The 10 best things to do in Prague this weekend: December 8–10, 2023

The 19th edition of the Asian film festival Filmasia will take place in Lucerna and Bio Oko cinemas from Dec. 7 to 11. This year’s edition of the festival will pay tribute to Hong Kong film director Ann Hui, and feature some of her best-known works (with English subtitles), such as Boat People, The Stunt Woman, and Love After Love. 

On Dec. 8 and 9, the Christmas Pop up Art and Design at Karpuchina Gallery offers a wide range of artworks and exclusive designer pieces. Czech creativity platform Lemarket marks its 10th anniversary with a grand celebration at the National House in Smíchov (Národní Dům Na Smíchově) on Dec. 9 and 10 that features over 180 local brands, designers, and artists. On Dec. 10, the Christmas market on the premises of the Psychiatric Hospital Bohnice features products that patients of the hospital made in the therapeutic workshops.

The newly opened Freedom in Art exhibition at the Clam-Gallas Palace, on display until Feb. 29, 2024, celebrates 160 years since the founding of the Art Forum. Admire the works of 85 artists who are members of the Art Forum, whose creations range from sculptural works and classical painting to graphic design. Between Dec. 9 and March 10, 2024, works by Czech artist Michael Rittstein, who is a representative of the expressive figurative painting movement, will be at Museum Kampa as part of the exhibition Feet on the Table. 

Femme Palette collaborates with FriendShip Prague for the Fill a Sock for the Homeless Campaign. Purchase warm socks, fill them with travel-sized items and sweets, then join the sock collection on Dec. 9 at Coffee jako kafe Double decker. An English-speaking network of Czechs and Expats supporting those in need in Prague, FriendShip Prague supports those in need in Prague, offering goods, friendship, and guidance.

An exhibition featuring cars and equipment from James Bond films, celebrating the iconic 007 agent, opens to the public on Dec. 9 at the Křižík Pavilions. Bond in Motion will showcase famous vehicles, boats, motorcycles, helicopters, and planes featured in Bond movies, such as the Aston Martin DBS from Casino Royale, shot in the Czech Republic, and the BMW Z8 from The World is Not Enough.

This Hanukkah, learn more about the residents of one of Prague’s toniest districts with Open House Praha’s English-language tour of Jewish Residents of Bubeneč Villa District II on Dec. 10. In addition to seeing neighborhood landmarks, the tour is a chance to hear stories of elite Czech architects and follow in the footsteps of the first Czechoslovakian president Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. 

Surround yourself with cat love at the Placement Exhibition for Cats at Gabriel Loci on Dec. 10, an occasion to adopt a furry friend after signing an adoption contract and paying a fee, which supports other cats in need. The event also features a charity bazaar selling handmade items to fund veterinary care for the Spolek na ochranu zvířat Dobříšsko.

Love it or hate it, carp soup is a staple of winter holidays in the Czech Republic. If you feel like having a free bowl of fish soup, head to Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad on Dec. 9 for an event organized by Infocentrum Praha 3.

The last Hangar Open House of 2023, which takes place on Dec. 9 at Točná Airport, is a chance to see vintage aircraft on display in the hangar, and, if the weather allows, see them in flight too. The event is organized by the owners of the aircraft on display, pilots, and members of the Točná Aviation Museum community.

If you feel like exploring different Christmas traditions this year, the Venezuelan Christmas market on Dec. 10 at St. Thomas Church (Kostel svatého Tomáše) offers a selection of Venezuelan food, sweets, hot drinks,  a cultural program with traditional Venezuelan carols, and an opportunity to buy original gifts made by Venezuelan artists and artisans.