National Gallery Prague invites young visitors to explore architecture through play during More is Now! at the Trade Fair Palace. Designed for children aged 1½ to 5 and their parents, the hands-on workshops encourage families to construct, experiment and rethink what buildings can look like. Sessions take place Tuesday and Wednesday, with participation costing CZK 95 per person. Advance booking is recommended.

Argentine photographer Gabriel Matula presents Traces of Pain, a free exhibition at Prague's Instituto Cervantes exploring how human suffering has been depicted across art and literature. Through 30 photographs, Matula reinterprets iconic works including John Everett Millais' Ophelia and Francisco Goya's Saturn Devouring His Son, connecting historical masterpieces with contemporary perspectives on grief, vulnerability and loss. The exhibition opens Tuesday and runs through Feb. 13; entry is free.

Prague celebrates St. Martin's Day with a procession that looks like something from a medieval painting. At precisely 11:11 a.m., St. Martin will ride a white horse across Charles Bridge, accompanied by Roman soldiers, geese and a carriage carrying symbolic snow. The procession ends at Křižovnické náměstí, where a medieval market offers traditional food, young wines and entertainment. The free festivities continue until 6 p.m.

Prague Botanical Garden celebrates St. Martin's Day by opening its St. Clare's Vineyard wine shop earlier than usual. Visitors can sample five young wines from Moravian producer Vinařství Mádl, along with wines from the garden's own vineyard, while enjoying the autumn colors of Troja. The wine shop opens at 10 a.m., with the traditional first tasting of the new vintage beginning at 11 a.m.

Families can celebrate St. Martin's Day at Vyšehrad, where a free lantern procession brings the historic fortress to life Wednesday evening. Children's activities begin at 4 p.m., followed by a short program at the Rotunda of St. Martin. The main procession, led by St. Martin on a white horse, departs from the Old Burgrave's Residence area at 5 p.m. and winds through the grounds. Visitors should bring their own lanterns.

Prague marks Veterans Day Wednesday with a public commemoration at Náměstí Míru. From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., visitors can see historic and modern military vehicles, demonstrations of military equipment and presentations by the Czech Armed Forces. A memorial ceremony beginning at 2 p.m. honors soldiers who died in service, while commemorative red poppies will be available to support veterans and their families.

British singer-songwriter Jessie Ware brings her Superbloom tour to SaSaZu Thursday at 8 p.m. After beginning her career with atmospheric soul and electronic pop, Ware has embraced an exuberant disco sound, winning international acclaim for songs such as "Free Yourself" and "Spotlight." Her Prague concert promises an evening of dance-floor energy, glamorous pop production and powerful vocals, with support from Tsatsamis.

The National Theatre presents Mozart's Idomeneo at the State Opera Thursday at 7 p.m. Set in the aftermath of the Trojan War, the opera tells the story of a king forced to choose between duty to the gods and love for his son. Mozart's dramatic score combines powerful orchestral passages with emotionally charged arias, while English surtitles make the production accessible to international audiences. Further performances follow later in November.

Czech contemporary circus company Cirk La Putyka presents Okamžik (Moment) at Azyl78 Thursday at 7 p.m. Created to celebrate the company's 15th anniversary, the large-scale production combines acrobatics, aerial performances, juggling, puppetry, live music and striking visual effects. Directed by Finnish circus artist Maksim Komaro, the show features dozens of performers and celebrates the company's inventive approach to contemporary circus. Suitable for ages 6 and older, it is performed in Czech but relies heavily on visual storytelling.

Kunsthalle Praha opens Memory of Touch: Chapter II Friday, bringing together historical and contemporary artworks that explore fragility, memory and human relationships. The exhibition features works by artists including Toyen, Běla Kolářová, Emil Filla and Tacita Dean. An English-language guided tour with curator Tevž Logar begins at 6 p.m., offering visitors a deeper look at the exhibition and the ideas connecting its diverse works.

Prague Shakespeare Company presents Lauren Gunderson's acclaimed play I and You at Divadlo Na Prádle Friday at 7 p.m. The story follows two teenagers brought together by a school assignment involving Walt Whitman's poetry, gradually revealing unexpected connections between their lives. Performed entirely in English, the 85-minute production explores friendship, vulnerability and the mysteries of human connection. Additional performances take place Saturday and Nov. 17.

Festival Mini returns to Holešovice Market Friday and Saturday, bringing more than 80 independent brands together for a family-focused shopping and activity festival. Hall 13 fills with children's clothing, toys, books, home accessories and handmade gifts, alongside creative workshops, play areas and snacks. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. Adult admission costs CZK 190 for one day, while children aged 15 and younger enter free.

MOON Club kicks off Friday evening with an after-work gathering in its distinctive Old Town venue. From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., visitors can enjoy a two-for-one cocktail offer alongside music and the club's dramatic moon-inspired interiors. The atmosphere shifts into a late-night party as the evening progresses, with R&B and urban music taking over the dance floor. The club remains open until 4 a.m.