Fun things to do in Prague (April 29 to May 5): Mirror maze marks 130 years

Plus: Witches Night on April 30, open houses and a block party for May 1, and A-ha's first Prague appearance.

Expats.cz Staff

Written by Expats.cz Staff Published on 28.04.2022 16:15:00 (updated on 29.04.2022) Reading time: 5 minutes

Exhibitions

The new art exhibition Invasion shows reflections on the war in Ukraine. Donations will be collected to support women and children affected by the Russian invasion. Kobka 17, Smíchovská náplavka, to May 22. Read more here.

The new exhibition Jiří Příhoda Void mostly features entirely new installations but also has reminders of Příhoda’s key works from the past. The artist explores space, volume, matter, and emptiness. Free admission. Galerie Rudolfinum, to Aug, 22. Read more here.

Void at the Rudolfinum
Jiří Příhoda Void at Galerie Rudolfinum.

 After being closed for two years due to Covid, the permanent exhibit the Story of Prague Castle is reopening. The exhibit, which launched in 2004, traces the Castle grounds from pre-history to modern times. Old Royal Palace, Prague Castle, starting May 2. Read more here.

Food

An international food festival is part of an all-day celebration of Čarodějnice that also includes a carousel, costume making, and an evening fire show. Smíchovská Náplavka, April 30, 10 am to 10 pm. Read more here. For more on Čarodějnice, see below and our full article.

The festival Veggie Náplavka will have vendors with plant-based cuisine and items for a plant-based lifestyle. Asian, Italian, and this year Indonesian vegan dishes will be featured. Smíchovská náplavka, May 1, 10 am to 7 pm. Read more here.

All kinds of street food can be found at Karlínský food truck festival, Music will be by DJ Hlava and Circus Problem, and there will be activities for kids. Karlínské náměstí, May 1, 11 am to 8 pm. Read more here.  

Live music

Australian pop band 5 Seconds of Summer is promoting their album "Calm" with a tour called Take My Hand. O2 universum. April 29. Read more here.

Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny is on a world tour to promote his album "Side-Eye." Divadlo Hybernia, April 29. Read more here.

Austrian electronic duo HVOB (Her Voice over Boys) has a new album "TOO" coming out and is on a world tour. Divadlo Archa, April 29. Read more here.

Norwegian synth-pop band A-ha will be performing in the Czech Republic for the very first time to commemorate 35 years since their album “Hunting High and Low” and their massive club hit “Take On Me.” Tickets purchased for the postponed 2020 and 2021 dated remain valid. O2 Arena, May 1. Read more here.

FEATURED EMPLOYERS

British and Australian music duo Dead Can Dance is now touring with a show made up largely of older material including hits from “The Serpent’s Egg,” “Aion,” and “Into The Labyrinth.” Tickets for the original dates remain valid. Prague Congress Center, May 2 and 3. Read more here.  

Irish singer, songwriter, and record producer Róisín Murphy launched her career as half of the duo Moloko. She’s touring to support her latest album of dance tunes, “Róisín Machine.” The album, released in 2020, was a mix of new and previously issued material and has been her biggest chart success. Roxy, May 3. Read more here.  

Minimalist electronica band GoGo Penguin plays a mix of electronica, trip-hop, jazz, rock, and classical music. The result has been compared to everyone from the Aphex Twins to Debussy. Palác Akropolis, May 5. Read more here.

Performance

A new Lanterna Magika performance based on the world of Edgar Allan Poe combines dance, singing, an original music score, instrumental music, vivid stage design, striking costumes, and marionettes. The performance is inspired by selected short stories. Opens April 28. Read more here.

The Lunchmeat Festival presents Amnesia Scanner in a site-specific adaptation of the Tearless project, together with local and international acts. Klášter sv. Anežky České, April 29. Read more here.  

Celebrate the International Day of Dance with free events and workshops. Střelecký ostrov, April 29, 3 pm to 10 pm. Read more here.

Vincent Macaigne’s play I Am a Country shows a fairy tale of a kingdom where people must murder one another before attaining well-being. In Czech with English and French surtitles. Estates Theatre, May 3. Read more here. (Note that other performances of this play do not always have English surtitles.)

'I Am a Country' at the Estates Theatre. Photo: Petr Neubert, National Theatre.
'I Am a Country' at the Estates Theatre. Photo: Petr Neubert, National Theatre.

Film

The city’s largest film festival, Febiofest, runs to May 4. The main center will be Slovanský dům, and other screenings and events will take place at Kino Pilotů, Ponrepo, and Edison Filmhub. A culinary film will be followed by a four-course meal on May 3. Discussions with directors at Edison Film Hub are primarily in English. Various venues, to May 4. Read more here.

Open house

The tram depot ar Vozovna Žižkov, the third oldest in the city, will be open to the public to mark its 110th anniversary. An accompanying program will include competitions, workshops, and a photo corner. There will also be rides on historic trams, for CZK 60, and a limited edition beer will be available. Vozovna Žižkov, April 30, 10 am to 4 pm. Read more here.

The Czech government will open up Kramář Villa in Letná park to the public for the first time this year to mark the May 1 holiday. The villa was the seat of the first Czechoslovak Prime Minister Karel Kramář and is now used for ceremonial purposes. May 1, starting at 9 am with the last tour at 4 pm. Read more here.

Family fun

Special tours of the area around the Mirror Maze (Zrcadlové bludiště) and other attractions at the top of Petřín Hill will mark the 130th anniversary of the pavilion's opening by the Czech Tourists Club in 1892. The tours are free but in Czech. The first 130 people will also have free admission to the maze. Petřín Hill, May 1, every hour from 10 am to 6 pm. Read more here.

The April edition of the Heřmaňák Flea Market offers a chance to search for treasures among the various offerings of used goods. Řezáčovo náměstí, April 30, 9 am to 2 pm. Read more here.

Easter may be a memory but there is still a chance to catch the Easter Market at Prague Castle. Náměstí sv. Jiří, to May 2. Read more here.

Čarodějnice parade in Prague in 2017. Photo: iStock, Madeleine_Steinbach
Čarodějnice parade in Prague in 2017. Photo: iStock, Madeleine_Steinbach

For the first time in three years, Witches Night can be celebrated with large public gatherings around bonfires to burn the effigy of a witch and also roast sausages. Read our roundup of events here.

Františka Křížka, the street in front of Bio Oko, will host a pot-luck block party from noon to 8 pm. The program includes workshops on ceramics and papermaking, plus there will be a vintage clothing flea market, yoga for beginners, and live music from Petr Ernyei Trio. The cinema will have films all day, including children's films, in Czech only. The outdoor program is free. Bio Oko, May 1 from 10 am. Read more here.

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